Match Preview: Tavistock AFC vs Bashley FC
Third time lucky for The Lambs?
After the last two weekends have seen our matches postponed, this Saturday will see The Lambs return to action when we host Bashley FC in what would be a long-awaited return to Langsford Park. With no match since a 3-1 defeat against Evesham United back in November, Tavistock will be looking to get back to winning ways after this result ended our impressive eight game unbeaten league run. With no match at Langsford Park since Saturday 21st October which was an impressive 3-1 win against Bishops Cleeve, hopefully this Saturday we will make our long-awaited return to the home of The Lambs.
We look forward to welcoming one of the friendlier clubs that we have played in recent seasons, Bashley FC. The Bash came down to Langsford Park on a cold February night last season and emerged as 2-0 winners. Just over six weeks later, on what was a much warmer day in March, we travelled up to Hampshire to take on Bashley at The Glen Max Stadium and a second-half winner was enough for The Lambs to take all 3 points in a hard-fought encounter which saw the two sides competing at the higher end of the table. There wasn’t much to separate the two sides in the league last season, with Tavistock finishing just three points and one place above Bashley who ended the season in seventh place.
This season has been a season of change so far for The Bash. Matt Tubbs (ex Portsmouth striker) who started the season as manager of Bashley FC, left the club at the start of September to join Southern League Premier side Poole Town. Tubbs was swiftly replaced by current manager Ollie Cherrett who has been in charge since September 8th.
This season has been a slower start for the Hampshire side with them currently sitting in 17th position having accumulated 12 points (3 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats) from their opening 11 games of the league season. The recent form guide doesn’t make for great reading with only 1 win in their previous 6 matches, however this was an impressive 3-2 victory against one of the title contenders Frome Town. Away from home The Bash are yet to come away with victory but have taken 3 points from their 5 away matches so far. Draws away at Melksham Town, Mousehole AFC and Bishops Cleeve indicate that despite the form guide not looking good this isn’t a game that The Lambs should take lightly and The Bash are more than capable of taking something away from Langsford Park again.
Bashley FC will be boosted with new signing Jamie Arnold likely to make his debut after signing for the club on loan from League Two side Colchester United. The seventeen year-old was due to make his debut for The Bash on Wednesday night away to Larkhall Athletic however the match was postponed very close to kick off (approx. 25 minutes before). Despite his young age, our opponents do have some players with a lot of experience at the higher levels in their squad. Midfielder Craig Stanley has an impressive CV having played for many football league clubs such as Bristol Rovers and Torquay United. The top scorer for Bashley with 4 goals in 10 league appearances is the very experienced ex Torquay United striker Brett Williams.
Last 5 results:
Saturday 25th November – Bashley FC 1-3 Bideford AFC
Saturday 18th November – Malvern Town 6-0 Bashley FC
Saturday 11th November – Bishops Cleeve 1-1 Bashley FC
Saturday 21st October – Bashley FC 3-2 Frome Town
Saturday 14th October – Evesham United 2-0 Bashley FC
Match information:
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: £10
Concessions (13-17 & over 65): £6
Under 12s accompanied with an adult: FREE
Limited free parking is available within Langsford Park. Cash or card can be used on the turnstiles, tea hut and “The Lambing Shed”, where burgers and hotdogs will be available.
