TAVISTOCK manager Stuart Henderson was delighted with his side as they put a difficult week behind them with a comfortable 3-0 win against Street to maintain their place at the top of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division table.
After a sluggish first half, in which the Lambs struggled to hit top gear, but created the better chances, Josh Grant put Tavi in front, shortly before half-time.
Harry Jeffery then marked his first appearance at Langsford Park with a brilliant second, having not long come on for Dave Hallett, before Liam Prynn wrapped things up late on with his 25th goal of the season.
The win keeps Tavi on top of the table, four points clear of second-placed Bitton, who head to Langsford Park in a fascinating match-up this coming Saturday.
“It was a good performance,” Henderson said. “I thought we had some good chances in the first half and got the one just before half-time which settled us down a little bit.
“To be fair to them, they were the better team at the start of the second half for 20 minutes, then Harry Jeffery came on and hit a belter from 25 yards which flew in, so I was delighted for young Harry – and then we got the third and ran out quite comfortable winners in the end.
“It was a good performance, 3-0, three points at home on a difficult pitch.”
The Lambs created several chances in the first half, but struggled to beat the Street goalkeeper until Grant opened the scoring on 42 minutes, finishing well from Prynn’s assist.
However, it was Jeffery who stole the show with a brilliant second. Taking the ball centrally in midfield, he took a touch before rifling a brilliant low shot that flew into the bottom corner from fully 25 yards.
It was a big show of faith from the manager to entrust Jeffery with the game still on a knife-edge, but the 16-year-old justified such faith in him with an accomplished display.
“You live and die by your decisions, don’t you?” the manager said. “It was 1-0 and if the result hadn’t gone our way, then people are asking why you are bringing a 16-year-old on.
“I signed him because he has got ability and it was difficult for him because he was coming onto a heavy pitch, but I have faith in him. He has technical ability and, aside from the goal, he had another one where he forced the keeper into a good save.
“Young Harry is going to be a part of it this season and if we can get to where we want to get, then he will be a part of that as well.”
With the game in the bag, the Lambs saw the game out comfortably and it was left to Prynn to wrap things up in the 89th minute. The goal owed much to the superb work of Iestyn Harris, who burst down the right and pulled the ball back to Grant, whose touch saw the ball fall nicely for Prynn to lash in from eight yards.
With Bitton beating rock-bottom Bridport 7-0, it means the Lambs remain four points clear at the top. Saturday’s clash against our nearest rivals should be a cracker.
