Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier
Camelford 1
Tavistock AFC 1
FOLLOWING their poor performance at Exmouth, when they lost 0-4, Tavistock were back on their game at Camelford and should have taken maximum points. They were denied by some last ditch and resolute defending by the home side.
Dave Hallett made a welcome return to the Lambs’ starting line up having recovered from injury. The visitors were without Sam Chitty through suspension, with Alexander and Coombes both missing through injury.
The Lambs got off to a fast start. Jack Crago and Ryan Swain combined well, and Graham Galway’s header from Swain’s cross was only inches wide of the target. Camelford’s first effort on the visitors’ goal came in the 15th minute, when Andy Boxall shot wide of the target from 22 yards.
A great cross field ball from Dan Evans saw a header from Crago cleared by the home defence.
In the 37th minute, following another flowing move, a fierce shot from Dan Follett was only parried by Gregory but he just managed to gather the ball before Mike Williams was ready to pounce. Jack Ord was then called upon to make a smart save from Ryan Pooley’s 25 yard shot.
Both teams continued to create scoring opportunities but the defences were in fine form so the half remained goalless.
The Lambs upped the tempo in the second half, and controlled the game for long periods, playing some delightful football. The visitors forced a number of corner kicks, putting the home defence under severe pressure, and it was only a well marshalled defence lead by Danny Frohlick that kept them at bay.
Then the visitors paid the penalty mid way through the half when they were caught by a counterattack when a long ball from Martin Haynes was headed on by Kyle Flew for Mark Gusterson to shoot in the corner of the net.
The Lambs now laid siege on the home goal but there were numerous occasions when shots were blocked, when they looked destined for the goal.
With 15 minutes remaining the Lambs deservedly equalised when Josh Robins went on a fine run beating two defenders but his thunderous shot was blocked by the home defence; however, the ball fell to Dan Follett, who made no mistake firing low into the corner of the net.
The Lambs continued to dominate as they looked the more likely to get the winning goal. However they were denied by some really good defending, as the home goal led a charmed life. All that was needed was that little bit of luck to get the winner their performance deserved.
This was a much better performance from Tavistock with the team nearly back to their best. Everyone can be pleased with their performance in a good team effort.
Dave Hallett had a great game in midfield, he was well supported by Warren Daw and Dan Follett. Jack Crago’s pace caused the home defence problems throughout; Mike Williams showed his skill with classy footwork, and Dan Evans, Lewis Daw and Ryan Swain all had good games in defence.