Tavistock suffer second defeat of the week despite early goal at SC Inkberrow

The Lambs came into the clash making two changes from the side that was defeated at home by Bideford on Tuesday. Right-back Iestyn Harris returned to the side, replacing Josh McCabe, while Charlie Madden also came in for Joel Jackson. Young defender Olly Northam missed the clash after picking up a slight knock against Bideford.

Tavi started the clash off well in Worcestershire and won a corner in the 2nd minute after left-back Ethan Wright sent Eagles right-back Alex Griffiths inside out before winning a corner off the full-back. The resulting cross by Ben Fowles looked to find Josh Baxter, but it was eventually cleared by the home side. The first chance for the hosts saw a ball from Nathan Benson find Jay Higgins-Pugsley, who looked to be in. The winger took his time before Lambs goalkeeper Dan Holman did well to close down the opportunity and stop the winger’s flicked attempt.

In the 12th minute, a switch from Wright for the Lambs looked to find Jacob Bowker, however, Inkberrow left-back Syrus Warren-Paul did well to flick the ball out for a corner. The resulting delivery was once again cleared well by the newly promoted outfit. In the 15th minute, Higgins-Pugsley thought he had won a penalty after going down in the box as Josh Baxter went to ground. The referee blew his whistle but didn’t point to the spot, instead booking the player for simulation. In the 17th minute, a chance for the home side saw tricky winger Noah Rubio get to the byline and send a ball back to captain Gregor Guy, however, his poked effort rolled wide of Holman’s net.

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The Lambs won a free kick in the 21st minute after Griffiths pushed Jack Crago to the ground, following the former Plymouth Parkway man’s effort to win the ball back off the full-back. The resulting free kick caused chaos, with an almighty goalmouth scramble seeing Baxter, Fowles, and Brad Williams all have efforts blocked in the box by the home side. In the 25th minute, the home side made their first change of the game, with manager Umit Eminoglu not happy with his side’s attacking start. Jake Waterfield was withdrawn for forward Jack Tolley, who came on at left wing, with Higgins-Pugsley moving into a more central position.

Two minutes later, Fowles was tripped cynically by Luke Bastable of Inkberrow, however, the referee did not card the defender. This angered Lambs manager Stuart Henderson, who was then shown a yellow card for his protests.

In the 31st minute, the Lambs took the lead after a well-worked move. Bowker did superbly down the right wing to take on Warren-Paul, sending the young full-back inside out before crossing into the path of Harris, who flicked it to Williams. The midfielder stabbed the ball home past a helpless Gabriel Bajrami, sparking big celebrations among the Lambs players and travelling fans.

The home side, looking to get back on terms, created a few chances, with a free kick from Guy blocked well by Baxter. The ball fell to Rubio, who won another free kick after a trip by Wright, however, the cross from the resulting set piece was cleared well by Ben Cross. The Lambs then won a free kick down the left wing after Benson fouled Crago, with the Berrow midfielder picking up a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting effort was smashed high and wide by Madden, not troubling Bajrami. Soon after, the referee blew for half-time, with the Lambs probably shading the first half, though it was still all to play for.

The game came alive only four minutes into the second half as the home side grabbed an equaliser. Poor defending from the Lambs saw the ball fall into the middle of the box for Tolley, who tapped into the bottom right corner for his first league strike of the season. In the 53rd minute, a cross from the right by Fowles found the head of Bowker, however, under pressure, the forward’s header was comfortably saved by Bajrami.

In the 55th minute, it should have been 2–1 to the home side. Rubio did well to slip the ball through to Higgins-Pugsley down the left wing. The forward took his time before smashing an effort past Holman that looked destined to go in. However, his effort cannoned off the upright and didn’t fall kindly for Rubio, who was free in the box, a huge let-off for the Lambs.

Nine minutes later, the home side did eventually get a second, which had been coming. Guy did well to pick out the lively Higgins-Pugsley, whose powerful effort was saved well by a strong hand from Holman, however, the ball fell perfectly for Tolley, who swept it home for his second of the day.

In the 70th minute, looking to get back into the game, the Lambs made their first substitution of the day, with Tom Chastey replacing Brad Williams. In the 73rd minute, a chance for the Lambs saw a ball from Ryan White find Crago, who smashed a powerful effort that was blocked well by Warren-Paul, before Crago’s second attempt was comfortably caught by Bajrami.

Two minutes later, it was game over as the home side grabbed a third. The dangerous Higgins-Pugsley, who was involved in everything the home side did, took his time before squaring across the box to Rubio, who tapped home for his first goal since returning to the lineup. After scoring, Rubio was subbed off, with Kidderminster Harriers loanee Samson Hewett taking his place.

In the 79th minute, the home side were reduced to 10 men in strange circumstances after Tolley was sent off while receiving treatment, apparently for offensive language directed at the referee. The Lambs saw this as an opportunity to get back into the game and made a second substitution, with Rhys Lindsell replacing Madden. The Lambs tried to create opportunities, but crosses from Chastey and Fowles were cleared well by the home defence.

In the 85th minute, excellent play from Bowker saw him beat Griffiths for pace and get to the byline before sending in a cross that was missed by everyone in the box. A minute later, the home side made another change, with Leo Brown replaced by Louis Crook. In the 89th minute, the Lambs came close to pulling one back after an effort from Chastey curled towards the top corner with Bajrami beaten. Unfortunately for the Lambs, the midfielder’s shot flicked off the post and out of play. The final action saw Lambs winger Bowker cautioned after a shoulder barge on Higgins-Pugsley to prevent a counterattack.

Not long later, the referee blew for full-time, with the Eagles picking up an important win that sees them climb one place to 17th. The Lambs remain 21st and are back in action on Wednesday, once again against Bideford at Langsford Park, this time in the Devon Bowl. Inkberrow are next in action on Saturday as they make the over four-hour journey to take on Cornish outfit Mousehole AFC.