SWPL WEST Liskeard Athletic 2 Callington Town 0
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 03 September 2023 12:56
- Last Updated on Sunday, 03 September 2023 12:56
- Published on Sunday, 03 September 2023 12:56
- Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Lux Park
The fact that it took a 90th minute deflected effort from Mike Smith to seal the points underlined how close this contest was.
And only some poor finishing prevented the visitors from grabbing at least a point.
Dan Jennings broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half with a tap-in after Smith’s shot had only been parried by Callington keeper Jamie Montgomery.
Jennings’ knack of being in the right place at the right time ensures he will always get goals and this was a particularly important one given the closeness of the match.
Liskeard had started strongly, with Ben Collins drilling a right foot shot across the penalty area but just wide in the 10th minute, and five minutes later Jennings headed straight at Montgomery, who tipped the ball over the bar.
The best chance of the opening 20 minutes came when Collins’ cross from the left picked out the unmarked Ruben Kane but he headed over from 10 yards.
Callington came into the game as it moved towards half-time and their best chance came a minute into time added on when good work along the right by Andre Rodukov ended with a cross to the unmarked Kieran Prescott, who dragged his shot wide from 10 yards.
There was a nasty clash of heads just before the interval between Callington skipper Ben Langton and Liskeard striker Finn Bartlett, with neither able to continue in the second half.
Langton went off to hospital to have a head cut glued before returning to watch the remainder of the game; Bartlett wasn’t as badly affected but was left sore.
Callington should have taken the lead three minutes into the restart with Kevin McCallion finding space along the left and cutting inside to Jordan Williams, who lifted his shot over the bar from close range.
The first goal was going to be crucial in such a tight contest and it came eight minutes later with a sweeping passing move involving substitute Sam Carter and Max Gilbert, which led to Smith firing a low shot towards the net. Montgomery managed to keep it out but the ball rolled along the line and Jennings was there to score.
On the hour Carter created a great chance to extend the Blues’ lead, lifting his shot over Montgomery only to see a defender race back to clear off the line.
Smith headed against the bar after 72 minutes and a Max Gilbert long range effort flew a yard wide as Liskeard looked for a crucial second goal.
But Callington remained in the game and they were desperately close to equalising in the 85th minute when a cross from the left flew invitingly across the six yard box but substitute Finley Skews was just unable to stretch far enough to get a final touch.
The visitors then lost Jamie Rowlands to the sin bin and as it came in the 87th minute it meant Callington would have to see out the game with 10 men.
Liskeard made that advantage count as the clock ticked to 90 minutes with Smith firing a fierce shot from 18 yards which took a big deflection off a defender, wrong-footing Montgomery, and the ball rolled into the net.
Liskeard C Harvey, W Westlake (H Mullis 65), M Outtram, H Bell, W Gilbert (H Jeffery 60), R Kane, M Gilbert, F Bartlett (S Carter 46), M Smith, D Jennings, B Collins.
Subs not used: J Gilbert, B Hopkinson.
Goals: D Jennings 56 M Smith 90.
Callington J Montgomery, H Southcott, A Patterson, F Ferris, J Rowlands, J Williams, A Rodukov (F Skews 75), B Langton (J Wokenshaw 46), K McCallion, K Prescott, J Kerr.
Sin bin: J Rowlands 87.
SWSN Star Man Max Gilbert
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