Camelford make Lambs work hard

THIS game was the third of three such games for the Lambs before the FA Vase game against Western League rivals Bridgewater on the 17th.writes Eric Pinch

The Lambs had, had two comfortable victories against Bere Alston and Torpoint in the previous week but this one proved to be a tougher nut to crack with the visitors giving as good as they got throughout the game.

Indeed they were the first to threaten in the opening minutes when their number 7 got to the byline but his cross was far too strong and went behind.

Callum Watson found Tallon Burnsto allow him to strike from the edge of the penalty area for the Camels keeper to save at the expense of a corner, from it the ball was scrambled into the net but disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

It was the lambs having the greater of possession in the first quarter, first Jack Crago , twisted and turned in the area to cross that went out of play followed by Josh Robbins coming forward from deep to send a shot over the bar.

However, against the run of play the Lambs found themselves unexpectantly a goal behind on 18 minutes, richochet got involved as the ball fell kindly for Hopkinson outside the area to cooly shoot home giving Tom Watson in the home goal little chance.

The Lambs continued to for the remainder of the half to seek a leveller, Liam Prynne was sent away one on one with the keeper but his effort was saved, Dave Hallett set up Robbins but his effort sailed over before Reece Shanley sent in a cross for Prynne to glance wide.

The home side were not firing on all cylinders during this first half but right on the stroke of half time a moment of magic from Crago drew the Lambs level, picking the ball up in the visitors half he past a couple of defenders to shoot low into the far corner.

The second half was 10 minutes old when Josh Grant’s cross was met by Jordan Annear to shoot just wide. Around the hour mark the visitors could have so easily gone ahead, first Watson scooped Hopkinson’s effort over the bar, Aaron Bentley cleared off the line before Watson had to save again.

Bentley then headed wide from a Luke Brown corner, Crago was then in on goal to be thwarted before the lambs went ahead.

But it was one of those moments that a reporter dreads, on 75 minutes the call of nature was far greater than observing the game and off I had to go. Jokingly I said to Chair Paul Stapleton “they will score in my absence” and as sure as God made little apples they did as I was informed by our Secretary observing the game in the vicinity.

I was then informed that the goal build up was the keeper saved from Bentley and the ball fell to Grant to set up Annear to tap home. The lambs then held firm for the remainder of the game but Watson had to be on his toes on 85 minutes to save from Andrews effort.