The Lambs got off to a fast start forcing a couple of corner kicks in the opening five minutes. It was from another corner kick in the seventh minute they opened the scoring when Dan Evans rose majestically, to power home a great header that flashed into the top corner of the net.
A minute later they almost doubled their advantage, when a terrific passing move saw Reece Shanley provide a perfect cross but Liam Prynn’s shot went just wide of the target.
Highworth gradually got their game together, a fine move saw the ball find Jefferies, his fierce shot from twenty five yards, was tipped over the bar by home keeper Josh Oak.
The visitors were now having a good spell but the Lambs defence were in fine form and the visitors were finding it difficult to break down. Josh Oak then had to make another fine save to deny Morgan from a corner kick.
The visitors had a setback in the 20th minute when Robins was injured and could take no further part, he was replaced by Price.
Play continued to flow from end to end, with some top quality football being played by both teams. Highworth were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, but Wood’s shot sailed way over the bar.
Just before the interval Josh Oak made another fine save to deny Burough from levelling the scores. Things got worse for the visitors when their centre back Morgan went over on his ankle, and was immediately replace by Morris. A half between two evenly matched sides saw the Lambs take a single goal into the interval.
The second half the home team produced some terrific football. Just five minutes in they doubled the lead, a magnificent passing move involving four players, saw the ball find Reece Shanley, who provided the perfect cross for Tallan Burns to fire home, low into the corner of the net.
The Lambs were now having the greater share of possession, with the visitors still looking dangerous on the counter attack. Any threat was dealt with by excellent defencing and the very good goalkeeping.
On the hour mark Manager Stuart Henderson made his first substitution when Alex Cairo replaced Tallan Burns. He was soon in the action with a fine pass for Jack,Crago, who combined well with Liam Pryn, he found Luke Brown, but he fired a shot inches over the bar from twenty yards.
In the 73rd minute the visitors then went close, but King’s shot went just wide of the target. Three minutes later the Lambs made the game safe when another flowing move saw the ball find Jack Crago he cut into the penalty area, where he was bundled to the ground. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Jack Crago flashed the ball home to give the Lambs a three goal advantage.
With ten minutes to go Luke Cloke replaced Luke Brown
In the 80th minute another fine move put Liam Prynn in on goal but his was turned away for a corner kick by visiting keeper Johns. Shortly afterwards Liam Prynn was replaced by Brandon Roberts.
The visitors never gave up and continued in vein to break down a resilient Lambs defence. With four minutes to go another fantastic passing move saw the Lambs increase their lead, when Alex Cairo and Luke Cloke combined well to open up the Highworth defence, with Luke Cloke finishing off the move with aplomb, to secure a convincing victory.
This was a superb performance with every player at the top of their game, to record a fully deserved victory over the Southern League club. This the first time in 65 years that the club has got to the third qualifying round of the F A Cup.
A great day for the club, very difficult to pick a Man of the Match as everyone put in a top class performance, but Dan Evans just edged it, by scoring the first goal, and marshalling a well drilled Lambs defence.
Match Centre
Tavistock AFC
Tavistock AFC
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