Tavistock AFC 1, Bristol Manor Farm 3
Manager Stu Henderson gave pre-match notice that The Farm were in a false lowly league position and so it proved correct. The Lambs welcomed Warren Daw back from suspension to sit on the subs bench, with Brandon Purcell starting in place of Adam McPherson from the previous game.
It was not the best start for the Lambs as they conceded as early as the eighth minute, when Marcus Day was fouled out wide and the resultant freekick was lofted into the area for Owen Howe to volley past a stranded Josh Oak.
The Lambs chances came and went throughout the first half, Steve Kingdon, for the visitors, cleared one for the Farm, Joe O Connor would see attempts go just over and keeper Benjamin Ford save from another, but Tavi deservedly drew level on 38 minutes.
A free kick outside of the area by Alex Battle was handled by a player in the wall inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. After a lengthy delay whilst the referee dealt with some dissent, up stepped Liam Prynn to drive home low past Ford to level the scores. Ford then did well to save low to his right from a good attempt from Battle on the stroke of half time.
An even first half with it all to play for in the second period. Josh Grant replaced Josh Parry at the start of the second half as the Lambs looked for the second goal. Prynn shot wide with the Lambs in the ascendancy of the opening period, Grant saw a shot blocked and Battle’s effort went high before the Farm took the lead again on 64 minutes.
New signing for the visitors Luco Ponsillo’s pass found Howe on the corner edge of the penalty area to strike early, hard and high over Oak to fly into the top corner giving him no chance. The visitors were a little fortunate to increase their lead even further some 3 minutes later, as the ball ricocheted off Evander Grubb inside the Lambs’ half for him to run on and slide the ball past Oak.
The home side did everything they could for the remainder of the game to get back into it, but could not break down a resolute Manor Farm defence.
