1,400 fans watched the Blades take full control of the game in which Jack Lester (2), Ashley Ward, Alan Quinn and Tony Daley all got in the act and contributed to the cause with there goals.
New trailist Steve Howey, who has played for England and Newcastle was given a game whilst Phil Barnes was handed his first team unofficial debut.
The Blades where in charge at an early stage and after a session of free-kicks where rewarded with a goal, McCall chipped the ball into the area and although Francis had a clear sight of goal it was WARD who scored after Francis saw his shot rebound.
The former Blackburn striker then came close to adding to is tally a minute later when his acrobatic effort flashed wide after Simon Francis provided the cross.
It wasn't long though when the lead was finally extended, Ashley Ward picked up the ball and smashed a low shot from out side the area, it saved by keeper Meeds but LESTER was on hand to tuck it away.
2-0 quickly became three on 10th minute when Francis again played apart in the action. the former Bradford defender skipped past his marked and set up a superb ball which QUINN couldn't miss from six yards out.
Tavy then turned to the offside trap which had been the thorn in there approach to this game, and Meeds received a ironic cheer after his first safe touch came after a poor cross.
The home side then went on the attack but Smith saw his scuffed 18 yard shot drag wide.
At corner kicks Howey was a threat but was unlucky not to score after two attempts was only denied by World class defending.
The Blades went on one more attack and almost paid off when Ward looked destined to score until Shaw denied him, but on 35th minute the fourth arrived. Quinn split the defence in half with his sure pass for LESTER to make his trade mark run to score.
HALF-TIME: TAVISTOCK 0-4 SHEFFIELD UNITED
At the break Harley was substituted in place of Ian Ross who went in at Left-Midfield whilst McCall guarded the Right-back position.
The very first two strikes of the second half fell to Jack Lester, one was stopped by a defender and the other by the keeper.
So far the Blades have been unable to keep a clean sheet in there pre-season tour, and it came as no surprise when the hosts pulled on back. It came on 53rd minute when Daley's free-kick was helped in by ADCOCK.
Two minutes later it should have been 5-1, Montgomery went surging into the box only to be brought down by Hodge. Academy player Ian Ross was given the glory but Meeds managed to push the spot kick away.
It then turned into a game that maybe at 0-0 it would be a farce when the referee awarded Tavistock a penalty after Barnes allegedly pushed Adcock. BLAMEY then stepped up to tuck it away for 4-2.
This decision was a turning point as it gave the Carlsberg South Western League side some belief that they could win the game. However United became there own worst enemy when Quinn fired over the bar when Francis was in a better position.
Meeds was called into action and kept the home side in the game on this occasion when he prevented Leigh Bromby from his first blades goal. He then did the same when Liddell put Noel Whelan through on goal.
Francis was having a superb game on the right hand side but only downside was when he dragged his shot wide.
Fitness coach Tony Daley was handed a memorable guest appearance, the 7 times England International came on 75th minute for youngster Jonathan Forte and made his mark six minutes from the end. He picked up the ball and after beating man after man fired the ball past Meeds who only got a slight touch of the ball.
With the score-line 5-2 it would have taken something for it to end five-five but Tavistock almost pulled another one back when Barnes turned Duthie's free-kick over the bar.
FULL-TIME: TAVISTOCK 2-5 SHEFFIELD UNITED
TAVISTOCK V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Tavistock: Meeds, Libury (Latchford 76), Cole Duthie h-t), Blamey (Southell 82), Shaw (Hodge h-t), Southcott (Smith 57), Steer (Yendall 70), Smith (Daley h-t (Barnwell 68)), Adcock, Parker, Martin (Jury h-t). Unused: Cann, Gosling, Haijiyiani, Harvey, Shorter. Sheffield United: Barnes, Francis, Bromby, Howey, Harley (Ross h-t), Quinn, McCall, Montgomery, Forte (Daley 75), Ward (Whelan 61), Lester (Liddell 61). Attendance: 1,400 |
The Blades next game is against Bodmin Town on Wednesday 21 July 2004 with a 7:45pm kick-off.