Falmouth Town boss Andrew Westgarth admits he still thinks about the 7-0 humbling by SWPL Premier champions Tavistock on the opening day of the season.

Having shaped a new-look squad in the summer, it was the heaviest defeat he has suffered as a manager, but that fateful day in August seems like a lifetime ago now.

"We've come a long way since then and beating teams such as Bodmin, St Austell and Saltash show that we are following the right path," he said.

Town are fifth in the table, having lost only three games since the Tavistock torture.

Saturday's 8-0 victory over Hayle in the Cornwall Senior Cup was testament to their progress. Town were without no fewer than eight regular first team players but the victory showed the extra muscle that the squad now has, albeit against lower league opposition.

Second team players Lewis Pellow and 16 year-old Sam Pickup stepped into the squad, while assistant manager James Miller rolled back the years with a goal after coming on as a second half substitute. Westgarth himself also had a rare start.

"I was delighted for James. He's 36 now and hasn't played regularly since he was 29, because of a knee injury. He won the penalty and got up and scored it," said Westgarth.

The trip to Tavistock will see the return of county youth trio Archie Frier, Jack Webber and Ollie Walker, while Rob Wearne (cup tied) and Josh Richards (unavailable) are also back in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

"Obviously playing the champions on their home pitch will be extremely difficult, but hopefully we can show how far we have come since the start of the season," said Westgarth.

Even without the services of ace marksman Glyn Hobbs, who joined rivals Plymouth Parkway this season, Tavistock have amassed 73 goals in just 16 league games - 30 more than Town, achieved in three fewer matches.

It's a daunting task for the Bickland Park side, but if they do manage to win the game, they will leapfrog the Devon side in the table.

As incentives go, that is about as good as it gets.