SWPL WEST Saltash United 5 Liskeard Athletic 1
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 26 December 2020 17:51
- Last Updated on Monday, 28 December 2020 17:38
- Published on Saturday, 26 December 2020 17:51
- Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Kimberley
The Ashes finish the year second in the table, only because of an inferior goal difference compared to leaders Mousehole, which is surprising given this was the third successive game Dane Bunney’s side have hit five.
In truth Saltash could, maybe should, have doubled their tally against a Liskeard side who were battered into submission before half-time.
To their credit, the Blues managed to pull themselves together to produce a much better second half performance and only a series of fine saves from Ryan Rickard prevented Thomas Cleveland from scoring more than the one goal he got.
All things considered, this was a day when Saltash showed the capacity all-ticket crowd of 300 why they are strong title contenders.
Bunney said: “I thought it was a game which we dominated and in the first half in particular we outplayed our opponents.
“I can’t speak highly enough about how we are playing right now. I thought it was a game in which both sides got exactly what they deserved.”
Captain fantastic Dave Barker, best described as a wing back rather than a right back for the amount of time he spends in the opposition half, broke the deadlock in the 17th minute to score his ninth goal of the season.
Liskeard responded immediately with a free kick from Jarrad Woods which struck the outside of a post.
Woods had another dead ball opportunity in the 28th minute but this time he curled his shot inches over the bar.
Two minutes later the Ashes doubled their lead with Shaun Cleary arriving at the far post to finish off a cross from the right by Barker and the pressure on Liskeard’s defence intensified as the half wore on.
It was no surprise when Saltash went 3-0 ahead and Neil Slateford’s strike - a curling shot from the right edge of the penalty area, in off the far post - was of the highest quality.
Cleveland had a great chance to reduce the arrears a minute later but came off second best in a one-on-one with Ashes number one Rickard.
Ashes supporters in the stand gave their players a standing ovation as they headed to the dressing room for half-time, and there was more to come.
Although Liskeard enjoyed more possession and continued to try to play their passing game on a very heavy pitch, Saltash always looked to have the cutting edge.
It was 4-0 in the 66th minute when the excellent Sam Farrant worked his way into the penalty area and provided a teasing cross to the far post where Mikey Smith stooped to head the ball over the line.
Liskeard finally scored the goal their second half play deserved seven minutes from time with Cleveland forcing the ball in after a mad scramble in the penalty area which twice saw the Blues denied by the woodwork.
The final word was provided by Saltash in stoppage time when substitute Ben Holter converted Sam Hughes’ cross.
Saltash R Rickard, D Barker (C Menhenick 74), C Martindale, S Leary, S Cleary, N Slateford, H Wilson (B Holter 54), S Farrant, S Hughes, M Smith, D Lewis (C O’Brien 67). Subs not used: C Elkington, R Smith.
Goals Barker 17 Cleary 30 Slateford 42 Smith 66 B Holter 90+3
Liskeard L Gwillam, H Bell, M Outtram, J Podmore, J Discombe, M Thorp (G Garside 67), L Johnson (C Brown 67), R Cleveland (T Savigar 46), T Cleveland, J Woods, B Collins. Subs not used: C Copp, I Thomas.
Goal T Cleveland 83
Referee Hilary Achegenui
Attendance 300 capacity
SWSN Star Neil Slateford – midfield maestro
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