ESFA Cornwall U16's vs Dorset - Match Report

[Dan Inch]

Squad -

Matt Powis (Wadebridge)

Liam Knowles (Penrice)

Kieran Parker (Richard Lander)

Max Moralee (Penair)

AJ Owen (Fowey)

Will Harding (Falmouth)

Luke Tripconey (Mullion)

Conor Rhodes (Penair)

Dan Marks (Poltair)

Philip Crawley (Helston)

Harry Ahearn (Bodmin)

Lewis Hall (Helston)

Teague Lobb (Newquay)

Joe Ahearn (Bodmin)

Max Smallcombe (Bodmin)

Jack Farbrother (St James Smith)

Cornwall hosted Dorset in the first round of the Under 16’s Inter County Trophy at Mount Wise in Newquay, the Cornwall players eagerly awaiting their first outing at the representative side.

The first ten minutes could not have gone worse for Cornwall as Dorset raced into a two goal lead, both goals coming from indecision from the Cornwall defence, rattled but together the Cornwall players played their way back in to the game against a direct Dorset side playing with a strong wind pushing them forward. Cornwall dominated the next period with Max Smallcombe (Bodmin) and Lewis Hall (Helston) linking well to force the Dorset defenders into last ditch tackles on numerous occasions, the best chance looping over the goalkeeper and nearly into the net.

Totally against the run of play Dorset extended their lead when a corner was sliced in his own goal by Joe Ahearn (Bodmin), a massive blow for Cornwall but again the players rallied, led brilliantly by Dan Marks (Poltair). The final ten minutes to half time again was all Cornwall, the Cornwall defence had learnt from their mistakes and were now dealing with the direct threat with good control, Teague Lobb (Newquay) and Liam Knowles (Penrice) working well to snuff out chances.

The final chance of the game fell to Connor Rhodes (Penair) who stood his defender up well before driving past but his shot hit the outside of the net.

H/T 0 – 3

Cornwall started the 2^nd half brightly and with the strong wind behind the dominance of possession continued, Smallcombe and substitute Kieran Parker (Richard Lander) nearly carved open the defence but the Dorset defender recovered well. The killer blow to Cornwall came with ten minutes of the second half gone, pushing forward for a goal Cornwall were caught on the break down the Cornwall right where the attacker slotted the ball past substitute keeper AJ Owen (Fowey). With a mountain to climb the Cornwall players pushed forward, the reward came after a tactical change to 4 – 3 – 3, Smallcombe angled a cross for Knowles to head home, within minutes it was 2 as Lobb bundled the ball in after another Smallcombe freekick caused mayhem in the Dorset box, cue the onslaught, Cornwall pressed each and every Dorset touch forcing numerous free kicks and last ditch tackles but unfortunately another goal would not materialise, final score Cornwall 2 – 4 Dorset, a disappointing result but a positive performance especially second half.

Cornwall Schools Scorers – Liam Knowles (57), Teague Lobb (61)

Cornwall Schools Man of the Match – Max Smallcombe