Unbeaten leaders Clevedon march on after scare at Torpoint

Western League
Premier Division
Torpoint Athletic 3 Clevedon Town 5

When Torpoint striker Dylan Jones made it 3-3 in the 73rd minute, it seemed for all the world that the home side were on course to become the first team to beat Clevedon this season.
Dean Cardew’s men had hauled themselves back from 3-1 down and looked to be in the ascendancy.
But that’s when Clevedon showed why they sit at the top of the table. Suddenly they found another gear and instead of sitting on a draw, they scored twice more to secure their ninth league win in 12 games.
Skipper Syd Camper emphatically headed in a Ryan King corner after 78 minutes to put his side back in front and Alex Camm made sure of all three points with an 86th minute penalty.
For long spells there had seemed little to choose between the teams but it was hard to deny Clevedon deserved the win.
Freddie King gave them an eighth minute lead with a deflected shot which gave Ryan Rickard no chance but the rest of the first half produced no more goals, although Torpoint spurned a couple of half chances.
The second half goals feast started early with Camm’s close range shot taking a deflection off Elliot Crawford on its way into the net to double the visitors’ lead after 47 minutes.
But nine minutes later Torpoint roared back to life with a sweeping move from right to left which ended with Jones firing in at the far post.
Two minutes later Jones was only inches from equalising with a low shot which skimmed across the face of goal and finished just wide.
Torpoint’s hopes of a revival seemed to be ended after 63 minutes when Joe Teall made it 3-1 but the home side refused to give up.
They were back in the game five minutes later with a Ryan Richards penalty after substitute Ryan Smith had been nudged over by Callum Kingdon – a somewhat generous decision by the referee.
And the official earned the ire of the visiting side five minutes later when he failed to give a foul on keeper James Dunn, which left Jones to leap above him to head a dramatic equaliser.
The Torpoint faithful sensed what would have been a notable scalp. It was not to be, but supporters at The Mill applauded their team off at the end of a terrific effort.
Torpoint: R Rickard, J Richards, E Hunt, J Rundle (R Smith 62), S Hillson, E Crawford, D Hicks, O Haslam, D Jones, R Richards, J Pope.
Subs: L Rooney, D Murray, M Lucas, L Pacey.
Goals: D Jones (56 & 73); R Richards pen (68).
Clevedon: J Dunn, E Nicholson (E Crossley 88), S Camper, H Westlake, C Kingdon, C Selway (G Hayes 73), S Kent, J Teall (R King 90+5), O Ponsele (J Wakefield 71), A Camm, F King.
Sub not used: C Lovell.
Referee: Paul Redfing.
Men of Match. Torpoint – Dylan Jones; Clevedon – Joe Teall.

Saturday’s official Torpoint man of the match Ryan Smith is presented with his award by Gareth Glanfield from match sponsors Torpoint Athletic Juniors FC. Picture courtesy of Torpoint Athletic.

Ashes underline growing belief with near perfect performance

Western League
Les Phillips Cup 2nd Round
St Blazey 1 Saltash United 5

Saltash United scored four goals in 20 second half minutes to blow away St Blazey on their own pitch on Wednesday night.
The improving Ashes, who have been threatening this sort of result for a few weeks, were well worth their victory and had been the better side before the goals avalanche.
Aaron Goulty’s superb low drive to break the deadlock after 27 minutes was the least Macca Brown’s side deserved for a confident first half display.
St Blazey will justifiably point to a missed penalty from Isaac Mccue five minutes into the second half as a turning point but there was no denying that Saltash merited a big win.
The Ashes seemed to be ‘at it’ from the first minute with winger Joe Preece causing all sorts of problems with his pace along the left.
His excellent run and cross in the second minute earned a corner from which St Blazey somehow scrambled the ball away but it set the tone for the opening 20 minutes.
St Blazey finally came to life in the 21st minute with George Newton producing a fierce shot from 20 yards which Jordan Duffey tipped around the post.
But Saltash continued to threaten and after Sam Cox had headed over from six yards in the 25th minute, the Ashes took the lead two minutes later as his fierce low drive was too good for Shaun Semmens.
St Blazey manufactured a great chance to equalise just before the break when a clever backheeled pass from Owen Pritchard sent Ryan Downing clear on the right but his shot across goal went inches wide.
Blazey made two changes at the start of the second half with Luke Cloke and Mccue coming on, and both played a part in the penalty five minutes in.
Cloke used his experience to draw in Tom Badcott to trip him and the Blaise Park faithful must have expected the team’s top scorer to step up to take the spot kick.
But it was Mccue who took the ball and his weak shot was never going to trouble Duffey.
To rub salt into Blazey’s wounds, Saltash were quickly back on the front foot and doubled their lead four minutes later with Goulty finishing superbly after beating the offside trap.
Another four minutes on it was 3-0 as the excellent Preece finished off a sweeping move which had cut Blazey apart along the right wing.
Any hope the home side had of a comeback was stamped on as Saltash scored two goals in two minutes with striker Jordan Ewing helping himself to both, the first one an absolute cracker from 25 yards.
Blazey got an injury time goal with a confident finish from substitute Ben Waters but it was scant consolation on a night to forget for the Green & Blacks.
As for the Ashes, it was one of those games where it would be unfair to pick out a man of the match because each player contributed to a comprehensive victory.
St Blazey: S Semmens, W Tinsley, S Rutter (M Edwards 62), J Pearce (J Staddon 77), F Walter, S Clifton, S Piper, J Smale, O Pritchard (B Waters 77), R Downing (L Cloke 46), G Newton (I Mccue 46).
Goal: B Waters (80+2).
Yellow cards: S Cox (41), J Smale (48), S Piper (76).
Saltash: J Duffey, T Huyton, E Wright, T Badcott, H Greening, J Toulson (R Howe 86), T Love-Holmes, S Cox (L Murray 79), J Ewing (J Johnson 81), A Goulty (J Jefford 86), J Preece (K O’Melia 69).
Goals: A Goulty (27 & 54), J Ewing (72 & 74), J Preece (58).
Yellow card: J Ewing (14).
Referee: Josh Eyre.

Kick-off at Blaise Park

Rowe’s fab four as Bridgers hit back from early shock

South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Wadebridge Town 8 Sticker 2

When Alfie Flack gave Sticker the lead after 50 seconds on a wet and windy Wednesday night, for a fleeting moment there was a feeling a shock might be on the cards at Bodieve.
It proved to be a false dawn for the strugglers, who then conceded three goals before the half-hour mark to give themselves a mountain to climb.
Pressure from Matt Lloyd led to a defender scoring an own goal for a 10th minute equaliser and Jacob Smale was in the right place to finish off a sweeping move to put the Bridgers ahead for the first time after 20 minutes.
Eight minutes later Sam Wickins opened up Sticker’s square back line with a superb pass to send Jacob Rowe through and his lob over the keeper nestled in the far corner of the net.
Lloyd then lifted a close range left foot shot over the bar as Wadebridge continued to batter the Sticker penalty area without adding to their score before half-time.
But it didn’t take long after the restart for the Bridgers – and Rowe in particular – to secure a victory which would lift the home side into the top six of the table.
Five minutes into the second half Rowe cut in from the left to move into the penalty area and his low drive flew into the net.
And he completed his hat-trick four minutes later with a close range finish from Smale’s cross.
Rowe was having the sort of night where everything he tried was coming off and he added his fourth goal – and Wadebridge’s sixth – by being in the right place to tap in a corner.
To their credit, Sticker never threw in the towel and 16-year-old Taeler Chapman produced a superb finish to reduce the arrears eight minutes from time. It was his first senior goal.
Taeler is the brother of Haiden, an 18-year-old striker who came on as a 55th minute substitute for Wadebridge.
Their proud father James, the former Bodmin Town chairman, said it was the first time they had played against each other.
Unfortunately, Taeler’s goal only served to kick Wadebridge back into scoring mode and they added further goals from substitute Sam Hepworth and Lloyd.
For the Bridgers this was an impressive response to a disappointing exit from the Walter C Parson Cup, while Sticker will put it down to experience.
They were so short of players they had to call up five reserves into the squad, which also included 43-year-old Rich Nancarrow on the bench.
They deserved praise for being there – and they will have better days.
Wadebridge: R Rosevear, T Harris, S Wickins, R Hooper (S Hepworth 73), S Simmonds, J Rowe, C Reski, G Eastman, M Lloyd, M Vallejo (H Chapman 55), J Smale (S Arnold 62).
Goals: J Rowe 4 (28, 50, 54, 65), own goal (10), J Smale (20), S Hepworth (84), M Lloyd (86).
Sub not used: T Jeal.
Sticker: E Etwell, Hooper, Clapman, Rowles-Jane, Warren, Edworthy, O’Hara, T Chapman, S Dover, J Nancarrow, A Flack.
Subs: Lees, Avery, R Nancarrow, Clarke (gk).
Goals: A Flack (1), T Chapman (82).
Man of the Match: Jacob Rowe.

Oh brother – the Chapmans, Wadebridge’s Haiden and Sticker’s Taeler, at Bodieve on Wednesday. It was the first time they had played against each other. Picture credit: proud dad James Chapman.

Holders through after epic battle at Bodieve

South West Peninsula League
Walter C Parson Cup
Second Round

Wadebridge Town 3 Okehampton Argyle 3
(aet; Okehampton won 4-3 on penalties)

Holders Okehampton Argyle’s desire not to fall at the first hurdle of their trophy defence just about saw them over the line in a see-saw thriller at Bodieve Park on Saturday.
The Devon side, who lifted the cup by beating Liskeard in last season’s final, created enough chances to have made the need for extra time and penalties unnecessary.
In the end they required an injury time equaliser to force an extra 30 minutes after being reduced to 10 men and went on to edge the spot kick shootout.
All of which left Wadebridge immensely frustrated and disappointed after putting up such a fight.
A 3-0 midweek league win at in-form Newquay had suggested the Bridgers had turned a corner after a run of five successive defeats.
And somehow they found themselves 1-0 ahead at half-time thanks to a stunning 25 yard shot from Morgan Vallejo after 40 minutes.
The score didn’t reflect the way the first half had gone, with home keeper Rob Rosevear performing heroics to prevent the visitors turning dominance into goals.
But Argyle took only five minutes to draw level after the break. Wadebridge wanted a foul when Dan Kiota pushed aside a challenge inside the penalty area but the referee waved play on and Kiota’s pass across goal was finished off by Luke Mortimore.
Okehampton increased the pressure and Rosevear had to be alert and at his best to stop Mortimore and Kiota in one on one situations, three times using his legs to prevent goals.
But Wadebridge stayed in the tie and against the run of play they retook the lead seven minutes from time when substitute Matt Lloyd poked the ball over the line after a cross from the left led to a mad scramble in the six yard box.
A minute later Okehampton were reduced to 10 men when Jake Rowe saw red after a clash with Chris Reski and that should have been game over.
But the visitors refused to give in and as the game moved into the third minute of time added on, a corner from the right was only half cleared and Charlie Harrod, unmarked on the left side of the area, sent a superb looping header over Rosevear into the net.
So to extra time and Okehampton wasted no time in taking the lead for the first time as Mortimore, one of their star performers, unleashed a ferocious volley from 18 yards into the net.
Now the visitors were favourites but four minutes later they were reduced to nine men when Luke Reynolds was sin binned for dissent.
But they should have put the tie to bed two minutes into the second half when the unmarked Kiota looked certain to score from close range but his header sailed over the bar.
This gave Wadebridge a glimmer of hope and they took it two minutes from extra time when Sam Wickins fired a half volley across goal and through the legs of Argyle keeper Mike Searle.
So to the lottery of a penalty shootout.
The first takers from each side – Jacob Smale (Wadebridge) and Kiota – duly converted their spot kicks but the second pair both missed.
Wickins’ shot was saved superbly by Searle, quickly followed by Rosevear diving to keep out Steve Goss’s effort.
Vallejo and Mortimore (O) made it 2-2 after three penalties each before Lewis Webber missed a crucial spot kick, lifting his shot high over the bar.
A confident Josh Robins put Okehampton 3-2 ahead and although Jacob Rowe scored Wadebridge’s final kick, Dale Chadwick – who had come on as a substitute in the dying seconds of extra time – converted the winner.
A cruel way to end such an enthralling tie but on the balance of play and chances, Okehampton earned their passage into round three.

Wadebridge: R Rosevear, R Hooper, S Hepworth (S Simmonds 105 et), B Rowe (T Harris 62), S Wickins, L Webber, J Rowe, G Eastman (C Reski 75), H Chapman (M Lloyd 63), M Vallejo, J Smale.
Sub not used: T Jeal.
Goals: M Vallejo (40), M Lloyd (83), S Wickins (118 et).
Yellow cards: J Rowe (54), C Reski (84), R Hooper (120+1), J Smale (120+3).
Okehampton Argyle: M Searle, S Hill (J Bouhammas 87), J Robins, A Hill, S Goss, A Gray (D Chadwick 120+4), L Mortimore, J Rowe, D Kiota, L Reynolds, C Harrod.
Goals: L Mortimore (50 & 93 et), C Harrod (90+2).
Red card: J Rowe (84).
Sin bin: L Reynolds (97 et).
Men of the Match. Wadebridge – Rob Rosevear; Okehampton – Luke Mortimore.

Five star Blues reach the summit

South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Camelford 0 Liskeard Athletic 5

Liskeard emphasised their title credentials at a misty Trefrew Park on Tuesday night with a five star performance which swept aside Camelford.
The Blues stretched their unbeaten start to the season to 12 games, which includes 11 wins, as they went top of the table for the first time this season, on goal difference from St Austell.
The fact that Liskeard already have a 17 goals advantage over the Lillywhites after only a dozen games illustrates how prolific they are in front of the net.
There’s also the small matter of the Blues having played two games fewer than St Austell.
Manager Darren Gilbert, now revitalised after his departure from Bodmin Town, has developed a team which is strong in all departments.
Many of the components were already in place when he took over during the summer; he has used his vast experience to organise them and get them fitter as a group.
I can’t see a weakness through the team. Sam Borthwick continues to be one of the best keepers at this level, while Harvey Mullis and Ben Collins must be the best wing back pairing in the league.
It’s hard to believe the right-sided Mullis is still a teenager – he was my man of the match on Tuesday – and on the other side, Collins is Mr Reliable with the ability to score vital goals.
Harry Bell, another young player, is developing into a seriously good central defender and during Dylan Peel’s absence, Matt Outtram has let nobody down.
The midfield department is led by influential skipper Max Gilbert, who is already into double figures in the goal charts, and also includes another outstanding young player in Harry Jeffery.
Jarrad Woods has had his injury problems this year but when he plays, Liskeard look a classier team driving forward, with Ruben Kane and Will Gilbert a growing presence alongside him.
And up front, the Blues have Dan Jennings, a prolific scorer at this level for many seasons, alongside Mike Smith, who was playing for Western League side Saltash United last season.
Smith had a hatful of chances against Wadebridge last Saturday without taking any of them but three days later it took him only two minutes to make his mark. That’s football.
He rose to head in a Mullis flick on and Liskeard never looked back. Camels keeper Josh Colwill then made several fine saves before Smith doubled the lead from a 23rd minute penalty.
It’s ironic that Liskeard have been awarded a penalty in each of the last three games – and on each occasion, spot kick king Jennings was not on the pitch.
Max Gilbert took and missed penalties against St Austell and Wadebridge, so Smith took over the duties on Tuesday and fired confidently into the net.
Gilbert, not to be outdone, made it 3-0 on the half hour and Liskeard’s only concern came when a defensive mix-up left Dan Metherell with an unguarded net to find from 20 yards, but his effort hit the post.
Jennings, who had only arrived home from a week’s holiday in Portugal on the morning of this match, came off the bench on the hour to replace Smith, who looked a little peeved that his opportunity to complete a hat-trick had been taken away.
Kane was credited with Liskeard’s fourth goal in the 72nd minute, although his shot from Will Gilbert’s corner went in off a defender.
And the scoring was completed by impressive substitute Will Larsen, who marked his debut with a fine strike to make it 5-0 three minutes into time added on.
Camelford: J Colwill, T Crowe, J Chafer, C Hambly, S Wade, R Beare, S Cardiff, D Metherell, S Watts, C Sturdy, A Boxall.
Subs: J Biddick, O Taylor, N Smith, P Brown, J Insley.
Liskeard: S Borthwick, H Mullis, M Outtram, H Bell, B Collins, R Kane, H Jeffery, J Woods (F Bartlett 71), M Gilbert, M Smith (D Jennings 60), W Gilbert (W Larsen 73).
Sub not used: B Hopkinson.
Attendance: 90.
Man of the Match: Harvey Mullis.

Action from a misty Trefrew Park on Tuesday

Liskeard take it to the Max

South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Liskeard Athletic 2 Wadebridge Town 1
Liskeard maintained their title push with a more convincing victory than the score suggests at a baking Lux Park on Saturday.
Finn Bartlett’s 29th minute strike broke the deadlock but it then took until the 77th minute for them to get the vital second goal through Ben Collins.
The need for that goal was emphasised in time added on when Jacob Smale pulled one back for the Bridgers, who were then thwarted in their quest for what would have been an unlikely point.
Liskeard were the dominant side throughout, driven forward by influential captain Max Gilbert, whose only blot on a fine display was a missed penalty in the 23rd minute, his second successive spot kick setback after having an injury time penalty saved against St Austell.
Dan Jennings normally takes them – but he had already been substituted last week and was unavailable against Wadebridge.
Liskeard, also without star midfield man Jarrad Woods, made an impressive start to a game being played in temperatures nudging 20 degrees.
Gilbert set up a great chance for Mike Smith after only four minutes, holding off a couple of challenges along the right before delivering an inch perfect cross to the far post where Smith sent a diving header wide .
Two minutes later Gilbert was again the provider, this time with a superb long ball from right to left which sent Harry Jeffery clear but he fired his shot into the side netting.
Smith was getting in some great positions and he had another opportunity after 17 minutes but saw his powerful shot tipped around the post by Bridgers keeper Rob Rosevear.
Six minutes later came the penalty when Rosevear tripped Smith but Gilbert’s poorly hit shot was easily gathered by Rosevear.
Liskeard finally made their dominance pay after 29 minutes. Harvey Mullis was fouled as he burst along the right but the referee played an excellent advantage, allowing the youngster to play in Bartlett, who beat Rosevear at his near post with a low left foot shot.
It was almost 2-0 five minutes later as Mullis produced one of the passes of the match from right back to send Harry Jeffery in on the left and his ferocious shot had to be tipped over the bar by Rosevear.
Liskeard suffered a blow after 35 minutes when centre half Dylan Peel, making a rare start, went down with a muscle strain and was replaced by Matt Outtram.
The substitute was soon at the centre of the action, having to turn a Matt Lloyd cross come shot over his own bar as the visitors finally threatened the Liskeard goal.
And they were almost level on the stroke of half-time as Cam Bidgood burst clear. His first shot was parried by Rosevear and his follow-up was blocked by Outtram.
Before the half-time whistle blew, Liskeard had a great chance of their own, Smith sending a shot wide of the onrushing Rosevear but also inches wide of the post.
Wadebridge made an improved start to the second half without being able to threaten an equaliser while Liskeard became more frustrated at not being able to find the second goal.
But a piece of quality finally ended the visitors’ resistance with Collins running onto a through ball from Bartlett to fire a low drive into the net from 15 yards.
By the time Smale reduced the arrears with a fine finish there was little time for Liskeard to have to hold on.
Liskeard: S Borthwick (C Harvey 90+1), H Mullis, W Gilbert, H Bell, D Peel (M Outtram 35), R Kane, H Jeffery (W Larsen 78), M Gilbert, F Bartlett, M Smith, B Collins.
Sub not used: B Hopkinson.
Goals: F Bartlett (29), B Collins (77).
Yellow cards: H Mullis (90+4), B Collins (90+6).
Wadebridge: R Rosevear, T Harris, S Hepworth, B Fowe, S Simmonds, L Webber, C Reski (H Chapman 69), C Bidgood (G Eastman 60), M Lloyd (M Vallejo 80), J Rowe, J Smale.
Goal: J Smale (90+2).
Yelllow card: B Rowe (90+5).
Men of the Match. Liskeard – Max Gilbert; Wadebridge – Jacob Smale.
Referee: Ryan Dennis.
Attendance: 131.

Darren Gilbert delivers his post match verdict.

Cally and Camels serve up Senior Cup classic

Cornwall Senior Cup
First Round
Callington 3 Camelford 4

If the rest of the Senior Cup first round ties are even half as good as this one, followers of the county’s most prestigious knockout competition are in for a treat.
I have to admit the quality of the football surprised me – two teams wanting to pass along the ground, through midfield, and scoring some superb goals.
It made for a heart-warming night of local football at a venue where the welcome is friendly and the facilities excellent.
Unfortunately there had to be a loser and Callington filled that role, although they played well enough to argue with some justification that they didn’t deserve to go out of the cup.
In the end a breakaway goal by Connor Sturdy in the first minute of time added on, from a Callington corner, settled the tie in Camelford’s favour.
There was still time for the home side to launch strong claims for a penalty in the dying seconds but their luck was out.
We will never know whether the story might have been different had Ben Joyce not talked himself into a red card just before half-time with the scores level at 1-1.
Joyce was probably the most experienced player in a team of Callington players who last season were playing their football at a lower level in the St Piran League.
And having been sin binned for dissent, he should have accepted his punishment. Instead he continued to rant as he left the pitch and the referee had no choice but to get his red card out.
The incident was out of keeping with the rest of the tie, which was played in a competitive but fair manner throughout.
Supporters had barely had time to take their places before the chances started, with Cally keeper James Montgomery using an outstretched leg to keep out a fourth minute shot from Josh Insley.
But the next time the Camels attacked, with a teasing right wing cross in the sixth minute, Insley planted his header past Montgomery into the net.
The visitors, without several regular first teamers, might have built on their lead before Callington fought their way back into the tie.
Joyce should have done better with a free header from an 18th minute corner but the home side equalised 10 minutes later when another corner was headed into his own net by Tom Crowe.
It was end to end fare and the main reason there were no further goals before the break was the goalkeeping of Montgomery and his Camelford counterpart Josh Colwill.
Callington started the second half very strongly and deservedly went ahead seven minutes in as Fin Skews, looking lively out on the left, played in Henry Bunning, who fired a low shot into the net despite having his shirt pulled.
The pair combined again on the hour and Callington could have been 3-1 up. This time Bunning was the provider but Skews dragged his shot across goal and inches wide.
It proved to be a turning point because Camelford roared back with two goals in four minutes to turn the tie upside down.
Sturdy’s brilliant volley from the edge of the penalty area levelled things up in the 72nd minute before Insley converted a penalty to put the Camels 3-2 ahead.
Callington refused to give up, however, and an excellent finish by Kieran Prescott after a sweeping move made it 3-3 with 10 minutes to go.
The home side were now on top and it took a brilliant point blank save with his legs by Colwill to prevent them going ahead with only five minutes left.
As the tie moved into time added on, Callington won a corner and threw central defender Harry Southcott up to bolster the numbers in the penalty area.
But they left themselves short at the back and when Camelford were able to clear, Sturdy raced away unchallenged to finish with aplomb.
Callington: J Montgomery, A Patterson, J Rowlands, H Barrett, H Southcott, B Langton, F Skews, B Joyce, H Bunning, K Prescott, B Alford.
Subs: K McCallion, K Ryall, S Coombe, C Pritchard-Lee, J Wakenshaw.
Goals: Own goal (28), H Bunning (52), K Prescott (80).
Red card: B Joyce (43).
Camelford: J Colwill, O Taylor, J Chafer, T Crowe, S Wade, R Beare, S Watts, J Insley, A Boxall, S Cardiff, C Sturdy.
Subs: J Biddick, B Sturdy, L Carhart.
Goals: J Insley (6 & 74, pen), C Sturdy (52 & 90+1).

Callington Town v Camelford

Top of table clash which didn’t disappoint

South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Liskeard Athletic 3 St Austell 3

Top of the table clashes often fail to live up to pre-match expectations – but Saturday’s fare at Lux Park was all that it promised to be.
Leaders St Austell, who had won their opening six away games, came up against second-placed Liskeard, who were defending a nine-match winning start to the campaign.
So something had to give – and in the end both teams’ records ended as they had to settle for a draw after a pulsating 90 minutes.
Played at the pace of a cup tie, the game had six goals, a red card given to the wrong player, and an injury time penalty saved.
St Austell defender Harvey Hann was the unfortunate player to see red after Liskeard striker Mike Smith went down under a challenge, which was later deemed to have been made by Tom Whipp.
But from the resulting penalty, Blues skipper Max Gilbert saw his shot brilliantly saved by visiting keeper Harry Ashton.
Gilbert had made no such mistake when he opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a curling low free kick which was just too good for Ashton.
But it took the Lillywhites only four minutes to equalise from a free kick of their own, skipper Olly Brokenshire’s left foot curler being deflected away from keeper Sam Borthwick into the far corner of the net.
That remained the score until the 57th minute when a superb sweeping move along the right involving Neil Slateford and Jake Shaw tore the Liskeard defence apart, allowing Adam Carter to convert Shaw’s inch perfect cross from inside the six yard box at the far post.
Liskeard responded strongly and were level seven minutes later as Smith was on hand to finish after Harry Jeffery’s powerful shot was parried out by Ashton.
Jarrad Woods, making an outstanding return to Liskeard’s central midfield, saw a 20 yard rocket shot smash against the bar after 69 minutes but was more accurate with a similar effort seven minutes later.
This time his shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the net to make it 3-2.
Stunned by the home side’s comeback, St Austell sent on prolific scorer Liam Eddy and he didn’t take long to make an impact, rising brilliantly to meet a right wing cross and plant a header wide of Borthwick into the net.
Into time added on and the drama continued. Smith was played through the middle and seemed likely to score before a challenge sent him crashing to the ground.
The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty but was unsure about who committed the foul. After consulting with a linesman, he brandished the red card at Hann, who pleaded his innocence before leaving the field.
Plenty in the crowd close to the incident – this author included – were convinced Martyn Duff was the guilty party as he ended up on the floor after the challenge. But we were wrong.
It emerged afterwards that Whipp was the guilty party and later the referee contacted St Austell to apologise for sending off the wrong man.
Apart from that, it was a dull old game!
Liskeard: S Borthwick, H Mullis, M Outtram (D Peel 77), H Bell, M Gilbert, R Kane, H Jeffery, J Woods, M Smith, D Jennings (F Bartlett 59), B Collins.
Goals: M Gilbert (14), M Smith (64), J Woods (76).
Yellow cards: M Gilbert (29), R Kane (59).
St Austell: H Ashton, J Shaw, M Duff, M Searle (C Hardcastle 78), O Brokenshire, H Hann, N Slateford (N Teagle 78), K Bishop, T Whipp, A Carter, J Miller (L Eddy 82).
Goals: O Brokenshire (18), A Carter (57), L Eddy (86).
Red card: H Hann (90+2).
Referee: S Edge.
Attendance: 214.
Men of the Match. Liskeard – Jarrad Woods; St Austell – Neil Slateford.