TAVISTOCK 2
FALMOUTH TOWN 1
Falmouth Town slipped to tenth place in the Carlsberg SWL after going down to an injury time winner at Langsford Park on Saturday. They will now face a nailbiting run in to the end of the season to see whether they can qualify for the new Peninsula League premier division.
Both sides got off to a lively start on a hot, sunny afternoon and the first chance fell to Town when Andy Bowker put over a long cross from wide on the right. The ball fell for Fergus Nevin on the far side of the area and he hit it on the half volley but it went wide of the post.
Tavistock had a free kick near the edge of the area a couple of minutes later that was hit low into the area but the ball was cleared to Mike Roberts who tried to break away but was brought down by Shane Krac who was promptly shown the yellow card.
Five minutes later Krac tried to make amends when he hit a stinging shot just over the bar from fully 25 yards.
Following this, Darren Burchell hit a low shot from the edge of the area which was deflected wide but none of the officials noticed and a goal kick was awarded.
Play switched from end to end as both teams tried to prise open the defences without giving away any chances, a task not helped by some, at times, over fussy decisions by referee Chris Stevens who managed to get both sets of players and supporters on his back during the game.
Midway through the half Joe Tickle made a brave save at the foot of the post with boots flying all around him and the 'keeper needed treatment following a connection with one of them. He was soon back in action cutting out a dangerous cross at the near post with players closing in on him.
At the other end, Andy Bowker, who was covering a lot of ground, burst past two defenders on the left and put in a low cross to Burchell just outside the area, but he hit his shot wide.
Fifteen minutes before the break, Lee Beer was forced off with a calf strain and Chris Davey came on to replace him.
Shortly after this, Ryan Honey was booked following a foul on Bowker.
Just before half time Town had a free kick on the edge of the area, but before Burchell could get it lined up, Fergus Nevin decided to try a quick attempt at goal while the 'keeper was still lining up his wall, but his attempt was wide of the post.
The second half started in the same vein as the first with Town's Wayne Hewitt and Tavistock's Chris Short both being cautioned and both Falmouth coach Stuart Massey and Tavistock manager Craig Smith being spoken to by the referee after numerous verbal complaints about the, at times, dubious offside decisions.
Andy Bowker ran though on a good Hewitt pass and hit a shot which 'keeper Andy Meeds did well to push for a corner. The resultant flag kick found its way out to Dave McGhee whose rasping shot hit the bar and went behind for a goal kick.
Tavistock forced two corners in quick succession but Tickle caught the first one and the second was cleared by Wayne Brown.
Town took the lead on 72 minutes, a good move down the right by Steve Sims and Steve Proctor ended with the latter putting over a great cross which Hewitt headed home from 10 yards out.
Following this, Town put on Paul Wolstencroft to replace Proctor who had had a busy afternoon.
Unfortunately two minutes later Nevin twisted his ankle and after a long delay had to be carried off. Carl Paparone came on to replace him and Sims had to take over at left back.
This threw Town's defence off balance and within minutes Tavistock were level. They launched a quick break on the right and the resultant cross pinballed around the area until it fell at the feet of Mark Conday who blasted it home from six yards.
As the game entered stoppage time Town threw everything into attack, but were caught out when James Steer's through ball was missed by Town's defence and Ryan Honey had the time and space to lob the ball over the onrushing Tickle to give Tavistock three points and extend their unbeaten run to seven games, while Falmouth have now gone six games without a win.
They will be hoping to end that run on Saturday when they entertain Newquay in their final home game in the South Western League and their penultimate game of the season.
Town: J. Tickle; S. Proctor (P. Wolstencroft), F. Nevin (C. Paparone), D. McGhee, W. Brown, L. Beer (C. Davey), D. Burchell, M. Roberts, S. Sims, A. Bowker, W. Hewitt.
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