Tavistock triumph at the third time of asking

Tavistock got off the mark in the Southern League after a dominant first-half display swept aside Larkhall Athletic at Langsford Park.

Narrow defeats to Yate Town and Falmouth Town added up to a frustrating start to the league campaign for the Lambs, but the summer cobwebs were blown away inside 39 minutes against a Larkhall side also looking for their first points.

The opening goal arrived from a corner, Jack Endacott whipping over the set-piece for Plymouth Argyle loanee Jack Matthews to head past the visiting ‘keeper, and the lead was doubled on 36 minutes.

It was another corner that sparked chaos in the Larkhall defence, Liam Prynn recycling the ball for Charlie Elkington to flick home a deft finish. The 3-0 win was wrapped up moments later, Luke Steer smashing home an emphatic finish from close range.

There was a Moorlander derby in the FA Cup and a close encounter saw Tavistock just edge out Ivybridge Town with a 1-0 victory, setting up a home tie against Winchester City in the First Qualifying Round on August 31.

The Ivies, competing in the tier below Tavi, produced a courageous display and were only undone by a late strike from teenage winger Victor Odiaka after good approach play by Endacott and Prynn.

While it has been a tough start to life in the Western League for Ivybridge, picking up one point from their opening four fixtures, there was a welcome win in the FA Vase at Newton Abbot Spurs, first-half goals from Rory Busby and Chris Wright sealing the 2-0 triumph.

After a midweek trip to lowly Torpoint Athletic, Ivybridge face another big challenge at early pacesetters Brislington on August 31, followed by a visit from Portishead Town and a trip to St Blazey.

Buckland Athletic, as expected, are lurking around the top positions in the Western League, having bagged three wins from their opening four games. The Bucks also cruised through in the FA Vase with a 3-1 win at Crediton United, Jared Lewington, Sam Morcom and Ryan Bush scoring the goals.

Elsewhere in the FA Vase, Okehampton Argyle booked their place in the next round with a battling 2-1 win at Middlezoy Rovers, Steve Goss and Josh Coles finding the target for the Okes.

Bovey Tracey also won 2-1 in the Vase, beating Liskeard Athletic at Mill Marsh Park, Neil Last grabbing a brace for Bovey, including a 40-yard stunner.