Unbeaten dozen for Blazey following Hutchison's late winner at Tavistock

ST BLAZEY made it a superb unbeaten dozen to start the season as Cam Hutchison’s late winner saw off a spirited Tavistock at Langsford Park.

The hosts have lost several key players in recent weeks which meant the visitors did not know what to expect as they sought to keep the pressure up on the top three.

Blazey boss Dan Hart made three changes from last weekend’s FA Vase victory at Longwell Green Sports in Bristol as goalkeeper Kyle Moore, centre-half Aaron Bentley and right-back Reece Shanley all came back into the side as Mac Dewsnap, Tom Cavanagh and Hutchison made way.

On a sticky surface, the visitors dominated most of the contest but found a combination of Tavi’s defensive efforts and goalkeeper Dan Holman’s heroics tough to get past.

Inside four minutes, left-winger Olly Redd got on the outside of the otherwise excellent Owen Raven before forcing Holman into a save with his legs.

Striker Kai Burrell got in front of Raven but was denied by Holman on 13 minutes, while at the other end midfielder Kenley Dyson nearly got through after a slip from Charlie Hambly, but was crowded out.

Tensions were rising in both dugouts with visiting boss Dan Hart receiving a yellow card for dissent to referee Neil Hunnisett, and just before the half-hour Hart lost winger Teigan Rosenquest with a hamstring problem as youngster Harry Blows came on.

The talented wideman almost made a real impact as his cross was cleared to Mitchell who could only volley well over.

Blazey needed to up the pace after the restart and within three minutes saw full-back Jack Calver strike the underside of crossbar.

Tavi improved a bit going forward with the arrival of winger Noah Maund, and their first big chance arrived on 56 minutes when his ball in from the right was volleyed over by former Blazey youngster Tom Hensman.

Home midfielder Luke Potter was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a foul on the edge of his own area and was soon hooked, and on 74 minutes Blazey created their biggest chance yet as a brilliant cross from right-back Reece Shanley found centre-half Jordan Bentley six yards out in space. However, he failed to make a meaningful contact and the chance was gone.

Hart rung the changes in a bid to find the winning goal which sub Hutchison got within two minutes of coming on, firing in a loose ball in the 79th minute after Redd’s cross wasn’t dealt with.

Further chances went to Burrell and Blows before the end, but they held on comfortably ahead of Saturday’s huge clash at second-placed Clevedon Town.

On the victory, Hart said: “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy contest with Tavistock being a bit of an unknown, and they set up in a way which made it hard for us.

“Overall it wasn’t the best performance from us, but it’s an away performance where we’ve picked up three points and got the job done.”

ST BLAZEY: Kyle Moore; Reece Shanley, Aaron Bentley, Jordan Bentley, Jack Calver (capt); Ben Fowles, Charlie Hambly, Tallan Mitchell; Teigan Rosenquest, Kai Burrell, Olly Redd. Sub not used: Mac Dewsnap (gk).

Blazey man-of-the-match: Harry Blows.