Bodmin back from the dead to rescue dramatic point

South West Peninsula League
Camelford 3 Bodmin Town 3
Trailing 3-0 seven minutes into the second half, a Bodmin XI that had never played together before looked down and out at Trefrew Park on Tuesday night.
It was almost impossible to imagine anything other than a heavy defeat for the team now managed by Simon Minett.
But Minett’s double substitution in the 69th minute – bringing on Reece Lovelace and Harry Ahearn – transformed the visitors’ fortunes as they scored three goals in six minutes to stun the Camels.
It didn’t help the home side’s cause that they played the last half hour with 10 men after Brookly Wilkins was sent off, but nothing should be taken away from Bodmin.
Lovelace had only been on for two minutes when he confidently headed in a superb left wing cross, followed three minutes later by Todd Hanrahan drilling in an excellent shot after a corner had only been half cleared.
Camelford were suddenly rocking and before they could recover, Lovelace fired in his second goal and Bodmin’s third after another good cross from the left.
It was extraordinary fare with the action resembling a cup tie and it took a superb save from Jordan Stidson in the first minute of seven minutes of time added on to deny Camelford a winner.
Not that the referee and linesman agreed because they awarded a goal kick. Maybe you had to be behind the goal to see Stidson’s fantastic touch.
Camelford had bossed the first half but it took them until the 41st minute to make a breakthrough as Sam Wade’s close range header eluded Stidson.
It was a deserved lead and just before the referee blew for half-time they doubled it with Sam Watts taking advantage of some sloppy defending to make it 2-0.
Camelford started the second half on fire and they were twice denied by Stidson before Wilkins’ spectacular diving header made it 3-0 after 52 minutes.
There was a setback for the home side five minutes later when Wilkins was shown a straight red card after his boot made contact with the looping Archie Wall’s face in a crowded penalty area.
It seemed a hasty and harsh decision, though Wall did require a few minutes of treatment before seeing out the rest of the match.
Even with a man disadvantage, Camelford should have put the game out of reach in the 65th minute as Andy Boxall burst clear of the Bodmin offside trap but his attempted chip over Stidson nestled comfortably into the arms of the Bodmin keeper.
Unbelievable as it seemed at the time, that proved to be the turning point as Bodmin made their changes and launched a dramatic comeback.
Credit to them and to manager Minett. The club has decided to turn back to locally based players and that has led to several established Plymouth-based players leaving.
Only five of the team which beat St Austell so impressively three weeks ago started against Camelford, and there will be more changes in the coming weeks and months.
But if they can reproduce the spirit shown in the last 20 minutes at Trefrew, the club’s supporters will still have plenty to look forward to.
Camelford: H Evans, O Taylor (S Brown 81), J Chafer, C Hambly, S Wade, R Beare (E Evans 72), B Wilkins, D Metherell, A Boxall, S Watts (L Bear 89), C Sturdy (J Insley 83).
Sun not used: T Ellacott.
Red card: B Wilkins (57).
Goals: S Wade(41), S Watts (45), B Wilkins (52).
Bodmin: J Stidson, S Hill, D Lydon (H Ahearn 69), L Pacey, T Hanrahan, A Wall, L Taylor (R Lovelace 69), S Clifton (W Elliott 82), B Waters, J Hamson, R Jarvis.
Yellow cards: L Taylor (38), D Lydon (60), S Hill (68).
Goals: R Lovelace (71 & 77), T Hanrahan (74).
Referee: Andrew Hobbs.

A moonlit evening at Trefrew Park, Camelford

Chances aplenty but only prolific Richards can find target as Torpoint edge it

FA Vase second round qualifying
Wadebridge 0 Torpoint 1

There is a saying in football that scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in football.
And at a blustery Bodieve Park on Saturday, Wadebridge and Torpoint did their utmost to prove the point before a 74th minute strike by Ryan Richards settled this tie.
So many chances went begging, at both ends, that even the prospect of a penalty shootout left the feeling it might not have guaranteed seeing the net bulge.
There was very little to choose between the teams – South West Peninsula League Wadebridge were considered underdogs against Western League Torpoint but it was almost impossible to separate them.
Even the winning goal had a huge slice of good fortune wrapped around it. An attempted clearance by a Bridgers defender hit a team-mate and ricocheted into the path of Richards, who was unmarked in the penalty area.
It was still a difficult chance but the vastly experienced and prolific scoring striker made it look easy as he sidestepped keeper Rob Rosevear and rolled the ball into the net.
Torpoint, urged on by their man of the match Sean Thomson, had been threatening for a while but the manner of the goal seemed unfair on Wadebridge.
Sam Hillson knew he should have done better with a close range header from a 52nd minute corner, sending his effort into the side netting.
Five minutes later the Bridgers responded with a superb ball from Lewis Webber which set Jacob Rowe clear and his fierce shot beat Jordan Duffey but crashed off the bar.
On the hour there was a great chance for Thomson as he beat Wadebridge’s flimsy offside trap and then lobbed the ball over Rob Rosevear – but it ended up nestling on the top of the net rather than inside it.
Rosevear, who had a superb game, had to be at full stretch to stop Jack Wood putting Torpoint ahead but the breakthrough came soon after.
And Richards should have scored his and Torpoint’s second 10 minutes from time when set up by Thomson, but lifted his close range shot over the bar.
As the tie moved into a minimum of four minutes of added time, visiting skipper Darren Hicks thought he had scored with a fierce shot only to see Rosevear perform heroics to tip it over the bar.
Wadebridge had the ball in the net five minutes into time added on but the referee had already blown for a foul from the last gasp corner.
Things might have been different had Rowe scored a fifth minute chance for the home side rather than seeing his shot hit the top of the bar after Duffey blocked his initial effort.
Matt Lloyd also had a great opportunity after 14 minutes, beating Duffey but watching as his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Tim Harris.
Lloyd played in Rowe for a 40th minute chance and he slid the ball past Duffey but also inches wide.
Small margins.
Wadebridge: R Rosevear, T Harris, S Hepworth, S Gerken, R Hooper, L Webber (C Bidgood 79), C Reski (H Chapman 73), G Eastman, M Lloyd (B Rowe 90+3), J Rowe, S Wickins.
Subs not used: J Horner, T Jeal (gk).
Yellow cards: C Reski (12), L Webber (36).
Torpoint: J Duffey, J Richards, D Hicks, J Rundle (R Smith 56), S Hillson, E Crawford, J Pope, J Wood, S Thomson, R Richards, O Haslam.
Subs not used: M Lewis, D Murray, J Rowe, L Rooney.
Goal: R Richards (74).
Referee: Lee Dudman.
Attendance: 137.
Men of the Match. Wadebridge – Rob Rosevear; Torpoint – Sean Thomson.

Richards goal seals hard-earned victory for Torpoint

Western League
Premier Division
Torpoint Athletic 3 Oldland Abbotonians 1

Ryan Richards’ 90th minute strike secured all three points for a Torpoint side who find themselves third in the table behind Cornish rivals Helston and Falmouth.
The home side were holding on to a certain extent as Oldland pressed for an equaliser before substitute Sean Thomson’s excellent through ball sent Richards clear to score.
The margin of victory was a little harsh on the visitors but Torpoint defended particularly well in the second half and they were always going to provide a threat on the break.
The home side made a great start when skipper Darren Hicks rifled home a low shot to make it 1-0 after three minutes but Oldland hit back almost immediately with Ellis Clarke finishing off after a mad scramble in the Torpoint penalty area.
In a hectic start, Torpoint restored their lead after 10 minutes with a sweeping move along the right ended with Paul Heveran getting a cross into the box where Richards laid the ball back to Louis Rooney, whose 20 yard shot flew into the net via a big deflection.
Will Cains came close to a 26th minute equaliser with a 20 yard shot which drifted inches wide as Oldland continued to ruffle feathers with their physical approach.
The pattern of the second half was very much Oldland on the attack and Torpoint defending their slender lead superbly, with Jordan Duffey a calming presence in goal as the heavy rain made conditions difficult.
Thomson thought he had scored with an 89th minute strike which brought the best out of Oldland keeper Jordan Scholfiekd, who threw himself at full stretch to tip the effort around the post.
But only a minute later Thomson turned provider for Richards, who finished with typical confidence and aplomb.
This is Torpoint’s second season in the Western League and they don’t look out of place. Dean Cardew and the club have put together an experienced and balanced squad which will continue to be hard to beat.
Torpoint: J Duffey, J Richards (D Murray 73), D Hicks, O Haslam, S Hillson, E Crawford, P Heveran, J Pope (M Lucas 87), L Rooney (S Thomson (61), R Richards, R Smith (J Wood 56).
Goals: D Hicks (3), L Rooney (10), R Richards (90).
Referee: Graeme Martin.
Attendance: 119.
Man of the Match: Darren Hicks.

Torpoint Athletic v Oldland Abbotonians action

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish as Liskeard smash eight

South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Liskeard Athletic 8 Bude Town 2

When Billy Hopcroft put Bude ahead after only 40 seconds, there was a feeling that Liskeard might be in for a tough afternoon in the searing heat of Lux Park.
Nothing could have been further from the truth as the home side pulverised their opponents to stretch their 100 per cent start to the season to six games.
It was difficult to work out whether the emphatic result was down to Liskeard’s brilliance or a calamitous defensive display by Bude.
But, as the saying goes, you can only beat what is put in front of you and Liskeard punished their opponents to the full.
Dan Jennings helped himself to a hat-trick, man of the match Max Gilbert got two, and others came from second half substitute Sam Carter (2) and Harry Jeffery.
Hopcroft’s first minute goal, which came courtesy of a poor backpass by Matt Outtram, should have set up Bude for a positive afternoon but it did the opposite.
Liskeard were level after seven minutes through a trademark Max Gilbert free kick and they swept ahead three minutes later when Jeffery was played in along the left and finished with confidence.
Mikey Smith then missed two glorious chances in three minutes as Liskeard cut through the Bude defence like a knife through butter while Bude keeper Liam Hill made an excellent save to deny Max Gilbert.
The pressure finally turned into more goals before half-time with Jennings stretching at the far post to convert a Smith cross from the right in the 43rd minute and was on target again just before the break, beating Bude’s horrendous offside ‘trap’ to make it 4-1.
The visitors introduced Baga Mariko at the start of the second half and he did go on to make a difference in midfield but not before Liskeard stretched their lead to 6-1.
Their fifth goal owed almost everything to Tom Savigar, who took on and beat four players in s brilliant burst before squaring the ball for Jennings to complete his hat-trick.
And Max Gilbert made it six of the best in the 57th minute with a penalty after he had been tripped.
Liskeard introduced Sam Carter on the hour and he made it 7-1 in the 74th minute with a classy finish after an attempted one-two with Max Gilbert on the edge of the penalty area.
Carter completed the home side’s scoring in the 90th minute before Mariko got a second goal for Bude with a stunning finish from 20 yards.
It was such a pity that the quality of the goal was lost in the mayhem of what happened at the other end of the pitch.
Liskeard: C Harvey, H Mullis, M Outtram, H Bell, T Savigar (S Carter 60), M Thorp, H Jeffery (W Gilbert 75), M Gilbert (F Bartlett 79), M Smith, D Jennings (B Hopkinson 82), B Collins.
Goals: D Jennings 3 (43, 45+2, 54), M Gilbert 2 (7 & 57 pen), S Carter 2 (74, 90), H Jeffery (10).
Bude: L Hill, J Williams, D Gould (B Musslewhite 60), L Potter (B Mariko 46), D Youldon, R Keates, G Rogers (T Bello 77), M McCann, G Clarke (B Potter 60), B Hopcroft, H Hopcroft.
Goals: B Hopcroft (40 seconds), B Mariko (90+1).
Yellow card: D Gould (33).
Referee: Darren Gay.
Attendance: 77.
Man of the Match: Max Gilbert.

Revenge sweet for inspired Bodmin as leaders’ 100 per cent record ended

South West Peninsula League

Premier West

AFC St Austell 1 Bodmin Town 3

St Austell’s 100 per cent start to the new season – eight wins out of eight – was ended emphatically at Poltair Park on Wednesday evening by an inspired Bodmin Town.

After a good start to the game, the Lillywhites were second best as Bodmin, who lost 2-1 at the same venue 10 days ago in an FA Vase tie, got swift revenge.

It’s fair to say Bodmin felt aggrieved by the cup defeat and from the kick-off they looked determined to put the record straight with what turned out to be their best performance so far this season.

Ben Waters grabbed two goals in seven minutes early in the first half and the biggest surprise was that it took the visitors until the 70^th minute to add a third goal, through Sam Clifton.

St Austell, who played with 10 men following the 33^rd minute dismissal of Olly Brokenshire, deserve credit for battling to the end and they were rewarded with a last minute goal from substitute Tom Guest.

The home side had made a bright start, with George Marris lifting a 15 yard shot high over the bar after being set up by Adam Carter.

But things quickly turned against them as Brokenshire picked up a harsh yellow card in the ninth minute and Bodmin took the lead four minutes later.

A superb cross from the right by Charlie Hardcastle was drilled in by the unmarked Waters, who then produced a spectacular volley at the far post to double the lead after 20 minutes.

Hardcastle then had a 29^th minute effort ruled out for offside after being played through by Waters as the St Austell back line struggled to cope with the pair.

Worse was to follow for the home side after 33 minutes when Brokenshire was late on Clifton and shown a second yellow card, for a red, and St Austell reorganised with defender Harvey Hann coming off the bench to try to shore up the back line, George Marris being sacrificed.

A poor first half display by the Lillywhites was summed up in the 38^th minute by a calamitous mistake by keeper Harry Ashton, whose pass out fell straight to the feet of Waters. He sent his shot past Ashton but watched as a defender raced back to clear inside the six yard box.

On the stroke of half-time Waters had another golden opportunity to clinch his hat-trick when he was played clear. He attempted an audacious shot from fully 45 yards but Ashton, rushing out of his area, managed to block with his legs.

St Austell’s players were sent out early for the second half but their fortunes didn’t change as Bodmin created a superb chance a minute into the restart.

Hardcastle, causing all sorts of mayhem along the right, cut in and delivered a cross to the far post where Waters rose to direct a brilliant header wide of keeper Ashton but agonisingly inches wide of the far post.

A 56^th minute free kick from Hardcastle on the right – again delivered with his left foot – flew across the penalty area but nobody could get a final touch and the ball drifted just wide.

The Bodmin winger came even closer three minutes later with a free kick from 25 yards which beat Ashton all ends up but crashed against the post and went spinning out of play.

But he and Bodmin got their just reward in the 70^th minute with a third goal. Hardcastle was again the creator, a mazy run on the right ending with a square pass to Clifton, who brought the ball under control before firing home from 15 yards.

Bodmin managed the remainder of the game reasonably well, although Guest’s goal as the clock ticked into the 90^thminute gave the home side a glimpse of hope of salvaging something, with seven minutes of time added on to come.

They pushed for a second goal but couldn’t carve out a clear opportunity, leaving Bodmin to celebrate a deserved victory.

Following the recent resignation of manager Dane Bunney, Bodmin are being managed on a temporary basis by Shaun Vincent and Neil Mansfield.

The duo appear to be building a good case to be handed the reins for the rest of the campaign. Especially if they can keep this group of players together.

AFC St Austell: H Ashton, J Shaw, M Duff, N Teagle, O Brokenshire, T Whipp, N Slateford (B Thomas 76), G Marris (H Hann 34), M Searle (J Hooper 89), A Carter (T Guest 65), J Miller (C Wharton 70).

Goal: T Guest (90).

Red card: O Brokenshire (33).

Yellow cards: O Brokenshire (9 & 33), H Hann (60).

Bodmin Town: R Rickard, S Hill, R Hamilton (K Foster 87), C Holder, A Wall, L Pacey, J Hamson (T Hanrahan 69), S Clifton (K Dyer 78), B Waters (C Spear 85), J Tribble (R Knight 46), C Hardcastle.

Goals: B Waters (13 & 20), S Clifton (70).

Yellow cards: B Waters (10), J Tribble (44), K Dyer (90+4).

Referee: Paul Kempen.

Attendance: 159.

Men of the Match. AFC St Austell – Matt Searle; Bodmin – Charlie Hardcastle.

Spectacular sunset at Poltair Park last night.