TAVISTOCK 4

M Conday, G Hobbs (2), W Stringer (pen)

FALMOUTH TOWN 2

L Gardner, N Bettis

Ironically, in a week when Town manager Steve Massey has been chasing after yet another striker it was the defence that looked like it needed an addition to it.

It was a case of one basic error following another as Tavistock were gifted the points in this embarrassing Carlsberg SW Peninsula League premier division defeat at Langsford Park.

Strangley enough Town got off to the perfect start, playing with the strong wind behind them they forced two corners in the first three minutes and then took the lead a minute later.

Chasing on to a through ball Lee Langmead hit a shot that was cleared away by a Tavistock defender, but the ball only went as far as Lloyd Gardner and he hit a hard, low shot into the corner of the net from 12 yards for his first goal for the club.

Following an attempted attacking move by Tavistock, Town were given a free kick which Gardner hit powerfully at goal, but Andy Meeds got down to it well to make a good save.

A few minutes later Andy Bowker hit a rising shot which goalkeeper Meeds did well to push over the bar. The resultant corner was pushed out as far as Brinton Nute who hit a first time shot that Lee Coxon cleared off the line.

Town then forced another couple of corners, the first of which was headed over by Neil Bettis and the second one ended up with Aaron Cusack hitting a shot into the side netting.

After 23 minutes Tavistock equalised with a quite bizarre goal. Luke McPherson was brought down 20 yards from goal on the right and all the Town players stopped, expecting a free kick to be given, but Torbay referee Bill Pearce waved on play and with Nathan Murphy standing nonchalantly watching proceedings Mark Conday ran into the area and knocked the ball past him into the net.

A couple of minutes later Town had a strong penalty appeal turned down as Langmead was clearly pushed over as he attempted to get to Jamie Morrison-Hill's right wing cross directly in front of goal.

Tavistock were getting the hang of playing into the strong wind with some lively moves along the ground and from one of these they took the lead. Twenty four minutes had elapsed when Glyn Hobbs, who recently turned down a trial at Manchester United in favour of a painting and decorating apprenticeship, went on another good run, ghosting past several Town players before hitting a low shot from 18 yards. Murphy appeared to have it covered but he only succeeded in spilling it out as far as Coxon who smashed it home through a packed penalty area.

Town fought back though and equalised after 31 minutes. Gardner swung over a high corner kick and Bettis rose above everyone to plant a firm header into the net.

Unfortunately, this seemed to spur Tavistock on more than it did Town and the Lambs launched a wave of attacks most of which involved Hobbs, who has been approached by several football league clubs.

The usually reliable Brinton Nute lost possession near the halfway line and Mark Conday burst through but his attempted shot was blocked and went for a corner by Morrison-Hill.

Shane Krac almost scored just before the interval when he raced onto a good ball from Hobbs with Town's defence caught flat footed once again, but luckily he hurried his shot and it went just wide.

The second half belonged almost totally to Tavistock as Town's midfield couldn't seem to come to terms with the conditions and rarely put anything through for Bowker or Langmead to make use of.

After 65 minutes Tavistock went 3-2 ahead with a penalty awarded for handball, which was converted by Will Stringer.

Town's new signing from Torpoint, Ben Davies, came on to replace Gardner two minutes later and he took his position up front but he scarcely saw the ball as Town failed to piece together any constructive moves.

Ten minutes later Hobbs hit a thunderous, wind assisted shot that flew past the motionless Murphy into the back of the net to put the home side 4-2 ahead and for the first time this seasonTown have conceded four goals in a league match.

With ten minutes remaining both sides made substitutions with Ben Goldring and Lee Beer coming on to replace Langmead and Morrison-Hill, but it was not enough to change the course of the game.

Town's title hopes now look in tatters and it will need a real collapse by the top teams for Town to have any chance.

Town entertain Buckland Athletic on Saturday with a 2.45 kick off.

Tavistock: A. Meeds; L. McPherson, M. Arscott (L. Bevan 82m), W. Stringer , C. Menhennick, N. Pugh, L. Coxon (C. Bray 81m), M. Conday (A. McNeal 82m), G. Hobbs, S. Krac, N. Kinsman. Sub (unused): R. Honey.

Town: N. Murphy; J. Morrison-Hill (L. Beer 81m), F. Nevin, N. Bettis, B. Nute , A. Cusack, M. Cusack, M. Godfree, L. Langmead (B. Goldring 81m), A. Bowker, L. Gardner (B. Davies 67m). Sub (unused): A. Carter.

Referee: Bill Pearce (Torbay) Assistants: Andy Vernell (Exeter) and J Taylor (Plympton).