FA Vase

Tavistock AFC 2

Hallen AFC 0

WITH Josh Grant not available, Jack Crago led the Lambs attack, with Rickie Shepherd and Tyler Elliot making the starting line up.

Following the FA Cup heroics of Tuesday evening, the Lambs looked a little leggy and had to be patient to earn progress to the next round, where they will now meet Camelford at home.

Hallen set up defensively from the start, getting plenty of men behind the ball.

The Lambs almost opened the scoring in the fifth minute; Dave Hallett found Tyler Elliot, whose fierce shot was inches off target. Five minutes later, Hallen keeper Woolley made a fine save to push Jack Crago’s shot away for a corner kick.

The visitors’ first attempt on the home goal in the 15th minute, with a Cousins shot easily saved by Lambs goalkeeper Josh Oak.

A great move by the home side saw a Jack Crago shot parried by Woolley. Crago was on the rebound like a flash but was adjudged to have fouled the keeper as he challenged for the ball.

On the half hour another flowing move saw Rickie Shepherd find Dan Sullivan but his shot, that looked destined for the goal, was deflected away for a corner kick off a defender.

The system set up by Hallen was having the desired effect as the Lambs became more and more frustrated, finding it difficult to find a way through their blanket defence.

Woolley then made a tremendous save to deny Jack Crago from breaking the deadlock.

On the break just before the interval, Payne’s fierce shot for Hallen was pushed away for a corner kick, which was cleared.

The Lambs increased the tempo of the game in the second half. Tyler Elliot’s fine run and cross saw Jack Crago’s header turned behind for a corner kick by Woolley. Dan Sullivan had another shot blocked off a defender for a corner kick.

On the hour a counter attack by the visitors resulted in Payne clipping the home team’s cross bar with a powerful 20 yard strike.

Lambs manager Stuart Henderson then made a change with Teagan Rosenquest replacing Tyler Elliot. He was soon in the action, supplying a beautiful pass to Jake Miller but his shot was well saved.

The Lambs had a real scare in the 67th minute when a counter attack saw Davis’ shot parried by Oak, but Josh Robins was back to cover and cleared the ball off the goal line to safety.

Luke Brown then replaced Rickie Shepherd with 15 minutes remaining. He almost scored with his first kick when he flashed a shot wide of the target from a cross from Ben Cross. Jake Miller then fired over the bar from 20 yards.

The Lambs continued to press forward but found it very difficult to break down the visitors’ compact defensive set up. Jack Tribble replaced Dave Hallet in the 80th minute.

The breakthrough deservedly came four minutes later when a flowing move saw Jake Miller provide a final pass that saw Jack Tribble slot the ball home.

The home continued to attack and were rewarded again in the 88th minute when Jack Crago was floored in the penalty area. Dan Sullivan made no mistake from the spot, as he fired the ball low into the corner of the net to ensure passage into the next round.

The visitors frustrated the Lambs with their tactics, which proved to be very effective, however persistence paid off in the end.

Although not at their crisp best, the Lambs controlled the game for long periods but the finishing was not as clinical as normal. Man of the match was captain Warren Daw.

Looking beyond Saturday’s FA Cup game against Frome Town, the Lambs’ first team are at home to Ivybridge on September 20, 7.30pm kick off.

This Saturday the reserves are away to Pensilva, kick off is at 2.30pm.