Port complete double

10:52am Wednesday 14th May 2008

PORTHLEVEN 2

J Robertson 2 (1 pen)

HELSTON 1

D Pullen

Porthleven earned themselves a deserved local derby victory over Helston to complete a Jolly's Combination League double.

The game started at a frantic pace with tackles flying in from both sides and it came as no surprise when the first name went into the referee's notebook as early as the eighth minute, Helston's Craig Taylor being booked.

Five minutes later team-mate Liam Eddy joined him for a late challenge on Port keeper Mark Thomas who needed treatment after banging his head on the ground.

Despite playing two against three in midfield, it was Port's two of skipper Dean Bray and Jason Robertson who dominated the early stages, releasing wide men Reg Pearson and Matt Fox and their pace causing the visitors' defence problems all afternoon. However, the final pass all-too often went astray and clearcut chances were limited.

Despite having the territorial advantage, it was Helston not Port who took the lead from probably their first real attack when forcing a corner, Steven Hawke's cross glanced in by Dominic Pullen.

The home side then changed their system, Danny Williams dropping in to a deeper role to make three against three in midfield and playing three forwards, Pearson and Fox joining Tom Wadsworth up front.

Despite going behind, the change of system caused all sorts of problems for Helston's back three and it seemed only a matter of time before the home side got what they deserved, a goal coming on the half hour mark. Ashley Stidwell's deep cross found Williams and he headed down for Jason Robertson to fire a terrific half volley through a crowded penalty area and into the back of the net.

Two minutes later Port had completely turned the game around. Pearson's brilliant crossfield pass was collected by Fox and he burst past Alex Sharkey only for a defender to scythe him down in the box and Robertson sending Barry Hennesy the wrong way from the spot.

The visitors were struggling to make any inroads into the Port danger area "goal machine" Pullen never looked like adding to his terrific season's tally as Port's Stu Yates was far too physical for him and forcing the big striker to drift out to the touchlines to gain any possesion.

The half ended with Port's Stidwell adding to the ccfa coffers when he was booked for dissent.

The second half started the same way as the first with the home side having plenty of ball but without creating a chance to put the game out of sight. However, Helston subtitute, Kayne Trevaskis started to get hold of the ball and give his midfielders someone to aim at and his quality footwork at last had the Port defence on the back foot.

Port replaced Bray with Jordan Adlard and his energy was needed to try and stem the blue tide that was beginning to flow towards the home goal.

Stuart Robinson came on for Stidwell, who did well to last as long as he did after starting the game with a ankle injury and Helston made two more changes, Chris Breasley replaced Taylor and Bryan Hawke replaced his brother and it was a combination of these two that should have brought a second goal, Breasley meeting Hawke's cross with a solid header that Thomas did well to parry and Pullen misseing fromsix yards with the goal at his mercy.

This shook Port back into action with Pearson shooting just wide and Wadsworth driving a shot across the box.

Trevaskis then brought a brilliant one handed save from Thomas as the visitors threw everyone forward in search of a equaliser.

Nick Perry replaced Williams for Port and he was to create the chance that could have sewn up the game. A brilliant pass found Fox whose shot gave Hennesy no chance, but as the 'keeper turned to watch the ball hit his net, he could not believe his luck it struck the far post and rebounded sraight back into his arms.

It was desperation stakes for Helston as they were firing in shots from all directions, but with the Port defence of Robinson, Yates, Graham Cook and Mike Davis willing to put their bodies on the line and Thomas's superb handling meant that this was not going to be their day.

In the last minute, Fox was again felled in the penalty area, but Hennesy denied Robertson his hat-trick with a save down to his left, Pearson's follow up shot being cleared off the line.

A good crowd had witnessed a local derby as it should be played and Porthleven's manager, Kevin Richards was a very happy manager: "I thought that was a terrific derby and I'm obviously delighted to have done the double over our local rivals and my old mate Winno.

"I had a terrible feeling that the one goal lead was not going to be enough and we had enough chances to have doubled our lead and didn't take them, but when Dominic missed from six yards I thought maybe that's their best chance gone.

"My players wanted that result today and I think that the number of local lads in our side made the difference especially when you consider we did it without Chris Strike, Paul Ainscough, Richard Wilkinson, Gary Chambers and Paddy Gardner, all first choice players!

"I hope those who thought our result in Helston was a fluke now think maybe it wasn't!

"We finish our season at home to St Just on Tuesday and whatever happens in that game, my lads can feel very proud of themselves at what they have achieved this season."

Porthleven: Mark Thomas, Ashley Stidwell, Mike Davis, Stu Yates, Graham Cook, Dean Bray, Jason Robertson, Reg Pearson, Matt Fox, Danny Williams, Tom Wadsworth. Subs - Jordan Adlard (Bray), Stuart Robinson (Stidwell), Nick Perry (Williams).

Helston: Barry Hennesy, Neil Rollinson, Alex Sharkey, Justin Miles, Phil Black, Andy Miles, Craig Taylor, Steven hawke, Liam Eddy, Dominic Pullen, Eddie Dunne. Subs: Kayne Trevaskis, Bryan Hawke, Chris Breasley, Charlie Davis

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