Tavistock AFC ready for Western League challenge after encouraging pre-season

Tavistock AFC head into the new Western League Premier Division season this weekend with manager Steve Tully pleased by what he has seen during his first pre-season in charge.

The Lambs completed their preparations with a 1-2 win away at Southern League side Exmouth Town on Tuesday evening, ending a five-match programme that tested the squad against opponents from different levels of the football pyramid.

Tavistock opened pre-season with a 1-1 draw at South West Peninsula League side Camelford before narrow 0-1 home defeats against Tiverton Town, who were relegated from the Southern League Premier South last season, and newly-promoted Western League champions Barnstaple Town.

The Lambs then found their scoring touch with a 0-5 victory at St Piran League Division One East side Bodmin Town before finishing with an impressive 1-2 win at Exmouth, who finished eighth in the Southern League South last season.

Reflecting on the victory at Exmouth, Tully was encouraged by the performance but insisted attention now turns to the league campaign.

"I was really pleased with the way we played first half," he said.

"I thought we were really brave in possession. We passed through their press and created quite a few chances. Delighted for Deacon to get a goal. I think it will give him a boost.

"But the overall performance from the team was really, really pleasing. It's just a stepping stone. It means nothing. Pre-season now... but it all begins again Saturday."

New striker Deacon Thomson opened his account for the club against Exmouth, while player-coach Chris 'Macca' McPhee came off the bench to score the winner after also netting twice in the victory over Bodmin.

Tully believes McPhee's experience will be important both on and off the pitch.

"Macca does what Macca does," he said.

"It doesn't matter how old he is. You put him in those positions, he scored Saturday, he scored tonight, he will score goals.

"Having someone with that experience on the bench is massive because someone like Deacon will learn a lot from him."

The manager also praised the younger members of the squad after several of the team’s U23 players impressed in the second half at Exmouth.

"I was absolutely delighted with the second half," he said.

"The youngsters coming through are showing that there's a pathway here. The likes of Oliver Cleave and Isaac Northam… they came on and stood out.

Looking back on his first pre-season since taking charge, Tully said the varied fixture list had achieved exactly what he wanted.

"I think it's had a bit of everything, which I wanted," he said.

"We arranged some tough games because the Western League is not going to be easy. It's a tough league and I think we also needed that in the pre-season.

"It's all about getting minutes in the legs, making sure you come through pre-season fully fit."

Tavistock begin their Western League Premier Division campaign at home to Buckland Athletic on Saturday.

Buckland finished seventh last season, narrowly missing out on the play-off places, and Tully expects another competitive campaign.

"For me it's wide open," he said.

"We've got to be somewhere in that play-off group and that's what we're aiming for. But it's going to be a tough ask."

After Buckland, the Lambs continue their demanding start to the season with home league matches against Saltash United and title contenders Clevedon Town before hosting St Blazey in the FA Cup.

Despite the challenge ahead, Tully believes his squad has the quality to compete.

"We've got some good players in this team," he said.

"I'm delighted with the squad. We've got good experience but actually we're a goal threat, which we probably didn't have last year.

"New start, new beginning. Get down to Tavi on Saturday and support us. We want to see as many Lambs there as possible."