BATTLE OF THE SAINTS FOR QFs
Cornwall FA Bond Timber Junior Cup
Round 4 - Last 16
St Stephens 2 St Day Res 1
St Stephens Scorers: Joe Stone & Craig Coad
Saints Scorer: Dan Cooper
Referee: Paul Roberts (Mount Hawke)
Attendance: 25
After a long spell of no football for both teams it was good to get out on a Saturday afternoon. St Stephens pitch was in excellent condition and had undergone some serious hard work which allowed the game to go ahead well done to the Groundsman.
The Saints led a good warm up outside whilst the home team decided it was better spent in the warmth of the changing room, maybe they knew something we didn’t. The game started under a big cloud and it was only a matter of time before the heavens opened, I believe we actually experience all four seasons in one match. A special mention to Reserves captain Chris Scorer who before the match showed huge respect to hand over his arm band to club captain Matt Witts who came along to help the team out, a massive thumbs up.
Both sides had plenty of chances with both keepers making excellent saves, Michael Palmer coming off his line for the saints on many occasions to clean up. Players battled it out, finding it harder and harder to stay on their feet but Gareth Ireson, Gavin Boon, Matt Wysocki and Louis Hall were a constant threat towards the defence and the engine and hard work also from Rikki Smith and Dan Cooper kept giving us options and optimism up until the final whistle. We defended as a back three who worked hard and dealt with, for most of the match, St Stephens strike force who constantly asked questions, well done to Ryan, Matt and Dan. All through the game our bench helped us change and give options well done to those boys for coming along today (Conner, Tim Duffy and new lad Sam oh yeah and Joff Mallaber (not used))
Although the Saints spent the last few minutes camped in St Stephens half it just wasn't to be our day as the ball would not reach the back of the net. A huge well done to all players to get this far after a few season going out in the earlier rounds. Still plenty more QF for us as a club.
Good luck to St Stephens who now play Holywell & Cubert at Home next Saturday and our reserves get back into league action away to Halsetown in the Trelawny Premier division
Thanks to St Stephen Secretary, John for capturing many videos of the match all available on YouTube. Here is the Dan Cooper goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2rcKJFGtOQ