Carlsberg South West division one East

Tavistock AFC 3

Liverton 0

THE Lambs kept in touch with the leading pack, with this victory over a determined and resilient Liverton team. The hosts saw the return of Josh Robbins and Aaron Hulme.

The match started at a fast pace and the home team almost scored in the second minute, when a free kick taken by Dave Hallett saw Lewis Daw's powerful header well saved by Ross Belloti.

Both teams were playing some attractive football, each probing in order to take the lead.

In the 14th minute home keeper Martin Piper was called into action to make a smart save to deny Aiden Macken a chance of scoring. Four minutes later the Lambs had a real stroke of good fortune, when Harry Soutcott's last ditch clearance crashed against the upright and away to safety for a corner kick. This scare stirred Lambs' action and they really started to get their passing game in full flow, putting pressure on the visitors' defence.

The home team took the lead in the 20th minute when a fine run by Lewis Edwards resulted in a corner kick. Dave Hallett's kick was inch perfect for Dan Follett to power home a tremendous header at the near post from six yards out. Two minutes later Aaron Hulme made a powerful run from midfield, but his 20 yard shot was well saved by the keeper.

The visitors had their moments and when the Lambs lost possession on the half way line, they produced a fine move, but Alex Harding failed to test Piper when he screwed his shot wide of the target.

Lewis Edwards showed his skills as be dribbled his way towards goal, but just as he was about to cut into the penalty area, he was brought down. Maskell's free kick flashed inches over the cross bar.

The Lambs began to take control of the game and should have increased their lead before the interval. In the 42nd minute Kelvin Fyneboy produced one of his eye catching runs when he waltzed passed three defenders, but his left foot shot cleared the bar.

A minute before half time Josh Robbins found himself in space and let fly from 25 yards; his powerful low shot skimmed the outside of the upright, with the goal keeper rooted to his line.

The Lambs started the second half on the front foot and within two minutes a Lewis Daw header flew inches wide of the target.

Carlton Farnham and Fyneboy combined well to open up the visitors' defence, but Fyneboy dragged his shot from ten yards, wide of the target.

On the hour the Lambs fashioned a superb one touch passing move, between Maskell, Fyneboy and Hulme, concluding with Hulme firing low into the corner of the net to make it 2-0. Two minutes later from a Dave Hallett free kick, Lewis Daw's powerful header was superbly pushed over the bar by Bolleti.

The Lambs then dominated and the visitors can thank their keeper Bolleti for producing a series of fine saves to keep the score respectable —including denying Lewis Edwards and Aaron Hulme in the 76th and 78th minute.

The visitors were now restricted to the odd counter attack but never really caused any problems to the home defence. In the 80th minute Lewis Daw, who had an excellent game throughout, carried the ball out of defence and drove at the heart of the Liverton defence but his 22 yard shot was just wide of the target.

Substitute Shaun Manley had a 25 yard shot superbly saved by Bolleti, Fyneboy then went close, before Dave Hallett fired a terrific drive from 22 yards but once again the keeper made an excellent save.

In the 90th minute the Lambs deservedly increased their lead when a powerful 25 yard shot from Manley found its way under the diving Bolleti into the net.

This was another good team performance to ensure a resounding victory, against a more than useful Liverton team. With Lewis Daw and Dan Follett on top form at the heart of the defence, full backs Southcott and Robbins completed an effective defensive unit.

The influential Dave Hallett was back to his best and outstanding throughout the match while Maskell and Farnham controlled the middle of the park. Aaron Hulme and Kelvin Fyneboy's powerful runs caused the Liverton defence numerous problems during the game.

l This Saturday the Lambs are away to Totnes and Dartington kick-off 2.15pm. Tavistock Reserves visit Morwenstow, kick-off 2pm. On Boxing day the first team are home to Plymstock United, kick-off 3 pm. On Saturday, December 27 the reserves are home to Wadebridge, kick-off 2pm.