Tavistock AFC fall to Shaftesbury defeat despite hitting woodwork twice

Tavi came into the encounter in Dorset fresh from beating Bashley 1-0 at home at Langsford Park. Manager Stuart Henderson made one change to his Lambs side from Saturday’s victory, with Ryan White missing through injury and Rhys Lindsell coming into the side. Young attackers Eric Aldrich and Aaron Hughes also returned to the bench in Dorset for the encounter with the Rockies.

The in-form home side started the encounter off well, with Alefe Santos and Toby Holmes causing problems for the Lambs’ defence; however, neither forward could create anything clear-cut. In the 20th minute, a chance for the home side saw experienced defender Brandon Mundy replaced, with Charlie Burden taking his place in defence.

READ NEXT: Eddie Marsan and Sam Claflin star in new thriller filmed on Dartmoor

In the 35th minute, a rare counter for the Lambs saw Jacob Bowker link up well with Tom Chastey. The latter played the ball back to the former, who sent in a wicked delivery from the right. Former Falmouth man Bowker’s cross was met by Jack Crago, whose glancing header was just flicked wide of Poole loanee Ben Taylor’s post, with the keeper looking slightly worried. Three minutes later, the Lambs had another opportunity after growing into the game, with Bowker laying the ball off to right-back Iestyn Harris. The youngster’s powerful effort was turned around the post by Taylor, but the effort was another moment of encouragement for the Lambs fans who made the trip.

In the 43rd minute, the deadlock was broken. However, after bossing the play for the last five minutes, the Lambs went behind. A lovely cross from the right by Tom Hewlett picked out Harry Baker, who poked the ball into the net past a helpless Dan Holman in the Tavi goal. The strike was the former Melksham and Wimborne winger’s seventh of the season and his first in a month.

Not long later, the referee blew for half-time, with the Lambs disappointed to be 1-0 down at the break. Despite this, it was still all to play for going into the second period of the clash.

In the second period, the home side were given a golden opportunity to extend their lead only 11 minutes in, as they were awarded a penalty after a trip in the box. Former Tiverton and Hungerford man Santos stepped up from the spot, beating Holman for his seventh of the season, the highest tally of his career so far.

Just after the hour mark, the home side made their second sub of the afternoon, with Jack Hoey replacing top goalscorer Toby Holmes, who would have been disappointed not to find the net in the encounter after some early promise. Another change at the same time for the hosts saw Hewlett replaced by Moss Collis.

The Lambs remained in the game throughout and created a chance in the 68th minute after a ball from Lindsell slipped in Brad Williams. The former Barnstaple man took his time before smashing an effort that beat Taylor but didn’t beat the bar, with the strike reverberating off the white paint and going out of play. In the 74th minute, the Lambs made their first sub of the afternoon, with Charlie Madden being replaced by former Dorchester and Buckland Athletic man Ben Fowles.

It was déjà vu later on for the Lambs, who once again hit the woodwork in the 81st minute after Lindsell did well to turn and dig an effort out of his feet. The youngster’s attempt slipped off the post and went out. A minute later, the Lambs made their second sub, with Bowker being replaced by Lambs academy graduate Olly Northam.

The Lambs were still in the game to the final whistle and just needed the first goal to start a comeback. This was nearly on the cards in the 85th minute after Williams found Crago, whose powerful shot just glanced over the top of Taylor’s crossbar. The hosts made their third sub in the 86th minute as Isaac Stanley replaced Lewis Brown.

Not long later, the referee blew for the full-time whistle, with the victory seeing the Rockies jump into the play-offs. The Dorset outfit now turn their attention to this coming Saturday as they take the long trip to Worcestershire to take on Sporting Club Inkberrow. The defeat sees the Lambs drop to the foot of the table after Brixham’s win over Falmouth. Tavi are next in action this Saturday as they welcome Didcot Town to Langsford Park.