JM Rodney U16s

Tavistock Thistles 1

Hooe Rovers 3

THIS was a disappointing result for Thistles, who should recognise that the defeat was as much down to their failure to convert goalscoring opportunities as it was to dodgy decisions from the touchline.

Despite not playing at their best, Thistles created a plethora of chances only to be foiled by poor finishing, good goalkeeping or the linesman's flag, and it was Hooe that opened the scoring towards the end of the first half, when the Rovers' striker pounced on a defensive error to finish smartly.

It looked like Tavistock would bounce straight back, when a vicious strike by Josh Vernon was parried by the keeper.

It appeared to the onlookers as though Ben O'Neill had reacted fastest as he pounced to put the ball into the net, but the linesman reacted faster as he raised his flag to ensure the goal was ruled out.

The second half continued in the same vein. Thistles' attacks were blunted.

Frustration and a lack of discipline cost them two more goals, and the game, as heads began to drop.

But new signing Ian Harvey was rewarded for his perseverance and solid performance when, following a goalmouth scramble, he forced the ball home for a consolation goal just before the final whistle.