LAMBS boss Stuart Henderson gave a damning assessment of his side’s below-par performance against Helston Athletic on Tuesday night and admitted a 3-2 defeat flattered his side.
Things looked promising for Tavi when Josh Parry, making his debut following a switch from South West Peninsula League side Brixham last week, cut in from the left wing and fired a shot that took a deflection before nestling in the net.
A controversial free kick allowed Stu Bowler to smash home an unstoppable free kick and level the scores, before the striker converted a low cross to give the Cornish side a 2-1 half-time lead.
That was extended when Billy Tucker was left unmarked and fired home at the back post and it could have been four when goalkeeper Josh Oak tripped a Helston player and conceded a penalty. However, the Tavi shot-stopper redeemed himself by saving the spot kick.
Liam Prynn’s brilliant strike reduced the arrears in the final minute and Dave Hallett almost snatched an equaliser, only for his thunderous shot to be tipped over the crossbar. But Henderson was brutally honest to admit that his side got what they deserved on the night.
“I think 3-2 flattered us and they deserved to win,” he said. “They should have been out of sight.
“I thought we were terrible. Saltash was our worst performance of the season, when we had players playing that hadn’t done pre-season but, tonight, we were woeful.
“Fair play to the Helston boys, who came up here fired up and it was a good performance (from them) but they could have won by three or four more. Josh has saved a penalty at 3-1 and we scored a goal at the end, but that doesn’t tell the story.”
It was a changed Lambs side again from the weekend with Ben Cross and Toby Down coming in at centre half to replace the retired Calum Davenport and injured skipper Lewis Daw, while Dave Hallett and Warren Daw replaced Cross and Jake Miller in the centre of midfield from the team that beat Wellington 3-1.
Teigan Rosenquest also pulled out on the day of the game, which led to Parry’s debut, and the constant changes are doing nothing to help the team with Henderson frustrated at not being able to play a settled side. Not that he was using that as an excuse, though.
“We were very poor and it is the worst we have played this season. It doesn’t help losing two players on the day of the game, but I am making no excuses. We were nowhere near it and I am really disappointed,” Henderson added.
“Things like passing the ball, recovery, re-runs, desire – we were woeful at times. I think the players have let me down and let the club down. Not every player, but there were four or five performances in there that were shocking.
“We are like two different teams. One that can win two games against Mousehole – and go down there and win so well against a good side – and the one tonight which was way off it. I am really disappointed and some of the players know that they were nowhere near it.”
The Lambs are back in Toolstation Western League Premier Division action again on Saturday, when they make the trip to Street.
