Tavistock AFC see tense St Blazey battle decided in closing stages
The Lambs faced St Blazey in a closely contested Western League fixture, with both sides level at half-time before the visitors found a breakthrough late in the game
Tavistock AFC were beaten 1-0 by St Blazey at Langsford Park on Saturday afternoon after a late goal settled a closely contested Western League Premier Division fixture.
The only goal came in the 80th minute, when substitute Cam Hutchison found the net for St Blazey to maintain the visitors’ unbeaten league record.
The result came four days after Tavistock had ended a run of three successive defeats with a 6-0 home victory over Wellington AFC.
Saturday’s meeting began with few clear updates from either side as the teams settled into the game.
Tavistock reported that the score remained goalless after 33 minutes, with both sides competing in a scrappy first half.
The teams went into half-time at 0-0.
Blazey created one of the clearest chances of the match shortly after the restart.
In the 48th minute, Jack Calver struck the crossbar as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.
St Blazey also came close through former Lamb Reece Shanley, whose effort struck the underside of the bar.
With the game still goalless entering the final 10 minutes, St Blazey found the breakthrough in the 80th minute.
Hutchison, introduced as a substitute, scored to give the visitors the lead.
The Lambs were unable to find an equaliser, and St Blazey held on to claim all three points and another clean sheet.
Tavistock named experienced defender and recent signing David Rowe as their Player of the Match following what the club described as “a solid defensive performance”.
The defeat leaves Tavistock eighth in the Western League Premier Division, with 24 points from 15 matches.
St Blazey remain fourth, having collected 28 points from 12 games, and are yet to lose a league fixture this season.
The sides have now met four times this season across league and cup competitions.
Their first league meeting, in August, ended 3-3, with Tavistock goalkeeper Dan Holman scoring a last-minute headed equaliser.
They also drew 0-0 in the FA Cup at Langsford Park before St Blazey won the replay 2-0.
The Lambs’ next fixture is at home to Bovey Tracey in the Les Phillips Cup on Tuesday, October 20, with a 7.30pm kick-off.
They then return to league action away to Wells City on Saturday, October 24.