Tavistock AFC Reserves show real promise in tough South Devon League opener

Tavistock AFC Reserves made a spirited start to life in the South Devon League but were ultimately edged out by a strong Kingskerswell side in an entertaining, end-to-end encounter.

Tavistock faced a tough test against a Kingskerswell team that had lost just once throughout the whole of last season.

As newcomers to the South Devon League, Tavistock knew they would have to be at their best, but they settled into the game well and matched their opponents from the opening whistle.

Both sides enjoyed periods of possession and created opportunities early on in the evenly-contested game.

The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute, however, when Tavistock took the lead in spectacular fashion.

Young winger Owen Lauderdale collected the ball on the left-hand side and set off on one of his trademark runs.

After beating the Kingskerswell right-back, Lauderdale unleashed what appeared to be a cross-come-shot.

The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and found the far top corner to give Tavistock a deserved 1-0 lead.

Kingskerswell responded positively and began pushing hard for an equaliser, but Tavistock's defence remained resilient.

When the home side did manage to break through, goalkeeper Ewan Lock was in outstanding form, making a series of brave saves with his hands, arms, legs and body to keep Kingskerswell at bay.

Tavistock went into the half-time break holding on to their slender advantage.

The second half began in dramatic fashion, and unfortunately for Tavistock, Kingskerswell were soon handed an opportunity to get back into the game.

A Tavistock defender brought down the Kingskerswell attacker inside the area, the referee pointed to the spot, and Kingskerswell made no mistake from the resulting penalty, firing past Lock to level the scores.

The game continued to be fiercely contested, with Tavistock battling hard as both sides searched for a winner. Just as the match appeared to be heading towards a share of the points, Kingskerswell won a corner.

The delivery found an unmarked player, who rose highest to head the ball into the far corner and give the home side the lead.

Tavistock changed formation in the closing stages and pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but despite their efforts, they were unable to find a way through.

It was a disappointing result for Tavistock AFC Reserves after such a promising performance, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game against one of the league's strongest sides.

Goalkeeper Ewan Lock was awarded player of the match following what was described as “an outstanding performance between the posts, producing a string of excellent saves throughout the game and keeping Tavistock in contention against a strong Kingskerswell side."

The fixture was always going to be a major test for Tavistock AFC Reserves, who were beginning a new chapter after moving across from the P&D Premier League into the South Devon Football League Division Two.

Tavistock had enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, finishing fifth in the P&D Premier League, winning a cup final and reaching the semi-finals of another competition.

They also strengthened their squad during the summer, adding a blend of youth, energy and experience ahead of the move into a new league.

The challenge could hardly have been tougher for their opening fixture.

Kingskerswell are one of the division's most established and successful sides and went into the season with promotion ambitions of their own.

They had suffered just two defeats over the previous two years and were targeting a remarkable third consecutive promotion.

The match had consequently been billed as the Game of the Weekend across all six divisions of the South Devon Football League.

Despite ultimately falling to a 2-1 defeat, the newly promoted side went toe-to-toe with one of the league's strongest teams, led at half-time and only conceded the decisive goal late in the game.

For a first taste of life in the South Devon League, there were plenty of reasons for Tavistock to believe they can make their mark.