Tavistock AFC 1 Slimbridge AFC 1
Despite the midweek rain Langsford Park passed an early inspection for this match to go ahead with many games in the area postponed.
Dan Evans returned replacing the injured Taylor Scarff and Brandon Pursall, Josh Grant and Iestyn Harris all returned to the starting line with Oscar Massey also keeping his place in the starting line-up writes Eric Pinch.
There were a couple of early chances for the Lambs in the opening five minutes after some neat one-touch football allowed Tallan Burns to chip the ball goal-wards over keeper Lewis Adams, but he managed to gather the ball.
Again, some neat footwork put Grant in on goal, but his low strike was blocked and held by the keeper.
But it was the Swans who took an early lead on 12 minutes, when Dale Evans’ corner was partly cleared back to him to send the ball back in and it appeared that Liam Prynn had headed into his own net, but it was later confirmed that the Swan’s captain William Hawes had made the connection.
Massey then went on a jinking run into the area to let fly, but Adams pulled off a good save. A period of sustained pressure from the Lambs around the 20 minute mark forced a series of corners and free-kicks, which all came to nothing apart from Harris sustaining an injury to his hand and despite continuing at the time, he was eventually replaced by Joe O’Connor on the half hour.
The visitors were always dangerous on the break and just prior to the break, Hawes would send Joe Shutt running to turn inside in the area, but his effort went just wide.
Those couple of early chances not taken by the Lambs saw it 1-0 to the Swans at half time.
The Lambs came out for the second half determined to get back on level terms and in the opening minutes Prynn worked himself to the by-line to send the ball in hard and low with no one able to apply the finishing touch. Hawes then shot over, before the Lambs had the chance to level just after the hour, as Prynn appeared to be fouled in the area but play continued as Grant collected the ball, who was then sent tumbling himself and the referee pointed to the spot.
However, the chance to equalise evaporated as the league’s top scorer Prynn’s penalty kick bounced off the bottom of the upright and was cleared up field for Ethan Dunbar to have a chance, but his effort flew over.
With ten minutes remaining Adam McPherson, who was tracking back, stretched to get a tackle in, but suffered a knee injury in consequence and had to be stretchered off, which left the Lambs down to ten men as all their substitutes had already been made.
Ed Harrison would send in a low cross that Adams gathered, but the Lambs would not be denied a share of the points as Prynn redeemed himself for the earlier miss when he snuck behind the defence, to get to the ball before Adams to slot home.
It was a point gained for both sides, with Slimbridge in the quest to avoid relegation and the Lambs in their push to stay in contention for the play offs.
League results went in favour of the Lambs with no fewer than seven out of the nine fixtures all ending in draws, which meant they stay in the final play-off position.
Sovereign Wines Man of the Match Liam Prynn. Attendance 168
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Sat 1st April away to Exmouth 3pm KO.
Wed 5th April home to AFC Totton 7-45pm KO.
