Match Preview: Tavistock AFC vs AFC St Austell

The Lambs welcome Cornish outfit AFC St Austell to Langsford Park in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, in a first competitive outing of 25/26 for Stuart Henderson’s side.

By Luca Sperti

Over the summer the Lambs lost a few of their contingent which helped them survive at Step Four level for the third consecutive season. Club Captain Ed Harrison and star striker Liam Prynn both departed the club to join Cornish side Mousehole, whereas number one goalkeeper Aaron Dearing also moved on, with the shot-stopper joining fellow Southern League side Exmouth Town. Attackers Tyler Elliott and Luke Mortimore also left the club with both joining Western League sides St Blazey and Barnstaple Town respectively. However, despite a few outgoings, the Lambs were delighted to announce that club legend and fan favourite Jack Crago committed to the club for the 25/26 season. The former Plymouth Parkway man scored an impressive four goals in only nine games since his return to the Lambs last March. The Lambs were also boosted by the re-signing of young wingers Jacob Bowker and Kieran Edworthy as well as young defenders Joel Jackson and Ethan Wright committing to the club for this upcoming season after both having excellent seasons in their first campaigns at step four last term.The Lambs had a busy pre-season schedule with the Red and Black outfit playing seven games against a whole range of opposition. The Lambs picked up four wins in pre-season including impressive wins against Plymouth Parkway and Welsh Premier League outfit Britton Ferry. Both victories were helped by goals from talisman Crago who picked up a brace in each fixture including a delightful chip against Parkway to open the scoring at his old stomping ground Bolitho Park. The Lambs were last in action last Saturday in the clash against Britton Ferry, with the Lambs picking up a 3-1 comeback victory in Devon. The Welsh outfit in their light blue alternative kit opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a smart volley before Crago smashed an effort from the left into the corner, three minutes into the second half. In the 57th minute Crago got his second after a through ball from midfield found the striker who rolled the ball home from close range. In the 68th minute the Lambs had a third after a corner from the returning Bowker found its way in.Due to being in the Western League, Saturday’s visitors kicked off their league season last Saturday as they welcomed Ivybridge Town to Poltair Park. The Green and Black donning visitors opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a well-taken finish from Kaycee Ogwu found the back of the net. Youngster James Forrest then added a second with a tap-in at the back post before Mason Elliott made it three to the Ivies only a minute later. Three became four just three minutes later with Kai Burrell picking up a loose ball and slotting the ball past Alfie Eccles in the St Austell net. In the second half it took 24 minutes until the visitors added a fifth with a free kick leading to the opening. A curling set piece by Josh Pope was headed powerfully into the net by an unmarked Joe Cook. Cook was then sent off in the 83rd minute for the Ivies after two bookings, however this didn’t stop the scoring. Into the final knockings of the game Dan Tate picked up a brace making it seven, with Tate’s second the cherry on top of the cake, with the attacker lobbing an effort over Eccles from 25 yards out. The Cornish outfit were also in action on Tuesday where they were beaten by the same scoreline against Saltash United at Kimberley Park. The Red and White outfit opened the scoring in the outfit through Deacon Thompson before Hayden Greening doubled the advantage. Two minutes into additional time in the first half, Freddy Tolcher stabbed home a scrappy effort to make it three. Finley Wilkes added a fourth in the 47th minute, before Deacon Thompson picked up the match ball after two goals in 16 second-half minutes. Young striker Jayden Gilbert made it seven for his first goal in Saltash colours just on the 80-minute mark. The two results put the Lilywhites bottom of the Western League table, however with only two games gone the Cornish side have plenty of time to get the season rolling.The two sides have faced each other competitively 17 times, with the Lambs coming out winners nine times, the Lilywhites six times and the points being shared twice. The last competitive clash between the two sides came in this very competition in the Extra Preliminary Round, with Tavi coming out 3-2 winners at Poltair Park. The Cornish outfit opened the scoring in the clash through George Marris before Warren Daw equalised for the Lambs. However the Lambs went behind again in the encounter after a Matt Searle through ball was smartly finished by Jacob Rowe. In the 81st minute current St Blazey attacker Teigan Rosenquest smashed home an equaliser before Liam Prynn rolled home a late winner just seconds before additional time.AFC St Austell – Ones to look out for!!Bentley Alcantara – A powerful striker with an eye for goal and plenty of experience. The forward joined the Lilywhites this summer and will be looking to score the goals for the Cornish side to confirm safety in the Western League for successive seasons.James Baker – The club captain, the defender returns to the Lilywhites this season and his no-nonsense defending and power has made him a fans’ favourite over the years.Billy Cotton – A hard-working midfielder with an engine on him, Cotton is electric, athletic and has an excellent mindset as well as donning an excellent moustache. An honest player who is good with or without the ball, he will be one to look out for in this clash.Alfie Eccles – An energetic goalkeeper who is eccentric and also excellent at shot-stopping, the goalkeeper was the first in the door at St Austell over the summer and he is one who has impressed the management for a number of years.Marley Cunningham – An attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, Cunningham is known for his attacking ability and excellent movement in the final third. A player who can thread a pass through with ease but also has an eye for goal, the attacker is another one to look out for in this clash.Tavistock AFC Last Five Results:Saturday 26th July – Tavistock AFC 3-1 Britton Ferry – Pre-Season Tuesday 22nd July – Tavistock AFC 3-2 Ivybridge Town – Pre-Season Saturday 19th July – Plymouth Parkway 1-2 Tavistock AFC – Pre-Season Tuesday 15th July – Taunton Town 2-0 Tavistock AFC – Pre-Season Saturday 12th July – Tavistock AFC 0-2 Newquay AFC – Pre-SeasonAFC St Austell Last Five Results:Tuesday 29th July – Saltash United 7-0 AFC St Austell – Western League 25/26 Saturday 26th July – AFC St Austell 0-7 Ivybridge Town – Western League 25/26 (Pre-Season Schedule not disclosed) Saturday 10th May – Falmouth Town 1-0 AFC St Austell – Cornwall Senior Cup Final Monday 21st April – Saltash United 1-2 AFC St Austell – Western League 24/25 Friday 18th April – AFC St Austell 2-0 St Blazey AFC – Western League 24/25