Sunday 12th April 2009

Perranporth - 3 - 0 - Perranwell - Jollys Cornwall Combination League Cup Final

Three first half goals swept Perranporth to a comfortable victory in their first ever Jolly's Combination League Cup final in front of a crowd of nearly 500 at sunny St. Day's Vogue Playing Field on Sunday. The new cup holders always had the edge over a plucky Perranwell outfit, who were unable to lift this particular piece of silverware for the fifth time in their history. The game was effectively all over by half time following Alex Arquati's opener on the half hour and a brace from man of the match Dean Harris, who struck twice in five minutes just before the break. The game started cagily as these two great rivals, who are vying for the league title, having recorded a win apiece in their two encounters this season, tested each other out. But it was Perranporth who posed the greater threat, with Rob Stapleton twice heading over the bar from set pieces before Harris had Perranwell keeper Shane Easterbrook scrambling across his goal as his left foot shot flew inches wide of the upright. Perranporth's midfield maestro Ian Gosling was at the heart of most of his side's attacks and when his corner was headed clear on 18 minutes, the ball fell to Matt Moore who shot high over the bar. Moore and Harris then combined for Arquati to bring a save from Easterbrook. It was all building up towards a goal and this duly came a minute later, with Gosling supplying the cross for Arquati to fire home from close range on 29 minutes. An acrobatic effort by Harris was just wide a couple of minutes later before Stapleton latched on to a Gosling free kick and brought a good save with his feet from Easterbrook. But the keeper was arguably at fault for Perranporth's second on 43 minutes when he failed to collect another Gosling cross under pressure from Mike Cain, the ball falling to Harris who was left with a simple tap-in to double his side's lead. And the game was all over bar the shouting two minutes into injury time at the end of the half when Harris bagged his second with a left foot shot into the corner of the net after the Perranwell defence failed to deal decisively with another attack. Justin Andrew shot into the Dean Harris shot into the Perranwell side netting early in the second half. But Perranwell kept plugging away and Scott Kinge fired over Perranporth keeper Andy Butcher's goal from 25 yards. But, in truth, the second half was rather low key after an entertaining opening period. Although Perranwell began to win more territorial posession they rarely tested Butcher and it was Harris who went close again on the hour, chipping just over the bar from Gosling's diagonal pass. Perranwell's best effort fell to Nigel Brabyn whose rasping 25 yard drive finally had Butcher worried as it flew inches wide of the upright. But it was still Perranporth who were creating the better chances, Harris unselfishly squaring the ball to substitute Bryan Hawke, who dragged his left foot shot wide with only the keeper to beat. But it was the impressive Harris who will rue his miss in the last minute of normal time when his 12 yard shot that would have brought him a hat-trick canoned off the post to safety. It was the only blot on a thoroughly professional performance by both himself and his team-mates as they deservedly claimed the League Cup for the first time.

Source: West Briton


Saturday 18th April 2009

Callington Town III - 1 - 3 - Perranporth Reserves - Bodmin Trophies Duchy League Division 5

Perranporth deservedly won a crucial top of the table clash 3-1 at promotion rivals Callington Town. The visitors made a very strong start to the game pushing back the home team, and took the lead when from a fine left wing cross, Eddie Thomson finished well. Further pressure from the away side should have brought more goals, but two fine saves from Alan Shaw, and two goal line clearances from defender Sam Webber kept Callington in the game. Callington could, and should have should have punished their visitor's wasteful finishing, when they had several great opportunities in the final five minutes of the first half. First Lucas Skop was brought down in the penalty area, but Gary Smith's spot kick was well saved by Ben Mitchell, who also kept out two follow up shots. Krzysztof Bartycha then had a great chance to score from Skop's flick on, but fired over from close in, and then Gary Smith hit the post with a header from a corner. After 5 minutes of the second half Eddie Thomson knocked in his second with a sharp finish from 6 yards, and the visitors moved further ahead when Jamie Cox expertly volleyed home another chance. With 15 minutes left Lucas Skop pulled one back for the home side, who were briefly given further hope when substitute Ross Clark slotted home, but the home celebrations were short lived when the referee correctly ruled that there was a handball offence.

Source: http://www.duchyleague.co.uk/latest_news.htm