Tavistock crash out of FA Trophy as Portchester cruise to 3-0 victory

Tavi came into the clash at The Onsite Group Stadium making one change to the side that was defeated at Larkhall Athletic.

The change saw attacker Tom Chastey come into the side for his debut, replacing midfielder Rhys Lindsell, who dropped to the bench.

Portchy, in their tangerine and black strip, started the encounter off well and came close to taking the lead only three minutes in. A through ball by Tommy Scutt found Lee Wort, with the former Sholing and Poole man taking the ball past Iestyn Harris before smashing a shot, which was parried well by Dan Holman in the Tavi goal. The ball was eventually recycled by the Royals, with Wort finding James Cowan, but the winger’s shot was comfortably saved by Holman on the second attempt, lacking enough power.

READ NEXT: Tavistock traffic chaos grows as gas pipe dig halted for archaeologists

Two minutes later, the home side did have the ball in the back of the net. A through ball from the right found winger Zack Willett, who raced past Ethan Wright before cutting inside and smashing a powerful effort into the bottom left corner, leaving Holman with no chance. The strike was the winger’s second in his last three and was struck perfectly.

Four minutes later, the home side - on top - scored a second. A Tavi free kick was cleared by the Portchy defence, with the ball eventually falling to Wort. The experienced striker took his time before calmly poking the ball home for one of the easiest goals he’ll score all season. Nine minutes later, it was nearly three for the home side after a curling cross from the right by Alfie Stanley found Wort. From close range, his effort was expertly saved by Holman, who did brilliantly to claw the ball out of the net. The ball was quickly recycled by Portchester, with Wort going close again seconds later. However, his floating header was cleared well off the line by Lambs fullback Harris.

The home side continued to dominate the first period, creating another chance in the 34th minute when Olly Searle found Wort, but the forward poked an effort just wide of Holman’s goal. Searle’s ball was just an inch ahead of the former Gosport striker, preventing him from getting a clean strike away.

The Lambs grew more into the encounter late in the first half, with Jack Crago and Charlie Madden looking lively in attacking positions. However, both attackers failed to get shots away despite promising play.

In the 40th minute, the home side had the ball in the back of the net for a third time. Good link-up play between Wort and Stanley saw the latter smash a powerful effort into the far corner. Fortunately for Stuart Henderson’s Lambs, the forward was flagged offside. Five minutes later, Willett looked to find Stanley, but the forward just couldn’t get on the end of the winger’s needle-threading pass.

The last action of the half saw Cowan pick up the first card of the day after a late challenge on Ben Fowles in midfield. Moments later, the referee blew for half-time with the Lambs having plenty to do to get back into the clash.

Tavi started the second half stronger, winning a corner in the 49th minute after a nice run and cross by Jacob Bowker. Unfortunately for the Lambs, Fowles’ delivery from the set-piece was missed by everybody in the box. A minute later, the home side made their first substitution, with goalscorer Willett withdrawn after picking up a slight knock, replaced by fullback Robert Taw.

On the hour mark, the Lambs created another opportunity after neat play by Crago, but the resulting corner was once again wasted by the Devon side. In the 66th minute, the Lambs made their first change of the afternoon, with attacker Ryan White replaced after treatment by Lindsell, coming on in the former Barnstaple man’s place.

Two minutes later, the home side swapped their two strikers, with Wort and Stanley replaced by Connor Duffin and former Bournemouth, Ipswich and Portsmouth forward Brett Pitman. Late in the game, Marley Ridge and Harrison Brook also replaced Cowan and Conor Bailey.

The Lambs carved out a few opportunities late on, with Crago and Bowker looking lively on the wings. Their best chance fell to Madden in the 83rd minute after a Bowker corner found the former Dorchester man. However, the experienced player’s header was flicked onto the top of the bar, with Portchy goalkeeper Steven Mowthorpe beaten.

Three minutes later, it was 3-0 and game over. Substitute Duffin did superbly to break out of midfield and beat Harris before squaring the ball to Pitman, who flicked home from close range for his first goal for Portchester since returning.

After a few late changes for both sides, the referee blew his whistle for full-time with Portchester advancing to the next round. The Lambs exit the competition and now turn their attention to the Devon Bowl on Wednesday, when they take on Ilfracoombe. Portchester are next in action on Tuesday, away to Fareham Town in the Velocity Cup.