The Lambs progress to the second round of the F A Vase by winning this very competitive match. The game was played in difficult conditions, gale force winds blew throughout the game, with heavy rain in the second half, when the Lambs were playing against the elements.
Both Josh Grant and Jack Crago returned to the starting line up for this First Round F A Vase match. The Lambs got off to a bright start and almost took the lead in the third minute when home keeper made a fine save, palming a free kick from Dave Hallett over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Josh Oak was forced to make a fine save to deny Ash from giving the home team the lead. Back came the Lambs, but they were finding it difficult to get their fluent passing game going on what was not the best of playing surfaces. The Lambs took the lead in the fifteenth minute when a great long pass from Dan Evans found Jack Crago, his first time ball into the penalty area saw Tyler Elliot crudely upended by his marker, as he prepared to fire the ball home. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Josh Grant made no mistake as he thundered the ball home.
Two minutes later Hall- Cousins was booked for reckless challenge on Tyler Elliot.
Odd Down tried to put some pressure on the visitors defence, but the Lambs defence were in fine form forcing shots from long range. The nearest they got to was in the thirty first minute when a break down the right, a fine pass found Kye, but Ryan Swain’s perfectly time tackle clear the danger.
In a ten minute spell before the interval the Lambs should have rapped the game up as they created three terrific goal scoring opportunities. A terrific shot from Josh Robins was turned away for a corner kick by Baldy in the home goal. Tyler Elliot then saw his shot whistle inches wide of the target when well placed. Minutes later Josh Grant was in on goal his effort was brilliantly saved by Baldy. As half time approached another good move saw the ball find Josh Grant in a good position but the normal clinical finisher, scuffed his shot allowing the keeper to make a really good save.
Tyler Elliot picked up a hip injury in the first half and was replaced at half time by Teigan Rosenquest. Odd Down started brightly in the second half, four minutes in Kye shot just wide of the target from twenty yards. Minutes later from a corner kick the ball fell to Durban but his shot from outside the penalty area sailed over the bar. Dan Evans then made a really good block as Kye shot for goal. This little spell of action by the home team stirred the Lambs into action. Teigan Rosenquest made a terrific run down the right, his cross found Jack Crago in a good position, but he dragged his shot wide of the target.
In the 65th minute the Lambs deservedly doubled their lead. Another good move saw the ball find Warren Daw in the penalty area, but just he was about to pull the trigger he was upended, the referee had the easiest of decisions as he pointed to the penalty spot.
Josh Grant made no mistake as blasted the ball home.
In the 75th minute Manager Henderson made a substitution when he replaced Luke Brown with Lewis Coombes. Josh Oak made a great save when he turned a shot from Tippins for a corner kick.
Three minutes later Odd Down were awarded a penalty when a missed timed tackle saw a forward brought down in the area, Kye slotted the ball home to reduce the deficit.
The home team pushed for an equaliser but the Lambs managed the game well for the remainder of the game, and deservedly progress to the next round of the competition.
This was a difficult game for the Lambs played in poor conditions and not the best of playing surfaces. They were the better side over the ninety minutes and had they had their shooting boots on the victory would have been more convincing.
The man of the match was Dan Evans who won his aerial battle the physical centre forward Kye, and his perfect long ball that split the home defence for the opening penalty award.
Match Centre
Tavistock AFC
Odd Down AFC
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