Ryan's late show earns Town vital home win

Falmouth Town 1, Launceston 0

BICKLAND Park has been a happy hunting ground for Launceston in recent seasons, writes Tony Pearce.

Since the inauguration of the Peninsula League, the east Cornwall side have won both matches – in fact the last time Falmouth claimed three home points was in April 2005, although they did sneak an extra time goal in a Cornwall Senior Cup tie in 2008.

So after four successive home league defeats Town finally took maximum points but they left it late with Ryan Fice scoring the stoppage time winner.

Despite the week of bad weather, Bickland Park survived an early morning pitch inspection and despite a downpour 90 minutes before kick off, the pitch was still deemed fit and the match went ahead in slippery conditions.

Falmouth included Dan Green in their starting line up who had returned for a second loan spell from Truro.

Before the match a minute's silence was impeccably observed on the eve of Remberance Sunday.

The home side started positively and within minutes of kicking off, they were on the attack with Ryan Fice seeing his shot saved by Paul Hider at the near post.

Both sides took time to acclimatise to the conditions and constructive football was sometimes hard.

The first meaningful attack from the in-form Clarets came after 17 minutes when, following some good play a pass from Sam Scott found Shane Powell out on the right but he over hit his cross and Falmouth cleared the ball.

Five minutes later the visitors were on the prowl again and Chris Saunders tried his luck from 20 yards out but Jason Chapman was alert and made a good one handed save to tip the low drive around the post.

Back came Town minutes later and Danny O'Hagan saw his shot saved at the expense of a corner and from Tom Barwell's kick, Sean Flynn headed powerfully over the bar.

Sam Davey, who has bagged 11 goals in the last five games for Launceston skewed his shot wide after 29 minutes.

Two minutes later, constant bickering by O'Hagan saw him cautioned by referee Steve Foster.

The same player found himself talking to the referee again five minutes later when he appeared to be bundled in the area by Gavin Welsh. The vociferous home fans behind the goal vehemently appealed but play was waved on.

Powell levelled the score on bookings in the 37th minute following a foul on Ben Stidwell.

Three minutes before the break, from a throw in on the left, Richard Kellow threw to Robin Teagle who passed the ball back and Kellow slotted the ball to former Launceston player Barwell who saw his low shot saved comfortably.

Almost immediately Falmouth won the ball back and Liam Eddy had his shot deflected behind for a corner which came to nothing.

In first half stoppage time O'Hagan had a go to try and use the sweeping wind to his advantage but Hider caught his 20 yard drive.

The visitors made a change after the break with Darren Parr replacing Darren Garner.

Four minutes into the second period, Ryan Fice hit a looping shot on the turn from eight yards out which landed on the roof of the net.

A few minutes following this, O'Hagan headed wide from a good Dan Green cross.

Just shy of the hour, reasons why Falmouth have one of the lowest goalscoring returns continued with Fice missing another good chance when he shot wide with a good effort on the turn.

In the 63rd minute, the visitors were awarded a free kick some 25 yards from goal, Sam Scott took it and it shaved the crossbar.

In a move to try and change things, Falmouth made a change following this with Matt Drummond replacing Kellow, and he took his place on the right wing with Eddy switching to the left.

In the 68th minute, Launceston were again awarded a free kick from a shooting position. For disputing the decision, firstly Flynn and then captain Tom Smith were both booked. Scott's free kick was deflected into the air off the wall and Chapman managed to punch it clear under pressure.

Nine minutes from time, O'Hagan missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock. Fed a good ball from the midfield he found himself through on goal having beaten the offside trap and with Hider having slipped in the process of closing him down, the Town striker somehow managed to put the ball the wrong side of the upright.

In the 84th minute, the home side were awarded a free kick out on the left. Scott and Eddy confronted each other and the visiting defender appeared to butt the young Town winger, which earned him a red card for what was deemed as violent conduct. The free kick was cleared away and Launceston launched a break away move but Davey's run was halted by a good, well timed tackle from Stidwell.

In the 88th minute, even Smith was trying his luck but his shot was impressively caught by Hider, diving to his left.

Following ninety minutes of throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Launceston, the goal that all the Falmouth attacking play deserved finally came in the first minute of the three of stoppage time. It involved the two players who had created (and missed!) the best chances created. A strong, angled O'Hagan shot from six yards was well saved by the legs of Hider, but it fell kindly to Fice who was on hand to prod it home from close range amid a packed six yard box.

● After Tuesday's 3-2 win at Liskeard, Falmouth will be hoping to climb the table further on Saturday when they entertain Torpoint Athletic (3pm).

The second team have a rearranged league game away at Newquay Reserves (2.30pm).