East Cornwall premier

Saltash Utd 4

Tavistock AFC Reserves 1

AFTER a disjointed preseason which saw several football games called off and others put on at the last minute, the Tavistock Reserve side kicked off the season for real with a trip to Saltash United.

Early on Tavistock’s Sam Hicks forced a good save from the Ashes’ keeper with a crisp low drive, but it was the home side that opened the scoring after 22 minutes; a long ball into the corner saw a cross finding Scotty Coombes, who converted from close range.

Tavistock’s Ash Seward then found himself away from the last man and one on one with the Saltash keeper who made a fine save when a goal looked the likeliest outcome. The same player was again denied by the keeper after a good strike was turned round the post. A 30 yard ball from Tavistock’s Phelps was met on the volley by Billy McGowan inside the box and a fantastic save denied him as Saltash went into the break 1-0 up.

The home side doubled their advantage ten minutes into the second half from a corner when sloppy marking saw Coombes again on the mark for his brace. Matty Davidson, on as a replacement for Hicks broke into ‘the Ashes’ box but the keeper was having a blinding game and again made a good save to deny the Lambs troubling the scoreboard.

Tavistock were now forced to gamble pushing players forward in an attempt to break through a hard working Saltash side but they were always vulnerable to the counter attack and it was Tavistock keeper Castle who was forced to make a good save on 75 minutes.

Coombes latched on to another long ball and sealed his opening day hat-trick with a good finish.

Tavistock still pressed on through Harry Henderson and a Phelps cross from the right was met by Billy McGowan who made no mistake at the far post. A grandstand finale in the closing ten minutes saw Saltash resolutely defending to deny Tavistock any more success and a breakaway goal sealed a 4-1 win for the Ashes in the 93rd minute.

Tavistock boss Tim May was bitterly disappointed with his sides showing on the opening day, conceding that ‘we squandered good opportunities in front of goal, although the Saltash keeper was in great form, gave up possession too cheaply, and never really had the game in our control’.