KJM SPORT REPORT Helston Athletic 3 Liskeard Athletic 2
- Details
- Last Updated on Monday, 08 November 2021 16:14
- Published on Sunday, 07 November 2021 14:42
- Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Kellaway Park
RYAN Turner’s 87th minute winner sent Helston through to the Cornwall Senior Cup quarter-finals after a feisty clash of the Blues.
Substitute Craig Veal’s pace took him past a couple of Liskeard defenders on the right and when he fired low across the six yard box, Turner was there for the tap-in.
Helston deserved their passage into the last eight, having completely dominated the opening hour. They were 2-0 up and cruising thanks to goals from Josh Storey and Matty Bye.
But Liskeard - missing five regulars including injured top scorer James Lorenz - somehow hauled themselves back into the tie with two second half goals in five minutes from super sub Lee Robinson.
Suddenly, with 13 minutes left, Liskeard were in the ascendancy and looking the more likely to get the next goal until Jack Podmore was sin binned five minutes from time.
That handed back the initiative to Helston.
After a fracas between the dugouts, the referee played 10 minutes of time added on.
Six minutes into stoppage time Max Gilbert curled a superb free kick against the post with Helston keeper Leo Summers rooted to his line.
That’s how close the South East Cornwall Blues came to forcing extra time.
Yet they had arrived at Kellaway Park fearing the worst, having just about managed to scrape together a starting XI.
Lorenz’s absence, only confirmed on Friday night after he had a check on his hamstring, came on top of suspensions for Macauley Thorp and James Rowe, the unavailability of Harry Bell and a Covid scare for Rob Cleveland.
And they looked to have made a nightmare start when Helston were awarded a second minute penalty after Liskeard keeper Luke Gwillam was adjudged to have tripped Stuart Bowker.
Fortunately for the visitors, a linesman was flagging for offside so no spot kick.
Helston were well on top in the opening half hour and it was no surprise when Storey swept them ahead with a powerful header from a corner in the 33rd minute.
Bowker was a constant menace but Liskeard skipper and centre half Dylan Peel dealt with him well and ignored all attempts by the Helston striker to wind him up.
The home side doubled their lead three minutes into the second half with a low shot from Bye which hit both posts before going over the line.
Liskeard had a great chance to reduce the arrears in the 54th minute when right back Harvey Mullis, who had an outstanding game, somehow found himself in a one-on-one with keeper Summers, but screwed his shot just wide.
A minute later Bowker was played through a square Liskeard defence and looked certain to score as he curled his shot wide of Gwillam – but the ball rolled inches wide.
Helston were comfortably on top and hardly blinked an eyelid when Liskeard sent on Robinson with 20 to go.
Robinson, dual registered with Millbrook, has hardly played for the last six months because of injury. But with his first touch he blasted the ball into the net.
Five minutes later Ben Collins, who had been kept quiet out on the left, suddenly found some space to work in and when he delivered a cross to the far post, Robinson was there to poke in the equaliser.
Just for a few precious minutes, Liskeard were in charge but Podmore’s sin bin and Turner’s tap-in ended any hopes of what would have been a remarkable comeback win.
Helston L Summers, R Shanley, T Hands, R Beattie, J Storey, T Elliott, R Turner, M Bye, H Jewell, S Bowker (C Veal 65), B Tucker.
Subs: S Carter, O Anker, L Tripconey, S Buckley.
Goals: J Storey 33 M Bye 48 R Turner 87
Yellow card: R Beattie 44
Liskeard L Gwillam, H Mullis, M Outtram (A Varcoe 60), J Podmore, D Peel, W Tucker, M Gilbert, L Chrimes (L Robinson 70), N Aplin, J Woods, B Collins.
Sub not used: J Gaynor.
Goals: L Robinson 72 & 77
Yellow cards: L Chrimes 12 N Aplin 49
Sin bin: J Podmore 85
Referee James Long
Attendance 203
SWSN Stars Helston – Josh Storey. Liskeard – Dylan Peel.
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