Jack Crago brace lifts Tavistock out of relegation zone with win at Mousehole

A Jack Crago brace sees the Lambs climb out of the relegation zone after a defensively strong team performance away to promotion hopefuls Mousehole.

Tavi came into the clash making two changes to the starting eleven that was defeated at home by fellow Devonshire outfit Willand Rovers. Full-back Ethan Wright returned to the side, replacing the unavailable Charlie Madden. The other change saw Barnstaple man Brad Williams come in on a dual-registration basis, replacing Jacob Bowker, who dropped to the bench. Bowker was joined among the substitutes by fellow Barnstaple man Oscar Knight and Ilfracombe Town’s Jake Chesworth, both also signed on dual-registration deals.

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The Cornish hosts interestingly fielded four former Lambs in their starting eleven. On the wings, Alex Cairo and Oscar Massey were both part of Stuart Henderson’s side several years ago. More familiar to Tavi fans, however, were former club captain Ed Harrison and talisman Liam Prynn, who had spent the last eight years at Langsford Park before lining up against his old club for the first time.

The game in west Cornwall started slowly, with both sides trying to work each other out. Known for their passing style, both teams kept the ball on the floor. Mousehole had the lion’s share of possession in midfield through Paulo Sousa and Tim Nixon, but neither could unlock the Lambs’ defence with a telling pass.

In quick succession before the half-hour mark, the visitors picked up two yellow cards. Iestyn Harris was booked after tripping Cairo, followed shortly after by Crago for a similar foul further up the pitch. Nixon then created the first real chance in the 31st minute, whipping in a teasing cross that just evaded Prynn and Mark Goldsworthy before Joel Jackson cleared.

Mousehole thought they had broken through soon after, Cairo racing onto a through ball, but he was flagged offside. In the 39th minute, Nixon was forced off injured and replaced by a returning midfielder who had scored in this fixture last season.

Just two minutes later, it was Tavi who struck first. A pinpoint through ball from Tom Chastey found Crago, who took an excellent first touch before rounding Ollie Chenoweth and calmly finishing for his first league goal of the season. It was also his fourth goal in all competitions, coming just a game after his 500th appearance for the club.

Mousehole pressed for an equaliser before the break, but Goldsworthy’s effort was cleared off the line by Harris and then hacked away by former Seagull Josh Baxter. The Lambs held firm to take a 1–0 lead into half-time after a resolute defensive display.

The second half began with Mousehole pushing hard for a leveller. Massey looked lively down the flank, but Dan Holman, the former Plymouth Argyle keeper, was in fine form. In the 56th minute, he pulled off a superb low save to deny Massey’s powerful drive.

Tavi responded by making changes, with Bowker and later Chesworth adding energy from the bench. That energy paid off in the 67th minute when Bowker slipped in Ben Fowles, whose brilliant cross from the right was flicked home at the back post by Crago for his second of the game.

Mousehole made further substitutions, but Tavi stayed organised. Captain Ben Cross was briefly treated after another strong defensive showing, and Baxter, impressive throughout, was later replaced by Rhys Lindsell.

The Lambs looked to manage the game, but Crago’s overzealous sliding challenge saw him collect a second yellow card and an early dismissal. Williams was also booked late on, but the visitors held firm until the final whistle.

The 2–0 win lifts Tavistock to 18th place, out of the relegation zone, while Mousehole remain ninth. Next up, the Lambs host Exmouth Town at Langsford Park in a Devon derby, while Mousehole travel to Westbury.