A Lovely Local Affair - St Dominick Match Preview

Tavistock AFC Reserves vs St Dominick FC

This saturday, 14th December, we welcome St Dominick to Langsford Park. 

Tavistock Reserves head into the game full of confidence after a four match unbeaten run, three in the league and including their cup game last weekend.
The Lambs recorded a 2-0 win over fierce local rivals Bere Alston four weeks ago, with Billy McGowan and Jack Crago grabbing the goals. 
      They then took on a top of the league Torpoint side, seeking revenge for a 4-1 defeat in September. Tavy came out all guns blazing and took all three points following an impressive display and a comfortable 2-0 scoreline courtesy of goals from Jack Crago (pen) and Xoli Ncube.
     Tavistock then had a difficult trip to Plymouth Parkway, who narrowly defeated the Lambs 3-2 at Langsford Park earlier in the season despite the home side dominating. This however was a different affair, and Tavistock took the lead deservedly from a Anthony Davey free-kick. A defensive mishap led to Parkway equalising and allowing both teams to take a share of the spoils.
    
It was a change of scenery last weekend when they travelled to Mevagissey, in the Rowett Insurance League Cup. The long journey didn't seem to affect the Lambs, who produced a slightly more in-experienced side at their lower league Division 1 opponents due to the unavailability of some older players.
The Greens had gone unbeaten at home all season in their respective campaign, the pitch was bobbly, small and suited their 'route 1' style. Although the surface didn't provide too much opportunity for Tavistock to show their free-flowing football, they took the lead thanks to a inch-perfect ball out wide to James Phelps from Anthony Davey, the winger then driving into the box before finding Nathan Ewing, whose shot blocked. Following a goal-mouth scramble, the ball fell to Jack Crago, and the club's leading scorer didn't make any mistake. Mevagissey 0-1 Tavistock 
      It was soon 2-0 following a Phelps corner, and Ewing was at the front post to back up his good performances with a goal, a neat flick on the volley giving the home 'keeper and defender on the line no chance. Mevagissey 0-2 Tavistock
     Tavistock dominated from then on, with Davey again involved with Crago, the ball eventually rolling out to Xoli Ncube, and the left midfielder smashed home a driven shot across the 'keeper into the far corner. Mevagissey 0-3 Tavistock     
Not much more action in the first half, and the referee's whistle brought an end to a half that couldn't have gone much better for the away side.

In the second half, it was key for the Lambs to not let the home side back into the game, and some good saves from Tom Mchale kept the greens at bay. Excellent defending from centre-back duo John Francis and Simon Cook distinguished any hope of a remarkable turnaround. 
   Crago then had the perfect opportunity to add his second of the afternoon, when he was brought down clean through on goal, a penalty and a yellow card the verdict from the referee. Crago, so usually reliable from the spot, saw his penalty saved. Tavistock seemed to be becoming wasteful, as this added with a rash shot over the bar from close range from left back Harry Southcott seemed to stall the away side who were very clincial in the first period. Southcott however was involved in the fourth and final goal, when he interlinked well with Crago and the fast striker was sent through, a great individual run saw his first effort foiled by the home goalkeeper, only for the ball to find it's way back to Crago's feet, for him to calmly tap into an empty net, completing the scoring and bringing the result beyond doubt. 
FULL TIME: Mevagissey 0-4 Tavistock

The visitors St Dominick at currently sitting 2nd bottom in the East Cornwall Premier League compared to their 8th placed hosts who have games in hand on the teams above them. The Doms have won only one game from their last six, drawing one and losing the other four. 

St Dominick Recent Results:

L

Wadebridge Town

2

1

St Dominick

Saturday, 05 October 2013

L

Elburton Villa

3

2

St Dominick

Saturday, 12 October 2013

L

Morwenstow

6

4

St Dominick

Saturday, 26 October 2013

D

St Dominick

1

1

Kilkhampton

Saturday, 09 November 2013

L

Polperro

5

1

St Dominick

Saturday, 16 November 2013

W

St Dominick

3

1

Wadebridge Town

Saturday, 30 November 2013

Past Meetings:

2011/12 Season: St Dominick 1-3 Tavistock
                        Tavistock 3-5 St Dominick

2012/13 Season: St Dominick 2-4 Tavistock
                        Tavistock 4-0 St Dominick

Squad Selection:

TAVISTOCK management team; Dave Ewing, Garf Ewing and Stefan Kelly should have a strong squad to choose from for this game. The only recognised absentees are Glenn Hurrell who is struggling with an injury and probably won't return until Christmas. Marc Solomon is banned so he is unavailable as he serves the second of his three match ban. After missing last week's cup win over Mevagissey, everyone at the club will be happy for the return of captain Chirs Holt. Joe Cook is ready for selection following his three-match ban, and Christian Evans has confirmed his availability as Tavistock look utilise a good mix of youth and experience which has served them so well so far this season.

Tavistock (from): J CASTLE (GK), T MCHALE (GK), J COOK, S COOK, J FRANCIS, C EVANS, H SOUTHCOTT, J PHELPS, C HOLT, N EWING, X NCUBE, J CRAGO, A DAVEY

 The East Cornwall Premier League table.

Other fixtures this weekend:
Callington Town vs Wadebridge Town
Kilkhampton vs Launceston
Liskeard Athletic vs Elburton Villa
Millbrook vs Morwenstow
Polperro vs Plymouth Parkway
Saltash United vs St Teath

The referee is Paul Forse from Saltash. 

Getting to know the second team...

WHO ARE THE RESERVES?

The Lambs' reserves are currently enjoying a very good season. They are near the top of the East Cornwall Premier League and are also still involved in two out of three cup competitions. But who are the players?

GOALKEEPERS

 Jamie 'Clean sheet' Castle

Very influential goalkeeper who still in his mid-20s has a long and successful career ahead of him. 

Having played at a higher level, Jamie recently returned to Langsford Park to help the lambs improve on last season's third place finish to which Castle kept 13 clean sheets and only let in 23 goals, the lowest in recent years for the East Cornwall Premier League.

Tom 'Ginger Giant' McHale

Tom is a young goalkeeper who is enjoying his first season with the lambs. 

He is part of the Plymouth Argyle Youth set-up and whilst his main position being in between the sticks, he has impressed as a striker this season and is showing how versatile he is at a young age.



DEFENDERS

 Harry 'Southy' Southcott

Harry is a young defender, experiencing his first season with the reserves but has also played a part in some of the first team games this season, most noticeably the away FA Vase 2nd round defeat to Kidlington.

He can play anywhere across the back four comfortably and has also played well in centre midfield in the absence of a few key players at times.

 Glenn 'Angry man' Hurrell

Glenn is one of the older, more experienced players in the team, and had really made the right back position his own. He is usually one of the first names on the team sheet apart from when he has been suspended or injured which has happened on a few occasions this year.

Glenn likes to bomb on forward and still shows signs of youth with his quick feet, explosive runs and overall work rate.

 Christian 'Evo' Evans

Christian is loud, funny and very very old. So old he has now started playing veterans football. He is a real leader on the pitch and the first to make a joke in the changing rooms.

Despite his claims to be a centre-forward, followers of the lambs are more a custom to seeing him at centre-defence. He's tall, powerful and rarely loses a header, even though he's losing his hair week by week. 

 Joe 'Cooky' Cook

Joe is a young defender who is also part of the Plymouth Argyle Youth set-up. He likes a tackle, works tremendously hard and gives his all for the team.

Joe has impressed in many performances this season and even when asked to play in the centre of midfield, he has done well and always looks to link up with the strikers and wide midfielders.

 John 'Early bird' Francis

John is also enjoying his first season with Tavistock and has been involved with the first team earlier in the season. He is in his mid-20s and plays at centre-back.

John is very reliable, so reliable that he is always the first one to training or matches, some believe he camps out overnight but that is yet to be proven. 

John is very vocal, puts lots of effort in and highlights the team ethic.

 

 Marc 'Solly' Solomon

Marc is amongst one of the oldest players in the squad, but he battles hard for the team and is a key player. He normally plays centre-back but has flirted with left back and had a quick cameo at centre forward this season that was cut short following a red card.

Marc is also one of the jokers in the team, quick to team up with 'Evo' but the atmosphere wouldn't be the same without him. A credit to the club and South West football.

Simon 'Cooky' Cook

Simon is new to Tavistock, brother of Joe, and good friend of Evo and he has impressed following a string of good performances in big matches.

Although moonlighting as a centre-half, he has coped very well at full-back. 

Simon has raised the average age of the team following his arrival as the management look to add experience to the young side as they look to challenge for the league.

MIDFIELDERS

 Chris 'Holty' Holt

Chris is the captain of the team. He is a born leader and has recently joined the small '30' group in terms of age in the squad. 

He battles hard every single game, a real representation of what Tavistock AFC is about. He plays in centre-midfield and is often found being a serious threat from corners and can use both feet very capably.  

 James 'Chopper' Phelps

James is currently in his second season with Tavistock. The wide midfielder has enjoyed spells with the first team including the trip to Oxford.

He normally plays right midfield for the team and takes most set pieces resulting in assists for the team.

Never afraid to get stuck in and he is also usually the longest in the shower. 

 Nathan 'Consistent' Ewing

Nathan is a young centre-midfielder who is one of the most reliable players in the team. Does the simple things well and always looking to bring other players into play. 

Nathan pops up with the odd goal from game to game and is also part of the Plymouth Argyle Youth set-up.

Xoli 'Hero' Ncube

Xoli (coley) is new to the team this season and has recently found some good goalscoring form.

Usually plays left midfield and scares defenders with his pace, skill and unpredictability.



  STRIKERS

Jack 'Crago' Crago

Jack is the only recognised out and out striker in the reserves. He usually leads the line on his own with the support of either a midfielder or one of the versatile defenders.

He is currently top goalscorer at the club and was second last season so he definitely knows where the goal is. 

His pace and dribbling ability gives defenders nightmares.


MANAGEMENT

 Dave 'Loud mouth' Ewing

Dave holds the official title as manager/joint manager with brother Garfield.

Dave is well known to not be afraid to make changes and will definitely make his feeling known to the team, the referee or anyone inside the ground.

Dave joined this season to take the team on and beat last year's finish.

 Garfield 'Garf' Ewing

Garf was part of the very successful coaching team last season and like his brother is not afraid to let his opinion be heard.

Garf often gets involved in the 'banter' that flies around adding to the team atmosphere.

Stefan 'Work away' Kelly

Stef has joined this year after spending a few years at Saltash. Following an injury he has focused on coaching and is fitting in well at Tavistock.

It's always a pleasure to see Stefan working his tactical magic when he manages to free himself of work commitments.

Mark 'Sammo' Vernon

Sammo was manager last season. Due to work commitments he had to walk away from the team this year. 

He is slowly beginning to get back into the set-up, but still admits he's got something to offer as a player whilst having a few cameo appearances this season.

MATCH REPORT - Torpoint Athletic Saturday 23rd November

Lambs welcomed the league leaders to Langsford Park.

TAVISTOCK AFC RESERVES 2-0 TORPOINT ATHLETIC RESERVES FC
SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2013
EAST CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE
LANGSFORD PARK - 2.30PM
Scorers: Jack Crago (P) + Xoli Ncube

Tavistock Reserves Team:

1. Jamie Castle (GK)
    2. Ryan Moorhead (RB)
    3. Harry Southcott (LB)
    4. Christian Evans (CB)
    5. John Francis (CB)
    6. Chris Holt (CM)
    7. James Phelps (RM)
    8. Nathan Ewing (CM)
    9. Tom McHale (ST)
    10. Jack Crago (ST)
    11. Xoli Ncube (LM)

Tavistock reserves pulled off the result of the day and quite rightly grabbed 'Team of the week' courtesy of the Sunday Independent after this great win at home to top of the league Torpoint Athletic. 

Off the back of a good 2-0 home win against Bere Alston last week, the lambs carried on their good run against a slightly weakened and off-colour Torpoint who will be thoroughly disappointed with their performance.

The game itself was a great display of the quality of football represented in the East Cornwall Premier League and from a neutral point of view, unless knowing the two teams, you would have had no idea who was top of the league based on how the game panned out.

Tavistock started off brightly, some excellent midfield play between skipper Chris Holt and Nathan Ewing resulted in Jack Crago narrowly missing the target. 

Torpoint goalkeeper Matt England made some great saves in the early exchanges to keep the score at 0-0, first at point-blank range from Crago, before getting down low to deny wide midfielder James Phelps who turned sharply and shot towards the bottom corner. 

Following a short burst of corners, Tavistock continued to pile on the pressure over their higher placed opponents, but still England and Torpoint withheld the pressure, despite a goal line clearance after a goal mouth scramble. 

Lambs 'keeper Jamie Castle didn't have too much to do in the first half, but saved smartly from Torpoint skipper Lewis Kershaw, and was a real physical presence when coming to claim the ball from the visitor's corners. Defensive duo Christian Evans and John Francis had to be at their best to negate any advances from Kershaw and strike partner Ross Avery, and they rarely gave the tamarsiders' front men a sniff at goal. 

Towards the end of the half, came the turning point. The pacey, tricky Crago played in by Xoli Ncube and a terrific run from out wide into the box by the forward resulted in him being up-ended and referee Butter had no choice but to award the penalty.
       Crago dusted himself off and kept his cool to dispatch of the penalty and put the lambs 1-0 up, much to the liking of the few gathered inside the stadium to watch this crunch game.

The task for the home side was to now keep in front, and they certainly looked like they wanted this more, in particular Torpoint lacking a spark, usually supplied by the absent Brian Stacey.

Tavistock held on until the referee's whistle to bring the first half to a close.

HALF TIME: Tavistock 1-0 Torpoint

The second half started amid cool overcast conditions, totally opposite to the warm sunshine from the first half. 
      Despite the clouds forming, Tavistock didn't let anything rain on their parade, and they started with the same intent as at the beginning of the match. Tom Mchale usually who plays in goal was enjoying an appearance outfield against his home town side, causing serious issues for the Torpoint defence, almost in a bullying fashion. 

The teams provided no real action for either goalkeeper in the opening stages, but Castle was the busier with a couple of half saves to make but nothing too serious as Torpoint looked to show everyone why they are top of the league. 

Good work down the right hand side by full back Ryan Moorhead presented a chance for Phelps to cross, but his cross successfully defended by the visitors but only for a corner. Up came Evans and Francis from the back, and nearly latched onto the delivery, Tavistock were beginning to come into the game again.

The second goal came at a good time for Tavistock, Moorhead again getting forward, laying the ball off to Crago, who eventually found Phelps on the right hand side. Phelps worked his way in field and fired a shot with his weaker foot towards the bottom corner, it seemed to be going in but then smashed against the inside of the post, only for the ball to rebound out to Ncube who coolly side-footed the ball home to double the lambs' lead.

A rare goal for the left midfielder celebrated greatly by his teammates as everyone inside Langsford Park knew how big a two-goal lead was.

Then came a bit of controversy, a free-kick floated in by Kershaw towards the back post looked to be heading onto the head of Avery, only for the striker to take a tumble claiming he had been pushed. No penalty was the decision from the referee. The game continued however moments later an off the ball altercation between Avery and Tavistock substitute Marc Solomon resulted in both players being sent off to add a sour note to the game, which had been a good advocate for local football.

That killed off any momentum from Torpoint and the home side held on for a massive win which throws the title race wide open!

Lambs boss Dave Ewing commented on his delight of the win 'it's a massive result for us, to beat the league leaders really shows what we are capable of and it gives us great confidence heading into next week's game away to Plymouth Parkway.'

Tavistock now face fellow high-flyers and league favourites Plymouth Parkway next Saturday at Bolitho Park (2.30pm kick off) whereas Torpoint face a long trip to Kilkhampton.

Langsford Park bathed in sunshine before a crucial game

      

   

     

The Oxford Diary...

Kidlington FC away, that's a long old polk!

FA Vase Second Round

Kidlington FC vs Tavistock AFC

Saturday 16th November

3:00pm

After sucessfully seeing off Winterbourne FC in the previous round, the next test for the lambs was a mouth-watering tie away to Ulhsport Premier League side Kidlington FC.

It posed a real test of a side developing well under interim-manager Paul Blatchford, the assistant manager taking over whilst Ian Southcott is away due to work commitments.

8:00am - An early start...

It was a bright and early start, an eight o'clock meet at the home of the lambs, Langsford Park. 

A handful of loyal supporters gathered to travel in the executive coach alongside the players who for most was their first taste of an experience like this.

This was only the beginning, only 200 odd miles to the ground in Oxfordshire.

10:20am - The toilet stop...

Lambs Supporter Eric Pinch

Half the journey down, the team arrived at a service station full of optimism. 

It clearly meant as much to the supporters as it did the players, some of them showing their allegiance more than others, but nonetheless, everyone knew how much of a big day this was for the club. 

The players were stocking up on healthy sandwiches and snacks, whilst the majority of travellers enjoyed a luxury KFC feast. The pink and whites then soon set off to complete the second half of their journey to Oxford.

12:40pm - We had arrived...

A few players getting to grips with the bobbly surface

 Just over two hours before kick off, we had made it. We were at the theatre of greens as the locals called it, not quite the theatre of dreams. 

The poor weather had clearly had an effect on the pitch, it was very brown, both soft and hard in places, and it was very small, an opposite to the flat, luxurious Langsford Park surface. 

3:00pm - KICK OFF...

Tavistock wearing some extremely bright pink jerseys attacked ‘The Club House’ end in the first half, but in the opening stages weren’t seeing too much of the ball as Kidlington set about trying to find the net early doors.

Kidlington rained down plenty attacks in the opening minutes but some less than perfect finishing meant that Dean Smith’s goal remained intact.

With almost half an hour played big Central midfielder Ben Fitzmartin finally broke the deadlock. It wasn’t a pretty goal but some goals never are, and a goal mouth scramble allowed him to fire a shot across goal and it went in via the far post for 1-0.  

HALF TIME: Kiddlington 1-0 Tavistock

Lamb's Keeper Smith made a couple of good saves firstly from a Jack Quainton shot across the goal, then from a serious deflection preventing what was surely going to be an own goal .

Smith’s goal was however breached again soon after this when another goal mouth dilemma ended with the keeper dropping the ball and Kidlington's captain Lewis Brownhill blasting it into the net from close range.

The travellers from Devon then tried to get back into the game which looked to be slipping drastically away from them, good work from wingers Tom Hall and James Phelps presented a few attacking opportunities from corners which in particular striker Ian Rooke couldn't take full advantage of after battling hard with the home defence.

A switch to 4-4-2 for the last 20 minutes helped Tavistock, who were showing signs of getting back into the game, central midfielders Dave Hallett and Stuart Morgan showed desire and great work rate but couldn't do anything to stop the trio of Kidlington opponents playing a great passing game in the middle of the park.

Quainton then added the third and final goal of the game when he latched onto a cross by substitute Joe Caven in the final minutes to settle any chance of a nervy finish.

A great effort by Tavistock but a lack of resources ultimately proved to make it a struggle, and they were sent home by a very well organised home team.

FULL TIME: Kidlington 3-0 Tavistock

  

After the long, tiring match, the lambs started their long journey home, arriving back at Langsford Park around 11:00pm. 

TAVISTOCK AFC TEAM

1. Dean Smith (GK)
2. Ryan Moorhead
3. Harry Southcott
4. Dave Hallett
5. Dan Follett
6. Jamie Ahearn
7. James Phelps
8. Stuart Morgan
9. Ian Rooke
10. Jarryd Kelly
11. Tom Hall 

125 YEARS OLD!

TAVISTOCK AFC - 125 YEARS OLD!

The Lambs welcomed local rivals Saltash United to Langsford Park to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Tavistock AFC. 
The South West Peninsula Premier Division fixture unfortunately finished 2-0 to the visitors, in front of a very respectable sized crowd inside the home of the lambs.

It was a special occasion for the home side, steeped in history and success. Regardless of the result, it was a great evening which celebrated the birthday of the club which happened the day before.

FACTFILE:
Name: Tavistock Association Football Club (Tavistock AFC)
Nickname: The Lambs, The Tavy
Founded: 1888
Ground: Langsford Park
Capacity: 2,000 approx. (200 seated)
First Team League: South West Peninsula Premier League
2012/13 Finish: 10th
Reserve Team League: East Cornwall Premier League
2012/13 Finish: 3rd
Team Colours:  First Team Home: Pink/Chocolate Shirts, White Shorts, Pink/White Socks
                       First Team Away: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
                       Second Team Home: Red/Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Black/Red Socks
                       Second Team Away: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks

Tavistock Guildhall, 1888

Tavistock AFC was founded on the 8th September, 1888. This came about when people interested in playing or being on the committee were ordered to go to the Guildhall. Sportsmen and businessmen gathered and a committee was formed, with brothers Herbert, Wilfred and Kingsley in command.

They played their first games at the old Tavistock Grammar School playing fields, where they were entered into the Devon League. 
In only their second season, they won the Devon Senior Cup, and then eleven years on, obtained their first Devon League title. 

During the 1920s, the club was very successful and gathered lots of honours, most noticeably the Devon League, Senior Cup and Bedford Cup. 

Unfortunately, at the close of the 1931/32 season, the club was forced to stop playing due to money issues and debt. It took five years for the club to gather enough funds to start up again, and two years after that, they associated with three other local teams. 

Following the affiliation with Tavistock Comrades, Bannawell Blues United and Tavistock West End, they changed the colours of their strips from the Salmon Pink Shirts with chocolate collars and cuffs (similar to the new shirts supplied to the first team recently), to what the club is more modernly known for, the red and black stripes.

The Second World War came and went, when the whole country was going through a re-building process, Tavistock AFC used this as a chance to move forward. Firstly joining the Plymouth Combination League First Division, but also when Club President Herbert Thomas Langsford bought the current home ground, Langsford Park before giving it over to the club under trust a couple of years later.

With a fantastic new ground in place, the club entered the FA Cup for the first time ever in it's history in the 1948/49 season.

After five years in the PC League First Division, the club joined the South Western League when it was only heading into it's second season in 1952. The club spent eight years temporarily in local football, but apart from that time, until 2007, they had continued to be members of the South Western League.

In mid 2007, they were founding members of the South West Peninsula League Premier Division, where they have spent the last six seasons. Their most successful South Western football season came in 2002/03, where they made a real challenge for the league, only to finish runners-up in a terrific title race.

The most significant other happening in Tavistock AFC history was the entry into the FA Vase, for the 2004/05 season, and a year on after their first cup entry, they managed a last 32 appearance, before valiantly losing at North Yorkshire club Pickering Town, during the 2005/06 season.         

For the First Round of the FA Vase win over Winterbourne FC from Bristol, the first team was treated to a new kit, a resemblance of the kit worn by the club at the start of it's formation.

First Team Manager: Ian Southcott

First Team Assistant Manager: Paul Blatchford

THE RED AND BLACK CLUB IS RE-OPEN!

Following a devastating fire in February 2011, the 125th anniversary also saw the re-opening of the Red and Black club two and a half years. 

It was great to see the clubhouse open, with great facilities, a players and members bar, pool table, flat screen TV, as well as a smart-looking bar and a massive function room.

Club chairman Chris Fenner praised the contribution of the many volunteers and ‘unsung heroes’ who made the club’s ‘resurrection’ after the devastating fire possible. 

‘I’d like to give thanks, on behalf of everyone who cares for our club, especially to our small band of committed volunteers for their massive contributions. 
‘You have literally raised our club from the ashes, following two and a half years of continual compromise.'

The Red and Black Club after 

the devastating fire in February 2011

The new re-opened Red and Black Club,

a top-class facility.

Dan Follett in action showing off the 

Pink and Chocolate Kit during a game 

away at Plymouth Parkway earlier this 

season.