Duchy Football League review, March 20

Knockout Cup

PROBUS FORGET LEAGUE FORM TO REACH LAST EIGHT:

Probus put some recent woeful league form behind them to reach the quarter-finals of the KMD Developments Knockout Cup with a 5-2 defeat of Lamerton.

The visitors didn't help themselves as they were reduced to ten men after only five minutes. Incredibly they took the lead after 20 minutes with a good finish and could have scored more, but wasted several good chances.

Lamerton were punished when they conceded two goals in two minutes before half time. Sam Bullen headed James Noble's corner home for the equaliser and then they took the lead when Alex Hayhoe and Ross Vicary combined for Hayhoe to score with a good shot from twenty yards.

Probus increased their lead in the second half through a good finish from John Rid and a tap-in from Alex Hayhoe. Lamerton replied with to make it 4-2, but Sam Bullen put the tie out of reach when he converted a cross to make it 5-2.

Probus were denied another when the referee gave a penalty for a foul, but the keeper made a good save from Ross Vicary's spot kick.

Holders Pelynt are out after losing 3-1 at premier division side St Newlyn East in the quarter-finals ending a terrific series of wins over higher ranked rivals in the last two seasons.

Liam Dent scored a brace for Newlyn with Ryan Polmounter claiming their other goal. Liam Jones replied for Pelynt.

There was no doubting the tie of the day where AFC St Austell kept their treble ambitions alive with a stunning 4-1 win at Fowey United.

Phil Hutchings and Ben Douglas scored a brace apiece with Josh Frampton getting the home consolation.

League Cup

SAINTS SHOCK FOR GORRAN:

There was plenty of enthusiasm, but little quality football as St Merryn caused a minor upset to reach the semi-finals of the Bodmin Sports Trophies League Cup following a 3-1 victory over Gorran. Richard Hughes, Josh Dark and Kevin Allen scored the home goals and despite being reduced to ten men late on they restricted the visitors to a lone Mike Brennan goal.

Premier Division

GREAT POINT FOR MAWGAN:

Only one Premier Division game survived the deluge with St Mawgan earning a fine point in their battle against relegation holding Mevagissey to a 3-3 draw.

Kieran Taplin and a Chris Leach brace scored for St Mawgan with Scott Mills, Glyn James and Richard James replying for Mevagissey.

Division One

BISCOVEY END PENSILVA'S PROUD HOME RECORD:

Pensilva lost their unbeaten record and lost at home for the first time in 18 months to Division One leaders Biscovey. In a state of the déjà vu the scoreline of 3-0 was exactly the same against the same opponents and with the same referee at the time of the last defeat.

Dale Isbell gave Biscovey a fifth minute lead with a neat lob over the keeper. The rest of the first half was all Pensilva, but they were denied by a superb goalkeeping performance.

Pensilva brought on Luke Cloke as substitute after the break, but his major impact on the game was to put through his own net and then Martyn Jones came off the bench to score with a nice header.

Polperro with a bare eleven reinforced their title credentials with a 1-0 win at Grampound.

The hosts had a far greater share of the play, but struggled to create chances against a Polperro side that battled hard and defended with quality.

Only goal came 15 minutes from time from a breakaway when Colin Wilson got on the end to score from a narrow angle. Polperro had another couple of chances after this, but held on even after seeing a player sent off.

The Gunnislake and Godolphin Atlantic players did a bit of quick thinking after the pitch was washed out by a late hail storm.

A phone call to Tavistock and the willingness of both sets of players to get the game played saw a journey to the all weather pitch.

The hosts became the big winners as they ran out surprise 6-3 winners to revive hopes of escaping relegation.

Division Two

LOST AT LOSTWITHIEL:

Padstow United's charge to the Division Two title suffered a setback with a 1-0 defeat at Lostwithiel.

The home side deserved their win, defending comfortably and having the quality to bounce back after putting in such a poor performance seven days ago.

The first half was goalless, but the crucial winner came after the interval when Ashley Phillips scored the game's only goal.

St Breward were 3-1 up at half time and playing some of their best of the season. The half time whistle disrupted their style and Premier Sixes hit back in the second half to claim a 3-3 draw.

St Breward's scorers were Matt Couch, Luke Richards and Wayne with Martyn Probert and Dan Parsonage with a brace replying for Sixes.

Gerrans & St Mawes United took a giant stride towards safety and left Lanreath pinned to the bottom after a 3-1 win. Glyn Hitchings, Andy Ayre and Andy Harris scored for Gerrans with Matt Julian replying.

Division Three

DINGLE RESCUES LEADERS:

The crunch match at the top of Division Three ended with honours even as St Minver and LC Phoenix fought out a 1-1 draw.

This was a good game of football that flowed from end-to-end. John Bye gave Phoenix a first half lead, but back came St Minver after the break with Paul Dingle firing the equaliser that preserves their unbeaten record. St Stephen consolidated fourth place with a 2-1 defeat of Stoke Climsland. Rodney Rickard gave the hosts a 27th minute lead only for the visitors to equalise seven minutes later.

James Allen's 20-yard strike into the top corner after 38 minutes proved to be the winner. St Stephen created other chances later, but were unable to increase their advantage.

The league's leading scorer Simon Holmes bagged a hat trick to help Holywell/Cubert Athletic beat bottom side Roche 7-1.

Lee Copp and Josh Busby added a goal apiece and the visitors' woes were completed with two own goals being scored. Craig Tamblyn scored the Roche consolation.

Callington picked up another win beating Delabole 5-4 away from home. Will Smith and Jordan Swinney scored a brace apiece with Kieran Prescott completing the visitors' tally.

Delabole hit back with strikes from Sam Eaves, Aaron Arnold, Steve Terry and a debut goal from 16-year-old Kieran Barrett.

Division Four

GOALS GALORE IN FOUR:

Only one game survived in Division Four where St Cleer reserves and Tintagel shared six goals. Andy Thomas, Andy Cobb and Connor Stone scored for St Cleer with Shaun Keeble, Adam Wright and Martyn Cockcroft replying.

Division Five

JUSTIN JOY AS VERYAN INCREASE LEAD AT TOP:

Veryan, as expected, increased their lead at the top of Division Five with Justin Trebilcock scoring four times in an 8-1 defeat of Duke of Cornwall.

Craig Phillips scored a brace on his debut with Martin Bishop and an own goal completing their tally.

St Mawgan reserves had a fine 2-0 win at Tregrehan Mills where Luke Haynes and Ben Southgate hit the target.

Kelvin Hayes scored a brace to help St Minver reserves to a 3-1 win at Pelynt reserves. Ryan Butler completed the visitors' scoring with Andy Pollard hitting a penalty for the home consolation.