TAVISTOCK 3

PORTHLEVEN 1

AFTER an impressive run of results, Porthleven were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat away to Tavistock in the Carlsberg SWL.

It was a disappointing display by the Fishermen especially after the home side had goalkeeper Andy Meeds sent off in the 25th minute.

Porthleven could never capitalise on the situation and as a result were unable to silence the Lambs.

Tavistock applied early pressure and when Jamie Burr conceded a free kick, it was a taste of things to come. Ryan Honey played in the kick, but Neil Kinsman drove the ball over the bar.

Steve Taylor easily dealt with a long shot from Shane Krac and Hugh Howlett deflected a free kick from Krac for a corner.

If Porthleven were riding their luck, it ran out in the 15th minute when Glynn Hobbs hit a speculative long-range shot that Taylor somehow appeared to dive over and it ended up in the net.

Honey drove another good chance over the bar, but the Fishermen contributed to their own downfall in the 20th minute when Ben Medlin attempted to find Burr. The pass never reached as Will Stringer nipped in between both of them to gain possession and drive the ball into the corner of the net.

Porthleven's first real chance came two minutes later when Mike Davies found Paul Ainscough with a great pass, but his shot was easily saved by Meeds.

Meeds' part in the game was about to come to an end when in the 25th minute Westgarth was put through and lobbed the 'keeper who palmed the ball away outside the box. He was sent off for deliberate handball.

Kinsman took over between the posts, but for the remainder of the half he had nothing to do as Port failed to get a single shot on target.

Even with ten men Tavistock looked dangerous and on the half hour Conday headed in a corner from Honey.

Just before the break Howlett found Davies, but he drove his first-time shot over the bar.

Both sides had chances around the edge of the box from free kicks at the start of the second half, but neither team could make anything of them.

Arscott headed a free kick from Ainscough off the line, but in general Porthleven lacked a cutting edge in their opponent's half.

Nigel Thwaites came on for Fraser Cadman in the 62nd minute and three minutes later Porthleven were back in the game when they pulled back a goal.

Good football saw Jamie Thirkle create a bit of space and when he delivered his cross Westgarth beat the 'keeper with a fine header.

Two minutes later the same players were at it again, but with a much easier chance Westgarth headed wide of an open goal.

Krac had his shot charged down from Conday's free kick as Tavistock made light of the fact that they were playing with ten men.

Westgarth rattled the woodwork after a good run and then Mark Holland hit a first-time shot from Thirkle's cross which rebounded of a 'keeper who knew little about it.

The Fishermen created several chances in the closing stages, but Holland drove his shot across the face of the goal, Davies hit a first-time drive just wide of the post, and Westgarth put his final effort past the woodwork.

Porthleven have no game on Saturday, but are away to Millbrook tonight.

Porthleven: S Taylor, B Medlin, G Richie, F Cadman, H Howlett, J Burr, P Ainscough, A Westgarth, M Davies, A Westgarth, J Thirkle, K Lawrence. Subs: N Thwaites, M Holland, M Day, N Thwaites.