Western League
Premier Division
Saltash United 1 Brixham 3
It was a case of After the Lord Mayor’s Show for Saltash on Saturday as the memories of last week’s win over leaders Clevedon were swept away at the Waterways Stadium.
Winger Kieran O’Melia gave the Ashes a 25th minute lead with his 10th goal of the season but after that the visitors stepped up to take the honours.
Josh Parry levelled things within four minutes and Aaron Wellington put Brixham ahead seven minutes before half-time. Brixham made sure of victory with a third goal from Sean Adderley 11 minutes from time.
All of which left Ashes manager Macca Brown to reflect on a disappointing day.
Brown said. “It was a real off day for us all and to be fair to the lads there’s not been many of those this season.
“In terms of results, obviously there’s been poor days at the office, but generally speaking there’s always been a good performance and we’ve lost in a moment.
“But on Saturday I’ve got no complaints at all, we weren’t really at the races and were well beaten in most areas by Brixham, who I thought were excellent.
“I’m probably more frustrated at myself though to be honest because I think we got the balance of the team wrong with our selection and I do think it had a significant impact, and we knew it after 10 minutes or so that it wasn’t quite right.
“The balance of the team often outweighs individual qualities within a team, and we looked a bit disjointed and so it’s one that I take on the chin because that’s poor from me,
“It was in my mind when selecting the side and that’s why I’m frustrated at myself and I’ll be beating myself up for a few days about that one but we cross it off and move on.”
He went on: “We actually started really brightly and should have been awarded a penalty in the first two minutes, it was stonewall and I cannot believe the referee has not given it.
“I think with it being so early he wasn’t ready to make such a big decision and it’s frustrating because it could have changed the whole afternoon.
“Brixham quickly got a foothold of the game after that first 10 minutes though; they were aggressive and direct with their play and then controlled the game in our half, and we didn’t match it.
“We scored against the run of play and you hope that sparks you into life, but as I said previously the balance of the team just wasn’t right and before we had the chance to change it we were 2-1 down, with a worldy for their second just as we were about to make an early substitution.
“I think from that point we looked more fluid and the last 10 minutes of the half we looked like our normal selves in terms of our play, but it was an afternoon where we didn’t get out the blocks and weren’t able to get going.
“The effort was there but Brixham were winning the fight, first and second balls and that’s the basic foundations that help you control and win games.”
He added: “We started brightly in the second half and wasted some good chances but it was more of the same really.
“Brixham were comfortable and dominated the individual battles and we can thank Jordan (Duffey) for saving us a few times on the break.
“I do think it was poor officiating again though in the lead up to their third goal. Jordan got pushed into the net which should have been a free kick given the referee had awarded free kicks twice to their goal keeper for the same thing, but another corner was awarded which saw them score and it’s huge moment because the third goal finishes the game.
“By that point it was a mess though on that front, the ref started ignoring his linesman and making his own decisions which then had the linesman doubting himself for the remainder of the half with his flag going up and down in the same decisions.
“So it seems that Brixham were the only ones who turned up on Saturday so full credit to them, well deserved.
“The rest of us – myself, the officials and the lads – had an off day that we have to bounce back from next week.”
Saltash: J Duffey, T Love-Holmes, E Wright, E Goodman, H Greening, T Badcott, K O’Melia, B Goulty (L Murray 66), J Curtis (J Ewing 59), A Goulty, T Huyton (J Toulson 39).
Subs: J Angel-Crave, J Jefford.
Goal: K O’Melia (25).
Yellow card: T Badcott.
Brixham: G Fisher, B Hopkins, H Field, K Parkin, J Parry (J Maslen 81), S Adderley, R Somerset, B Aldous (C Harford 60), A Wellington, C Johansen (M Harford 86), S Robinson.
Goals: J Parry (29), A Wellington (38), S Adderley (79).
Yellow card: M Harford (90+3).
Attendance: 122.
Month: January 2024
St Austell give title rivals Liskeard a bloody nose with six of the best
South West Peninsula League
Premier West
St Austell 6 Liskeard Athletic 2
When captain Neil Slateford was forced off the pitch after only 11 minutes with a bleeding nose, St Austell supporters among a bumper crowd of 429 must have feared the worst.
But the influential leader returned to the fray after treatment and with a clean shirt to get his own back and give Liskeard a bloody nose of their own at an ecstatic Poltair Park.
Liskeard started the afternoon as 21-match unbeaten leaders, a point ahead of the Lillywhites with a game in hand.
They finished battered, bemused and visibly stunned after what was so much more than a bad day at the office. They had let in only 17 goals in their previous 21 games.
But full credit to St Austell, who have taken over at the top. In football terms they did a real job on their title and promotion rivals and from one to 11 they were at the top of their game.
The match proved that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, because for the opening half hour Liskeard were by some distance the better side.
They swept ahead after 21 minutes when Max Gilbert’s defence-splitting pass played in Dan Jennings on the right and his fizzed ball across the six yard box forced St Austell right back Jake Shaw to fire into his own net.
It was no more than the visitors deserved after a very positive start. With Charlie Young given his debut following his midweek move from Wendron, Liskeard looked to have plenty of threat going forward.
But in the 31st minute they hit the self-destruct button. Goalkeeper Sam Borthwick, closed down by George Marris, attempted to play himself out of trouble inside his own six yard box but Marris intervened to roll the ball into an unguarded net.
And two minutes later the home side turned the game upside down by taking the lead with Rhys Hooper connecting with a Marris free kick to send a bullet header past Borthwick.
The goals lifted the confidence of St Austell and they saw out the rest of the first half as the better side.
Next goal was going to be crucial and a nervy and guarded opening 20 minutes of the second half underlined that.
Then the match exploded in spectacular fashion.
A midfield minefield where tackles were flying in ended with St Austell finding space out wide and when the ball was delivered into the box Jake Miller headed in to make it 3-1.
It was the signal for both teams to make changes. St Austell brought on Kieron Bishop and Noah Teagle while Liskeard introduced Jarrad Woods, who has been sorely missed through injury this season.
Woods was immediately involved in the move which ended with Ruben Kane hammering in a close range shot after Max Gilbert’s 20 yard piledriver had somehow been kept out.
So 3-2 at the mid-point of the half and suddenly Liskeard, on and off the field, grew noisier as they sensed a way back.
They were silenced within two minutes when Miller found space on the left and then curled a shot around Borthwick to restore St Austell’s two goal advantage.
And the points were secured in the 74th minute when Slateford’s excellent free kick from 25 yards beat Borthwick at his near post to make it 5-2 amid noisy celebrations among the Poltair crowd.
Liskeard were reduced to 10 men for the last 10 minutes when Macauley Thorp, having been booked earlier, lost his cool with a wild challenge on Slateford which certainly merited a second yellow card.
And the visitors’ nightmare was completed after 85 minutes when Borthwick, under pressure from Adam Carter, sliced an attempted clearance horrifically and the big striker was left to roll the ball into the net.
St Austell: H Ashton, J Shaw, M Duff, T Whipp, R Hooper, H Wilson (N Teagle 66), N Slateford (C Wharton 88), M Searle, G Marris (K Bishop 66), A Carter (T Guest 90+3), J Miller.
Sub not used: H Hann.
Goals: G Marris (31), R Hooper (33), J Miller (65 & 70), N Slateford (74), A Carter (85).
Yellow cards: H Wilson (25), N Slateford (35), A Carter (90+3).
Liskeard: S Borthwick, J McCabe, M Outtram, H Bell, M Thorp, R Kane, H Jeffery (T Savage 77), M Gilbert, C Young, D Jennings (J Woods 66), B Collins.
Subs not used: L Rundle, W Gilbert, C Harvey (gk).
Goals: J Shaw og (21), R Kane (68).
Yellow cards: M Thorp (45+1), J Woods (72).
Red card: M Thorp (80, 2nd yellow).
Referee: Paul Redding.
Attendance: 429.
Men of the Match. St Austell – Rhys Hooper; Liskeard – Max Gilbert.
MANAGER’S REACTION
Chris Knight – St Austell:
“I’m delighted for the players more than anything. Obviously there was a lot made of the game in the build-up and the fact is no matter how much we played it down, we had to win and I thought that affected the players in the first 20 minutes.
“Once we settled down I thought we were great; composed defensively, aggressive in midfield and our front players were a handful all day.
“It was a great day for the club really – a big crowd – and I thought the tribute to former players with their families in attendance really added to the atmosphere.
“I was glad we were able to win for them.”
RARE LEAGUE DEFEAT
This was Liskeard’s first league defeat in 27 games stretching back to last season when St Blazey beat them 2-0 at Lux Park on March 25.
BIG DEFEAT
It was Liskeard’s biggest league defeat for 21 months. They lost 7-0 at Wendron on April 30 2022.
PERFECT TEN
This was St Austell’s 10th successive league win since drawing 3-3 at Liskeard on September 30.
THE INDIAN SIGN
St Austell have taken 4 points out of 6 against Liskeard this season. They also knocked them out of the Walter C Parson Cup in December (2-1 at Lux Park).
WILL THEY MEET AGAIN THIS SEASON?
It’s possible! They are both through to the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-finals – the draw is on Thursday, February 1 at Liskeard (8pm).
REMAINING LEAGUE FIXTURES
ST AUSTELL – 9 games
February
3 Bude Town (a)
24 Bude Town (h)
March
1 St Dennis (a)
5 Sticker (h)
16 Holsworthy (h)
29 Newquay (h)
April
13 Holsworthy (a)
20 Dobwalls (a)
27 Truro City Reserves (a)
LISKEARD ATHLETIC – 10 games
February
3 Wadebridge Town (a)
10 Sticker (h)
17 Mullion (h)
March
2 Newquay (h)
9 St Dennis (a)
16 Wendron Utd (h)
30 Dobwalls (h)
April
13 Newquay (a)
19 Callington (a)
27 Holsworthy (a)
Picture: Kevin Marriott
Who’s going to win the big SWPL showdown?
Saturday January 27
South West Peninsula League
Premier West
St Austell v Liskeard Athletic
3pm kick-off
It’s crunch time this afternoon when two of the best teams nationally at Step 6 level clash at Poltair Park in the Peninsula League’s game of the season.
After two-thirds of the premier west campaign, one point separates leaders Liskeard and second-placed St Austell as they chase automatic promotion to the Western League which is only available to the champions.
Liskeard hold the advantage by a point and look they also have a game in hand – but St Austell have a psychological edge after two previous meetings this season at Liskeard’s Lux Park.
The Lillywhites drew 3-3 in the corresponding league fixture on September 30 – the only team to take a point off the Blues at home – and then knocked them out of the league cup with a 2-1 win at Lux Park on December 13.
However, Liskeard remain unbeaten in the league after 21 games. The only other match they have not won came at Bude a fortnight ago when they were held to a 2-2 draw after being 2-0 up.
As well as their draw at Liskeard, St Austell have lost two league games, both at Poltair and both in September after they won their first eight games of the season, scoring 35 goals along the way.
They were beaten 3-1 by Bodmin Town on September 6 and crashed to a freak 5-1 defeat against Wendron United a fortnight later.
But since the draw against Liskeard on September 30, the Lillywhites have won nine successive league games.
Both teams have built their success on scoring lots of goals. Liskeard feature highly in the Step 6 tables – their 95 goals in 21 games is the second best at this level, while their goal difference of +83 is also second nationally.
St Austell aren’t far behind. They’ve scored 79 goals in 22 games and have a goal difference of +54, among the top group at Step 6.
So who’s going to win todaybb? Or maybe another draw would satisfy both clubs?
Although it wouldn’t end their hopes, St Austell could do with the three points the most, given that they are a point behind and have played a game more.
A Liskeard victory would move them four points clear, with that game in hand, and with only nine matches left after today, and given how few points they drop, they would have to be regarded as favourites to go on to win the title and promotion.
Let’s take a closer look at the two managers and the teams’ key players ahead of this afternoon’s. showdown:
MANAGERS
Chris Knight (St Austell)
He was persuaded to return to the hot seat for his third stint last summer and started strengthening the squad immediately. Olly Brokenshire and Adam Carter were particularly eye-catching captures.
Knight, a popular figure at the club, started as a player at the age of 16 in the same team as James Powell, who is now his assistant manager.
He added former Newquay manager Craig Ainslie as a coach earlier in the campaign.
Darren Gilbert (Liskeard)
Been associated with the club since playing for them in the Western League era of the late 1980s but made his name in management at Bodmin Town, where he guided the club to multiple trophy wins during his 18 years as player-manager.
When he left Bodmin two years ago he was invited to help out with the coaching of young players at Lux Park and showed no real desire to manage at first team level.
But following the departure of the Martins, Hodge and Chrimes, last summer, Gilbert stepped up as permanent boss and the club’s fortunes on the field have continued to rise.
Gilbert, who built a reputation as a fiery character at Bodmin, appeared to be mellowing at Liskeard but the longer this season has gone on, and the more serious it has become, the more animated he has been.
He is assisted by Bobby Hopkinson, himself no shrinking violet. But a very experienced football man.
KEY PLAYERS
St Austell
Neil Slateford – captain and set piece specialist. Organises everything from midfield and can be heard to be continually encouraging his team-mates throughout matches. It helps that he is still a very good player.
Has played at a higher level with Saltash United and been a star player at Bodmin and St Blazey but Poltair is his football home, going back many years.
Olly Brokenshire – like Slateford, his heart lies with St Austell even though he’s been a favourite at other clubs including Bodmin under Darren Gilbert, and St Blazey.
A classy midfield player at his height with a sublime left foot, Brokenshire is operating as a sweeper/central defender this season.
Long ball football is not everyone’s cup of tea but Brokenshire’s long passing is so accurate that it has become a big asset for St Austell.
Matt Searle – probably under-rated by supporters but a big influence within the team from an advanced midfield role.
Excellent creator of a killer pass and contributes plenty of goals too, most of them spectacular.
Adam Carter – arguably the signing of last summer in the Peninsula League. A prolific scorer over the last decade in the Western League and SWPL, if you have him in your team you’re not going to be far away from honours.
Some may have thought he was past his best but he’s still got it. He’s scored 23 goals and he remains one of the best target men at this level, holding the ball up magnificently.
Liskeard
Max Gilbert – one of those players who could play at a higher level but has settled this season on helping the Blues in their quest to reach the next level.
He’s a strong personality in the middle of the park and a tough tackler – not unlike his manager as a player – who creates plenty of chances for the strikers.
Incredibly for a midfield player, he has contributed 22 goals this season, many from trademark free kicks.
Dan Jennings – give him the service and he will score goals. At the start of last season he often cut a frustrated figure when he made runs but wasn’t picked out but that changed as the campaign went on.
This season he has continued to thrive alongside a new partner in former Saltash striker Mike Smith.
Jennings has 25 goals but he’s being chased all the way by Smith, who has 23.
Harry Bell – the young central defender has established himself as a commanding presence in the Liskeard back line.
He may not hog the headlines but take him out of the team and Liskeard would not be the hard to beat outfit they are.
Ruben Kane – another Liskeard player who tends to go under the radar but he has improved significantly this season with excellent work rate in central midfield.
KEY MEN MISSING OUT
Liam Eddy is suspended which is a blow for St Austell because he scored in each of the previous two games against Liskeard this season.
Liskeard will be without Ben Collins, who has a hamstring injury. He has been Mr Consistent for several seasons and his contribution along the left flank will be missed for this big game.
NEW SIGNING COULD BE INVOLVED
Wendron United’s experienced and prolific striker Charlie Young joined Liskeard this week and could be given his debut.
PREVIOUS GAMES THIS SEASON
Wednesday December 13
South West Peninsula League
Walter C Parson Cup
Liskeard Athletic 1 St Austell 2
Liskeard: S Borthwick, J McCabe, M Outtram (H Mullis 65), H Bell, W Gilbert (M Thorp 79), R Kane, M Gilbert, F Bartlett, M Smith, D Jennings (H Jeffery 79), B Collins.
Subs not used: D Peel, B Hopkinson.
Goal: M Smith (31).
Yellow cards: M Smith (24), D Jennings (64), W Gilbert (69).
St Austell: H Ashton, J Shaw, M Duff, T Whipp, O Brokenshire, H Hann (G Marris 46), N Slateford, M Searle, L Eddy (K Bishop 90+4), A Carter, J Miller.
Subs not used: T Guest, F Nancarrow, K Marks.
Yellow cards: M Searle (34), J Shaw (71 & 90).
Sin bin: L Eddy (84).
Red card: J Shaw (90, second yellow).
Referee: M Kaymaz.
Attendance: 141.
Men of the Match: Liskeard – Ruben Kane; St Austell – Matt Searle.
Saturday September 30
SWPL Premier West
Liskeard 3 St Austell 3
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.
MATCH COVERAGE
I will be tweeting live from the match with team news and updates from 3pm.
My match report and stats will appear on this blog site this evening.
Preece strike and clean sheet ensure victory over leaders
Western League
Premier Division
Saltash United 1 Clevedon Town 0
Joe Preece’s 48th minute strike was enough to give struggling Saltash victory over morning leaders Clevedon at a cold and windy Waterways Stadium on Saturday.
Visiting full back Elliot Nicholson misjudged the bounce of a lofted ball from Hayden Greening which allowed Preece space on the right and he took the ball forward before drilling a low shot into the far corner of the net.
After a dour first half with no real chances, this goal lifted spirits for the Ashes, who went on to protect their lead brilliantly to record their first clean sheet of the season in the league at the 21st attempt.
Clevedon will be glad to see the back of Cornwall teams for the time being. They ended 2023 with only one defeat in 19 games but have since lost successive matches to St Blazey, Helston and now Saltash.
When home supporters became anxious in the late stages as the visitors attempted to find an equaliser, one Clevedon follower shouted: “Don’t worry yourselves – we won’t score if we play until midnight.”
While Clevedon must try to rediscover their 2023 form, things are looking up for a young Saltash side after a frustrating first half of the season.
Manager Macca Brown said: “I did actually have a feeling we would win the game leading up to it.
“Sometimes the next game begins at the final whistle and I think that was the case last week at Barnstaple. I could tell in the changing rooms after that game it was a moment of clarity for the lads.
“I actually felt we performed better last week in terms of quality and we lost 2-0, but the big difference was we didn’t beat ourselves on Saturday.
“We know at this time of year you have to be flawless in what you do and it’s a word we’ve used a few times, it doesn’t mean perfect but it means no mistakes and that is how the game was decided again on Saturday but this time in our favour.”
Brown went on: “It was a tight game with not a lot in it either way, it was bitty and scrappy and difficult to find quality on the surface for both sides.
“Then in the 48th minute Hayden switched the ball diagonally out to Preecey, the full back misjudged the flight of the ball and he was in 1 on 1 and he rarely misses in those moments to be fair to him.
“I think before last week Hayden plays square there, or even back to Duffs and invites pressure onto us on a poor pitch, but the forward pass puts them under pressure and we got the rewards.
“From that point on I thought we were excellent. We were organised and mature in our performance and it didn’t look like we were going to concede, but that’s been the case once or twice this season and then we have out of nowhere, so I was particualry pleased with the concentration and focus of the lads to keep doing the basics right.”
Brown added: “We are now seven points from the last 12, winning our home games and picking up the odd point away and that looks better for us, especially with a handful of home games coming up now.
“We have to make sure we see similar performance levels in those.”
Saltash: J Duffey, T Love-Holmes, E Wright, E Goodman, H Greening, T Hutton (B Goulty 88), K O’Melia (B Fowles 67), T Badcott, J Curtis (J Ewing 73), A Goulty (S Cox 90+2), J Preece (L Murray 90+4).
Goal: J Preece (48 minutes).
Clevedon Town: J Dunn, E Nicholson (S Kent 80), E Crossley (H Vozza 61), H Westlake, C Selway, C Kingdon, B Probert (J Wakefield 88), K Ireland (J Teall 61), S Beresford, A Camm, F King (O Punselie 65).
Attendance: 100.
Man of the Match: Joe Preece.
Team effort sees Lillywhites take another Western League scalp in Senior Cup
Cornwall Senior Cup
Quarter-final
St Austell 2 Helston Athletic 1
St Austell stayed on course for a memorable season by knocking out holders Helston on a bitterly cold evening at Poltair Park on Wednesday.
It was the second Western League premier division scalp taken by the Lillywhites, who had been just as impressive in ending Saltash United’s cup hopes last month.
There is now only one Western League team left in the prestigious competition and while Falmouth Town must be considered favourites to lift the trophy, it would be unwise to rule out Chris Knight’s high-riding South West Peninsula League side.
The Lillywhites have their star names – the likes of Neil Slateford, Olly Brokenshire and Adam Carter – but it has been team effort which has seen them past Saltash and Helston.
Manager Matt Cusack acknowledged that his team were not at their best but much of the credit for that has to go down to the way St Austell managed the tie.
They started on the front foot and Slateford’s ninth minute free kick took a wicked deflection before crashing against the bar.
Helston responded strongly and Aaron Bentley’s 29th minute goal, impressively converting a long cross from wide on the right, should have been the launchpad for the visitors.
But it took St Austell only three minutes to regain parity when the excellent Matt Searle produced one of his special finishes from 20 yards which gave Kyle Moore no chance.
For the remainder of the first half there was nothing to choose between the sides and St Austell went in at the break with heads held high.
Helston needed to step up their efforts but they fell behind to an Adam Carter goal just after the hour and never really recovered.
Indeed St Austell were close to making it 3-1 when they were awarded a free kick inside Helston’s penalty area after keeper Moore prevented a wayward backpass going into the net with his hands.
With all of the Helston players standing on the goal-line, Slateford fired his shot towards the net but it hit a Helston player and the ball was eventually cleared.
Helston poured forward in the late stages searching for an equaliser which would have sent the tie into extra time – but St Austell stood firm, defending their penalty area impressively.
The freezing fans – apart from the odd individual wearing shorts presumably to impress his mates – were grateful that they didn’t have to be outside for another half an hour.
St Austell join Falmouth, Liskeard Athletic and Newquay in the semi-finals. The draw will take place at Liskeard Athletic FC on Thursday February 1 at 8pm.
St Austell: H Ashton, J Shaw, M Duff, T Whipp, O Brokenshire, H Wilson (C Wharton 87), N Slateford, M Searle (N Teagle 77), G Marris, A Carter, J Miller.
Subs not used: T Guest, H Hann, M Watts.
Goals: M Searle (32), A Carter (62).
Helston: K Moore, T Elliott, C Martindale, J Bentley, C O’Brien, S Colwill, J Smith, J Simmonds, A Bentley, J Copp (T Payne 77), K Cornish (S Carter 77).
Subs not used: D Barker, R Shepherd.
Goal: A Bentley (29).
Referee: Simon Long.
Attendance: 135.
Man of the Match: Neil Slateford.
Ashes pay price for missed opportunities – again
Western League
Premier Division
Barnstaple 2 Saltash United 0
It was a case of what might have been – again – for a young Saltash side as they paid the price for missed opportunities in the first half at Mill Road on Saturday.
The Ashes were the dominant team but the opening 45 minutes finished goalless.
The second half saw a Barnstaple improvement and two goals from Tor Swann sealed the points for the home side.
Ashes boss Macca Brown said: “It was the story of our season wrapped into 90 minutes; missed clear cut chances, the standard mistake which hands ours opponents a goal and a poor decision from officials which has all gone against us.
“It’s left us incredibly frustrated at the result, mainly because it’s the same old story and it’s becoming difficult to accept.
“Our frailties in recent games have been highlighted in more ways than one as a squad in an attempt to eradicate them, video analysis, training, team talks, but clearly the message isn’t getting through, but saying that we haven’t been helped by really poor officiating again.”
Brown went on: “We were outstanding in the first half, and we created enough chances to win three games of football, but credit to Barnstaple, they held in there and stayed in the game.
“We had three cleared off the line and a couple of other brilliant chances that we squandered, and limited them to very little, so we were delighted with the maturity of the performance on a whole in the first half.
“It wasn’t pretty, but it was a performance that had the efficiency and effectivess that you expect in January with pitches how they are and we were a serious threat, in particular down our right hand side where Joe Preece ripped their left back apart, which saw him substituted at the break, but importantly we had nothing to show for it.
“At half time we reinforced the things that we had done brilliantly and that needed to continue to be done brilliantly and we started the second half well but it wasn’t at the same level as the first half and Barnstaple improved.
“Jake Curtis had an unbelievable chance one on one, but it is one that you see strikers miss, where they have too much time and a bobbly pitch made it difficult for him and the keeper smothered it, but that felt like a big chance because the first goal was always going to be key.
“And then there was the moment where the game was lost. Laurence has to do better with his clearance and that’s been the case several times this season with a poor clearance from one of our back four.
“Buckland, Downton, Falmouth, Street and now Barnstaple have all benefited from a poor clearance and the message clearly isn’t going in.
“When a defender has time and space to clear a ball unopposed it shouldn’t end up in our net 10 seconds later, it’s as simple as that, but the linesman has missed a blatant offside which is really disappointing.
“Bowks (Stuart Bowker) prods it to his strike partner, and he’s probably two yards offside at least and I know we have the benefit of Veo, but it’s one that can’t be missed in the moment, no excuses, but it was and that’s that.
“The second goal was the complete opposite of the efficiency and effectiveness that we displayed in the first half – overplayed at the back, and we’ve killed Jordan (Duffey) with a back pass and it’s a tap-in, game over, a long away day ruined by a lack of discipline in terms of following instructions and creeping into bad habits.
“We’ll reflect and in a couple of days we’ll recognise the many positive signs that come from the game, but we have to start replacing positive signs with positive results.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Ashes as they prepare for the visit of leaders Clevedon Town to the Waterways on Saturday.
Barnstaple: L Kingston, J Belsten, M Perkins (J Edwards 46), M Bye (H Dennis 65), G Russell (N Colley 65), A Heywood, C Prentice, T Swann, S Bowker (J Hearsey 80), H Dorothy (T Rogers 58), B Tucker.
Goals: T Swann 2 (55 & 71).
Saltash: J Duffey, T Badcott, E Wright, E Goodman (B Goulty 86), T Huyton (S Cox 81), L Murray, K O’Melia, T Love-Holmes, J Curtis (J Jefford 81), A Goulty, J Preece.
Referee: Nigel D’Arcy.
SWSN Men of the Match. Barnstaple – Tor Swann; Saltash – Joe Preece.
Bude fight back to earn point against leaders – the least they deserved
South West Peninsula League
Premier West
Bude Town 2 Liskeard Athletic 2
Table toppers Liskeard dropped their first away points of the season on Saturday – but will take a point after being pounded by Bude for much of the match at Broadclose Park.
It took an injury time penalty from Ryan Keates for the home side to salvage a point but it was the least they deserved.
Liskeard, who were without half a dozen first team players, had won their previous eight league games on their travels and looked on course for their ninth when leading 2-0 midway through the second half.
Dan Jennings gave them the perfect start with a superb volleyed goal in the third minute but it took him and them another hour to find what appeared to be a crucial second goal.
In between those goals, Bude created the better chances but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping by Sam Borthwick prevented them from equalising.
Jennings’ second goal, a scrambled effort deemed by a linesman to have crossed the line, came very much against the run of play.
Billy and Harry Hopcroft were denied on three occasions by brilliant Borthwick saves, while Liskeard right back Harvey Mullis pulled off a spectacular goal line clearance to stop player-manager Ben Potter equalising.
That came a minute before Jennings made it 2-0 which was harsh on the home side.
Jennings almost rubbed salt into Bude’s wounds five minutes later when substitute James Rowe sent a glorious cross towards him on the far post but he just failed to convert.
At 3-0 the game would have been over but Bude refused to lie down and reduced the arrears in the 74th minute when Borthwick made a hash of a clearance.
The ball fell to Keates, his chip over the keeper hit the bar but the ball fell for Billy Hopcroft to return the ball across goal into the net.
Bude were now in the ascendancy and Liskeard were having problems keeping the ball for any length of time, yet the visitors should have gone 3-1 ahead in the 89th minute when the unmarked Jennings lifted a close range shot over the bar.
As the game moved into nine minutes of added time, Bude continued to press and they were rewarded in the second minute when Baga Mariko was tripped by Josh McCabe and Keates made it 2-2 from the resulting penalty.
There was still time for more drama as Liskeard coach Bobby Hopkinson was ordered from the dugout for dissent.
There were some appalling scenes immediately after the final whistle with players and supporters involved in a melee – the sort of incident which could lead to disciplinary measures by the FA.
But it would be unfair on the players to allow that to cloud what was a superb game to watch on a cold January afternoon.
Bude: L Hill, J Williams, C Chandler, S Sanders, R Keates, B Potter, B Mariko, H Hopcroft, N Maund, B Hopcroft, K Darragh.
Subs: L McDonald, R Hodge, L Bridgwater, T Bello.
Goals: B Hopcroft (74), R Keates pen (90+2).
Yellow card: B Hopcroft (85).
Liskeard: S Borthwick, H Mullis, M Outtram, J McCabe, M Thorp, R Kane, W Gilbert, J Woods (J Rowe 46), M Smith (F Bartlett 41), D Jennings, T Elliott.
Subs not used: C Harvey (gk), W Larsen, B Hopkinson.
Goals: D Jennings 2 (3 & 63).
Yellow cards: J Rowe (72), W Gilbert (79).
Red card: B Hopkinson (90+3).
Referee: Krzysztof Wegrzynowski.
Men of the Match. Bude – Baga Mariko; Liskeard – Sam Borthwick.
Falmouth, Liskeard and Newquay into semi-finals
Falmouth Town, Liskeard Athletic and Newquay are through to the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-finals after the midweek last eight ties played in freezing conditions.
Those conditions put paid to one of the quarter-finals, with St Austell against Helston Athletic called off 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off at Poltair Park.
The game has been rearranged for next Wednesday, January 17, with a 7.30pm kick-off.
Here are match reports from the three quarter-finals which beat the freeze:
Newquay 5 Bodmin Town 3
Striker Alex Cole hit a hat-trick to help Newquay through to the Senior Cup semi-finals with victory over a youthful Bodmin at a bitingly cold Mount Wise on Wednesday night.
Early goals from Tom Shepherd (6 minutes) and Cole (13) put the Peppermints in control but Sam Eccleston soon reduced the arrears for Bodmin.
Newquay restored their two-goal advantage through Harry Tilston (26 minutes) but on the stroke of half-time Eccleston struck again for the visitors to keep them well in the tie.
But two goals in three minutes from Cole midway through the second half put Newquay out of sight at 5-2.
Joe Munday scored a third goal for Bodmin in the dying seconds.
Newquay: A Rowbothan, C Edlin, J Evans, R Beer (R Sharp 76), H Downing, J Davie, T Shepherd (C Briggs 77), C Turner, H Tilston (P Lowry 69), A Cole (E Travens 72), L Price.
Sub not used: S Flannigan.
Goals: A Cole 3 (13, 65, 67), T Shepherd (6), H Tilston (26).
Bodmin: J Dixon, D Peters, H Ellis (C Bickle 78), A Varcoe (O Prosek 72), J Robertson (A Da Silva 57), B Coton, J Hamson, L Taylor, J Munday, W Elliott, S Eccleston.
Goals: S Eccleston 2 (14 & 45+3), J Munday (90).
Referee: Andrew Barnett.
Attendance: 137.
Man of the Match: Alex Cole.
Falmouth Town 3 St Blazey 1
Falmouth marched through to the last four of the Senior Cup after an excellent first half performance which saw them establish a 3-0 lead at Bickland Park.
In this meeting between two Western League sides, Falmouth broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Joe Cooper, an early substitute for the injured Aaron Dilley, headed into his own net, though the home side credited Jared Sims with the goal.
The tie was evenly balanced until late in the first half when two goals in three minutes put the home side in firm control. Luke Barner’s 37th minute effort was quickly followed by a strike from man of the match Jacob Grange.
To their credit Blazey continued to work hard and skipper and top scorer Luke Cloke reduced the arrears midway through the second half.
Falmouth: M Coxhead, J Grange, B Leivers (M Everall 81), A Calleja-Stayne, J Ward, T Annear, L Barner (J Swan 68), J Sims, L Brabyn (A Wharton 66), C Hutchison (T Fisher 71), O Walker (J Webber 85).
Goals: J Sims (14), L Barner (37), J Grange (39).
St Blazey: S Semmens, W Tinsley, J Smale, J Pearce (I McCue 60), F Walter, S Clifton, S Piper (T Strike 77), G Newton, L Cloke, R Downing, A Dilley (J Cooper 8).
Goal: L Cloke (69).
Referee: Tim Burley.
Man of the Match: Jacob Grange.
Penzance 1 Liskeard Athletic 2
Liskeard progressed to the Senior Cup semi-finals after being pushed all the way by a spirited Penzance side on a bitterly cold night at Penlee Park.
Substitute James Rowe had been on the field for only three minutes when he appeared at the far post to convert a left wing cross from Ben Collins in the 83rd minute.
It proved to be the winner of an entertaining tie watched by a hardy crowd of 89.Penzance had stunned the visitors by taking a 13th minute lead. After Will Trenoweth had saved a Mike Smith header, the home side counter-attacked down the right.
Jacob Trudgeon fired over a delicious centre that Darryl Richards, arriving at pace, smashed home for his first goal of the season.
Liskeard levelled 10 minutes later when Mark Vercesi was penalised for handball during a goalmouth scramble. Smith emphatically rammed the spot kick to Trenoweth’s right.
But the home side were unfazed and perhaps somewhat unfortunate not have regained the lead by the interval.
Vercesi was denied twice in a matter of seconds, firstly by an excellent save from Sam Borthwick and, from the resultant corner, by a goal-line clearance from his powerful header. Trudgeon was also unlucky to see a powerful shot tipped by Borthwick on to the bar.
The Blues were themselves denied by the woodwork seconds after the restart, Josh McCabe slamming a low shot against Trenoweth’s left-hand post. The sides traded chances during an exciting, hard-fought half until Liskeard made the critical breakthrough seven minutes from time.
Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Archie Reynolds, James Butler, Ollie Butler (Kizzy Snowden 78), Mark Vercesi, Silas Sullivan, Jacob Trudgeon, Kam Collins, Rolandos Samnauskas, Darryl Richards, Charlie Willis.
Subs not used: Lewis Hitchens, Alfie Turner, Michael Fitchett, Freddie Neaum.
Liskeard: Sam Borthwick, Josh McCabe, Matt Outtram (Harvey Mullis 73), Harry Bell, Will Gilbert (Macauley Thorp 73), Ruben Kane, Finn Bartlett (James Rowe 80), Jarrad Woods, Mike Smith, Dan Jennings, Ben Collins.
Sub not used: Bobby Hopkinson.
Referee: Nigel D’Arcy.
Attendance: 89.
Thanks to all contributors, including Penzance FC, St Blazey, Falmouth, Newquay and Bodmin Town.
Macca’s delight as Saltash fight back to earn away point
Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Street 2 Saltash United 2
Saltash returned home with a hard-earned point after twice fighting back from a goal down to share the spoils.
The Ashes were disappointed to go in at half-time trailing 1-0 after a superb strike from Jake Horsey five minutes before the break.
But they deservedly equalised in the 59th minute through impressive young striker Jake Curtis and looked to kick on in the last half an hour.
They suffered a big setback in the 74th minute when Phil Ormrod restored Street’s lead but it took only three minutes to level through man of the match Tom Huyton.
Ashes boss Macca Brown said: “I was realkt pleased with the point. Don’t get me wrong it was another game that we could have won, we created some great chances, but then there have been many games this season we ‘could’ have won and actually lost so I’m more than happy to take a point.
“Our away record has been tragic this season, and we’ve been really unfortunate at times but nobody cares about that.
“I said a while back after Nailsea I think, that we needed to become a side who pick up a point on the road, and start from there, it doesn’t sound exciting or glamorous but it’s a start and that’s where we are this weekend so I’m pleased.”
He went on: “The changing room was a good place to be at half time from where I was standing.
“We did ok in the first half and a shot with a wicked deflection saw us go in behind so we were unlucky in that respect, but the lads weren’t happy with the performance and that is a good sign.
“They’re the ones on the front line in heat of battle so their input will always be the most important and that contributed to a fantastic reaction after half time when we went on to equalise.
“The character to come from behind twice was really pleasing, Foz (Jake Foster) had a brilliant chance to win it at the end and I thought if anyone was more likely to nick a winner it was us, but I’ve thought that a number of times this season and come away with absolutely nothing!
“The three lads in midfield were magnificent, games at this time of the season are usually won and lost in that battle and I really like our balance in there at the minute.
“Tom Huyton got the equaliser and it was deserved, because he was fantastic.
“Hopefully it has given the lads more reason to believe. It’s been a good week or so with four points from two really tough opponents, and we go to Barnstaple next week now and the aim is to do the same again.”
Street goals: Jake Horsey (40) and Phil Ormrod (75).
Saltash: J Duffey, T Badcott, E Wright (L Murray 84), E Goodman, H Greening, Angel- Craven, K O’Melia, T Huyton (S Cox 86), A Goulty, J Curtis (J Foster 79), J Toulson (J Preece 67).
Goals: J Curtis (59), T Huyton (78).
Attendance: 110.
Man of the Match: Tom Huyton.
Dobwalls need late Strike to deny Mullion after JJ hat-trick wiped out
South West Peninsula League
Premier West review
Mullion 3 Dobwalls 4
Tom Strike’s late goal gave Dobwalls all three points at Clifden Park after throwing away a three-goal first half lead given to them by Josh Johnson’s hat-trick.
Strike’s winner came as a relief to the visitors after they had been under the cosh for most of the second half and at one stage looked to be heading for defeat.
Johnson has been playing regularly with his Western League team Saltash United in recent weeks but did not to travel with the Ashes to Clevedon.
And Dobwalls were the beneficiaries as Johnson put them 3-0 ahead inside the opening 35 minutes.
Mullion, whose volunteers had worked hard to make sure the game could go ahead after days of rain, kept themselves in the match when Brodie Kemp reduced the arrears three minutes before the break.
And after Jack Noy pulled another goal back early in the second half, Mullion piled on the pressure and equalised through Luke Tripconey to set up a grandstand finish.
The game could have gone either way in an end to end battle but Strike had the last word with his 88th minute winner.
Sticker 1 Bodmin Town 0
Sticker lifted themselves above Bodmin in the bottom three with their third league win of the season courtesy of Ovo Ememerurai’s 49th minute strike.
There is a renewed sense of optimism at Burngullow Park and Saturday’s result certainly lifted the mood among the loyal supporters.
Bodmin are in the process of a major rebuild, with a policy of using local players, and it will take them time to start achieving the results they strive for.
There was no lack of effort from either side on a playing surface which was a credit to the volunteers who worked hard to make this one of two premier west fixtures to survive a week of rain.
Sticker: E Elwell, S Bray, I Varga, C Cooke, M Rowles-Jane, L Clapham, D O’Hara, J Nancarrow (J Ham 71), A Hamley (J Margetts 13), A Flack (R Edworthy 61), O Ememerurai.
Subs not used: T Chapman, H Phillips.
Goal: O Ememerurai (49).
Yellow card: C Cooke (40).
Bodmin: J Dixon, D Peters, O Miller (S Eccleston 61), C Holder, T McLachlan, K England (N Salop 22), J Hamson, L Taylor, J Munday (C Bidgood 57), N Crump (W Elliott 57), S Dover (O Prusek 85).
Referee: Adam Kennard.
Attendance: 148.
Man of the Match: Dan O’Hara.
Thanks to Andy Ould (Bodmin Town FC) for the match stats.
Oh Carroll – Reece’s wonder volley seals famous Blazey victory
Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Clevedon Town 0 St Blazey 1
St Blazey produced their best result since being elevated to the Western League last autumn by seeing off leaders Clevedon on Saturday.
And Reece Carroll’s 69th minute goal was worthy of winning any match at any level.
The wing back, who recently ended his long association with Wendron United to join Blazey, unleashed a superb left foot volley which gave home keeper James Dunn no chance.
It was his first goal for his new club – and however many goals he gets in future, he’s unlikely to score a better one.
Carroll blotted his copybook somewhat by being shown a straight red card 10 minutes later – the first of his career – bet the Green & Blacks held on for their first away league win of the campaign.
It helped their cause that Clevedon were also reduced to 10 men for the last nine minutes after substitute Cam Salmon saw red.
Clevedon went into Saturday’s game on the back of five successive wins after suffering their only league defeat of the season at home to Shepton Mallet on December 6.
The first half was evenly fought with half chances for both sides but defences were on top on a heavy playing surface.
While Blazey keeper Shaun Semmens was kept busy in the second half, the visitors looked assured at the back, laying the foundations to find a breakthrough at the other end.
And it arrived in spectacular fashion through Carroll with 21 minutes to go.
Clevedon: J Dunn, E Nicholson, S Kent (O Punselie 78), C Kingdon, G Hayer, C Seleay (B Probert 67), H Vozza, J Teall (C Salmon 67), S Beresford, A Camm, F King.
Subs not used: E Crossley, R King.
Red card: C Salmon (81).
St Blazey: S Semmens, W Tinsley, R Carroll, J Pearce, F Walter, S Clifton, S Piper, J Smale, L Cloke, G Newton, A Dilley.
Subs: J Gilbert, J Cleverly, I McCue, J Stidson, R Downing.
Goal: R Carroll (69).
Red card: R Carroll (77).
Referee: Simon Micthem.
Attendance: 171.
KJM SPORTS 