Carlsberg South West Peninsula premier

St Blazey 2

Tavistock AFC 4

TAVISTOCK came out on top in this six goal thriller, played in very poor conditions with a gale force wind and a deluge of rain throughout.

The conditions proved to be a great leveller, as the Lambs struggled to get their normal neat passing game going, against a spirited and determined St Blazey team.

The visitors started brightly and almost took the lead in the tenth minute when a fine move resulted in Jack Crago being fouled outside the penalty area. Dave Halletts’ free kick found Lewis Daw at the far post but his header back across the six yard box was cleared for a corner kick.

Four minutes later the Lambs took a deserved lead when Lee Rundle up-ended Jack Crago as he burst into the penalty area. Josh Robins rifled the spot kick into the top corner of the net.

Minutes later Dan Follett was on the end of a fine move but his shot was brilliantly saved by Dave Painter in the home goal.

Lambs’ keeper Jack Ord made a really good save in the 22nd minute to deny Liam Jones a goal to level the scores. St Blazey did equalised in the 25th minute when Lewis Coombes lost possession; the ball found Josh Sims on the left wing, his cross in the gusty wind evaded everyone and somehow crept into the far top corner of the net. Four minutes later Lewis Coombes fired high and wide of the target when well placed.

The Lambs regained the lead when Rundle committed another foul on Crago in the penalty area. Josh Robins made no mistake, firing the ball low into the corner of the net.

Then just before the interval Jack Crago’s determination saw him win the ball back from Rundle, take the ball round keeper Painter, before slotting the ball home from an acute angle, to give the Lambs a 3-1 lead at the interval.

The Lambs started the second half and had a couple of good chances to increase their lead.  A Josh Robins free kick saw Jack Crago’s shot well saved, then Alexander set up Lewis Coombes but his shot sailed way over the bar. Dan Follett then screwed his shot wide of the target from 12 yards.

With the wind at their backs St Blazey came more into the game and for a period they really took the game to the Lambs. Jack Ord was called on to make three top quality saves to deny St Blazey.

The home team got their reward in the 70th minute when from a free kick Rundle headed home.

The home team pressed hard for an equaliser, but the Lambs defence held firm.

The visitors were prevented from increasing their lead, when a thunderous shot from Lyle Johnson cannoned back off the post and cleared to safety.

In the dying minutes Jack Crago scored his second of the afternoon when he again out paced the home defence, cut in from the left and fired the ball home to seal the win.

This was a credible performance in difficult playing conditions; everyone played their part and the team earned their victory. Jack Crago was outstanding, his pace and work rate were superb while Jack Ord showed that he is a top quality keeper. Dave Hallett is back to his best along with Dan Follett, who worked his socks off.

League Cup

Tavistock AFC 4

Newton Abbot Spurs 1

THE visitors started brightly last Tuesday night, showing they had come to Langsford Park to take the game to the Lambs and not sit back and defend.

Spurs got their just rewards when they opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Following a raid down the right, a cross into the penalty area saw the centre forward slot the ball home from six yards.

This setback stirred the Lambs into action and a fine run by Kelvin Fyneboy saw his cross fired inches over the bar by Jack Crago.

Ricky Shepherd’s shot from 22 yards was superbly pushed around the post for a corner kick.

The pressure exerted by the Lambs paid off in the 26th minute when Dave Halletts’ corner kick was partially cleared; the ball fell to Warren Daw, who calmly slotted it home from eight yards.

The Lambs were now on top and Fyneboy headed over the bar from another Halletts’ corner kick. The home team then took the lead in the 42nd minute when the ball found Jack Crago inside the penalty area; he swung around and fired the ball low into the corner of the net.

A minute before the interval the Lambs were awarded a penalty when Lewis Coombes was brought down in the penalty, Coombes’ spot-kick was saved by the Spurs’ keeper, to keep his side in the game at the interval.

The visitors stepped up their effort in the second half which saw the game flow from end to end with both sides playing some delightful football. Jack Ord in the home goal was called into action and made some fine saves to deny the visitors.

The Lambs scored their third goal of the evening when Jack Crago’s cross saw Kelvin Fyneboy produce an unstoppable header that nestled in the top corner of the net.

Newton Abbot Spurs then spurned two great opportunities to reduce the arrears but their efforts were wide of the target. Jack Ord then made a fine save to deny the visitors.

In the 88th minute the Lambs increased their lead when Fyneboy produced the perfect pass to put Jack Crago in on goal; Crago took the ball round the keeper and slotted the ball home from an acute angle.

This was an exciting cup tie between two attack minded side that produced great entertainment for both sets of supporters.

The Lambs deserved their hard earned victory, but Newton Abbot can take great credit from a fine performance.