TAVISTOCK manager Stuart Henderson was pleased with the latest run out for his Lambs, even though it ended in a 4-0 defeat to an impressive Arsenal Under 18s side.

Tavi made the worst possible start by conceding a soft goal inside the opening two minutes, as Arsenal’s Amani Richards scored and they were just coming back into the game when the young Gunners scored a second through Charles Sagoe Junior.

Haydon Edwards made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after a foul by Ben Harrison and Arsenal wrapped up the win when Mauro Bandiera cut in from the left and fired a brilliant shot across goal and into the far corner.

“It was a good run-out and that is what it’s all about,” Henderson said. “Everyone had 45 minutes, we made six or seven changes at half-time and had lots of youngsters out there including some lads that have been involved with the Torquay United programme.

“We wanted to have a look at them and one or two of them did really well I thought against one of the best young teams in the country. Obviously they had a lot of quality, but I think the goals we conceded were a bit soft.

“It was good to see Callum Watson come back and play 90 minutes, he’d been struggling with injury, and Josh Robins also got a full 90 minutes in as well, so there were lots of positives.

“They scored really early on after a mistake and for the next 20 minutes, I didn’t think there was a lot in it. I thought we perhaps had more of the play without really hurting them and then I thought the referee gave a soft free kick from which they scored from, Josh (Oak) tipped it onto the bar and we didn’t react, but as I say, I think the score is irrelevant at this stage.”

The Lambs were again without several first team players, which meant Henderson gave a run out to plenty of youngsters, who acquitted themselves well.

The Lambs are still on the lookout for a game this weekend, with their scheduled trip to Torpoint AFC postponed due to a Covid outbreak, while Monday’s trip to St Blazey has also been postponed.

That means the next scheduled clash is the home friendly against Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday, July 14, which kicks-off at 8pm.

Tickets for that game and our clash with Middlesbrough can be bought by clicking here.