At the back, Tom Brooks and Geoff Leeks did very well but it was a case of everyone fighting for everything throughout the side. We conceded four goals in the second half and they were outstanding strikes to see Stage Security home.

Selkirk are a good young side and they enjoyed the fine playing surface and big pitch at Greshams, scoring a goal in each half to win the game 2-0. We were rarely in the match as an attacking force but, as has been evident throughout a difficult period for the club, we fought hard to the end.

Play was fairly even with everyone in the Tavs line-up working hard but few chances were created. We grabbed the lead when a fine move ended with Paul Bestley putting Duncan Southgate through and some deft footwork took Duncan round the keeper for a great goal.

Unfortunately, our celebrations had hardly died down when Thistle broke through and a low cross was tucked away at the far post.

The second half was ‘nip and tuck’ but our finishing was unsteady and we were severely punished when lost possession in the thistle half as they swept through to take a 2-1 lead. We had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Ryan Horsfall went down under a challenge but it was Thistle who scored the next goal for a 3-1 win.

Easton played some good football going forward and the Tavs were forced to defend but we did so resolutely and never letting our concentration lapse. The back three of Gary Cunningham, Geoff Leeks and Kevin Bowman-Boyles deserve special mention for their defensive efforts.

We had the boost of a goal from Gary Pilkington which came out of the blue, Pilky producing a right-foot shot from an acute angle which completely caught the keeper out and flew into the top far corner.

As the game progressed, we came into it as an attacking force but our strength was in never allowing Easton to settle on the ball and to get a toe in here or a full-blooded tackle there to prevent their attacking moves.

At the other end, we were strong on the break and forced several corners. Trevor Hollinsworth had swung a series of flag-kicks into the near post but it was a far-post alternative which brought our second goal. Marcus Webb headed the ball back into the danger area and Eamon Mongan headed home.

This was a fine performance in a sporting match, well handled by referee Peter Hart.

Team: Davis, Bowman-Boyles, Leeks, Cunningham, Burrows, Bestley, Mongan, Hollinsworth, Burgess (Sub: Hunt), Pilkington, Webb.

We had the boost of a tremendous goal when a good build-up on the right ended with a good ball in by Ryan Horsfall and the raiding Lee Glenister vollied home.

We were, however, giving a lot of possession away and a goalmouth scramble, following a corner, led to Martlesham equalising through a Tavs own goal.

We regained the lead when Lee Glenister’s free-kick was headed across goal by the dominating Tom Brooks and, with the keeper unable to gather, Ryan Horsfall forced the ball home.

Martlesham forced the pace in the second half and equalised with a superb shot which flew over the helpless Matt Davis.

However, a hard-working morning was rounded off with a late Taverners winner. Darren Herridge broke through and hit the bar only for Ryan Horsfall to smash the rebound home from the edge of the box.

However, the Legends came back strongly and stretched our defence time and again, netting three goals before the break.

A fourth was conceded shortly after half-time but Taverners refused to lie down and fought hard to the end, restricting the Legends to two further goals.

The early stages belonged to Kelsale but their finishing was poor. They looked to have scored on two occasions but Gary Cunningham and Geoff Leeks made fine goalline clearances.

Two Kelsale goals put them firmly in the driving seat but we fought back and played some fine football, the lively Ryan Horsfall being unlucky to hit the bar. We got into the game when Darren Herridge was fouled and Adam Beaney fired home the resulting spot-kick.

Kelsale restored their two goal lead and then extended their advantage to 5-1 just after half time. However, the Tavs were still looking good going forward and an incisive run from Ryan Horsfall ended with his shot being blocked and Graeme Warden followed up to score. We then netted a third when Jordan Ayles’ corner was firmly headed in by Adam Beaney.

Enjoying more of the play, we missed a couple of ‘sitters’ while Darren Herridge and Jordan Ayles both hit the woodwork.

We certainly could have grabbed something from our second half dominance although Kelsale will point to the torrid time they gave us early on.

A good match to play in and it was heartening to see everyone in a Taverners shirt work non-stop with 100% commitment.

The eleven players on display should have done so much better but unfortunately turned in a poor performance which saw us concede two early goals and then a third before half time.

A re-shuffle, which saw Tom Brooks provide an energetic second half in midfield, produced a better showing and eventually we pulled a goal back when Sean High’s corner went direct into the net. Unfortunately, the Thistle scored a fourth late in the game, having missed a penalty earlier in the half.

Firstly, we had a torrid opening spell which saw us go behind and then concede a second goal but we stuck at our task and were rewarded when Adam Beaney crossed and Graeme Warden used his strength to force the ball past the keeper and then to bundle it home with a defender in close attendance.

The second came after an hour’s play, when Postals had produced some outstanding finishing to go 5-1 ahead. Here again, it would have been easy for heads to go down but, with Lee Glenister using the ball well we came back and Graeme Warden scored his second goal from the edge of the box.

Then Bobby Cutting was brought down and Tom Brooks – dominating throughout – fired home the penalty.

With the score at 3-5, we might have snatched another to have made the last few minutes interesting but overall Postals were a good side and deserved their win. The match was a good advert for Sunday football with very little to worry referee Adrian Kersey who had a good game.

With no substitutes available, several players had to battle through, including skipper Gary Cunningham who took a knock in the first half.

It was as well that the pairing of Daren Stevens and Gary Cunningham were in good form – Gary deserving particular mention for a real ‘skipper’s game’ throughout.

We were caught by a counter-attach shortly before the break to give Bucklesham the lead but, thankfully, we ‘rolled our sleeves up’ in the second period and gradually got control with Lee Glenister showing good touches and using the ball well.

We had the good fortune to equalise when Darren Herridge’s cross was headed in by a defender and took the lead when Bobby Cutting’s excellent cross was headed home by Darren himself.

Ryan Horsfall rounded off a good display up front with a well-taken goal to make the final score 3-1.

The match had its feisty moments and, in one of these, Daren Stevens and an opponent were dismissed. Referee Paul Moss had a good game.

We battled throughout the side and more steadiness in front of goal could have given us a result. We only managed a few chances but were unable to trouble the Selkirk keeper.

At the other end it has to be said that Clive Halls kept us in the match with a series of superb saves; otherwise, Clive’s anticipation was good and his handling excellent.

Duncan Southgate caught the eye with a sure-footed display at the back alongside Graeme Warden who also did well.

We conceded two late goals, the first of which saw us a little aggrieved that Gary Cunningham looked to have been pushed in the build-up.

After Rangers had enjoyed early possession, the Tavs grabbed the lead when Trevor Hollinsworth’s right wing corner flew in at the far-post. We added to our advantage when a great bit of pace from Sam Burrows took him clear and his well-directed cross was forced home by the lively Jordan Ayles.

Rangers certainly came at us in the second period and a free header from a corner brought them back into contention. However, we fought for everything with Geoff Leeks doing well and Matt Davis’ handling and positioning outstanding in goal.

The next goal was going to be vital and it came from a free-kick on the left swung in by Sam Burrows. The goalkeeper misjudged the flight and Tom Brooks was on hand to score.

One of several good moves from the Tavs saw Darren Herridge find Brooksy and a powerful shot gave the keeper no chance for a well-earned 4-1 victory.

With a strong line-up in action, we had the advantage of the slope in the first half and a series of corners produced several chances which we unfortunately failed to accept. We were unable to get enough ball into the box to threaten while Rangers defended well sometimes deep in their own penalty area. Eventually we took the lead when Gary Pilkington crossed from the left and a defender sliced into his own net.

Positive words at half-time should have been heeded because we were caught in possession, deep in our own half, immediately afterwards and Rangers sped through to equalise from close range.

The Tavs weathered a storm for a while, with Rangers enjoying the benefit of the incline and forcing a number of corners but without success; Graeme Warden showed up well alongside the influential Andy Lambert at the heart of our defence.

We gradually got on top with Eamon Mongan working hard and several chances came our way but were scorned.

With the game in the balance, Rangers caught us on a counter-attack and found the corner of the net for 2-1; we pressed forward in search of an equaliser only to be outpaced in a breakaway and number three was conceded.

It was good to see Sam Vincent back in town on a brief visit from his home in Kent.

Team: Davis, Burgess, Warden, Lambert, Lawrence (Sub: Beaney), Burrows (Sub: Ayles), Mongan, Herridge, Pilkington, Baldwin (Sub: Holmes), Hollinsworth.

Using the excellent surface well, the Tavs brought everyone into the game with some good build-ups but it was a direct approach which opened the scoring, Ben Baldwin finding the space for a shot from the edge of the box and tucking the ball into the corner. We made it 2-0 when Andy Lambert unleashed a shot from 35 yards which went in over the keeper.

Ben Baldwin was proving a big handful for the Meadlands defenders and, collecting Andy Lambert’s pass, some neat footwork took him through the defence for 3-0.

Meadlands had shown up well in attack and they had a good deal of possession in the early part of the second half only to find Karl Weir and Geoff Leeks in uncompromising form.

We made the score 4-0 when Ben timed his pass to perfection and Jordan Lambert swept the ball past the keeper. Ben was involved in neat interplay with Darren Herridge and Darren put our fifth goal away.

Having previously hit the post twice, Ben was not to be denied his third hart-trick in as many games for Taverners – driving the ball high into the nety from Andy Lambert’s pass.

Darren Herridge was then brought down by the keeper and Trevor Hollinsworth thumped the spot-kick home.

Trev’s goal meant that three generations of his family had found the net on the same day – surely a record – on a day when the reserves picked up their first league win and a most satisying clean sheet.

The game was played in good spirit and was well-handled by referee Henry Hogan.

Team: Davis, Burgess, Leeks, Weir (Sub: Holmes), Pilkington, Burrows, A Lambert, Brooks, J Lambert (Sub: Hollinsworth), Herridge, Baldwin.

The Tavs grabbed the lead when Ben Baldwin’s strong run took him to the bye-line and his low cross was turned in by a defender. Poor defending enabled ex-Taverner Ashley Rankin a straightforward finish and then Martlesham took the lead with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box. Numerous corners at both ends of the pitch came to nothing although Ben Baldwin came the nearest with a fine header against the bar.

We got off to a great start in the second half when Ben Baldwin’s thundering free-kick from all of 35 yards was half-parried by the keeper and Andy Lambert was the first to react and fire home from close range. The visiting defence were particularly worried by the strong running of Ryan Horsfall and Ben and, when Ben was brought down, he was quickly up to convert the penalty and give Taverners a 3-2 lead.

A long ball was then flicked on by the hardworking Graeme Warden and Ben Baldwin raced through for 4-2 before a neat interchange with Ryan gave Ben the chance to round off a superb hat-trick and a 5-2 victory. This was Ben’s second hat-trick in two appearances; what a start!

This was a tremendous performance from the Tavs – particularly after the break when we took the game by the scruff of the neck – and all twelve players deserve full credit for their efforts in heavy conditions.

We began brightly without making many chances but Birdbrook came back and, just as it looked as if they were getting on top, we took the lead with a penalty. Ryan Horsfall burst into the box and was brought down for a spot-kick which was duly dispatched by Tom Brooks. Brooksy had a tremendous match for Taverners with Duncan Southgate doing well beside him in the absence of the unwell Andy Lambert.

We had defended well throughout the first half and, with a goal lead to protect, we continued to fight for everything.

However, our opponents were pressing and eventually they equalised with a neatly taken goal past Matt Davis who had done well in goal. We hardly had time to take breath before Birdbrook were suddenly 3-1 up and in control. We pressed forward and, with gaps appearing, Birdbrook grabbed a fourth goal.

Despite having what looked to be a strong line-up, we began slowly and fell behind when a forward got infront of Clive Halls and flicked his header over him and into the net.

In a hard-fought – often feisty – encounter, we gradually got back into the game and we equalised when Tom Brooks was brought down in the box and Tom stepped up to fire the spot-kick into the corner. We then took the lead through Paul Bestley – on his welcome return after injury – a far-post effort from a deep cross from Daren Stevens.

Clive Halls had taken a bad knock early on and, as this worsened, he was replaced in goal by Matt Pearson.

The Tavs got off to a great start in the the second half. Daren was pushed over by the keeper and Tom Brooks smashed his penalty into the opposite corner from his first effort to make the score 3-1.

However, Bucklesham reduced the arrears to 3-2 and we relied on some spirited and determined play to keep our lead. Matt Pearson made some good saves and showed clean handling although our oponents nearly equalised with a fine shot which hit the bar.

The game had simmered throughout, with referee Adrian Kersey having to deal with some difficult situations and he had no alternative but to send off a player from each team (Matty Wray the Tav involved) after a set-to in the dying minutes.

We began well with some dangerous crosses and corners stretching the Phoenix defence. It was, therefore, a surprise when we went behind although it was a fine goal – a snap shot from a slight angle high into the corner.

Back came the Tavs and we equalised when the debut-making Andy Skinner found Adam Beaney and he burst through to drive the ball past the keeper. Both Trevor and Sam Burrows were producing threatening corners and from one of these Gary Pilkington netted in style.

A defensive error let Phoenix in for an equaliser but Taverners regained the lead at 3-2 when the ball ran loose following another corner and Matt Pearson smashed it low into the net.

A single goal advantage can look flimsy and Phoenix had their fair share of possession in the second half, only to find the Tavs defence resolute and Richard Liddamore alert behind them.

We gave ourselves some breathing space when Sam Burrows hit in a free-kick from wide on the left and, with the goalkeeper distracted by a Tav forward’s challenge, the ball found the far corner.

A neat free-kick from Vaughn Gledhill gave Beaney the chance for his second before Sam Burrows’ corner was put away by Gary Pilkington for his brace and a 6-2 final score.

The ‘touchline opinion’ had no doubt that the the hardworking Pilky was the Tavs ‘man of the match.’

Credit to both teams for a sporting, hard-fought match which was well-handled by referee Dean Robertson.

Team: Liddamore, Burgess, Leeks, Bowman, Lawrence (Sub: Holmes), Beaney, Skinner (Sub: Bowman-Boyles), Pilkington, Pearson (Sub: Gledhill), Burrows, Hollinsworth.

Although we enjoyed most of the play with Lee showing classy touches in midfield, Playford broke quickly and we were glad to see Tom Brooks in the heart of our defence alongside Andy Lambert. Brooksy made the score 2-0 when he forced the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.

Matt Davis sustained a nasty wrist injury and was replaced by Jordan Lambert but we are pleased to report that Matt’s subsequent visit to the hospital revealed no break, only a ligament injury.

Jordan netted his first goal for the club when he was sent through by Duncan Southgate and calmly swept the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Playford reduced the arrears but any Taverners nerves were settled when Sean High crossed the ball low and Daren Stevens scored at the far post.

This was our best performance for some time; but credit to everyone in both camps – players, substitutes, referee, linesmen and supporters – for enduring fearful conditions with good humour. Also good to see old friend Martin Stiff in his assessor’s capacity.

Team: Halls, Bullamore, A Lambert, Brooks, Cunningham, Davis (Sub: J Lambert), Glenister, Southgate, Wray, Stevens, Vincent (Sub: High).

The reserve team’s Sunday Trophy tie against Eastern Phoenix only required a brief pitch inspection by the match referee before being called off. It has been re-scheduled for this coming Sunday (11 November) at Greshams, kick-off 10.30am.

The work goes on to find answers to the problems we are encountering week after week and the club committee has a resolve to overcome them.

Once again the spirit was good but it was a pity that Lee Glenister, Kevin Bolah and Zico Wright had to make their 1st team debuts in such a match. We were grateful to Daren Stevens for volunteering to keep goal while Paul Ryan was most unfortunate to leave the fray just before half-time with a calf injury.

Adam Beaney netted the Taverners goal with a header from a corner.

As was made clear afterwards, the thirteen players who were on duty cannot be criticised, they all fought very hard without giving up.

Richard Liddamore did well in a ‘baptism of fire’ in goal, Daren Stevens was unlucky to hit the bar early on while Matty Wray was tigerish in midfield. Jason Deeney was most unlucky to twist his knee and have to leave the fray.

The last few weeks have seen defeats of a level that we have not experienced for many, many years. However, we shall do everything possible to improve the playing strength of the Club and the spirit and good humour in the dressing room illustrated the fact that the management’s determination is shared.

Team: Liddamore, Davis, Bullamore, Powell, Cunningham, Deeney (Sub: Roche), Ryan, Southgate, Wray, Stevens, Pilkington (Sub: Hollinsworth).

The final change saw Gary Pilkington – already changed in readiness for the reserves’ match at Whitton Sports Centre – dash up to Greshams. Our thanks are due to Pilky for accepting the switch without turning a hair and he played with his usual spirit and determination and might well have got his name on the scoresheet.

After weathering an early storm, we took the lead with a quite magnificent goal from Ryan Horsfall who collected the ball in his own half and used his pace and strength to burst through the Goddard defence before driving the ball high into the net. Ryan went on to produce an outstanding display wide on the right which might have led to more goals both for himself and his team-mates.

Unfortunately, we were unable to keep the lead and by half-time trailed by 4-1. Our second half display continued to be full of spirit and effort but we couldn’t cope with Goddard’s lively attack and they netted another five goals. We were unlucky to lose skipper Andy Lambert, injured, early in the second period.

Credit to all the Tavs on duty who battled away even when the game was out of reach and maintained good team spirit throughout.

We got off to a great start, Gary Cunningham’s through ball finding Jamie Brittain who swept through on his own to score. We repeated the trick a little later, Daren Stevens providing a clever pass and Jamie finishing off. Other chances went close as it seemed that we were on the way to a convincing win.

Unfortunately, our two goal advantage led to over-confidence and Hospitals fought back to level the scores at 2-2 before half-time.

The second half saw both teams battling hard and finally the chance for a winning goal came when the hard-working Sean High was heavily brought down by the Hospitals keeper and Jamie Brittain stepped forward to net the spot-kick.

Jamie’s penalty registered a well-taken hat-trick – a remarkable effort when he only became available to play two or three hours before kick-off. Well done, Jamie!

And all credit to the whole side – we played as a team with everyone playing their part and got our due reward; the first team’s first cup victory for a few years!

The back four were well-organised and chose the right options – whether it was a long clearance or playing football out of defence. The midfield quartet kept their shape and worked tremendously hard while the front two looked dangerous whenever in possession. Ben Baldwin made an imnmediate impact – with his availability and movement – which boosted everyone.

We took the lead when Ben was tripped as he sped into the box and Tom Brooks – superb at the back – coolly netted the penalty.

We were having to defend as well and Clive Halls dealt with some dangerous corners throughout the game very well.

The Tavs had an early boost in the second half when Andy Lambert’s free-kick was headed in by Daren Stevens. A third goal followed, Ben Baldwin latching onto a long ball from Jake Betts to beat the keeper but Chelmondiston immediately reduced the arrears.

Matty Wray was outstanding on the left and he had a hand in both Ben Baldwin’s goals which completed a superb hat-trick and put Taverners 5-1 ahead.

Chelmondiston again pulled a goal back but this was a first class Taverners performance with all thirteen players deserving great credit.

The match itself hardly saw a foul worthy of the name and it was well-handled by Noel Wilson.

Somewhat against the run of play, we grabbed the lead. James Bullamore’s deep free-kick led to a goalmouth scramble and Tom Brooks – back from an injured toe – fired home.

The start of the second half saw Claydon press forward but we continued to defend well, with Liam Powell outstanding. Unfortunately, we conceded a soft equaliser and a second goal, with our offside appeals failing, put Claydon firmly in the driving seat.

Two late goals gave Claydon a 4-1 win which was somewhat flattering, bearing in mind the hard work put in by Taverners in all areas.

Referee Gareth Moir had a good match.

Team: Davis, Warden, Powell, Bullamore, Cunningham, Strutt (Sub: Fisk), Bestley, Brooks, Burgess, Deeney (Sub: Pearson), Burrows.

The first team was clearly not at its strongest, for various reasons, and this naturally had an adverse effect upon the reserves.

It was clear from the opening stages at Gainsborough that the Tavs were going to struggle to cope with Goddard’s pace and a thoroughly miserable morning followed. We were already eight goals down when debutant Jason Deeney scored his first goal for the club after persistent work by Daren Stevens.

The reserves also found their young and lively opponents difficult to handle with several of our players still searching for match-fitness. Good reports of Graeme Warden and Gary Cunningham.

We shall be continuing to do everything possible to strengthen the squad but we must appeal to our players to assist by introducing newcomers.

Both teams had chances - the Tavs hitting the post twice, once through a thundering effort from Jordan Ayles, while Clive Halls was in superb form at the other end.

Eventually RE United went ahead when we lost concentration from a throw-in but Taverners literally scored straight from the kick-off. Trevor Hollinsworth's long ball was rescued by the impressive Matty Wray and a low cross was put away by Daren Stevens.

The second half opened up with players on both sides feeling the pace but after we had hit the post again - Trev unlucky - RE United took the lead when one of their shots hit a post and rebounded in off the luckless Clive. Our keeper had continued to make some outstanding saves - one a double-block - and deserved better fortune.

A header from Trevor Hollinsworth hit the bar and it was beginning to look as if our luck was out when, suddenly, with two minutes left Trev produced a fine pass and the tireless Jordan Ayles beat the keeper to the ball and saw his shot go in off the underside of the bar.

It would be unfair to single anyone out. This was a tremendous effort from everyone who took part and gave us all a lot of heart for the battles ahead.

The match was played in good spirit and was well-refereed by Henry Hogan.

On a 'stats-note', Taverners had three generations of one family playing: Trevor, his son-in-law Andy and grandson Jordan Lambert; certainly a first for the Club if not the League!

Team: Halls, Beaney (Sub: J Lambert), A Lambert, Leeks, Burgess, Strutt (Sub: Davis), Bestley (Sub: Warden), Ayles, Wray, Stevens, Hollinsworth

Fixtures 2012/2013------------- 3rd September 2012