Lambs add Pritchard to squad ahead of FA Cup clash Striker signs and could face AFC St Austell

THE Lambs start out on the road to Wembley at AFC St Austell on Saturday with manager Stuart Henderson delighted to welcome midfielders Callum Watson and Teigan Rosenquest into the fold – and a new striker to the club.

Both players were missing for Tuesday’s 2-1 Toolstation Western League victory at Ilfracombe Town, where goals from Liam Prynn and Warren Daw sealed a much needed win for the men in red and black.

However, Henderson was only able to name three substitutes for that game with many players unavailable for a variety of reasons. With that in mind, 19-year-old striker CJay Pritchard has been signed on and offers another attacking threat for the Lambs.

“He’s been playing junior football and I don’t know much about him,” Henderson said. “He came as a recommendation, but what I can tell you is that he is extremely quick and has a massive heart.

“Whether he is technically good enough to play the level, only time will tell and this is where we need a reserve side really, where he can play three or four games, but the club obviously took the decision to run without a reserve side, so we thought we’d roll the dice and give him a chance.

“I thought he came on against Argyle and did really well with the runs he made and stuff and he can play anywhere across the front three. He was at Marjons but this season, he has also signed for Mount Gould.”

This weekend, Tavistock will look far stronger in terms of depth as they kick-off their FA Cup campaign against a St Austell side that lost their opening South West Peninsula League Premier Division West fixture 2-0 at Penzance in midweek.

“We always seem to have good runs in the FA Cup and the Vase, so long may that continue,” Henderson said. “We don’t really know too much about them, other than they are a very young side, so I am sure they’ll be energetic.

“I used to play there myself years ago and we played there a few years ago a few times in the South Western League, but we go down there with confidence after the win on Tuesday and hopefully we can progress to the next round.

“They will see us as a potential giantkilling if they can get one over on us as we are obviously in a league above them and in a one-off game, anyone can beat anyone. Naturally, they will raise their game and it will make it more like a Cup final than a typical one-off Cup tie.

“St Austell are always well supported and the crowd tend to give you a bit of stick and stuff, so it will be interesting, but if we do what we are good at, then we will progress in the competition.”

Watson missed Tuesday’s game through illness, while work commitments denied the Lambs the likes of Rosenquest and Pritchard the chance to be involved in north Devon.

“I haven’t spoken to Callum Watson directly, but I am assuming he will be fine,” Henderson said. “The plan was for him to take a few days off as what he had was contagious; Calum Davenport won’t play, but I understand he is coming down to watch, which is good, and Teigan Rosenquest will be available as well, so that’s a couple of extra bodies to add to what we had on Tuesday night.”