Almost a year ago Josh Wadham began a six-month ban following the FA Cup tie with Bitton at Fairfax Park which went south at a rate of knots and by the time it was completed there was no football anywhere. Since then he has signed for SW Peninsula League Axminster Town and netted a hat-trick on his debut against Newton Abbot Spurs and with Dave Pearse awash with players either injured or isolating he was signed on dual registration in time to play at Langsford Park on Friday night.

It was then almost inevitable that the Taunton-based midfielder would score what turned out to be the winner with a 30 yard drive which home keeper Josh Oak could only palm into the net with 17 minutes left of a match which even the hardiest of Robins’ fans would have expected little from soon after the kick-off.

The squad has been decimated and travelled to Devon for the second time in six days without Mike Duffy who was isolating and Ryan Brereton, Ross Edwards, Nick Woodrow, Mark Armstrong, Harry Horton, Jake Horsey and Jacob Spence all with injuries of varying severity.

As was the case at Brixham the team were slow out of the blocks and could not get any semblance of a passing game together on what was a smooth but very lush playing surface and with Tavy taking control early, pressure soon began to mount. A series of free-kicks and corners bore little fruit until Josh Grant, who had a spell at Taunton Town in the Southern League Premier Division, scuffed a good chance when free just inside the box. The respite was short as when the impressive Liam Prynn’s deft flick sent Grant through five minutes later he crashed a bullet shot past Jake Viney for the opener.

It was a wake up call but with most of Bridgwater’s attacks faltering just past the half-way line Tavistock were being made to look world beaters and Grant should have doubled the lead ten minutes from the break but missed the target with a header. To that point the visitors had not troubled the home goal but with the first concerted attack George King found Jack Taylor and although Oak pushed the effort onto the bar, Taylor reacted to knock home the equaliser to stun the bulk of the 140 strong crowd.

Mark Armstrong succumbed to  his already suspect groin injury at half-time which meant a debut for new signing Sam Reed and the Robins’ body language improved after what was undoubtedly not a mild rebuke from the management team at the break. Archie Sturdy then latched on to a King pass but blazed wide when well placed which set the tone for a superb second half which was as excellent as the first was poor with Tom Llewellyn and Wadham complimenting Sturdy who looked to be on his way back to fitness after a series of injuries himself.

Tom Llewellyn played a one two with Sturdy but shot over which was the catalyst for Pearse to introduce Wellington Jimenez to the action in place of George King and the 17-year old Spaniard, who has gained from a year at the West Ham United academy, was instantly in the action playing wide on the left finding Llewellyn whose pass to Wadham was struck home via a deflection but was ruled out for offside. Jimenez again showed his skills before Llewellyn again set up Taylor but his effort was saved. Sturdy again went close but a Bridgy goal was on the cards and it came when in the next attack, with the home side rapidly losing confidence, Wadham let fly from distance and it was too much for Oak, to give United a deserved but surprising lead.

Tavistock then woke from their slumber and it was the turn of the Bridgy defence to take centre stage as Jake Viney pulled off a trademark instinct save to deny substitute Jason Vincent. Grant then was denied by an even better double stop and in front of him the back line of Jordan Greenwood, Tom Ellis, Dave Thorne and Jake Llewellyn were magnificent and despite huge pressure stood firm and referee Jon Veale’s whistle prompted a joyous departure from the pitch and a welcome from the Bridgy people who had made the trip down to West Devon.