Tavistock play-off dreams alive

Despite a mixed Easter weekend of results, Tavistock remain on course for a play-off spot in Division One South of the Southern League.

The Lambs opened their holiday programme with a tough trip to Evesham United on Easter Saturday, taking on a side sat just outside the play-off positions and obviously desperate to inflict a defeat on Tavvy, if they were going to catch the visitors.

After a good save from Josh Oak, Tavvy gradually took control of the match and went close through Alex Battle before strong penalty claims for a shove on Tallan Burns were turned down by the referee.

Evesham responded with a shot against the post but the reprieve galvanised Tavvy, and they swept forward to score the winner just before half-time. A tidy passing move created room for Ed Harrison to fire an accomplished finish into the bottom corner.

Oak produced another decent block to retain the advantage at half-time and Tavvy also survived a tight offside goal early in the second period. The Lambs were forced to defend for long periods, as Evesham threw men forward but Oak was inspired, finding one more outstanding save to confirm three massive points.

That was the ‘tricky’ game out of the way and Tavvy could next look forward to a Devon derby visit from struggling Willand Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday. Willand are fighting against relegation and, despite being unlucky to lose against high-flying Sholing in their previous game, few gave Rovers much hope at Langsford Park.

Unfortunately for Tavvy, nobody told Willand, as they sprinted into an incredible 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes. Ryan Guppy notched twice for Rovers and Jack Rice-Lethaby was also on target, as Tavvy were blown away.

The Lambs huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game but had no answer to the Willand whirlwind, going down to a 3-0 defeat.

While this loss was a setback, Tavvy have no time to feel sorry for themselves, as they face a daunting trip to second-placed Sholing on Saturday, 15^th April. The following weekend sees Frome Town visit Langsford Park and with just a few weeks to go in the regular season, promotion is still in their hands.

In the South-West Peninsula League, the title dream is probably slipping away from Okehampton Argyle.

The Okes slumped to a surprise 2-1 home defeat against lowly Holsworthy on Good Friday, although they did recover to win 3-0 at Honiton Town on Easter Monday, Luke Alden scoring a brace in East Devon and Luke Mortimore also on target.

Okehampton are third in the table and five points behind leaders Crediton with two games in hand. Brixham, however, are strong favourites, as they sit on the same points as the Okes and have five games in hand on Crediton.