Exmouth Town 1 Tavistock AFC 0
Away at Exmouth Town over the years has not been a happy hunting ground for the Lambs and so the hoodoo continues with this single goal defeat. It brings the play off positions even closer as the chasing pack close in on the Lambs final play-off place writes Eric Pinch
The match required another juggle of the squad with injuries to Iestyn Harris and Adam McPherson and Taylor Scarff returned to central defence from injury.
The Lambs started the better with Ed Harrison going close and from a series of corners and free kicks, Scarff headed wide from a corner on eight minutes.
Shipton and Denny linked up to create the Town’s first chance, as the latter picked out the onrushing Riddell to fire just over. It would be the hosts to open the scoring on 16 minutes, as Steer’s low cross was dummied by Ace High in the area and Harrison, in an attempt to steer it wide of the goal, could only turn it past keeper Josh Oak for the cruellest of openers.
The home side looked the more likely to add to their score as High found Steer who cut inside and let fly, only to see his effort diverted over the bar by High. Steer continued to cause problems for the Lambs defence as a jinking run saw his effort deflected wide.
A good chance for the Lambs arrived on 30 minutes when Joe O’Connor’s long range effort was fumbled by keeper Wright into the path of Liam Prynn, whose shot was met by Gardner forcing the effort over the keeper to then be headed clear off the line by Casey.
The home side then had the opportunity to double their lead as Harrison was adjudged to have brought down Denny in the area in what looked like a dubious decision and it was Oak who then kept the Lambs in contention by saving captain Rowe’s spot kick as the teams went in at half time with just one goal in it.
Ten minutes into the second half, Exmouth had the chance to increase their lead again, as Richards’ lobbed pass onto High saw him flick the ball on and Riddell’s header came back off the upright.
The Lambs continued for the remainder of the half to try to get back on level terms but came up against a determined and resolute defence. O’Connor’s effort went wide on 70 minutes, but it was not until the stroke of full time when their best chance came, when Tallon Burns drilled low shot just evaded Josh Grant
and Oscar Massey picked up the loose ball to cross in again low, but Wright was able to gather.
The home side had gone nine games without a victory, with the Lambs arriving with some impressive results in recent games, but it is one of those fixtures that do not favour the Lambs and so it proved to be once again.
Forthcoming fixtures:
Wednesday 5th – Home to AFC Totton – KO 19.45
Saturday 8th – Evesham away, (due to Easter and holiday traffic) the coach leaves Roborough Park & Ride at 8.15 am and Langsford Park 8.45. Names to Eric please 07970052668 – KO 3pm
Monday 10th – Home to Willand Rovers – KO 3pm
