KJM SPORT REPORT Helston Athletic 2 Millbrook AFC 1

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Created on Thursday, 03 February 2022 10:23

Last Updated on Thursday, 03 February 2022 13:51

Published on Thursday, 03 February 2022 10:23

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Kellaway Park

Orlando Anker’s first goal since signing from Newquay sealed victory for Helston in a hugely entertaining Les Phillips Cup tie against a weakened Millbrook side at Kellaway Park last night.

Anker came off the bench just after the hour with the game nicely poised at 1-1 and produced the touch of magic necessary to separate two top sides with 11 minutes left.

He was afforded too much space on the left side of the Millbrook penalty area and cashed in with a fierce left foot shot which flew past Chris Wearing into the far corner.

It was a goal worthy of winning a cup tie, bringing Helston’s run of five straight defeats in 2022 to an end and inflicting Millbrook’s first Western League loss since late October.

But the visitors, almost down to the bare bones for a long midweek trip, took plenty away from the match and enhanced their reputation as a fine footballing side.

Without 26-goal top scorer Rikki Shepherd (groin strain), midfield star Laurence Murray and key defender Jason Richards, and with three youngsters providing their substitutes, Millbrook had Helston hanging on at the end and the final whistle was warmly welcomed by home supporters.

Macca Brown’s side hadn’t made the best of starts, conceding a 14th minute opener to a straightforward set piece, with Jordan Bentley heading in Tyler Elliott’s corner from the left.

It was a good finish from Bentley – his first since joining from Bodmin Town - but poor defending.

Helston, with new signing Matt Wright from Tiverton playing alongside the handful that is Stuart Bowker up front, dominated the opening 25 minutes but the service to the two strikers from the wings lacked quality.

On one break from a Millbrook corner in the 23rd minute, Bowker set Craig Veal clear along the left and then sprinted to join the unmarked Wright in the penalty area waiting for a cross.

But it never came – Veal instead attempted to curl a shot into the far corner and as his effort sailed over the bar, Wright was heard to shout in frustration: “I’ve just run 90 yards to get on the end of that.”

It was something of a turning point because from then Millbrook got on top. Some of their football, inspired by the roving skipper Tom Payne, was of a much higher quality than you normally see at Western League level.

They created plenty but there was no killer touch until the last seconds of the half when a sweet move along the right ended with Sean Thomson’s shot being parried by Helston’s debutant keeper Mike Searle but only into the path of Jake Foster, who helped the ball over the line.

On the balance of play Millbrook deserved their goal but they almost threw all the hard work away in the first minute of the second half as Helston skipper Josh Storey, unmarked six yards out, sent his header straight at Wearing with the goal gaping.

Storey knew what a great opportunity that was as Millbrook got themselves back on the front foot and came very close to taking the lead before the hour.

First, in the 55th minute, Foster was played through along the left and he cut in to fire a swerving shot which Searle was forced to punch away with his left hand.

Three minutes later Sam Morcom, who was starting to cause Helston all sorts of problems out on the left, produced a superb low cross to the near post where Jack Wood arrived to smash a low shot towards the net only to see Searle pull off a magnificent reflex save on his line.

Millbrook then had strong appeals for a penalty turned down after Josh Toulson’s goal-bound shot appeared to be handled and the referee appeared to level things up a couple of minutes later when Helston had strong claims for a spot kick and that was waved away too.

Soon after that, Anker fired Helston ahead and the last 11 minutes was all about whether Millbrook could force an equaliser which would have brought a penalty shootout to decide the tie.

They dominated possession as Helston organised themselves well at the back but their best opportunity, in the 86th minute, was not taken. Morcom, having switched to the right, produced another delightful cross deep into the penalty area but there was nobody there to provide a finishing touch.

As Millbrook piled forward, they left gaps at the back and Wright should have marked his debut with a goal as the tie went into time added on. Unmarked from 15 yards out, he curled his shot around Wearing but held his head in his hands as the ball hit the post and bounced clear.

A fine night of local football which was a credit to both teams.

Helston: M Searle, R Shanley, J Bentley, R Beattie ,H Jewell, J Storey, S Colwell (S Carter 62), T Elliott, M Wright, S Bowker (O Anker 62), C Veal (J Penhallurick).

Subs not used: L Summers, S Buckley.

Goals: J Bentley (14), O Anker (81).

Yellow cards: O Anker (65), J Storey (81).

Millbrook: C Wearing, J Styring (J Boyle 88), R Tetley, J Wood, D Youldon, T Payne, J Foster (C Mahoney 74), J Toulson, S Thomson, R Knight (O Small 85), S Morcom.

Goal: J Foster (45+1).

Referee: A Madden.

Attendance: 167.

SWSN Stars Helston - Tyler Elliott; Millbrook - Sam Morcom.

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