Cinderford Town 0 Tavistock AFC 4 – report by Eric Pinch
With the original Saturday fixture falling foul of the weather it meant a long mid-week trip for the Lambs up to the Forest of Dean; 17 followers and two dogs made the journey and they were not to be disappointed.
The squad rotational wheel was put on hold with the Lambs starting line-up remaining the same apart from Mike Searle taking over in goal from the unavailable Josh Oak.
The match kicked off with the temperature just above freezing, a goal line clearance prevented the Lambs going ahead in the opening minutes and both teams had chances for the next 20 minutes without the keepers being challenged. Liam Prynn would see his effort blocked, before the Lambs took the lead on 28 minutes, when Brandon Pursall’s in-swinging freekick was met at the far post by Adam McPherson to glance a header wide of Ellis Parker.
A minute later Prynn would see his free kick gathered by the keeper and it was all Lambs during this sustained period of pressure. Yet another free kick on the half hour saw Ed Harrison’s kick tipped onto the crossbar by Parker, roll along the
bar and then be cleared.
The home side were kept to a minimum of chances by the Lambs, but they threatened on 40 minutes when Searle cut out a dangerous low cross from Harry Emmett.
However, the Lambs would go in at half time with a two goal cushion after Searle’s long punt out on 43 minutes caused confusion in the Forester’s defence for Prynn and McPherson to combine to set up Alex Battle to fire home from 12 yards.
The second half started with a period of sustained pressure from the home side, but the Lambs were equal to it. A corner by Joe O’Connor was met by Taylor Scarff with his effort cleared off the goal line.
The Lambs were having the lion’s share of possession during this second period; a quick breakaway would see Prynn set up McPherson only to see his effort blocked for a corner and Scarff’s header from an O’Connor corner was tipped over the bar before the Lambs made a double substitution on 73 minutes, with Tallan Burns and Josh Grant replacing O’Connor and Prynn.
Two goals in quick succession then followed to crown a fine team performance from the Lambs. The 75th minute would see central defender Scarff staging a raid forward to continue up the left wing and combine with Grant to send in a low cross for Harrison to tuck home. The Lambs were on fire now and some fine passing around the area would see Grant set up McPherson to slot home for his
second and the Lambs fourth for the night.
Three points for the Lambs, on the road, would see them climb the table to slip into 5th in the league and into the last of the play off positions.
Next fixture: Sat 11th is up the M5 again away to Bishops Cleeve AFC – KO 3pm.
