HARTPURY FC produced a dominant performance to beat Tavistock AFC 6-1 at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium on Tuesday, December 2, securing back-to-back wins in the Southern League Division One South.

The victory moves the Acorns up to ninth in the table, and they will be looking to maintain their strong run when they travel to Bideford AFC on Saturday.

The Acorns made a perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes. Billy Osborn turned home from close range after Noah Coates had nodded a Louis Manning cross into his path.

Hartpury quickly settled into their rhythm, with Manning causing repeated problems down the flank. A couple of his dangerous deliveries forced Tavistock goalkeeper Dan Holman into action, keeping the score at 1-0.

Holman was again called into action on 18 minutes to deny Coates one-on-one after a precise through ball from Leon Machisa, but the Acorns could not be kept out for long.

Hartpury doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Nathan Jenkins danced through the penalty area and calmly slotted into the bottom corner. Just five minutes later, Coates made it three, heading an Osborn cross into the far corner to send Hartpury into a comfortable lead.

The second half continued in similar style, with the Acorns quickly extending their advantage. Coates added a fourth after Osborn had slipped past his marker, and Silva struck from 25 yards into the bottom left corner to make it five.

Drew Robinson then curled a free-kick into the far corner on 64 minutes to complete the scoring for Hartpury.

Tavistock managed a late consolation goal on 72 minutes, bundling the ball home from a corner, but it was too little, too late. Hartpury’s dominance throughout the evening was clear, as they controlled possession, created numerous chances, and converted their opportunities with clinical precision.