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| Lambs welcomed the league leaders to Langsford Park. |
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.
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| Langsford Park bathed in sunshine before a crucial game |
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