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
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.
