Tavs, who have endured a tough time in their league campaign won through to the Les James League Cup semi-final with a deserved win albeit via a penalty shoot out. That the game was on in the first place was thanks to the great work of the Tavs ground staff and their efforts weren't wasted by the players. The game was one of two halves with Tavs playing into the elements in the first period. The home side gave a good disciplined performance throughout the first period and restricted the visitors to a one goal advantage at the break. The goal arrived on the half hour mark with a strong hint of offside but the visitors were given the benefit after a couple of earlier tight calls going against them with Alex Fox in position to turn the ball home.

The opening stages off the second period were totally dominated by Tavs and within ten minutes the home side were in front. In the 47th minute Tom Burridge headed home a Tom Stubbs corner but the referee Steve Brown spotted an infringement and to Burridge's frustration the goal was chalked off. Within two minutes Tavs won another corner and the same combination combined with Stubbs providing for Burridge to head home. Tavs were now rampant and when a fierce drive struck the arm of a Sodbury defender ref Brown pointed to the spot. Mike Thornton stepped forward to blast Tavs into the lead. On 65 minutes Tavs went further in front when Thornton's free kick was helped on by Ian Preece before deflecting off a defender into the net. The home side were in complete control of the game before inexplicably allowing their opponents back into the game with five minutes of normal time remaining. Sodbury broke and sub Chris Power fired in with Duane Portlock disappointed to be beaten at his near post. The way the home side had dominated, it looked to be no more than a consolation but when Tavs lost possession high up the field in injury time the visitors broke and put together a great counter attack with Power crossing for Paul Harris to head home a great goal for the visitors and a poor one for the home side. Tavs won the penalty shoot out with goals from Thornton,Craig Mills and Matt Spring, with Portlock the hero saving three of the spot-kicks and erasing his earlier disappointment.

This Saturday Tavs make the tough trip to the fast improving Hanham Athletic. KO 2pm