FA CUP extra preliminary round Millbrook 2 Saltash 2
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 07 August 2021 19:20
- Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2021 19:26
- Published on Saturday, 07 August 2021 19:20
- Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT Cornwall football's touchline ace
The two Western League premier division sides must try again at Kimberley Stadium on Wednesday for the right to face Willand Rovers away in the next round on August 21.
After Ben Holter had squandered a third minute opportunity for the home side, Saltash swept ahead five minutes later when a mix-up in the Millbrook defence let in Sam Farrant and he lifted his shot into the far corner of the net.
Within a minute the Ashes could have been 2-0 ahead as Sam Hughes raced clear with only goalkeeper Sam Borthwick to beat but he ran the ball just too far in front of himself and the keeper was able to take it off his toes.
Hughes, starting his first game after injury, was then presented with another chance in the 11th minute but he fired his 20 yard shot inches wide.
Millbrook suffered a blow in the 14th minute when key central defender Dave Youldon went down clutching the top of his thigh and although he tried to carry on after treatment, he had to be replaced three minutes later.
Second team defender Steve Todd came off the bench and for the remainder of the half Millbrook held out, although the blustery conditions made it difficult for passing football.
Manager Mackenzie Brown must have worked his magic in the dressing room at half-time because Millbrook emerged for the second half in more positive mood.
Holter sent a header onto the top of the net in the opening minute but the home side equalised six minutes later when a free kick from the edge of the penalty area wide on the left was forced over the line by Jack Wood.
Millbrook playmaker Tom Payne was heard to shout ‘I smell blood’ as the pressure increased on Saltash and he had a chance in the 62nd minute but he sent his 18 yard shot over the bar.
Very much against the run of play at this stage, the Ashes were back in front four minutes later when Todd tripped substitute Scott Crocker, and Callum Martindale scored from the resulting penalty.
And the game was almost put to bed in the 71st minute when the superb Farrant beat two players wide on the right and produced a low cross which Reece Thomson headed inches wide.
What could have been 3-1 turned into 2-2 a minute later as Millbrook broke to the other end and Rikki Shepherd outpaced Chris Menhenick before curling a superb right foot shot around Ryan Rickard into the net.
Within a minute Millbrook had a chance to go ahead for the first time as the excellent Cameron Mahoney played in Wood but he was denied by the legs of the ontrushing Rickard.
It was end to end fare as the sides tried to remove the need for a replay and Farrant came closest to providing a winner for the Ashes seven minutes from time with a mazy run, this time from the left, but his low shot was brilliantly kept out by Borthwick.
Millbrook: S Borthwick, D Chapman, J Toulson, J Wood, D Youldon (S Todd 17), R Knight (J Lewis 84), C Mahoney (O Small 81), T Payne, B Holter, R Shepherd, S Morcom.
Goals: J Wood (52), R Shepherd (72).
Saltash Utd: R Rickard, C Elkington, C Martindale, C Menhenick (T Love-Holmes 74), R Smith, H Wilson, R Thomson, S Farrant (E Milne 89), S Hughes (S Crocker 60), J Woods, D Lewis.
Goals: S Farrant (8), C Martindale (66 pen).
Yellow card: J Woods (59).
Referee: Neil Hunnisett.
Attendance: 113.
SWSN Stars Millbrook – C Mahoney; Saltash – S Farrant
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