In time honoured fashion, Neil Warnock has once again agreed to bring his team to Langsford Park for their pre-season opener.

It is with great pride that the Lambs will get to pit their skills against Championship contenders Leeds United on July 23, 7pm at Langsford Park, Tavistock.

Ticket details are yet to be confirmed, so please watch this space for more details.

All at Tavistock AFC look forward to greeting Leeds’ travelling army of supporters and wish you all the very best on your trips down to the Westcountry.

Bodmin Town were the eventual winners in a closely fought battle with their league rivals Buckland Athletic.  Following two hours of play at Langsford Park, Bodmin edged it on a penalty shoot-out, winning 6-5 and adding the Throgmorton Cup to their South West Peninsula Premier League title and Cornwall Senior Cup triumphs in the 2011/12 season.

Buckland must take heart though, coming a very close second to Bodmin today, finishing runners up in the league and lifting the Devon St Luke’s Bowl.  Certainly, they will face a big challenge when they take the step up into the Western League next term, but all at Tavistock AFC wish them the very best.

All in all, it was a great day, the weather held out for the 90 minutes of regulation time, the pitch played a treat, 400 fans were treated to a nailbiter and the officials and guests all seemed very satisfied with the Langsford Park reception, including a super buffet laid on for Mr Throgmorton and his guests.  A big thank you from all of us at Tavistock AFC to the teams, travelling fans, league officials and our many volunteers, without whom today could not have been possible.  Certainly, we would be more than happy to be given the opportunity to host the Throgmorton Cup Final again next season and beyond!

Chris Fenner.

The Lambs recorded their largest away win of the season, when they defeated a team that has been in fine form over the last two months.

The visitors got off to a slow start and the home team had the better of the opening 15 minutes. However, it was the Lambs who took the lead in the 21^st minute when a corner kick found Jamie Ahearn at the far post, who nodded the ball down and back across the goal for Dan Pethick to slot home from close range. This steadied the Lambs down, and from this point on they were to prove the much better side. Glyn Hobbs increased the lead, before the home side reduced the arrears just before the interval.

After the break the visitors dominated the whole of the half and proved what a good side they can be, when they are on form.

Glyn Hobbs was at his best and scored what can only be described as a superb hat trick; all three of his goals were tremendous strikes form 18 yards or more, each nestling low in the corner of the net, giving the very experienced Gary Penhaligon no chance of saving any. This, coupled with great strikes from Dave Hallett and Dan Pethick, saw the Lambs race into a 6 – 1 lead, with the home team getting a consolation goal near the end.

This was a great team performance and, were it not for Penhaligon in the St Austell goal, the Lambs could have won by an even greater margin.

Match Report: Derek Pethick

The Lambs’ poor run of results continued with defeat at Camelford, who have recently been in good form with a very good mid-week draw at Parkway.

The first half was very competitive with both teams trying to get the upper hand, but it remained even until a free kick, taken by Liam Dingle, floated into the penalty area where slack marking allowed Marc Gusterston to score with a superbly executed scissors kick, giving Meeds no chance.

The rest of the half remained a midfield battle with little goalmouth action at either end.

Camelford started the second half much better than the visitors, and it was no surprise when the Camels doubled their lead in the 65^th minute. Gusterston got his second of the afternoon when he clinically finished off a headed pass from Josh Insley, from an Adrian Sleep free kick.

Andy Meeds then came to the rescue to keep the Lambs in the game, when he denied Ryan Pooley and Gusterston from increasing the home side’s lead, with two fine saves.

The Lambs took advantage of this and reduced the arrears when the excellent Dave Hallett thundered home an unstoppable drive with 16 minutes remaining.

This stirred the Lambs into action as the home defence came under more and more pressure as the visitors searched for the equaliser.

However, the home defence held firm giving the dangerous Glynn Hobbs little scope with two men marking him. In the dying minutes a tremendous free kick from Hobbs was brilliantly saved by Josh Colwill in the home goal and it was the home team who were glad to hear the final whistle, as the Lambs put them under immense pressure. This is another game where the Lambs’ late efforts deserved to earn them a point, but, to be fair to Camelford, they just about edged it over the ninety minutes.

Match Report: Derek Pethick

Even though they suffered defeat at the hands of promotion chasing Buckland, the Lambs can take many plusses from their performance, against a team second in the division.

The home team took the lead in the 14^th minute, when a cross from Glynn Hobbs was headed towards goal by Jarryd Kelly, but Neil Montandon blocked his effort, only for the Lambs’ striker to force the rebound into the net.

Buckland responded after this setback and they took just three minute to level the scores, when Andy Lynch fired home from the edge of the area. The Lambs defence were now under pressure and the pace of the visiting forwards was causing them problems, so it came as no surprise when the visitors took the lead six minutes later, as Cameron Kelly fired home from the 16 yards.

Things got worse for the Lambs when the visitors made it 3-1 with a stroke of good fortune. A fierce cross from Danny Gaze rebounded off ‘keeper Andy Meeds on to the unfortunate Jamie Ahearn, who could only watch as the ball flew into the net.

Glynn Hobbs reduced the arrears three minute into the second half when his shot was deflected off Liam Drew’s head and looped over Montandon and into the net.

The Lambs’ hopes were hit in the 55^th minute, as Hobbs was harshly shown a straight red card for a strong tackle on Danny Lewis. All the home supporters now feared the worst, with ten men against a top quality side. So it was great to see how the Lambs responded by playing really great during this spell, and actually caused the visitors so many problems during the last half an hour.

They took the game to the visitors and kept possession of the ball, thus denying Buckland putting further pressure on the home defence. Both Pethick and Kelly went close to equalising and it was the visitors who were holding on. However the Lambs did not manage to get that all important equaliser that they thoroughly deserved and Buckland were mightily relieved to hear that final whistle.

This was a fantastic game of football and kept the whole crowd on edge throughout. The Lambs can be really proud with everyone putting in a first class performances, especially young Josh Robbins and Jarryd Kelly who were outstanding on the night.

Match Report: Derek Pethick

A minutes’ silence took place prior to the kick off in memory of Adam Billings who had played for both clubs. He was well respected by everyone in the game of football, and his tragic death came as a shock to all.

Liskeard took the lead in the 9^th minute when the Lambs’ young full back slipped on the edge of the penalty area, and Danny Zalick was quick to react and took the opportunity to shoot low past Andy Meeds from 12 yards.

This stirred Tavistock into action and Dan Pethick made a fine run through the Liskeard defence but his shot was saved by Borthwick. Glyn Hobbs then went close to equalising, but his shot went just wide of the far post.

The lambs levelled the scores in the 20^th minute when a free kick found Jimmy Alexander, who knocked the ball down for Dan Pethick to coolly chip the ball over Borthwick into the net.

A great move between Pethick and Jarryd Kelly split the visitors’ defence but Kelly’s fine effort whistled past the far post for a goal kick.

The Lambs had much the better of the first half, but once again failed to turn their superior possession into goals.

The second period was continually being disrupted by free kicks given by an over-zealous referee. This meant that the game could not flow, as both sides found it difficult to gain any momentum. Numerous yellow cards were issued to players on both sides, when there was not a really bad tackle during the whole ninety minutes.

The Lambs did manage to create couple of half chances, with Dave Hallett shooting just wide from the edge of the penalty area, and Jarryd Kelly shot over the bar in the 76^th minute.

The last ten minutes was frantic with both sides having chances to get the winner, but it was Meeds who came to the rescue to deny Zalick from getting the winner in the 93^rd minute.

The Lambs once again were nearly made to pay for missed chances in the first half, but a draw was probably a fair result over the duration.

Match Report: Derek Pethick

Great work Holties!!

Despite a slightly flacid first half, a 3-1 half-time deficit and a harsh sending off of the ever-threatening Hobbs, the lads should be applauded for a gutsy and committed second half in which they almost rescued a point against high-flying Buckland Athletic.  Keep an eye out for Derek Pethick’s match report over the coming days.

Tavistock continued their good run of form, when they defeated local rivals Launceston in an even contest. The visitors, currently lying third in the league table, were always going to be a stern test for the Lambs, who have only lost once in their last seven games.

It was the home team who got off to the best start and took the game to Launceston and, as early as the third minute, almost opened their account when Ben Davies made a fine run down the right and his cross was met by Jarryd Kelly whose shot from 14 yards was deflected away for a corner kick.

Hobbs then caused the visitors a scare when he beat two defenders and cut into the penalty area, but he pulled his shot just wide of the target.

After the opening fifteen minutes Launceston came back into the game and the home team had their first scare of the afternoon when Sam Davey blasted over the bar from 14 yards.

In the 23^rd minute a Jimmy Kiely free kick found Kelly, and his fine pass set up Glynn Hobbs, but his shot from 18 yards just cleared the bar.

The Lambs took the lead in the 33^rd minute when the ever-alert Hobbs took a quick free kick and found Jarryd Kelly, who curled his inch perfect angled shot from 18 yards into the far top corner of the net.

The home team continued to press forward and young Josh Robbins, making his home debut, produced some fine runs down the left, and it was he who combined with Hobbs to almost produce a second goal for the Lambs. Hobbs’ cross was met by Kelly but his header was well saved by the ‘keeper.

Shortly before the interval the visitors missed a great chance to draw level when Chris Head failed to convert a fine cross from Sam Davey.

The Lambs doubled their lead in the second minute after the interval when Mark Reckless lived up to his name with a clumsy challenge on Glynn Hobbs resulting in a penalty, which Hobbs took and smashed into the roof of the net.

It was the visitors who finished the stronger of the two teams as the home defence came under considerable pressure with wave after wave of attack and Launceston finally opened their account in the 83^rd minute when a strong run down the right by Sam Davey resulted in a cross which found Chris Head who calmly tapped the ball past Meeds at the far post.

Two minutes later Head missed a similar chance when he put his shot wide of the target.

It was now all Launceston, as they laid siege on the home goal, but the home defence held firm to record a win over a very good team.

The game proved to be a great advert for local football and was witnessed by a good-sized crowd.

This was another good team performance, from which many positives can be taken.

There were fine performances by Hobbs, with local lad Josh Robbins showing his ability in attack. The whole defence played well as a unit and Dave Hallett was back on song in the midfield. However, the outstanding performance of the day was Jarryd Kelly, who was back to his very best after a long term injury. His pace and movement caused problems to the visitors throughout the ninety minutes.

Match Report: Derek Pethick

This game was keenly contested throughout, with both sides vying to take the three points on offer.

It was the Lambs who started the better of the two teams and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the seventh minute. A through ball by Jarryd Kelly split the home defence which resulted in a chase between Hobbs and home ‘keeper Joe Moore.  The latter looked favourite to clear the ball from outside his penalty area, but, under pressure, he missed his kick and Hobbs coolly slotted the ball into an empty net.

After this setback the home team really began to get their game together and, eight minutes later, they levelled the scores, when a low cross from Josh Luxton was met at the far post by Matt Harvey who tucked the ball past Andy Meeds.

The home team then had a period where they were in control and Meeds was the much busier ‘keeper. And there could be no complaints when Glyn Hobbs was shown a yellow card for a robust challenge on Brett Worbey.

Cullompton took the lead in the 30^th minute after Meeds pulled off a great double save to deny James Blake and Matt Harvey, but was left helpless when the ball fell kindly back into the path of Harvey who blasted the ball home from six yards.

As half time approached Andy Meeds made two fantastic saves to deny Blake and Harvey from increasing the home side advantage and keep the Lambs in the game.

The home team increased their lead two minutes after the interval when Tony Radford hit the bar and the ball fell kindly to Blake, who was following up to net the rebound.

Midway through the second half the Lambs made two substitutions, and this had an immediate impact with the visitors controlling the game for the remaining twenty-five minutes.

The visitors reduced the arrears when Jarryd Kelly’s through ball found Hobbs who beat Sanderson to stride clear, and draw Moore off his line before slotting the ball into the goal.

The Lambs continued to put the home defence under pressure and fully deserved to draw level when Hobbs’ cross picked out Alexander whose fierce shot was only parried by Moore and the ever alert Kelly was on hand to chip the ball home.

The Lambs continued to press forward and looked the more likely side to get a winner, but it was not to be, and they had to be content with a point as the home defence held firm.

Match Report: Derek Pethick