A” bad day at the office” is often described when things do not go exactly right but this was more of
a day when they were not even at the office, more akin to” still on the beach in Ibiza” .One has got
to go back a long time to even remember when the Lambs lost four games on the bounce at the
start of a season. One would suspect the relegation season some 8/9 years ago or even further
writes Eric Pinch..
After the success of last season gaining promotion and finishing just outside of the play off
expectations were somewhat high for this term, however the loss of a handful of experienced
players and the recruitment of many new players this term has not gone according to plan despite
retaining some 7/8 players from last season. It was a good preseason with good results against
Championship side Huddersfield (0-0) and Plymouth Parkway 3-0 with victories over Wendron and
St Blazey plus a couple of draws against Peninsula sides.
Despite this poor start to the season spirits remain high and there is no cause for alarm yet. It is just
a matter of old and new gelling in and results will turn around for sure.
This match against the”Larks” saw a juggle of players, with keepers Josh Oak (still injured) Aaron
Dearing (attending a wedding) manager Stuart Henderson drew on the services of Oliver Saunders
from Tiverton to keep goal, Liam Prynn returned from holiday, Lestyn Harris from injury with Jacob
Bowker coming into the starting line-up at the expense of Owen Pritchard and George Newton to sit
on the bench.
The lambs were under the cosh from the start as Thierry Swaby went close after just 3 minutes and
they took the lead on 8 minutes, Wayne Nderemani’s corner to the far post was met by Thomas
Bradley, who, unchallenged, headed home from close range. Jack Goodall, Archie Ferris and Swaby
all had chances to increase the home sides lead prior to half time with the Lambs only chance saw
Alex Battle’s free kick charged down by the wall. The lambs considered themselves very lucky to go
in at the break just down by one goal.
Newton came on for Battle at the beginning of the second half but within 3 minutes the Lambs were
facing a bigger mountain to climb to get back on level terms as the Larks doubled their advantage,
Goodall was allowed to go down the wing to cut in and shoot and it fell kindly for Swaby to strike
home from close range. Prynn’s free kick just prior to the hour lacked power and direction and it was
the home side that effectively put the game to bed just after the hour a free kick was floated into
the far post for Ferris to head home from close range. The home side continued to create chances
and could have gone further ahead, sub Owen Pritchard blasted over the bar and the lambs finally
got a shot on target in the 88 th minute as Captain Ed Harrison brought out a save from keeper Arthur
Nasta.