Tavistock travelled to a blustery St Stephens Borough to play on the 3g pitch at Saltmill.
The Lambs early in the game failed to adapt to both the conditions and the pitch in a sluggish start.
Boro started brightly and with intent, as a headed clearance was met twenty five yards out on the volley by a Boro player for a suberb strike and early lead after Ten minutes. This became 2-0 after Fifteen minutes following a free kick and sharp finish in the box.
Tavistock sprung into life and Phelps burst into the box forcing a good save from the Boro keeper. Following a free kick awarded to tavy Twenty yards out Billy Macgowan scored a wonderful left footed strike from the dead ball to make it 2-1 on 26 mins.
A surging Phelps run down the right wing saw a cross turned in by 16 year old debutant Jack Tribble to level the scores at 2-2 on 29 mins.Both sides were trying to play good football but Tavy were in the ascendency and a 25 yard screamer into the top corner from Joe Wood saw Tavy go in front on 35 mins 2-3, it could have been better for tavy but a Phelps, Tribble link up saw Phelps get into the box but drag his shot wide from 16 yards. Half time score was boro 2 Tavy 3.
Tavy started the 2nd half well and after some sustained pressure Matt Davidson on for the injured Sam Hicks went past a couple of Boro defenders only to be upended just outside the box, the ref then shocked everyone by producing what seemed a harsh red card for Boro’s Nick Dale, adjudging him last man. The resulting free kick was a double punishment as it turned out with Phelps stroking the ball round the wall and into the far corner for 2-4 to tavy.
As a contest the game was over for Boro as Tavy pushed forward and a thumping header saw Billy Macgowan get a second for tavy to lead 2-5, the same player sealed his hat trick with a magnificent 25 yard left footed free kick to make it a resounding 2-6 scoreline in favour of Tavistock.
Tavy manager Tim May was ‘ pleased with the three points after a sticky start we showed some good character and football to get back into it and eventually ran out worthy winners, we are improving as a team with each game and if our mental attitude can match our footballing ability we will a tough nut to crack this season’.
