Magpies put Lambs to slaughter

Tavistock 2, Penzance 6

THE Magpies ended a run of four games without a win with this thoroughly deserved SWPL Premier Division triumph over an out-of-form Tavistock side who have now gone eight games without a victory.

The result marked a welcome return to form for Gary Marks’ side with a rare success at Langsford Park, a notoriously unhappy hunting ground for the Magpies in recent years, and helped atone for three defeats by the Lambs last season.

Marks said: “We played extremely well and a good pitch had a lot to do with it because it allowed us to play.

“After recent results it was nice to get back on the winning road again.

“We were all very disappointed after the St Blazey game (when the Magpies surrendered a one-goal lead to lose 2-1), but credit to the players, they bounced back on Saturday.”

The visitors were again hit by the unavailability of several players, while Marks decided not to start the game with his joint top scorer Tim Nixon, who was struggling with a slight hamstring strain.

The Magpies’ boss was forced to play a 4-3-3 formation but the system appeared to work well with a three-pronged strike force of Phil Willey, Andy Westgarth and the club’s other leading scorer Matt Shiels combining well to cause the home defence plenty of problems.

Three goals in an action-packed nine-minute spell put the visitors well in control, the first coming on 24 minutes when Westgarth’s shot looped over long-serving Lambs’ keeper Andy Meeds from 25 yards.

Shiels then made it 2-0 when he tapped the ball home after Meeds had advanced to the edge of his area, before centre half Chris Russell made it 3-0 with a free header at the far post.

New Tavistock signing Levi Landricombe pulled a goal back three minutes before the break with a shot from 22 yards after capitalising on a loose clearance from the Magpies’ defence.

But any hopes of the home side mounting a comeback were dashed early in the second half, with midfielder Simon Stevens’ shot from the edge of the box beating Meeds, before Lewis Caspall, one of three 16-year-olds in Marks’ squad, capped a fine individual performance by cutting in from the left and squaring for Shiels to make it 5-1.

Russell was again left unmarked to head home from another corner to score the Magpies’ sixth, but was then sent off for pulling back Tavistock’s Ryan Fice when the striker was through on goal ten minutes from time.

Landricombe pulled another goal back for the Lambs, but it was too little too late for a well beaten home side, who haven’t tasted victory since beating Plymouth Parkway 1-0 at Langsford Park back in September.

This Saturday the Magpies take a break from league action when they play Premier Division rivals Launceston in the second round of the Westinsure Cornwall Senior Cup.

Kick-off is at the earlier time of 2pm, with extra-time if necessary.

The Magpies’ injury problems continue to ease, although they are still without Gerens James, Bradley Wills, Chris Wolstencroft and Mark Richards.

Jamie Devine is available this weekend following work commitments.

Marks said: “With a few more players back we showed what we’re capable of against Tavistock.

“We have some very big games coming up, starting with Saturday’s Senior Cup game against Launceston.

“They beat Plymouth Parkway 4-2 recently so I’m sure they won’t be worried about us.

“It’s a difficult game for us, but it’s one we’re looking forward to. The league is our priority but we will be taking this game very seriously as we look to progress.”

Penzance’s next league game is away to bottom-of-the-table Wadebridge Town on Saturday December 11 (3pm).

Tavistock: Meeds, Kinsman, Williams, Menhenick, J Ahearn, Arscott, Sullivan, D Pethick, Fice, Hallett, Landricombe. Subs: R Pethick, D Ahearn, Court.

Penzance: Burrows, Laity, Russell, Quinn, Pugliese: Stevens, Burt, Caspell: Willey, Westgarth, Shiels. Subs: James England (Caspell 75), L Andrew (Westgarth 80); Nixon (not used).

Referee: Paul Lister (Exeter).

Man of the Match: Chris Russell (Penzance).