⚽️ Cornwall Football: January 23, 2023
Truro suffer stalemate setback; Mousehole rescue victory in stoppage time; Helston put four past Keynsham
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⬇️ Inside today’s newsletter ⬇️
🐯 City held to goalless draw
🔵 Blues recover to record important victory
😅 Win keeps Liskeard’s top-four bid on track
🟡 Feature: Why Sticker AFC are a shining example of sustainability
⚽ The pick of this week’s grassroots action
👩 Narrow victory keeps Sticker on top
📸 The weekend in photos
💚 Argyle fire in four to maintain title challenge
👀 What’s on this weekend
Enjoy. 〓〓
🐯 City held to goalless draw
Truro City’s Southern League Premier South title challenge took its latest hit on Saturday as the White Tigers were held to a goalless draw at home to Merthyr Town.
With leaders Weston-super-Mare one of many sides out of action due to the cold snap across the rest of the country, Truro had the chance to close the gap on the tabletoppers to two points, but were frustrated by their south Wales opponents.
🧤 Early action: City custodian James Hamon is forced into an early save to block Kieran Evans’ fierce shot from 15 yards. 0-0 (2’)
❌ So close: Tyler Harvey is brought down and curls agonisingly wide from the resulting free-kick. 0-0 (26’)
🧤 Top stop: Hamon makes a great save to tip Nicholas Rhodes’ header away from danger. 0-0 (31’)
❌ Getting closer: Adam Porter delivers a low cross to the near post but Connor Riley-Lowe heads it just wide. 0-0 (33’)
❌ High and wide: Big chance! Porter plays in Plymouth Argyle loanee Finley Craske who drives into the box but shoots well over. 0-0 (69’)
⛔ Last chance: Martyrs gloveman Will Fuller flaps at Ryan Brett’s corner and the ball falls to Will Dean, whose strike is blocked in the six-yard box. 0-0 (85’)
📋 City: Hamon, Craske, Riley-Lowe, Adelsbury, Porter, Dean, Harvey, Sullivan (Brett 81), White, Neal (Rice 81), Egan. Subs (unused): Knowles, Haste, Wright.
“The first 25 minutes we definitely looked rusty and a little bit leggy and then we grew into it, and in the second half we’ve absolutely dominated the game, Hammy [goalkeeper James Hamon] hasn’t had a save to make.
“We’re disappointed but the boys gave everything they cou.d they’ve worked themselves into the ground. We’re on a sticky patch results-wise but we’re playing fine.”
Paul Wotton’s side are now four points behind Weston-super-Mare but the Somerset outfit now have two games in hand on City. Third-placed Chesham United were due to host the Seagulls, but their postponement means the Generals now also have a game in hand on the White Tigers…
📈 The Southern League summit:
Weston-super-Mare, 56pts
Truro City, 52pts
Chesham United, 50pts
Poole Town, 40pts
Dorchester Town, 40pts
🔵 Blues recover to record important victory
Only three of our six Cornish clubs took to the pitch in the Western League due to the big freeze in the rest of the region, but Helston Athletic made it a winning return to action with an important 4-2 victory over bottom side Keynsham Town at Kellaway Park.
A Rikki Shepherd brace turned the game in the Blues’ favour after falling behind early on, with Tyler Elliott and Steve Colwell also netting as Matt Cusack’s side recorded their ninth win of the campaign…
⚽ Surprise lead: A quick attack sees Kyle Moore save Owen Brain’s strike, but the Blues custodian is powerless to prevent Henry Sady from tucking the rebound away. 0-1 (24’)
⚽ Leveller: Shepherd brings the hosts level by guiding a low cross past Ks goalkeeper Joel Manning. 1-1 (25’)
⚽ Before the break: Shepherd scores his second just before half-time, finishing off a cross from Teigan Rosenquest after he was picked out by an exquisite pass form Jordan Copp. 2-1 (45’)
⚽ All the way in: Elliott's cross from the right flank flies over Manning and creeps inside the back post. 3-1 (60’)
⚽ Fine finish: It’s surely done and dusted now as Colwell receives the ball inside the box, turns, and arrows it into the bottom corner. 4-1 (63’)
⚽ Consolation: It may just prove to be a consolation but it's a cracking strike from Tyler Linton, who rifles the ball in off the underside of the crossbar from 12 yards out. 4-2 (80’)
🗑️ Binned off: Any hope of a late fightback is effectively over as Ks substitute Sahr Manoh is sent to the sin bin. 4-2 (83’)
📋 Helston: Moore, Elliott (Shanley 72), Rosenquest, Storey, Jewell, J Bentley, Colwell, Payne (Bye 68), Wilson (Simmonds 89), Shepherd, Copp (Carter 68). Sub (unused): A Bentley.
“I’m delighted with the three points. The pitch was heavy but credit to the groundstaff for getting the game on and I’m delighted to get the minutes into the players and finally get playing again, it seems like it’s been an eternity since [our last game on] January 2.
“If we could have got the three points and a clean sheet I’d be stood here a lot happier, but the main thing was to try and get the three points and now it’s important that we try and back it up next week.
“We want to record a sequence of wins now to generate some momentum. We’ve got lots to play for in this second half of the season and it’s important we find some consistency to really attack the second half of the season.”
On man of the match Steve Colwell: “I thought he was great, Stevie, and he’s had to be patient recently but to cap it off with a goal [was excellent] and we asked that today. Rubes [Rubin Wilson] and Rik [Shepherd] have been talismans for us at the top end of the pitch with Payney [Tom Payne] not far behind that, but really, looking around the pitch, not enough people have chipped in.
“Yes, [Shepherd and Wilson] are there to score goals but they’re not always going to score, so sometimes the pressure needs to be taken off them with other people chipping in, so it was great today that Stevie did that and Tyler Elliott as well.”
- Helston Athletic boss Matt Cusack
Mousehole needed a late, late goal to see off Welton Rovers at Trungle Parc, with debutant Harry Bell’s 96th-minute goal sending the Seagulls within five points of leaders Saltash United…
⚽ Great finish: Jack Bray-Evans pounces on Mark Goldsworthy’s flick before bursting past the Welton defence and slotting into the far corner. 1-0 (17’)
🟥 Marching orders: Mousehole are down to ten after Andrew Elcock is shown a straight red for a challenge on Lewis Russell. 1-0 (65’)
⚽ Late leveller: A Welton corner is headed back across goal by Joe Garland, with Owen Punselie on hand to steer it home from close range. 1-1 (88’)
⚽ Dying embers: Jack Calver’s free-kick is met at the back post, where new signing Bell, who had only just come off the bench, rises highest to crash in an incredible last-gasp winner. 1-2 (90+6’)
➡️ Read Pablo Woolls-Blanco’s full report on our website
Elsewhere, Falmouth Town’s excellent unbeaten league run has ended at eight after Andrew Westgarth’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat at Barnstaple Town…
⚽ Out of the blocks: Falmouth midfielder Cam Hutchison finds the far corner from the edge of the box just 42 seconds into the game! 0-1 (1’)
⚽ All square: Barum are back on terms when Tor Swann tucks Stu Bowker’s cross past Ryan Barnes at the second attempt. 1-1 (24’)
⚽ Crept in: The hosts are in front as Billy Tucker’s searching cross from the right flank flies all the way into the top corner. 2-1 (42’)
⚽ Super strike: Matt Andrew rifles an unstoppable shot past Barnes from just outside the box. 3-1 (50’)
⚽ Glimmer of hope: Town are back within one as Luke Brabyn slots the ball inside the near post from close range after his first effort was saved. 3-2 (75’)
“You can't always be disheartened if you lose a game of football. I thought we started the game really well and got off to a great start. The first 15 minutes looked really, really good: we attacked well and had chances.
“If we had taken another one of those chances then I think it might have been a different outcome, so to be 2-1 down at half-time was a little bit disappointing, but the second half I thought was a really good half from us.
“I thought we put in a good performance and Barnstaple are a tough side to beat and full credit to them. We've been on a helluva good run and haven't lost in the league since September and we didn't disgrace ourselves.”
- Falmouth Town chief Andrew Westgarth
That late win for Mousehole sees them close the gap on Saltash to five points, with Jake Ash’s side having three games in hand on the Ashes…
📈 The top of the Western League:
Saltash United, 50pts
Bridgwater United, 49pts
Mousehole, 45pts
Shepton Mallet, 42pts
Buckland Athletic, 38pts
😅 Win keeps Liskeard’s top-four bid on track
We’re still yet to enjoy a full programme of action in the South West Peninsula League this year with a handful of games being postponed on Saturday, this time due to the frosty weather in the east of the county.
The game of the weekend, of those that did go ahead, was at Lux Park where promotion hopefuls Liskeard Athletic entertained in-form Newquay, who themselves have designs on landing a spot at Step Five next season.
It was to be Liskeard’s day however, with two early goals enough to end a run of three league games without a win…
⚽ Speedy start: It’s a great start for the home side as Harry Jeffery shoots on the turn and plants the ball into the far corner. 1-0 (6’)
⚽ Two up: Liskeard’s lightning start continues with Dan Jennings rounding Newquay goalkeeper Harry Ashton and stroking the ball home. 2-0 (13’)
⚽ Peppermints hope: Newquay are right back in this just before the break as Jack Rapsey turns and fires an excellent shot past Liskeard gloveman Sam Borthwick, but the hosts hold out for a vital three points. 2-1 (38’)
📋 Liskeard: Borthwick, Mullis, Hill, Woods, Peel, Jeffrey, Kane, Richards, Rowe, Jennings, Collins. Subs: Bartlett, Outtram, Briggs, McCarthy.
📋 Newquay: Ashton, Leivers, Whipp, Boase, Shaw, Teagle, Turner, Sims, Wharton, Rapsey, Cole.
Elsewhere:
Andy Watkins scored a hat-trick as title contenders St Blazey enjoyed a handsome win at Bodmin. Luke Cloke bagged a brace to take his tally to 20 for the season, with Rio Ward completing the rout.
Josh Margetts, Matty Walker and Ed Timmons did the damage as St Austell pulled off an impressive win at top-four hopefuls Bude, for whom Tornado Bello netted a late penalty.
Sixth-placed Dobwalls’ steady climb up the table continued at Camelford where goals from Kelvin Fyneboy and Oscar Larrieu gave the Reds a slender victory over the Camels, who had taken the lead through Sam Watts.
Wadebridge Town 2-2 Launceston
A brace from Ryan Downing was not enough for the second-placed Bridgers as their title ambitions took a hit at home to second-from-bottom Launceston, who earned a point thanks to James Hamson and Alfie Cole.
Wadebridge Town close the gap on Wendron United to three but have now played two games more than Michael O’Neill’s men. St Blazey are now eight off the Dron with four games in hand…
📈 The top of the SWPL:
Wendron United, 53pts
Wadebridge Town, 50pts
St Blazey, 45pts
Bude Town, 42pts
Liskeard Athletic, 34pts
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🟡 Feature: Why Sticker AFC are a shining example of sustainability
The Cornwall Football newsletter is now out twice a week, being published every Monday and Thursday. Our Thursday post usually carries an in-depth feature on a club or issue in Cornish football, with Gareth Davies speaking to Sticker AFC boss Steve Flack for last week’s edition…
Whoever runs Sticker’s social media feed has a decent sense of humour. The small settlement that nestles between St Austell and the Clay Country is described by the club on Twitter as a ‘one pub, one shop village’, writes Gareth Davies.
Of course there is a little more to Sticker than just a local convenience store and a traditional Cornish watering hole, but the tongue-in-cheek comment has substance and relevance towards the local football club and the rise to their current level.
Little over 10 years ago, Sticker had only just entered the South West Peninsula League at Step Seven and by 2017, the club were rubbing shoulders with heavyweight local neighbours St Austell and St Blazey – towns with a little bit more than one pub and one shop.
Some may look back on the club’s rise as a fairytale, but under then player-boss Andrew Avery, who without doubt is lauded as a club legend at Burngullow Park, the Sticker class of 2016/17 swept all before them to win the South West Peninsula League Division One West title.
But since those heady days under Avery, things haven’t been perhaps as rosy on the pitch as the club have struggled at Step Six, with Steve Flack taking charge during the summer of 2019.
Quite simply, the club have put their continuous existence and financial security over untenable dreams of chasing football’s golden eggs.
➡️ Read the rest of the story here - and make sure you subscribe to get them sent to you every week
⚽ The pick of this week’s grassroots action
Still going: Trelawny League Premier leaders West Cornwall are still the highest-ranked side left in the Cornwall Junior Cup after they eventually overcame Duchy League outfit St Merryn 2-1 after extra time, with goals from George Brown and Neil Currah securing the visitors’ passage into the quarter-finals.
Unbeaten: Trelawny League Division 3 pacesetters Dropship are also in the last eight after they triumphed 3-1 at Saltash United thirds. Liam Chinn, Tyler Prescott and Ben Kellow scored for the west Cornwall side, who have won all 13 of their league games this term.
Leaders: Saltash Borough scored seven goals as they extended their lead at the St Piran League East summit with a 7-1 win over Saltash United reserves at Saltmill Park. Henry Bunning (3), Kieran Owen (2), George Soper and Elliott Dymond scored for Borough, who are now eight clear of second-placed Polperro after they lost at home to Altarnun.
Goal fest: Dan Parker and Joe Bray both scored hat-tricks as Porthleven reserves defeated St Agnes reserves 6-3 to record only their second win of the Combination League season. The two sides are now level on points in the lower echelons of the division.
League info:
👩 Narrow victory keeps Sticker on top
Still on top: Sticker remain at the top of the South West Regional Women’s Football League Western Division table after defeating Bideford 2-1 at Burngullow Park on Sunday. Annie Richards and Lauren Bennett scored for the tabletoppers, who are still one point clear of second-placed Marine Academy Plymouth.
Staying in touch: Third-placed Saltash United are still just three points behind their Cornish rivals in the SWRWFL Western Division after they triumphed 2-0 at home to bottom side Budleigh Salterton. Emilia Heyes and Dee Newman netted for the Ashes, who have 13 points from seven games.
Treble: Sasha Sparkes scored a hat-trick as Cornwall Women’s Football League Division 1 leaders Helston Athletic ran out 4-1 winners at Mousehole. Elizabeth O’Reilly completed the Blues’ scoring, while Sophie Wilson replied for the home side.
Seven up: St Agnes are still to drop a point in the CWFL Division 2 season, with the tabletoppers making it nine wins out of nine with a seven-goal thrashing of Charlestown at Enys Park. Jordana Pardoe and Abbie Carveth scored two apiece, while Zoe Arundell-Lethbridge, Amber Vinten and Elizabeth Mears also netted for the home side.
League info:
📸 The weekend in photos
HELSTON - Man-of-the-match Steve Colwell (right) fires in Helston Athletic’s fourth and final goal of the afternoon as the Blues recorded a 4-2 victory over Keynsham Town at Kellaway Park on Saturday.
PLYMOUTH - Callum Wright scores his first goal in green in Plymouth Argyle’s 4-2 victory over Cheltenham Town at Home Park on Saturday. The victory preserves Argyle’s three-point lead at the top of League One.
💚 Argyle fire in four to maintain title challenge
Plymouth Argyle’s relentless promotion push continued on Saturday as they overcame a determined Cheltenham Town side in front of yet another capacity Home Park crowd.
New arrivals Callum Wright, Tyreik Wright, Jay Matete and Ben Waine all featured and, with Finn Azaz back in action for the first time in three months, there was a real sense of the strength in depth of the current Pilgrims squad.
Goals from Dan Scarr, Ryan Hardie, Wright and Sam Cosgrove ensured that Argyle maintained their position at the top of League One…
⚽ Breakthrough: Argyle are up and running as Jordan Houghton arrows a sublime cross towards Scarr at the back post and the centre-half volleys into the roof of the net. 1-0 (25’)
⚽ Speedy second: A quick second for Argyle as Finn Azaz feeds the ball wide to Hardie, who cuts in from the right and guides the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 2-0 (28’)
⚽ One back: Cheltenham hit back with Will Ferry’s low cross being tucked into the bottom corner by Taylor Perry. 2-1 (40’)
⚽ First goal: The two-goal lead is restored with Azaz threading a defence-splitting pass to Wright, who steers the ball home for his first goal in green. 3-1 (64’)
⚽ Not over yet: A lofted pass finds Alfie May on the left side of the box and he drills the ball across Mike Cooper and into the bottom corner to make for a nervy final 20 minutes. 3-2 (69’)
⚽ Home and dry: It’s all over now! Take a bow, Jay Matete, who runs the length of the pitch before laying the ball off to Cosgrove, who curls it into the far corner. 4-2 (83’)
📋 Argyle: Cooper, Gillesphey, Houghton, Wilson, Scarr, Hardie (Cosgrove 73), Mumba (Lonwijk 87), Azaz (Waine 65), C Wright (Butcher 87), Matete, T Wright (Edwards 73). Subs (unused): Burton, Mayor.
“We worked so hard last week. We had two really hard away games in the league, at Bolton and Ipswich, and got into a semi-final, travelling so many miles. We knew how much it took out of everybody, so it was important that we had a good clean week this week. We got everybody on the training pitch; we had loads of players out there, which I was made up with.
“We said that last week was really good, but we had to back it up with three points. That sets us up and puts us in a great position.”
With third-placed Ipswich Town falling to defeat at the hands of Oxford United, the Greens now have a ten-point cushion in the automatic promotion places…
📈 A glance at the top of League One:
Plymouth Argyle, 61pts
Sheffield Wednesday, 58pts
Ipswich Town, 51pts
Derby County, 47pts
Bolton Wanderers, 44pts
Elsewhere at Home Park:
👀 What’s on this week
🏆Les Phillips Cup first round: Tuesday, 7.30pm: Saltash United v Torpoint Athletic.
⚽️Southern League Premier South: Saturday, 3pm: Weston-super-Mare v Truro City.
⚽️Western League: Saturday, 3pm: Cadbury Heath v Saltash United; Falmouth Town v Ilfracombe Town; Helston Athletic v Ashton & Backwell United; Millbrook v Welton Rovers; Street v Mousehole; Torpoint Athletic v Bridgwater United.
⚽️South West Peninsula League Premier West: Saturday, 2.15pm (unless stated): Mullion v Liskeard Athletic; Newquay v Launceston; Penzance v Dobwalls (3pm); St Austell v Bodmin Town; St Dennis v Callington Town; Sticker v Camelford (3pm); Wendron United v Bude Town (3pm).
🏆Cornwall Women’s Football League Cup: Sunday, 2pm: Ludgvan v Helston Athletic.
⚽️FA Women’s National League Division One South West: Sunday, 1pm: St Austell v Selsey.
⚽️South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division: Sunday, 2pm: Forest Green Rovers v Liskeard Athletic.
⚽️South West Regional Women’s Football League Western Division: Sunday, 2pm: Budleigh Salterton v Saltash United; Feniton v Sticker.
⚽️Cornwall Women’s Football League Division 1: Sunday, 2pm): Bude Town v Bodmin; Foxhole Stars v RNAS Culdrose; Mousehole v Saltash Borough.
⚽️Cornwall Women’s Football League Division 2: Sunday, 2pm (unless stated): Callington Town v Penryn (2.30pm); Charlestown v Redruth United; Padstow United v Wendron United; Wadebridge Town v St Agnes (2.30pm).
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