Tavistock AFC left frustrated as Portishead fight back at Langsford Park
The Lambs started brightly at Langsford Park and held the advantage at half-time, but Portishead Town responded strongly after the break
Tavistock AFC were beaten 3-2 by Portishead Town at Langsford Park after letting a half-time lead slip in a closely fought Western League Premier Division match.
The Lambs made the stronger start and took the lead after just seven minutes.
A good move released Rhys Lindsell down the left, with his cross travelling across the box for talisman Jack Crago to finish and put Tavistock 1-0 ahead.
Tavistock threatened to double their advantage as the half went on, with Ports goalkeeper James Walker making an important save to deny a header from Shane White in the 39th minute.
Posset had earlier gone close when a cross from the right was met at the far post, but the effort went wide.
The Lambs went into the break with their lead intact, but Portishead turned the game around shortly after the restart.
Kyle Egan’s free-kick was bundled over the line by Hamish Hurst to make it 1-1 early in the second half.
Josh Jenkins then put the visitors ahead for the first time with a curling finish.
Tavistock showed character to respond and drew level when Rhys Shanley was released down the right and squared the ball for Tom Chastey, who bundled it home to make it 2-2.
Portishead then regained the lead once more with another move down the left, with the ball being squared towards the back post before Jaden Neale finished to make it 3-2.
The visitors had a late goal ruled out for offside after the Lambs keeper Dan Holman had made a double save from Hamish Hurst.
Despite a late spell of pressure, Tavistock could not find another equaliser and Posset held on for all three points.
Tavistock manager Steve Tully was left disappointed by the way the game changed after the interval.
“Frustrated is probably the biggest understatement,” he said.
“I thought first half the game plan worked, we played some great stuff but didn’t kill the team off.”
“[Portishead’s] Keeper has made an unbelievable save from Shane White's header, it should be 2-0,” said Tully.
“We give them two goals in two minutes and it changed the whole momentum of the game.”
The result leaves Tavistock 16th in the table with five points from five games, while Portishead move up to fourth with 12 points from their opening five matches.
The Lambs now face a run of three consecutive away fixtures, beginning with a trip to Sidmouth Town next Saturday, 5 September.