DESPITE being without several players, one pulling out on the day of the game, and naming a bench full of teenage strangers from across south west football, the Lambs were good value for their 4-2 Toolstation Western League Premier Division win at Millbrook on Tuesday.
After a slow start, the Lambs took full control of the game and went in front on 33 minutes after good work by Liam Prynn set Josh Grant free and he danced his way through the penalty box before slotting the ball into the bottom corner for his third goal in three games.
Millbrook enjoyed their best spell of the game after half-time, but when Tavi stepped up the intensity, they were too good for Millbrook. Prynn added a second, holding off a defender before lashing the ball home and seconds later, it was 3-0 with Ryan Richards, dual-registered from Torpoint Athletic, getting his first for the club.
Richards completed his scoring on 82 minutes, but Millbrook earned something for their efforts with Tom Payne and Rikki Shepherd netting in the closing stages. It was a fine win nonetheless, which left Lambs boss Stuart Henderson delighted.
“I thought we were in control from start to finish,” Henderson said. “It’s quite a lively pitch and the ball doesn’t really run that true, so it is quite difficult.
“We had a gameplan and I thought we made them play long with how we pressed and shut down passing lanes and it worked as they went back to front. We had two giants at the back in Lew Daw and Calum Davenport, who gobbled everything up and I can’t remember in the first half Millbrook having a shot from open play.
“They had a good period in the second half where our passing wasn’t so good, but once we scored the second goal, I thought that killed the game.”
Henderson was not afraid to give some of those teenagers a run-out either. “We had a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old that both came on at 1-0, it’s not like they came on at 4-0 when the game was won,” he added. “I thought they both acquitted themselves really well, so that was pleasing.”
Richards certainly had an impact for the Lambs as he led the line superbly. He would make a perfect signing for the Lambs, who are still searching for a striker, but the club have to respect the fact he plays for Torpoint for personal reasons.
“I would love to have him, but we have to respect Torpoint are his parent club. We understand Ryan’s situation in that he can’t travel, but he will be available for us as and when he can be.”
Richards added: “I’ve done my job, the lads have done their job and we got a 4-2 win.
“As Stu said to us before the game, it’s a big three points against a side that won’t often concede four down here. It was an enjoyable game.
“I enjoy playing for Tavi, it’s a different environment to what I’ve been in before. I’ve played for Parkway and been at Saltash, but the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed and I know what to expect from a lot of the lads as I know a lot of them and it’s just thoroughly enjoyable to play for them.”
