Carlsberg South West Peninsula Premier

Tavistock AFC 1

Saltash Utd 3

THE visitors started at a terrific pace with Tavistock goalkeeper Josh Oak forced to make a really good save to deny Farrant giving the visitors the lead in the second minute.

Three minutes later Saltash deservedly took the lead from another fine attacking move when the ball fell kindly for them and Maddison was on hand to ram the ball home.

Ten minutes later things became worse for the Lambs when a free kick for the home team was cleared and the quick counter attack saw Heveren break down the right; he cut inside and unleashed a terrific shot which Oak did well to save but it came back off the keeper and Richards was on hand to slot the ball home from close range.

The first scoring opportunity for Tavistock came in the23rd minute when Josh Robins made a fine run down the left flank; his shot was parried by Rickard in the visitors’ goal and the ball fell to Tyler Elliot but his shot flashed inches wide of the target.

Saltash continued to look dangerous in counter attacks and Oak in the home goal had to make a fine save to deny the visitors from increasing their lead.

Just before the interval Dave Hallett saw his fine effort from 20 yards pushed over the bar for a corner kick, which was cleared.

The second half saw the Lambs up tempo in their game and they started to get a real foothold with Warren Daw shooting over from close range. Three minutes into the half a good break down the left saw a cross into the penalty area where Jack Crago was on hand to slot the ball home from eight yards.

Just as Tavistock began to get a foothold in the game five minutes later they paid the penalty for some slack marking, which resulted in a fine cross being finished off by Hughes to restore the visitors’ two goal lead.

The Lambs continued to push forward to try and turn things around, but for some reason it was a game where they never really got their normal fluent passing game going.

Each attack saw the quality of the final pass lacking accuracy, giving opposing defenders time to get in a block or tackle.

With the home team pushing numbers forward it saw them light at the back and the visitors exposed this with good effect; Oak in the home goal had to make two really good saves to deny Saltash from adding to their goal tally.

This was a game that the Tavistock will want to forget, as the team performance was well below the standard set by the team this season. They will need to get their game back on track if they are to challenge for runners up spot in the league. The games will now come thick and fast with 13 games to play by the second week in May.

• Tonight the first team are away to Callington Town, kick-off. 7.30pm and on

Saturday they are away to Helston Athletic, kick-off 3pm. On Monday, April 16 the first team are home to Bodmin Town, kick-off 7.30pm, while on Wednesday, April 18, home to Sticker, kick-off 7.30pm.

Tavistock Reserves are home to St Stephens Borough on April 14, kick-off 2.30pm.