Tavistock AFC edged out in five-goal Southern League thriller against SC Inkberrow

Tavistock AFC were left to rue a frantic second half as they slipped to a narrow 2-3 home defeat against Sporting Club Inkberrow in an entertaining contest at Langsford Park.

The Lambs began brightly, applying early pressure through a series of set pieces. Free-kicks delivered by former Plymouth Parkway men Charlie Castlehouse and Jack Crago caused a few moments of concern in the opening exchanges, although the Inkberrow goalkeeper was not called into serious action. 

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After an even first 20 minutes, chances began to arrive at both ends as the game opened up.

Inkberrow went close on 28 minutes when debutant Aidan Clark’s looping header beat goalkeeper Jack Arthur but cannoned back off the crossbar. 

Two minutes later Arthur was again called into action, producing an excellent double save to deny Jack Tolley, who struck a powerful first effort before following up. 

The visitors continued to turn the screw, with number 10 Jay Higgins-Pugsley firing over as Tavistock were forced onto the defensive. Despite the pressure, the sides went into the break level at 0-0.

The deadlock was broken immediately after half-time. Inkberrow swung a free-kick in from the left and the ball was not claimed by Arthur and bounced off Crago and into his own net to give the visitors the lead. 

Tavistock tried to respond, and Ellis Aldrich almost capitalised on a defensive mix-up, but was unable to get a shot away.

The visitors doubled their advantage just after the hour mark when the new man Clark popped up unmarked at the back post to drill the ball home and make it 2-0. 

ABOVE: Young Kian Burch who joined Tavistock on loan from Plymouth Argyle (Image: Dave Crawford)

Tavistock reshuffled, introducing Elburton Villa’s Callum Merrin and US scholar Henry Donovan from the bench, and the changes soon had an impact.

On 66 minutes Tolley broke down the left but was denied by a smart save, before Higgins-Pugsley rattled the bar with a fierce effort. 

Tavistock finally found a lifeline moments later. Castlehouse showed great skill to beat his man and cut the ball back, where Merrin picked his spot with a cultured finish into the bottom right corner to pull it back to 2-1.

Inkberrow restored their two-goal cushion soon after, capitalising on a short clearance from Arthur which was intercepted and squared for a simple finish by Leo Brown, seemingly ending the comeback hopes. 

However, Tavistock refused to lie down. With time running out, Bowker delivered from the right and the ball deflected off an Inkberrow defender and into his own net to make it 2-3 and set up a tense finale.

A scrappy few minutes ensued, but it was not enough for Tavistock as the final whistle confirmed a 2-3 defeat in a lively encounter that saw all five goals arrive after the break. 

The Lambs will look to bounce back when they return to home action on Wednesday night against Winchester City.