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Match Report

Ashton & Backwell UFC v Helston Athletic FC

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

11 March 2023 at The Lancer Scott Stadium at Backwell
th
FINAL SCORE: A+BUFC 1 [BENNINGTON-MANNINGS 75M]
HELSTON ATHLETIC FC 1 [WILSON 87M]; HALF TIME 0-0

A cold, rainy afternoon welcomed the Helston in-form team to the
Lancer Scott and for the first five minutes they put the Stags under
maximum pressure, but the home side quickly regained their composure
and with both defences well organised and a shortage of ideas and, at
times, touch upfront the game quickly became very attritional.
Jayeoba’s pace and tenacity unsettled the Blues, especially Elliot at right
back, whilst skipper Bye was creative in his ball distribution, creating
chances for Colwell and Wilson, with Roberts in the Stags goal being
equal to them.

The first thirty minutes of the second period were similarly unproductive
and there seemed to be only two outcomes, a nil-nil draw or goals from
errors and it was the latter. The Stags struck first, a probing long ball
from White for Bennington-Mannings to chase was made easier when
Bentley slipped, the home No 9 controlling, then lobbing the ball over
the oncoming Searle. Yet two minutes later Hedges was harshly
adjudged to have handled in the box, a penalty awarded, Roberts saving
well from Shepherd’s spot kick.

Now followed a period of intense Blues pressure, which did yield a very
fortunate equaliser when the ball was crossed from the left and in a
mass of flailing legs Wilson’s toe diverted the ball into the net. Stags
were stirred into their own fervid action from this, and a Connor
Saunders through ball found Hardidge, his careful lob beating Searle,
but hitting the cross-bar, whilst in added time Charlie Saunders shot hit
the upright; the only reply was a chance cleared off the line by man of
the match Zak Ford just prior.

Roberts, Bishop, Ford, White, Reece Hedges, Press (sub Anthony 85m),
Cummings (sub Hardidge 58m), Cattermole (sub Newman 62m),
Bennington-Mannings (sub Connor Saunders 82m), Charlie Saunders
©, Jayeoba (sub Banks 72m)

REPORTER DON DAVIES.