SWPL WEST Liskeard Athletic 6 Helston Athletic 1

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Created on Saturday, 26 September 2020 19:54

Last Updated on Sunday, 27 September 2020 10:05

Published on Saturday, 26 September 2020 19:55

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Lux Park

Thomas Cleveland scored a hat-trick as Liskeard produced a stunning performance to inflict on Helston their first league defeat in 13 months.

Liskeard were the last team to beat Helston, 2-1 at Kellaway Park on August 17 2019. Helston had gone 27 league games unbeaten with 26 straight wins until Wednesday's 3-3 home draw with Newquay. 

Steve Massey’s men looked shell-shocked as they went in at the break 4-0 down and although they battled to the end, they conceded two more goals.

The home side were quick out of the blocks and two goals to the good in 10 minutes. In the third minute, Cleveland tapped in an excellent cross from Jarrad Woods; then James Lorenz fired in a penalty after Cleveland had been tripped.

Cleveland should have made it 3-0 two minutes later when put clear but be shot straight at keeper Jason Roberts, who deflected the ball over the bar.

The striker bagged his second goal in the 22nd minute with a low shot from 15 yards as Helston appealed in vain for a foul in the build-up.

It took Helston until the 25th minute to create their first chance with Ryan Beattie poking the ball past keeper Luke Gwillam only to see Woods clear off the line.

Gwillam then produced an excellent save, diving to his right to turn a Billy Tucker piledriver around the post, and soon afterwards Gwillam was again called upon to deny the lively Tucker.

Helston continued to try to find a way back before the break and came close in the 43rd minute with Dan Harrison volleying inches over from Will Tinsley’s cross.

But a minute later it was 4-0 as Liskeard put together their best move of the match. Lorenz found Woods on the halfway line, he sent an inch perfect pass between two Helston defenders and Tom Savigar ran on to it before beating Roberts with a low drive.

Helston needed a good start to the second half but within two minutes Liskeard were 5-0 up as Cleveland completed his hat-trick from close range following a fine run and pass from Savigar.

Phil Cattran was unlucky not to pull a goal back with a 48th minute effort which hit the inside of a post before being cleared.

Liskeard continued to be a threat and after Cleveland curled a good chance just wide, Savigar made it 6-0.

He did well to get to the byline, slipped as he attempted to pull the ball back, but it rolled into the net as keeper Roberts was completely wrong-footed.

If that wasn’t enough to confirm it wasn’t Helston’s day, Roberts twisted his ankle as the ball went in, and had to limp off. Full back Tinsley took over between the sticks.

Tinsley made an excellent save to deny Lorenz in the 73rd minute and at the other end Gwillam made another fine save, this time denying Mark Goldsworthy.

Helston were, literally, handed a consolation seven minutes from time with a penalty from substitute Matt Buchan after Jack Podmore had been harshly judged to have handled.

Nothing could spoil a great day for Liskeard, who proved that on their day they are a match for anybody in the league.

SWSN Star Thomas Cleveland (pictured KJM Sports)

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