Cullompton Rangers 3 – 3 Tavistock AFC
This game was keenly contested throughout, with both sides vying to take the three points on offer.
It was the Lambs who started the better of the two teams and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the seventh minute. A through ball by Jarryd Kelly split the home defence which resulted in a chase between Hobbs and home ‘keeper Joe Moore. The latter looked favourite to clear the ball from outside his penalty area, but, under pressure, he missed his kick and Hobbs coolly slotted the ball into an empty net.
After this setback the home team really began to get their game together and, eight minutes later, they levelled the scores, when a low cross from Josh Luxton was met at the far post by Matt Harvey who tucked the ball past Andy Meeds.
The home team then had a period where they were in control and Meeds was the much busier ‘keeper. And there could be no complaints when Glyn Hobbs was shown a yellow card for a robust challenge on Brett Worbey.
Cullompton took the lead in the 30th minute after Meeds pulled off a great double save to deny James Blake and Matt Harvey, but was left helpless when the ball fell kindly back into the path of Harvey who blasted the ball home from six yards.
As half time approached Andy Meeds made two fantastic saves to deny Blake and Harvey from increasing the home side advantage and keep the Lambs in the game.
The home team increased their lead two minutes after the interval when Tony Radford hit the bar and the ball fell kindly to Blake, who was following up to net the rebound.
Midway through the second half the Lambs made two substitutions, and this had an immediate impact with the visitors controlling the game for the remaining twenty-five minutes.
The visitors reduced the arrears when Jarryd Kelly’s through ball found Hobbs who beat Sanderson to stride clear, and draw Moore off his line before slotting the ball into the goal.
The Lambs continued to put the home defence under pressure and fully deserved to draw level when Hobbs’ cross picked out Alexander whose fierce shot was only parried by Moore and the ever alert Kelly was on hand to chip the ball home.
The Lambs continued to press forward and looked the more likely side to get a winner, but it was not to be, and they had to be content with a point as the home defence held firm.
Match Report: Derek Pethick
