Tavistock AFC forced to share points after late drama in Langsford clash

Tavistock AFC were forced to settle for a point at Langsford Park after former Lamb Liam Prynn struck late to earn Mousehole a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought Southern League Division One South encounter.

The Lambs had looked on course for all three points after debutant Frankie Maund gave them the lead in the first half, but sustained pressure from the visitors eventually told as Mousehole levelled with just eight minutes remaining.

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Tavistock began the match positively and created an early opening inside six minutes when Maund cut inside and fired goalwards, only for his effort to be dramatically cleared off the line.

Moments later, a dangerous cross from Tom Chastey almost found an attacker in the box as the Lambs continued to press.

Mousehole gradually settled into the contest and threatened themselves when Jack Symons met a cross at the back post, but Lambs keeper Jack Arthur reacted well to make the save. 

Tim Nixon also carried the ball forward for the visitors midway through the half before his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute, when Ryan White burst through the Mousehole defence and unselfishly squared the ball for debutant Maund, who calmly slotted home to give Tavistock a deserved 1-0 lead.

Mousehole responded quickly and nearly equalised two minutes later, but a low effort was driven just wide of Arthur’s goal as the Lambs held their advantage going into the break.

Mousehole started the second half strongly and immediately began putting Tavistock under pressure, although the Lambs defence held firm.

Arthur was called into action on several occasions, first denying a powerful strike from Mitchell before comfortably gathering a shot from Nixon following a scramble in the box.

Tavistock also had their moments. White looked to have been played through on goal just before the hour mark but was brought down after cutting across the defender, with appeals for a penalty waved away.

Chastey later tried his luck from distance, while Alfie Clark came closest to extending the lead when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to see the chance cleared before he could get his shot away.

Mousehole’s pressure finally paid off in the 82nd minute. Arthur initially did well to parry an effort, but the rebound looped invitingly into the air where former Tavi-talisman Liam Prynn met it on the volley to make it 1-1.

Tavistock pushed for a late winner during six minutes of added time, with Josh Baxter seeing a deflected strike saved and Burch also testing the goalkeeper from distance. 

A late free-kick on the edge of the box offered one final opportunity, but the visitors held firm.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the points after an entertaining contest.