Foxhole 2019-20

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 17th August 2019
Foxhole 3 (Whetter 9, 76, Andrews 20) St Cleer 4 (Ostle 17, Peel 42, 44, 59)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Nathan Allen, Josh Andrews, Rory Barnicle; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Caleb Hawken.

Subs: Levi Kerrigan, Jay Manning.

St Cleer (4-4-2): Oliver Trevarthen; Connor Stone, Callum Buck, Martin Putt, Sam Rogers; Harry Bartlett, Jordan Dennis, Jack Ostle, Ryan Chapman; Zak Peel, Charlie Coates.

Subs: Will Gilbert, Ethan Gwillam, Joel Mitchell, William Trevarthen, Aaron Vercoe.

Peel's seventeen minute hat-trick either side of half time ensured the combative visitors snatched the points. It had all started well for the Foxes, Whetter stooping to bundle home from a yard early on after Bould had nodded back Barnacle's deep corner. Even after Ostle had side-footed past Hurst for the equaliser, Foxhole seemed to be on course for victory when Andrews drove a loose ball past Trevarthen.

However, shortly after Bould could only find the woodwork after cleverly outpacing Stone and rounding the keeper, Peel struck twice in rapid succession. First he headed in a deep cross despite Whetter's efforts to clear on the line, and then, following a breakdown in communication in the home defence, Peel poked home from an acute angle.

Foxhole must have felt it wasn't their day when, just before the hour, Whetter's strong tackle on Coates resulted in the ball breaking kindly for an unmarked Peel to fire into the corner. Although they were to mount numerous attacks and create several chances, the St Cleer defence was only pierced once more, Whetter hooking in another Barnacle corner. 
 

Well played both teams. Good luck to St Cleer. Many thanks to the officials.

[Darin Morse]

Wednesday 21st August 2019

St Blazey 0 Foxhole 8 (Whetter 4, Bould 15, 28, Hawken 19, Cheshire 46, 56 pen, 62, Papaioannou 89)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Josh Andrews, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Spencer Hartill, Chris Brown, Liam Ames; Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire, Caleb Hawken.

Subs: Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Allen, Rory Barnacle.

St Blazey (4-4-2): James Prynn; Adrian Rundle, Jack Carron, John Rundle, Kevin Morcom; Aaron Honey, Ben Lawrence, Marcisse Campbell, Frankie McAvoy; Chris Dingle, Josh Frampton.

Subs: Bruce Campbell, Brad Putt.

The destination of the points was never in doubt once Whetter had risen early on to meet with a firm header a corner from Ames, back in a white shirt after a twelve year absence and part of a completely revamped midfield which also featured debutant Hartill, and the performance of both newcomers were to leave the sizeable visiting contingent hoping they will join the squad full time. Bould doubled the lead, running through to calmly score after referee Harris had over-ruled an offside flag against the non-active Cheshire, before the front three combined for Hawken to finish off a flowing move. Bould was to make it 4-0, racing on to Hurst's huge kick to slot home.

The second half proved even more one-sided, the dominant Foxes somehow conspiring to squander a hatful of chances. The first of the magnificent Cheshire's trio was a twenty yard thunderbolt that Prynn could only help into the net; this was followed by an easily despatched penalty awarded for a foul on Bould by the over-worked home keeper, while the third came via a generous deflection off John Rundle. At the death Papaioannou joined the party, side-footing past Prynn after more unselfish work by Cheshire, who could become a Foxhole legend if he maintains this form.

Well played the super Foxes. Good luck to St Blazey. Many thanks to Jo Harris, Ian Osborne, Brad Putt and Liam Turner.

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 24th August 2019

Foxhole 5 (Cheshire 33, 60, Chris Brown 38, Deadman 64, Manning 73) Torpoint 2 (Yousefi 41, Gibbons 72)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Josh Andrews, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Lee Whetter; Chris Brown, Rory Barnacle, Liam Ames; Tyler Cheshire, Chris W Brown, Oliver Deadman.

Subs: Ryan Wilkins, Jay Manning, Nathan Allen.

Torpoint (4-4-2): Scott Johnstone; Callum Bays, Joe Harmer, Tom Booth, Lewis Gibbons; Sam Rosevear, Jay Hussey, Tom Rowe, Jake White; Youssef Yousefi, Adam Parry.

Subs: Chris Westall, Will Ferguson, Chris Warren, Byron Robbins, Adam Brayson.

At a typically windy Goverseth both teams initially found it difficult to create decent opportunities in a well-contested first half hour. However brilliant ingenuity from star man Cheshire set the ball rolling when he backheeled Deadman's low centre into the corner. New signing Chris W Brown soon cleverly set up his namesake for a calm finish but the visitors hit back when Yousefi was first to react after Hurst had brilliantly saved White's effort.

Torpoint must have fancied their chances of turning the match on its head in the second half with the breeze now behind them, but the home team found playing into the elements much more to their liking. On the hour Chris W Brown claimed another assist by releasing Cheshire, the outside-left cheekily chipping the ball over the onrushing Johnstone before rolling it into an empty net for a fantastic goal. Deadman seemed to have made the game safe with a fine shot from twenty-five yards that dipped just under the bar, only for Gibbons to revive the visitors' hopes with a tap in after Hurst could only push away a low cross by the aptly named Parry. Within seconds, however, young outside-right Manning was celebrating his deserved first senior goal, converting from six yards following more great work by the effervescent Cheshire. Only a linesman's flag and a neat save by Johnstone from Chris W Brown and Allen respectively prevented the scoreline becoming even more emphatic.

Well played the super Foxes once again and thanks for sending the supporters home happy. Well played Torpoint and best of luck for the season. Many thanks to Paul Buscombe, Ian Osborne and the various visiting linos.

 

[RAPPO]

Good win Daz, bet the fans were singing “there’s only 2 Chris Browns” 👏🏼😀⚽️

[Darin Morse]

Wednesday 28th August 2019

Foxhole 6 (Cheshire 44, 81, Bould 47, 49, 61, Brown 51) Roche 0

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Josh Andrews, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Liam Ames, Spencer Hartill, Chris Brown; Oliver Deadman, Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire.

Subs: Nathan Allen, Nathan Papaioannou, Rory Barnacle, Levi Kerrigan.

Roche (4-4-2): Tom Rowe; Tom Molyneux, Scott Best, Paul Osborne, Neil Osborne; Ross Welch, Aiden Lemasurier, Darryl Stiff, Conner Dean; Tyler Trudgeon, Sam Leaney.

Subs: Paul Brookstein, Billy Powell, Harrison Burdon, Nick Linne, Max Burnett.

Like last Saturday it was not until the second half that Foxhole began to pull away from their redoubtable opponents, the pace of their forward line ultimately proving critical. Up till then it really was anybody's game as Roche showed admirable resilience and organisation to deny the free scoring hosts much in the way of chances, although centres from Cheshire presented Bould, who headed wide under pressure, and then Deadman, whose effort crashed against the bar, with the best of them. The home team were twice indebted to Hurst for fine saves from Leaney and Lemasurier as Roche threatened an upset, and the visitors could count themselves unlucky not to reach the break on terms when Cheshire fired into the top corner through a sea of bodies following a half cleared corner.

The second half was a completely different story. Within six minutes the Foxes were four up thanks to some slick and unselfish play. Two crosses from Brown, by now playing out of position on the right after a re-organisation caused by early injuries to both Deadman and Hartill, set up Bould for cool finishes past a suddenly exposed Rowe, before Brown himself found the net, slotting home from close range after Wilkins had nodded back the impressive Ames' deep centre. Prompted by the excellent Allen, all hustle and tenacity without the ball while tidy and inventive with it, Foxhole opened up the visitors regularly but were only to find the target on two further occasions. A magnificent flowing move found Wilkins in space, and the long-serving right-back capped a fine performance with a telling pass which Bould expertly despatched after rounding the keeper, before Cheshire, who had just shot wide when well placed from another Brown assist, hit an unstoppable drive inside Rowe's near post.

Well played the fantastic Foxes. Well done to Roche and best wishes for the season. Many thanks to Gary Cornish, Ian Osborne and Ross Burnett.

 

[cornish leg end]

Cracking start to the season for foxhole. Still my favourite to win this league. Another 6 goals and s clean sheet. You must be happy with your start darren  another great report too. 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 31st August 2019

St Minver 3 (Wilson 1, 8, Rob Green 70) Foxhole 7 (Deadman pen 12, Brown 42, 60, 75, Barnicle 51, Ames 52, Bould 85)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Liam Ames, Rory Barnicle, Levi Kerrogan; Benno Bould, Chris Brown, Oliver Deadman.

Sub: Jay Manning.

St Minver (4-4-2): Chris Andrews; Corey Cleave, James Heywood, Joe Combellack, Ed Green; Ross Beare, Callum Wilson, Steve Wootton, Jason Keatley; Rob Green, Rob Elliott.

Subs: Dan Cox, Toby Eddison, Travis Richards.

Foxhole's alarming penchant for limping wearily out of the blocks only to morph spectacularly into Linford Christie after a milky tea at half time manifested itself yet again in sunny north Cornwall. Licking their wounds after losing Cheshire in the warm up, incredibly they found themselves one down inside eleven seconds having not touched the ball, slick passing releasing Rob Green down the right, his cross turned in by Wilson. Although Barnicle almost levelled immediately, his effort cleared from the line by Wootton, St Minver proceeded to swarm all over the visitors, and it was no surprise when Wilson soon planted a firm header past Hurst. It could have been curtains if drives from Beare and Elliott had not flashed just wide, but Deadman's penalty after he had been needlessly bundled over by Ed Green provided a lifeline. With neither Allen available, Andrews and Hartill hopefully only temporarily injured and long-term casualties Griffin and Reed-Bennett still some way off a return, the sizeable visiting contingent knew that something special was going to be required against unbeaten opponents and their spirits were lifted when good work from Kerrigan created an opening for Bould, whose effort was hacked away from beneath his own bar by Ed Green. Just before the break, Deadman's fine deep centre was headed back by Bould for Brown to equalise from close range.

While at this stage they may have been fortunate not to still be behind, there is no denying their vastly improved performance up the slope merited the points. Hurst's massive kick was flicked on by Deadman for Barnicle to shoot home off a defender; within seconds Ames had smashed a thirty yard screamer past Chris Andrews, who then performed miracles to keep out a fierce Brown drive from six yards. Brown was not to be denied however, as he soon helped a goal bound effort by the impressive Bould over the line for 5-2 with his second headed goal of the game. St Minver briefly threatened a comeback of their own when Cleave's centre was bundled in by Rob Green, but Foxhole regained their three-goal advantage when Brown completed his hat-trick, firing across the exposed keeper from the edge of the box. Bould had led the line brilliantly and fully deserved his goal from an astute pass by Ames, one third of the triumverate with Barnicle and the excellent Kerrigan whose dominance in the second-half over their youthful midfield counterparts ultimately proved key. 

Up, up and away for the super Foxes. Well played St Minver and best wishes for the season. Many thanks to Paul Cackett, Simon Bunt and the friendly home lino.

 

 

[Tribute]

Cant Whetts be trusted with pens anymore ??? Poor boy is coming on now but walking from the halfway line to take a pen shouldn’t take to much out of those massive legs 😉

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 7th September 2019

St Teath 0 Foxhole 8 (Cheshire 5, 9, Bould 6, 54, pen 74, Wilkins 35, Deadman 52, Hewett og 66) 

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Josh Andrews, Angel Coates; Liam Ames, Rory Barnicle, Levi Kerrigan; Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire, Oliver Deadman.

Sub: Lee Whetter.

St Teath (4-5-1): Craig Thompson; Mike Hewett, Dan Jerram-Smith, Dave Barret, Sam Brown; Conor Mountain, Tom Treverton, Harry Ahearn, Simon Harper, Mike Shearer; Adam Clemence.

Subs: Adam Cudmore, Jak Tindal, James Mountain, Dan Hicks, Dave Rear.

The match appeared effectively over inside nine minutes as the Foxes ruthlessly exposed a high defensive line. Cheshire chipped the first right-footed over Thompson from twenty-five yards before Barnacle created both the next two goals, first for Bould after robbing Ahearne, and then by releasing Cheshire to outpace Brown. Despite a glut of opportunities, the shooting was invariably wayward until Wilkins drove into the corner after Deadman's free-kick had rebounded kindly off the wall. This was perhaps a touch harsh on St Teath who had overcome shell-shock to compete well, and but for a couple of fine saves by Hurst from Harper could yet have made a game of it.

Foxhole duly doubled their tally after the break. A long ball by Hurst eluded Jerram-Smith for Deadman to emphatically volley home, before Papaioannou's raking pass was well finished by Bould, whose cross was soon headed into his own net by Hewett, under pressure from Cheshire. Bould completed the scoring, and his hat-trick, from the spot to join Cheshire on nine for the season after Tindal was deemed to have tripped Papaioannou. Given the scoreline, the St Teath midfield may have been surprised at the amount of space they were able to find in our midfield, one area that must be addressed ahead of some much tougher tests, starting with St Day next week.

Well done once again to the lads. Good luck to St Teath. Many thanks to Bob Steggles, Ian Osborne and the home lino.

Foxhole reserves 6 (J Robinson x2, C Hawken x2, B Allen, J Couch) St Minver 2 (L Henderson x2)

Foxhole: Bradley Allen, Daniel Allen, Jake Couch, Caleb Hawken, Steven Kellow, Adam Kerby, Jay Manning, Sam Mitchell, Jeremy Pascoe, Dean Robinson, Jamie Robinson.
Subs: Jowan Dingle, Dylan Jones, Matthew Lean, Jacob Mitchell.

St Minver: Jacob Adrien, Ozzie Beesley, Ian Buckingham, Neil Dain, Sam Gough, William Hanson, Luke Henderson, Joel Hurst, Thomas Jeal, Sean Phillips, Ben Prendiville.

Subs: Daniel Haynes, James Woodman.

Many thanks to Sam Doble.

 

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 14th September 2019    Senior Cup

St Day 5 (Willis 4, Richards 45, 85, Williams 48, 86) Foxhole 2 (Coates 12, Cheshire 18)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Josh Andrews, Angel Coates, Lee Whetter; Rory Barnicle, Levi Kerrigan, Frank McAvoy; Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire, Nathan Papaioannou.

Sub: Jay Manning.

St Day (4-4-2): Ben Whiting; Sam Kevern, Matt Witts, Luke Hart, Tom Hogarth; Jacob Williams, Adam Stephens, Nathan Taylor, Joe Crossman; Jack Willis, Dan Richards.

Subs: Louis Hall, Chris Dobson, Rob Hoskings, James Daniel, Joff Mallaber.

In their first visit to the People's Republic in living memory, Foxhole's hopes of a day out on Easter Monday foundered at the first hurdle but they can count themselves desperately unlucky not to have at least forced extra time after a brave display. Twice striking the bar, and on the receiving end of perhaps the most incredible goal-line clearance ever, they unfortunately were also left to rue some unfortunate defensive mishaps and confusion as to whether the FA's rolling sub rule applied to one of their own competitions.

Having already somehow fired wide after rounding the keeper, Willis put St Day ahead inside five minutes when Hurst allowed the lively striker's effort to squirm between his legs. However the super Foxes hit back with a fantastic volley from Coates before Cheshire turned Kevern and hit a peach into the far corner. Foxhole were to enjoy a decent spell of pressure and ought to have extended their advantage, with new signing McAvoy prominent. Their profligacy was punished seconds before the break when, out of nothing, Richards' drive again caught out Hurst, who, to be fair, had earlier performed miracles to deny Crossman in a rare home sortie.

St Day again began the second half in blistering style, a hobbling Andrews unable to prevent Richards' cut-back for Williams to make it 3-2. Foxhole were to spend the next half hour camped in their opponents' final third, but the ball resolutely refused to find the net, largely due to determined defending from twin centre-halves Hogarth and Hart, and calm keeping from Whiting. Fortune was not on our side, though, as both McAvoy and Cheshire struck free-kicks against the bar, while Kevern amazingly blocked Bould's pile-driver from point-blank range after Whiting had smothered Manning's initial shot. Andrews was clearly in no fit state to continue but, with the already withdrawn Wilkins waiting to return to the fray, the referee vetoed his re-entry. St Day gleefully capitalised on now only having to face ten men to settle the match late on through Richards and Williams.

Well played the desperately unlucky super Foxes for a great effort. Good luck to St Day. Many thanks to George Pattison, Ian Osborne and the home lino. 

Gorran 1 (Tom Guest) Foxhole reserves 1 (Jamie Robinson).

Foxhole: Bradley Allen, Dan Allen, Jake Couch, Wayne Hoole, Richard James, Steve Kellow, Stewart May, Jacob Mitchell, Jeremy Pascoe, Dean Robinson, Jamie Robinson.

Subs: Dylan Jones, Matt Lean.

Gorran: Mike Brennan, Tom Guest, Sam Guy, Dave Jones, Oliver Matthews, Nathan Prentice, Lewis Reeves, James Rogers, James Walker, Andrew Whatty, Guy Widdows.

Subs: Glen Littlejohns, Ryan Parker.

Many thanks to Chris Nicholls.

      

       

      

       

 

       

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 28th September 2019

Foxhole 10 (Cheshire 6, Bould 9, 33 pen, 47, 78, Ames 35, 70, Barnicle 46, Kerrigan 64, Whetter 71) Newquay 0 

 

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Josh Andrews, Angel Coates, Lee Whetter; Rory Barnicle, Levi Kerrigan, Liam Ames; Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire, Jay Manning.

Sub: Nathan Papaioannou.

Newquay (3-5-2): Kevin Borton; Johnny Coleman, Ryan Crawford, Reece Davies; Owen Capewell, Ben Piper, Dan Ball, Cameron Burt, Dan McAdam;

? Dover, George Kent.

Subs: Matt Hicks, Adam Casey, ? Falkner, Scott Robinson.

A youthful Peppermints outfit were no match for the rampant home team for whom top scorer Bould led the charge with four goals to take his tally to the season to thirteen at a very wet Goverseth. However it was strike partner Tyler Cheshire who opened his side's account after latching on to Rory Barnicle's assist before Bould notched his first following fine work from skipper Ryan Wilkins. With numerous further chances going begging, tremendous saves from beleaguered stand-in keeper Borton and the woodwork being struck twice, the centre-forward finally made it 3-0 from the spot after Davies had fouled Cheshire. Liam Ames, badly missed during the unfortunate Senior Cup loss at St Day, was impressively pulling the strings and added a deserved fourth, easily converting a clever one-two  with Cheshire.

Newquay were to concede twice within moments of the restart as their misery continued. First, Barnicle fired into the top corner following a spot of pinball in the box before Ames' centre was headed home by Bould for his hat-trick. Levi Kerrigan, not known for his goalscoring prowess, smashed a brilliant volley past Borton before Lee Whetter side-footed home a loose ball. With the visitors' defending deteriorating even faster than the weather, there was still ample time for crosses by Manning and Cheshire to be gleefully tapped in by Bould and Ames respectively.

Well done lads. Good luck to Newquay. Many thanks to Ian Spurling, Ian Osborne and the visiting linos.

Gunnislake 9 (Liam Bryant x3, Kelly x3, Farnham, Humphrey, og) Foxhole 1 (Jamie Robinson) Duchy knockout cup

Foxhole: Bradley Allen, Dan Allen, Jake Couch, Caleb Hawken, Wayne Hoole, Richard James, Steve Kellow, Stewart May, Jacob Mitchell, Jeremy Pascoe, Dean Robinson, Jamie Robinson.

Subs: Dylan Jones, Matt Lean, Jacob Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, Adam Kerby.

Gunnislake: Matt Ansell, Liam Bryant, Jamie Dewney, Bradley Farnham, Liam Hunn, Jarryd Kelly, Jan Kerr, Ben Langton, Adam Patterson, Bradley Scoble, Joe Wakenshaw.

Subs: Aiden Bryant, Jan Humphry, Jamie Rowlands, Josh Searle, Dean Southcott.

Many thanks to Dan Jones.

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 5th October 2019

St Stephen 1 (Rowe 27) Foxhole (Cheshire 65)  aet       Foxhole win 5-4 on penalties          ECPL league cup

Foxhole (4-3-3): Josh Andrews; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Leighton Carhart; Oliver Deadman, Levi Kerrigan, Frank McAvoy; Jay Manning, Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire.

St Stephen (4-3-3): Steve Raven; Curtis Dalby, Dan Allen, Luke Damerell, Jack Mingo; Will Barnecut, Casey Laity, Craig Coad; Chris Coad, Ryan Clark, Courtney Rowe.

Subs: Sam Trudgeon, Shaun Trudgeon.

Stand-in keeper Andrews capped a fine display with the decisive save in the shoot-out diving to his right to thwart opposite number Raven but a severely depleted Foxhole had ample opportunities to have settled the tie long before then. However, with Raven also in top form, frequently denying the normally deadly Bould-Cheshire axis,  Foxhole's progress in the cup was only settled with their first victory in a penalty shoot-out in living memory. 

Missing Whetter, Hurst, Brown, Ames and Barnicle, and with still no sign of the imminent return of long-term injury victims Griffin and Reed-Bennett, the Foxes were only able to muster eleven but they nevertheless started on the front foot with an early goalmouth scramble suggesting it wouldn't be long before a goal would give them something to cling on to. However their finishing was wayward and a typically aggressive approach from St Stephen meant it soon became anybody's game, and it was no surprise when Rowe put the home team ahead, reacting first after Andrews had tipped Clark's effort onto the bar.

Coates' dead-leg late in the first half meant Foxhole played the first quarter of an hour of the second a man down before he hobbled back on as an auxiliary centre-forward, just after Andrews had brilliantly denied Craig Coad when he was clean through. Within moments Coates had set up the equaliser, flicking on for a great finish from Cheshire, who was soon to be twice denied by Raven as the visitors staged something of an onslaught, Bould and Manning each being stymied by the woodwork. Andrews had to be alert to smother efforts from distance from Clark and Craig Coad but he was otherwise well protected by the excellent Wilkins and Carhart.

Although Rowe was to blaze wide after capitalising on  some rare sloppy defending, St Stephen offered little attacking threat in the additional half hour until the dying seconds when a controversially awarded free-kick from Rowe was parried into the path of Craig Coad who rammed home only to be adjudged offside. While Foxhole may have been fortunate to survive that, it would have been harsh on them to lose as they spent most of extra time piercing the tiring home rearguard. McAvoy fired wide when well placed, Cheshire's drive was fielded by the legs of Raven while Bould shot too high from six yards soon after seeing a shot cleared from the line by Mingo. Luckily they found their shooting boots just in time to convert all their penalties and it was equally fortuitous that they were able to call on such an accomplished backup keeper.

Well played lads - hopefully it won't be long before match day squad numbers increase. Good luck to St Stephen and we look forward to the league games. Many thanks to Alan Howells, Ian Trevenna and Ian Osborne.

Mevagissey 5 (Chapman x3, Grose, Brandon Trudgeon) Foxhole reserves 6 (Hawken, James, Jamie Robinson, Jones x2, og).

Foxhole: Bradley Allen, Daniel Allen, Jake Couch, Caleb Hawken, Wayne Hoole, Richard James, Steven Kellow, Adam Kerby, Stewart May, Jeremy Pascoe, Jamie Robinson.

Subs: Dylan Jones, Jacob Mitchell, Dean Robinson.

Mevagissey: Carl Burton, Brandon Chapman, Charly Elton, Billy Gordon, Lloyd Grose, Kallum Haynes, Harry Prynn, Tom Rawlings, Richard Thompson, Brandon Trudgeon, Leon Trudgeon.

Subs: Rory Dixon, Kieron Warrick, Luke Wright.

Many thanks to Tony Ford.

 

[coady-9]

Many thanks to Ian osbourne for getting you into the next round 

[Jason Prynne]

Paul Bourdon,foxhole sponsor & stalwart confirmed to St Stephen after the game the goal should of stood as Coady was ONSIDE when following up the free kick to score ,couldn't see from where I was but poor show if that was the case.On a side note St Stephen wer also fairly depleted team wise so it was evens on that score Darin.If that's the best both teams can play then both have still got a hard season ahead.

[Titus Bramble]

26 minutes ago, Darin Morse said:

Saturday 5th October 2019

St Stephen 1 (Rowe 27) Foxhole (Cheshire 65)  aet       Foxhole win 5-4 on penalties          ECPL league cup

Foxhole (4-3-3): Josh Andrews; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Leighton Carhart; Oliver Deadman, Levi Kerrigan, Frank McAvoy; Jay Manning, Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire.

St Stephen (4-3-3): Steve Raven; Curtis Dalby, Dan Allen, Luke Damerell, Jack Mingo; Will Annear, Casey Laity, Craig Coad; Chris Coad, Ryan Clark, Courtney Rowe.

Subs: Sam Trudgeon, Shaun Trudgeon.

Stand-in keeper Andrews capped a fine display with the decisive save in the shoot-out diving to his right to thwart opposite number Raven but a severely depleted Foxhole had ample opportunities to have settled the tie long before then. However, with Raven also in top form, frequently denying the normally deadly Bould-Cheshire axis,  Foxhole's progress in the cup was only settled with their first victory in a penalty shoot-out in living memory. 

Missing Whetter, Hurst, Brown, Ames and Barnicle, and with still no sign of the imminent return of long-term injury victims Griffin and Reed-Bennett, the Foxes were only able to muster eleven but they nevertheless started on the front foot with an early goalmouth scramble suggesting it wouldn't be long before a goal would give them something to cling on to. However their finishing was wayward and a typically aggressive approach from St Stephen meant it soon became anybody's game, and it was no surprise when Rowe put the home team ahead, reacting first after Andrews had tipped Clark's effort onto the bar.

Coates' dead-leg late in the first half meant Foxhole played the first quarter of an hour of the second a man down before he hobbled back on as an auxiliary centre-forward, just after Andrews had brilliantly denied Craig Coad when he was clean through. Within moments Coates had set up the equaliser, flicking on for a great finish from Cheshire, who was soon to be twice denied by Raven as the visitors staged something of an onslaught, Bould and Manning each being stymied by the woodwork. Andrews had to be alert to smother efforts from distance from Clark and Craig Coad but he was otherwise well protected by the excellent Wilkins and Carhart.

Although Rowe was to blaze wide after capitalising on  some rare sloppy defending, St Stephen offered little attacking threat in the additional half hour until the dying seconds when a controversially awarded free-kick from Rowe was parried into the path of Craig Coad who rammed home only to be adjudged offside. While Foxhole may have been fortunate to survive that, it would have been harsh on them to lose as they spent most of extra time piercing the tiring home rearguard. McAvoy fired wide when well placed, Cheshire's drive was fielded by the legs of Raven while Bould shot too high from six yards soon after seeing a shot cleared from the line by Mingo. Luckily they found their shooting boot just in time to convert all their penalties and it was equally fortuitous that they were able to call on such an accomplished backup keeper.

Well played lads - hopefully it won't be long before match day squad numbers increase. Good luck to St Stephen and we look forward to the league games. Many thanks to Alan Howells, Ian Trevenna and Ian Osborne.

 

I’m almost 100% certain I didn’t turn out for St Stephen today! 

[coady-9]

Also great sportsmanship from foxhole heckling our kick takers in the shoot out 👍🏻

[Jimmer06]

6 minutes ago, coady-9 said:

Also great sportsmanship from foxhole heckling our kick takers in the shoot out 👍🏻

What do you really expect Craig?

[Billy Davies]

Are you sure you didn't play Will?

[Titus Bramble]

1 minute ago, Billy Davies said:

Are you sure you didn't play Will?

Fairly sure! ‘Twas busy at St Blazey this afternoon trying to look like I know what I’m doing with a flag in my hand! 

[Glen Patterson]

1 hour ago, Darin Morse said:

Saturday 5th October 2019

St Stephen 1 (Rowe 27) Foxhole (Cheshire 65)  aet       Foxhole win 5-4 on penalties          ECPL league cup

Foxhole (4-3-3): Josh Andrews; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Leighton Carhart; Oliver Deadman, Levi Kerrigan, Frank McAvoy; Jay Manning, Benno Bould, Tyler Cheshire.

St Stephen (4-3-3): Steve Raven; Curtis Dalby, Dan Allen, Luke Damerell, Jack Mingo; AN OTHER, Casey Laity, Craig Coad; Chris Coad, Ryan Clark, Courtney Rowe.

Subs: Sam Trudgeon, Shaun Trudgeon.

Stand-in keeper Andrews capped a fine display with the decisive save in the shoot-out diving to his right to thwart opposite number Raven but a severely depleted Foxhole had ample opportunities to have settled the tie long before then. However, with Raven also in top form, frequently denying the normally deadly Bould-Cheshire axis,  Foxhole's progress in the cup was only settled with their first victory in a penalty shoot-out in living memory. 

Missing Whetter, Hurst, Brown, Ames and Barnicle, and with still no sign of the imminent return of long-term injury victims Griffin and Reed-Bennett, the Foxes were only able to muster eleven but they nevertheless started on the front foot with an early goalmouth scramble suggesting it wouldn't be long before a goal would give them something to cling on to. However their finishing was wayward and a typically aggressive approach from St Stephen meant it soon became anybody's game, and it was no surprise when Rowe put the home team ahead, reacting first after Andrews had tipped Clark's effort onto the bar.

Coates' dead-leg late in the first half meant Foxhole played the first quarter of an hour of the second a man down before he hobbled back on as an auxiliary centre-forward, just after Andrews had brilliantly denied Craig Coad when he was clean through. Within moments Coates had set up the equaliser, flicking on for a great finish from Cheshire, who was soon to be twice denied by Raven as the visitors staged something of an onslaught, Bould and Manning each being stymied by the woodwork. Andrews had to be alert to smother efforts from distance from Clark and Craig Coad but he was otherwise well protected by the excellent Wilkins and Carhart.

Although Rowe was to blaze wide after capitalising on  some rare sloppy defending, St Stephen offered little attacking threat in the additional half hour until the dying seconds when a controversially awarded free-kick from Rowe was parried into the path of Craig Coad who rammed home only to be adjudged offside. While Foxhole may have been fortunate to survive that, it would have been harsh on them to lose as they spent most of extra time piercing the tiring home rearguard. McAvoy fired wide when well placed, Cheshire's drive was fielded by the legs of Raven while Bould shot too high from six yards soon after seeing a shot cleared from the line by Mingo. Luckily they found their shooting boot just in time to convert all their penalties and it was equally fortuitous that they were able to call on such an accomplished backup keeper.

Well played lads - hopefully it won't be long before match day squad numbers increase. Good luck to St Stephen and we look forward to the league games. Many thanks to Alan Howells, Ian Trevenna and Ian Osborne.

 

Great to see Steve "The Relentless Can" Raven is still playing. Wondered if he still played, quality keeper, played a few seasons with him a decade ago.

[The White Akinfenwa]

31 minutes ago, Glen Patterson said:

Great to see Steve "The Relentless Can" Raven is still playing. Wondered if he still played, quality keeper, played a few seasons with him a decade ago.

No doubt stevey raven is still the thickest and longest in the foxhole showers like he was at penryn back in 08 🍆🍆🍆

[Jason Prynne]

More like a shrimp in our changing rooms compared to some of the teenagers,times have changed # JEALOUS 😳

[Darin Morse]

Could somebody please post the name of the St Stephen player I mis-identified.  Of course I wouldn't need to ask if the ECPL published full matchday squad details on full-time like the Duchy and St Piran leagues do.

[Jason Prynne]

It's Will ( was Watson) Barnicut 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 19^th October 2019

St Cleer 0 Foxhole 3 (McAvoy 46, 89, Deadman 48)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Josh Andrews, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Liam Ames; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Oliver Deadman.

Sub: Jay Manning.

St Cleer (4-3-3): Oliver Trevarthen; Jordan Dennis, Connor Buck, Kyle Tamblyn, Aaron Varcoe; Will Gilbert, Ryan Chapman, Jack Ostler; Harry Bartlett, Ethan Gwillam, Will Trevarthen.

Subs: Charlie Coates, Zak Peel, Joel Mitchell.

Foxhole avenged their opening day defeat with an ultimately comfortable victory although it took a change of ends for them to really get going. St Cleer illustrated their strength in depth by omitting strikers Peel and Coates who had played so well at Goverseth, but the pacy front three of Gwillam, Bartlett and Trevarthen, well served by a midfield finding a worrying amount of space,  looked lively early on, albeit without threatening Hurst’s clean sheet. While Cheshire was consistently getting the better of Dennis, and Ames was showing what we miss when he isn’t playing, it was pretty laboured stuff by the visitors on a heavy pitch, although the latter stages of the half did see cracks begin to appear in the hitherto commanding Tamblyn/Varcoe axis. Bould’s close range air shot was followed by Whetter’s header from Ames’ corner which was smothered by the keeper, who then repeated the trick to deny Deadman’s low drive.

Realising they needed to improve in the second half, Foxhole promptly raced into a two goal lead within three minutes. McAvoy drilled home from twenty-five yards, a deflection on the way wrong-footing Trevarthen, before Deadman cleverly chipped in after good work from Deadman. The introduction of Peel and Coates in the short interval between the goals caused some consternation among the visiting faithful, but the prolific duo were unable to breach a rearguard competently led by Whetter. The Foxes were unable to find a further way past the impressive Trevarthen until the death when McAvoy, who had earlier struck the bar, bundled home on the turn following a scramble in the box, although they had squandered numerous opportunities to seal the points as the tiring home team’s high line was repeatedly pierced. Hurst was called into action just the once, saving with his legs Peel’s daisy-cutter.

Well played the super Foxes. Good luck to St Cleer. Many thanks to Steve Tootle, Jon Colenzo and Ian Osborne.

Foxhole reserves 4  (Hawken x2, Jamie Robinson x2) St Breward 2 (Bennett x2) Duchy knock out cup

Foxhole: Bradley Allen, Daniel Allen, Jake Couch, Caleb Hawken, Richard James, Steven Kellow, Adam Kerby, Jacob Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, Jeremy Pascoe, Jamie Robinson.

Subs: Jowan Dingle, Dylan Jones, Matt Lean, Dean Robinson.

St Breward: Seb Bellinger Burden, Adam Bennett, Nathan Elliott, Matt Hamley, Jamie Henderson, Martin Jago, Ben Jarram, Nathan Jasper, Rob Marks, Ashley Morris, Ben Prendiville.

Many thanks to Tony Ford.

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 9th November 2019

St Teath 1 (Shearer) Foxhole 6 (Cheshire x3, Bould, McAvoy, Jennings) ECPL league cup.

Foxhole: Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Rory Barnicle; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Jay Manning.

Sub: Dan Jennings.

I was unable to make this match unfortunately. Many thanks to Paul Cackett, Simon Bunt and the home lino.

St Columb 6 Foxhole reserves 0      Junior Cup.

 

 

 

 

Saturday 16th November 2019

Marjons 2 ( Barbour 31,50) Foxhole 5 (Cheshire 43, 82, Bould 61, 66 pen, og 63)

Once again a vastly improved second half performance served to paper over the cracks of a lacklustre opening as the Foxes ultimately ran out comfortable victors over youthful opponents. Eccles had been barely tested before the break other than to beat away an excellent volley from impressive debutant Morgan, although later he was relieved to see Bould’s snapshot roll wide from close range, as the students enjoyed the majority of the possession with some nice triangles on the artificial pitch without looking like scoring until Coates’ poor first touch allowed Barbour to lob Hurst. Cheshire’s equaliser moments before the break, volleying home a loose ball in a crowded box, was only the visitors’ second effort on target, their new look midfield having hitherto been unable to provide sufficient ammunition for the front three which also included the tricky Bishop at outside-right.

A switch to 4-4-2, which saw Morgan pushed forward, sparked a vastly increased threat as Foxhole changed ends on the front foot only for more defensive uncertainty to allow Barbour to double his tally. However, the offensive was soon resumed and, after they had twice gone close with Morgan’s acrobatics and a Cheshire drive which found the legs of the advancing Eccles, Foxhole levelled through Bould, ramming home the rebound on the turn once Morgan had struck the base of the post. Within seconds, a defender had turned into his own net a cross by Bishop, who was then tripped for Bould to confidently despatch the penalty. The first half woes had long since been banished as Bould narrowly missed out on another hat-trick, first seeing a header from the splendid McAvoy’s corner cleared from under the bar, before firing just wide at the far post. Cheshire completed the scoring following a mazy dribble with an excellent finish although it could easily have been six but man of the match Morgan couldn’t quite nab a deserved goal, his header also being cleared off the line.

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Rory Barnacle, Jay Manning, Stuart Morgan; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Keiron Bishop.

Subs: Frankie McAvoy, Aydan Rundle.

Marjons: Eccles; Josh Bull, Coles, Dawe, Greenley, Hammond, McDonald, Rowe, Smyth, Vanstone, Pritchard.

Subs: Barbour, Pope, Thomas.

Well played lads. Good luck to Marjons. Many thanks to Martin Sanders, Ian Osborne and the Marjons lino.

 

 

Foxhole reserves 3 (James, Lean, Dan Allen) Polperro reserves 2 (Cordner x2)

Foxhole reserves: Daniel Allen, Nathan Allen, Jake Couch, Richard James, Dylan Jones, Steven Kellow, Adam Kerby, Matthew Lean, Stewart May, Jeremy Pascoe, Dean Robinson.

Sub: Dan Tree.

Polperro reserves: Alex Butters, Andrew Cordner, Andrew Giles, Aaron Honey, Owen Jackson, Liam Jowitt, James Morris, Josh Pearn, Ethan Powell, Harry Sawyers, Louie Webb.

Sub: Red Kennedy.

Many thanks to Aidan Hagley.

[Maybenextyear]

More than a slightly biased match report...

[dave bunt]

Why not write your own report then Maybenextyear, a man travels a 90 mile round trip to give a far more detailed report than in the Sunday Independent & all you can do is slag him off.

[Old 1950]

On 21/11/2019 at 01:58, Maybenextyear said:

More than a slightly biased match report...

In your opinion, why not follow Dave Bunt's idea and do a report, Darin at least reports on his teams unlike many others now. Surely any true spectator favours his team and reports accordingly. Perhaps it is comments like yours that stop supporters reporting on games. Dave Deacon and team provide this platform but over the last couple of years the reports have trailed off!!

 

[Jason Prynne]

To be fair Darren is 100% blinked like everyone is towards his own club but fair dues he's there to give his opinion week in week on so can't have it all ways 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[Dave Deacon]

12 hours ago, Old 1950 said:

In your opinion, why not follow Dave Bunt's idea and do a report, Darin at least reports on his teams unlike many others now. Surely any true spectator favours his team and reports accordingly. Perhaps it is comments like yours that stop supporters reporting on games. Dave Deacon and team provide this platform but over the last couple of years the reports have trailed off!!

 

Let’s be fair anyone writing a report on their club on here will slant it towards their own side. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes. I’d rather see something on every game played in the county on a Saturday compared to very little! Keep up the good work everyone who writes something on this forum about the matches they watch.

[Maybenextyear]

On 22/11/2019 at 18:54, dave bunt said:

Why not write your own report then Maybenextyear, a man travels a 90 mile round trip to give a far more detailed report than in the Sunday Independent & all you can do is slag him off.

Slag him off? Touch sensitive there.. I get the being slightly biased towards your own team but that game was far from a comfortable victory and the turning point was when the Foxhole physical approach bore dividends when Marjons were depleted after some “strong” challenges with key defenders being forced off with injury. At that point, Foxhole became the better team but for an hour it was a keenly contested game rather than “the offensive being resumed”. 

I know the game is all about opinions and people see things differently but I don’t really see the point in painting a picture to someone who wasn’t there that the game was really that one-sided when it wasn’t. I’m sorry if my original comment caused offence...

Moving on, Marjons drew 1-1 today against Gerrans in what was an even encounter. Marjons started the brighter of the sides but Gerrans grew into the game and controlled much of the play without forcing the home keeper Eccles into action. Myron Vanstone was unfortunate not to score for Marjons when his long range effort hit the top of the bar and went over, only for virtually the same thing to happen at the other end a minute later. Somewhat against the run of play, Marjons took the lead after a breakaway goal, James Greenley beat a couple of players before squaring to Keiran McDonald who shot into the corner from 20 yards. Within a couple of minutes, the scores were level when the influential number 8 for Gerrans scored a screamer from 30 yards. Half time finished 1-1

Marjons started the second half on the front foot and were unlucky when CJ’s strike was pushed onto the post but in truth, the second half turned into a scrappy affair with no further clear cut chances being created although Gerrans were a constant threat from set pieces. The only sour point was when a Gerran’s player got a straight red a couple of minutes from the end following a late challenge (rumour has it he missed the bus home it was that late 😉). 

Apologies to the away team of my report is too biased.. Thanks to all for a decent game 👍

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 30th November 2019

Newquay 2 (Burt pen 36, Capewell 42) Foxhole 2 (Bould 12, 88)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Anton Lake; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Leighton Carhart; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Liam Ames; Benno Bould, Jay Manning, Tyler Cheshire.

Newquay (4-5-1): Jay Jarrett; Ben Piper, Dan Ball, John Mitchell, Jon Coleman; Jack Piper, Callum James, Chris Sturgess, Cameron Burt, Ben Casey; Josh Burnell.

Subs: Owen Capewell, Robert Fawcett, ? Rooks.

Only a well-taken late, late goal from Bould saved Foxes' blushes after a disappointing performance at Mount Wise. Despite kicking into a typically fierce wind, it had all started so well and, after dominating the early possesssion, Bould rose unchallenged to nod home McAvoy's tempting corner. At Goverseth in September an early strike had opened the floodgates but, although they were to enjoy almost total ownership of the ball for the next twenty-odd minutes, today Foxhole were unable to create any clear-cut chances save for a couple of dangerous crosses. Otherwise, I'm afraid, a distinct lack of guile resulted in far too many aimless high balls which merely presented Mitchell and Coleman with heading practice, while keeper Jarrett was not called upon at all, and, perhaps inevitably, the visitors were left to rue their inability to kill off their opponents. Nothing had been seen of Newquay's lone forward Burnell until he was directly involved in two goals from nowhere, first when he was adjudged to have been fouled by an uncertain-looking Coates for Burt to easily beat Lake from the spot, and then to spring the offside trap to square for substitute Capewell to tap home.

With a lead to hold onto, the Peppermints defended resolutely throughout the second-half, getting ten men behind the ball at every opportunity and winning a worryingly high percentage of 50-50s as the Foxes continued to flatter to deceive. Nevertheless they really should still have won the game and, having reached the hour before managing another on-target effort, a flurry of golden opportunities then came and went, largely thanks to an inspired (if occasionally unorthodox) display by Jarrett. Cheshire was unable to convert a one-on-one, as was Bould, who then stabbed wide at the far post before seeing a flick tipped over. Burnell squandered a chance to seal the points moments before the equaliser from Bould, who cleverly chested down a deep McAvoy centre before slamming into the net. There was still time for yet another goalmouth scramble but, in truth, it would have been hard on the home team to lose as their resilience and bravery in possession warranted a point against a Foxhole outfit who again suffered from a total lack of alternatives on the bench. Anybody decent out there fancy joining the league leaders?

On to St Dominick away in a fortnight. Many thanks to Paul Cackett, Ian Osborne and the various home linos.

 

Tavyside 1 (Lewis) Foxhole reserves 4 (Rowe, Bradley Allen,  Hutchings, Lean). 

Foxhole reserves: Bradley Allen, Daniel Allen, Jake Couch, Paul Hooper, Phil Hutchings, Dylan Jones, Steven Kellow, Matthew Lean, Stewart May, Jacob Mitchell, Jacob Rowe

Sub: Chris Allen

Tavyside: Sennen Bench, James Coker, Paul Cowling, Luke Cressey, Oliver Gourd, Lee Lewis, Mark Lewis, Kevin Pethick, Luke Shalgosky, Owen Staples, Blair Vanstone

Sub: Kade Grylls

Many thanks to referee Bryan Holden.

 

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 7th December

Foxhole reserves 2 (Cheshire x2) Lifton 1 (Ryan Hancock) HT 1-1

Foxhole reserves (4-4-2): Stewart May; Dan Allen, Matt Lean, Steve Kellow, Jeremy Pascoe; Dylan Jones, Nathan Allen, Jake Couch, Jacob Mitchell; Bradley Allen, Richard James.

Subs: Tyler Cheshire, Rhys Lamy, Adam Kirby, Caleb Hawken, Wayne Hoole.

Lifton: Joshua Chalk, Nathan Farrer, Ryan Hancock, Thomas Hancock, Cameron Heard, Jordan Mason, George Murrain, Jake Murrain, Dominic Snell, Jacob Todd, Sean Tucker

Subs: Barry Rutherford, Darren Volz

Well played both teams for a great game. Many thanks to officials Chris Nicholls, Darren Volz and Simon Jones.

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 14^th December 2019

St Dominick 6 (Jeffery 23, Ryall 25, 71, 75, Prescott 68, 80) Foxhole 2 (Bould pen 43, Cheshire 87) Sent off: Bould 43; Coates 55

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Frank McAvoy, Rory Barnacle, Levi Kerrigan; Benno Bould, Chris Dingle, Tyler Cheshire.Subs: Jay Manning, Josh Andrews.

St Dominick (4-4-2): Jamie Blatchford; Ryan Cloake, James Pascoe, Harvey Barrett, Ryan Corey; Nathan Behennah, Callum Searle, James Bloomfield, Kieran Prescott; Ben Jeffery, Keiran Ryall.Subs: Chris Walker, Ben Walters, Kieran Searle.

It had been an unsettling week. My employer had organised a free NHS health check, and the doctor I saw told me he had some good news and some bad news. He said he’d examined my rectum and my tonsils and both were fine. However, he hadn’t washed his hands in between. Then I learned my uncle had been arrested for suspected drug dealing and was strip searched. Police had found a large amount of crack down the back of his trousers.

So it was with a heavy heart that I spent this morning rushing around trying to find a Christmas tree within my budget before eventually deciding on one that drooped alarmingly, being sold from a layby just outside St Austell.

"Are you putting it up yourself?" the man asked.

"Well I was thinking of placing it in my living room, actually," I said.

My elderly aunt lives near Callington and I'm obliged to visit her whenever I’m up that way so it was with the usual apprehension that I rang her bell after a tortuously slow journey in the winter sunshine. I hate the way she insists on interrogating me on every detail of my often strained relationship with my girlfriend, so I hoped she either wouldn't be in, or was perhaps stranded in her stairlift after a timely powercut and wouldn't be able to open the door.

Alas, there she was, looking like a stunt double for Vera Lynn, her wooden legs attached to her real feet. Her guide dog, whose eyesight is marginally worse than my aunt's, greeted me in the usual way by sniffing my groin. (Why is it acceptable for dogs to do that? I tried it last week with my girlfriend but she slapped my face. Mind you, we were Christmas shopping in Asda at the time). Aunty immediately asked about my partner, and I said I had recently bought her an engagement ring. Unfortunately she had dropped it on the kitchen floor, and our pet labrador had swallowed it. We had been going through the motions ever since.

Keen to get to the match, I soon made my excuses and stood up to leave. My bid for freedom was delayed, however, as from inside a pink Ottoman, she produced my present for the festive season - a jumper she had obviously spent many a lonely evening knitting with purple wool. I had no option but to feign gratitude and pull it over my head. It was much too short for me, barely covering my chest.

"Sorry love,” she said sorrowfully. "I ran out of wool. I needed it for something else.”

"No problem, Aunty,” I replied, doing my best to convince her that her handiwork was the latest in haute couture. Then I noticed she had knitted three sleeves on the jumper. "But why have you knitted an extra sleeve?"

"That's what I needed the rest of the wool for,” she explained, regarding me as if I was the one in the early stages of dementia.

 Once I’d finally escaped, I headed for St Dominick and still found myself with time to spare to explore the village before kick off, which was fortunate as I had no idea where the ground was. Glancing around at the seriously outdated clothes being worn by the locals going about their business suggested to me that St Dominick may well be one of the few places where I actually look vaguely fashionable. I couldn't help wondering if perhaps it possessed the world's last surviving branch of John Collier, or indeed whether there had recently been a fire sale at a tank top factory nearby. 

 Having had no luck locating the pitch, I stopped to ask a chap standing outside the chemist’s. He told me he was waiting for it to re-open after dinner so he could buy Lemsip for his poorly wife.

"She's had to go back up to bed," he told me mournfully.

"Flu?" I asked him.

"No,” he said. "She took the stairs."

I soon wished I’d spent the whole day at my aunt’s as I witnessed a home victory even more emphatic that Boris Johnson’s. From the off, an altogether slicker and fitter St Dominick controlled the game, repeatedly cutting through our out-numbered midfield and uneasy-looking defence, and, after somehow surviving with our goal intact for the first quarter, two rapid strikes from Jeffery and Ryall left us with a mountain to climb. Bould’s spot-kick awarded for hands against Pascoe offered the sizeable visiting contingent some hope, but this was soon to evaporate when the striker saw red after an altercation off the ball.

While the second-half started promisingly with long-range efforts from the returning Dingle and McAvoy at last extending Blatchford, Coates’ dismissal for studs up on Behennah ensured there would be no miracle comeback. St Dominick had been far superior when it was 11 v 11, and so had no problem banging in four goals in no time against our demoralised nine. Prescott bagged two, his second a blistering free-kick, while the excellent Ryall claimed a deserved hat-trick with composed finishing to match his impudent skill. It very nearly got embarrassing as the Saints swarmed forward down the slope, so some credit to the Foxes for limiting it to just the six, and even managing a fine consolation from Cheshire.

The mauling left me in no mood to hang around in the cold and, as it had taken me nearly an hour to reach Callington via St Ive I thought I'd try to find a shortcut on my way home. However, before long, I was hopelessly lost on Bodmin Moor, inching the Polo through narrow lanes and across rough terrain as the light failed and the heavy rain set in with a vengeance, making it virtually impossible to see where I was going. I really had no idea where I was and cursed my stupidity in not staying on familiar roads. In the distance I could just make out a light shining rather dimly, so I decided to head towards it, hoping it would return me to civilisation where someone could point me in the right direction. After some time, and through ever-worsening weather, I could see that the light was just a flickering bulb above a wooden door of a ramshackle, single storey building. After parking next to a sheep, who looked genuinely surprised to see me, I knocked on the door, which rattled alarmingly in the gale before being opened by a girl of about eight.

"Hello little one", I said. "Is your mum in? I'd like to speak to her".

"No", she replied. "She went out when my dad came in".

"OK", I said. "Can I speak to your dad then?"

The girl tutted. "No, he went out when my big brother came in".

"Well, can I speak to your big brother then?"

"No, he went out when I came in".

By now I was exasperated. "What is this, some kind of madhouse?"

"No", she said. "This is the outside toilet. I live over there." She pointed to another, if anything even more dilapidated, building across the yard. I followed the girl to her home and was introduced to her family who were about to settle down to a hearty meal of road kill and chips, with fresh wild berries in lard for afters. The hirsute head of the household, who was smoking a pipe clenched between broken yellow teeth, wore a boiler suit and hob-nailed boots, and her husband was similarly dressed. She invited me to join them for tea but my eyes had been drawn to the unfortunate animal lying on the table with a huge carving knife through its breast. Despite the visible tyre marks, it appeared still to be twitching, showing more signs of life than some Sunderland players recently.

By now it was getting late and, with no sign of an improvement in the weather, I wondered if I shouldn't find somewhere to stay the night. Politely declining the family's kind offer to sleep in the barn with a goat for company, I set off armed with directions to the local inn, "The Foot and Mouth", a few miles away. I arrived starving, but the only food available from the kitchen smelt as if it may once have been the animals from Mountain Vets that didn't make it. The aroma of the burgers was particularly unappetising and when the barmaid handed one to me, I peered at it the way Khloe Kardashian might inspect a pair of trainers on sale in the middle aisle of Aldi. I hoped the burger had not originated from a creature whose final act was to perish at Becher's Brook, but I had little option but to reluctantly eat both it and a dish of the dessert du jour, which was rhubarb crumble on toast. While eating, I read the notice-board and saw that the pub offered rooms with either a bath or a shower, so I asked the barmaid what the difference was.

"Well," she said. "You can sit down in a bath".

While the prospect of such luxury accommodation was undeniably attractive, I decided to head back home after all, and, after quickly rediscovering the main road under clearing skies, I spent the journey trying to come up with an amusing way to end my report, but without success.

Well played St Dominick, comfortably the best team we’ve faced in the league this season. Many thanks to Alan Johns, Ian Osborne and the home lino.

 

St Breward 1 Foxhole reserves 3 (Bradley Allen, Lean, Pascoe)    Knockout Cup

Foxhole reserves: Bradley Allen, Dan Allen, Nathan Allen, Jake Couch, Wayne Hoole, Dylan Jones, Steve Kellow, Matt Lean, Stewart May, Jacob Mitchell, Jeremy Pascoe.

Subs: Adam Kerby, Sam Mitchell.

St Breward:  Adam Bennett, Scott Burke, Karl Croft, Paul Dowson, Nathan Elliott, Jamie Henderson, Jack Holt, Martin Jago, Ashley Morris, Lee Newton, Ben Prendiville.

Subs: Seb Bellinger Burden, Aiden Craddock Maxwell, Cameron McHardy.

Many thanks to John Raikes.

 

 

 

 

 

[Darin Morse]

Thursday 26th December

St Stephen v Foxhole OFF

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 4^th January 2020

North Petherwin 0 Foxhole 4 (Cheshire 16, Griffin 47, 62, Dingle 90)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Josh Andrews; Frank McAvoy, Nathan Allen, Levi Kerrigan; Tyler Cheshire, Richard Griffin, Jay Manning.

Sub: Chris Dingle.

North Petherwin (4-3-3): Wayne Basford; Ryan Julian, Callum Reeve, Matt Taskis, Ben Davey; James Werran, Joe Reeve, Shaun Ellis; Josh Sanders, Mark Gribble, William Green.

Subs: Keiran Lane, Walter Medlicott, Noah Reeve, Andrew Sleeman.

It had been another sad week. My mate Bill drowned. At the funeral we got him a wreath in the shape of a lifebelt. Well, it's what he would have wanted. Then today, and faced with our longest trip of the season, I found the car wouldn’t start! Realising to my horror that my RAC membership had expired sometime in the last century, there was only one thing for it, so, after numerous desperate calls to taxi firms, an entirely fictitious one eventually agreed to take me.

The cab arrived within 10 minutes. The driver was very cross-eyed, which unnerved me momentarily, although not as much as his ready smile and sleeveless T-shirt. After climbing into the back seat, my heart was pumping as he radioed back to the office that he was about to "take a chap from Foxhole up the bypass" until I realised he was actually referring to the A30.

The driver, who introduced himself as John, explained to me that he was not completely used to the controls of the car (which did nothing to ease my precarious state of mind) having only driven it for the first time the night before. I could well believe it as we lurched forward nearly into the path of a lorry, the wipers scraped against the tinted windscreen, and the sun-roof opened and closed as a bizarre accompaniment to Maroon 5 playing on the radio.

Normally whenever I take a taxi, I like to talk about my problems, which I find has two distinct advantages: it stops the driver telling me his, and we habitually arrive at my destination faster. This time, however, he was too quick off the mark and proceeded to speak of the prophetic tragedies that had beset his immediate family. Two of them had died: a sister, who had been both a clairvoyant and a contortionist, and had seen her own end coming; and a brother, who had moved to Texas as a teenager, got into deep trouble with the law, and had known the exact day he would die (the judge told him).

Another sister had been born with two left feet: apparently she would leave the house in the morning for work, walk in a circle and arrive back at the front door within a dozen steps (she had to work from home in the end). John was also having problems with his boss, who had evidently increased his hours but not his wage: his shift pattern had changed from six-till-six ("twelve hours,” John explained) to seven-till-seven ("fourteen hours").

He would occasionally glance at me in the mirror (I remember thinking I could never see eye to eye with him) as he repeatedly swerved from lane to lane, appearing to have one eye on the hedge and one on the road (which I suppose was entirely possible). It was as if he thought he was in a dodgem, and I had to check over my shoulder in case a youth with greasy hair and bad teeth was clinging onto the back of the car, ready to demand one pound fifty.

Despite, or possibly because of, his erratic driving we reached Temple in good time, but our progress was abruptly halted by a massive tailback due, supposedly, to drainage work on the carriageway. Crawling along for miles, we amused ourselves with an impromptu game of “spot the workman” until we shook hands on a nil-nil draw having concluded that Cornwall Highways clock off at 10am on Saturdays for a laugh. Soon, a newsflash came over the radio, warning the county about a thief who steals boxer shorts in order of size. Apparently he’s still at large. Then I saw a white van with “Marmite” emblazoned on its side panels. It was heading yeastbound.

Having just made kick off in time, I was able to witness the Foxes, clad in unfamiliar all red, make their typically slow start as the lively home team swarmed forward down the slope. Somehow we survived the early pounding, particularly when Sanders’ low drive hit a post, with some last-ditch defending led by Andrews, in for the suspended Coates. In a rare sortie Manning’s effort was scrambled clear, but it was against the run of play when the returning Griffin found the net after being released by Cheshire, a deflection off Davey wrong-footing Basford. Undeterred, North Petherwin resumed the offensive, only to strike the woodwork twice more in rapid succession, first through Ellis’ header and then when Joe Reeve tried his luck from miles out. Foxhole were also indebted to an outstanding display from Hurst, the most notable of numerous fine saves occurring when he somehow kept out Green’s point-blank effort before flinging himself to his left to deny early substitute Medlicott. Although Griffin twice went close, it was obvious we had to improve after the break.

Luckily we did and the result was never in doubt once Cheshire had again sent Griffin away to confidently chip Basford, who soon distinguished himself with a great save from Papaioannou. With Allen, surely far too good for our reserves, showing his customary tenacity on his long-awaited comeback, the hosts were pinned back, and it was no surprise when Griffin notched another, his quick reactions converting Wilkins’ mis-hit shot. Apart from having to smother from Medlicott, Hurst was able to spectate like the rest of us as Griffin fired narrowly wide and Whetter’s huge clearance bounced over the keeper only to rebound off the bar before Dingle made it four with a deft chip following a mazy run.

Fortunately I managed to bag a lift home with one of our players and we were both delighted to discover the queues had disappeared. The journey passed without incident until, passing through Nanpean, I spotted a chap urinating in a garden. He then took out his key and unlocked his front door.

Many thanks to Dave Sellars, Simon Bunt and the home lino. Well played to an excellent but luckless home team.

 

Foxhole reserves 1 (James) Gunnislake 1 (Liam Bryant) Knockout cup

Gunnislake: Matthew Ansell, Tom Barwell, Aiden Bryant, Liam Bryant, Jamie Dewdney, Bradley Farnham, Calton Farnham, Jan Kerr, Adam Patterson, Bradley Scoble, Joe Wakenshaw.

Subs: Harry Southcott, Lee Williams.

Many thanks to Duncan Stevenson.

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 11th January 2020

Foxhole 1 (Griffin  32) St Minver 1 (Wootton 31)

Foxhole: (4-3-3): Josh Andrews; Oliver Dedman, Nathan Papaioannou, Ryan Wilkins, Lee Whetter; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Liam Ames; Chris Dingle, Tyler Cheshire, Richard Griffin.

Sub: Jay Manning. Unused subs: Rory Barnicle, Steve Kellow, Adam Kerby.

St Minver (4-5-1): Chris Andrews; Jason Keatley, Sam Cleave, Ed Green, Joe Combellack; Mike Kempthorne, Ben Beesley, Steve Wootton, Ross Beare, Corey Cleave; Rob Elliott.

Subs: Mike Green, Callum Wilson, Rob Green, Ted Meagor. 

Foxhole's return to Goverseth after an absence of 15 weeks did not result in the win required to keep up the pressure at the top of the table, as they were left to rue an inabilty to convert their early chances. They could easily have been out of sight inside six minutes as, after a flurry of corners, Kerrigan's effort was deflected just wide, Chris Andrews fielded a shot from Cheshire and a header from Whetter, who then met McAvoy's inswinging centre with another firm header only for it to be cleared on the line by Keatley, Whetter himself smashing the rebound against the bar. Momentum was lost, however, when Griffin talked himself into the sin bin and, although Dingle's long range effort went close, the visitors began to exploit the space afforded by the Foxes' persistence with a three-man midfield sadly missing last week's star man Allen. Elliott should have done better when ex-Fox Kempthorne opened up a square home rearguard, but the warning was ignored and Wootton soon opened the scoring with a fierce drive past stand-in keeper Josh Andrews, whose pace in defence would have proved handy all afternoon. Within seven seconds of the restart, Griffin had latched on to Cheshire's fine early ball down the channel to equalise, a rasper from Dedman which was saved the only other significant moment of the half.

St Minver continued to display admirable resolve after the break, limiting the home team to relatively few clear cut opportunities while presenting a threat on the counter through the speed of wingers Beare and Corey Cleave, and ought to have regained the lead with twenty minutes to go only for Elliott to again slash wide when well placed. Unfortunately our forward line did not appear to be on the same wavelength as each other as promising moves repeatedly petered out, the cause not helped when Dingle was also despatched back to the dugout for ten minutes by referee Howells. Twelve minutes from time Keatley upended Cheshire but Dingle's spot-kick was tamely struck, meaning Foxhole were unable to improve on their recent run of only one win in four.

Well played both teams and good luck to St Minver. Many thanks to Alan Howells, Simon Jones and the visiting lino.  

 

 

 

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 18th January 2019

Padstow 0 Foxhole 5 (Whetter 18, Cheshire 26, 27, 31, Brown 36)   Sent off: Whetter: 45

Foxhole (4-3-3): Aydan Rundle; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Lee Whetter, Josh Andrews; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Chris Brown; Jay Manning, Jack Hooper, Tyler Cheshire.

Subs: Chris Dingle, Aiden Dingle, Ryan Lavery.

Padstow (4-4-2): Mark Rickard; Josh Barnes, Ben White, Dan  Colwill, John Middleditch; Jake Chafer, Jacob Tarby, Rob Rowe, Gareth Jenkins; Scott Taylor, Jonny Centini.

Sub: Ian Buckingham.

Padstow's Jury Park is normally the sort of place you visit if you want to get arthritis so at least there was no sign of the usual gale that habitually causes you to spend the afternoon chasing your cap. It was still chilly though; foolishly I'd only brought one glove as the weather forecast had said it would be sunny but, on the other hand, it would be cold. Foxhole took charge immediately, the hosts holding out until the nineteenth-minute when Whetter volleyed home a corner from McAvoy, the same pair soon combining for Cheshire to convert a second. The Foxes' leading scorer completed his five-minute hat-trick with two more close range finishes following assists by Whetter and Manning, before Brown marked his return with a fierce drive from twenty-five yards. Deep into stoppage time Whetter was dismissed after catching Rowe, the sole aggressive moment in a game that otherwise emitted the amiable air of a testimonial. Even with a man short Foxhole continued to dominate down the slope but were unable to find a way past Barnes, who had swapped positions at half-time with Rickard. Far too often the final ball was pretty woeful but credit to Padstow for defending with determination and good luck to them for the remainder of the season. 

The temperature had dropped considerably as the sun set and, as I was also starving, I headed for one for one of Rick Stein's celebrated eating houses. I'd been told it was in the car park next to the Camel Trail and, in the dim twilight, my wayward driving in search of it caused a passing cyclist to veer into a lamppost. I didn't feel guilty though, as he was wearing cycle clips and a slipstream helmet which virtually invited me to knock him over. The restaurant's price list suggested I could partake of fish and chips for more than a tenner; unimpressed by this man of the people pricing policy I decided I wasn't that hungry and settled for a pasty at Jock Stein's cafe down the road instead.

Many thanks to Martin Clemens, Ian Osborne and the home lino.

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 25th January 2019

Gerrans and St Mawes 4 (Hayhurst 23, Charlie Andrew 40, Hayhoe 66, Gaye 88) Foxhole 1 (Carhart 85)

Foxhole (4-3-3): Aydan Rundle; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Leighton Carhart; Frank McAvoy, Levi Kerrigan, Josh Andrews; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Jay Manning.

Subs: Rory Barnicle, Sam Mitchell, Dan Maller.

Gerrans (4-4-2): John Parker; Nick Webb, Joe Emmett, Adam Peters, Haydn Andrew; Tom Guest, Rory Jarvis, Alex Hayhoe, Sean Johnson; Charlie Andrew, Isaac Hayhurst.

Subs: Joe Gaye, Oliver Young, Niel Rivington.

In this game of two halves, Foxhole were unfortunately desperately poor in both of them, being comprehensively outplayed in all departments by an altogether better, fitter and more up for it home team. The absence of Hurst, Whetter, Griffin, Ames, Dingle and Reed-Bennett undoubtedly contributed to a particularly disjointed display, only exacerbated by the premature withdrawal of both Rundle and top-scorer Cheshire, who squandered our only chance of the first half, firing wide from Bould's assist. By then we were two down, Hayhurst being allowed the freedom of the Roseland peninsula to side-foot home before Andrew showed typical desire to head in Hayhoe's deep cross. Things did not improve when it was our turn to play down the mountain,  Parker continuing to enjoy an easy afternoon before seeing Hayhoe make it three with a low shot through a crowded area. Hopes of an unlikely comeback were dashed when Bould nodded Manning's centre against the bar before repeating the trick from the rebound and McAvoy was unable to exploit a huge gap left by Parker at a free-kick, meaning Carhart's fine header five minutes from time was too little, too late. In any event, substitute Joe Gaye was shortly to restore Gerrans' numerical advantage, which was fair enough, as they really were at least three goals superior.

Good luck and well played Gerrans. Many thanks to Paul Buscombe, Ian Osborne and the home lino.

[Adlestrop]

"Things did not improve when it was our turn to play down the mountain"

 

I don't know about that,Darin:but have a bigger one to climb if you wish to make the top 2 in a very competitive League.

[chesterfield]

Well done St mawes!

[Darin Morse]

Saturday 22nd February 2019

Foxhole 2 (Deadman 26, Dingle pen 89) St Blazey 0

Foxhole (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Jay Manning, Nathan Papaioannou, Angel Coates, Josh Andrews; Frank McAvoy, Ryan Lavery, Liam Ames; Tyler Cheshire, Benno Bould, Oliver Deadman.

Subs: Charlie Bickle, Chris Brown, Chris Kilbey, Chris Dingle, Dave Rickard.

St Blazey (4-5-1): James Prynn; Ryan Morcom, Marcisse Campbell, Martin Davy, Charlie Appleby; Dean Dingle, Ross Willcock, Bruce Campbell, Kevin Morcom, Charlie Prynn; Josh Frampton.

Subs: Sam Rowse, Michael Snell, Toby Gallears.

The Foxes made heavy weather of it but ran out deserved victors against opponents who showed far more resilience than in the game at Blaise Park last August. Clear cut chances were at a premium, the best of which falling to Deadman on twenty-six minutes following a rare flowing move involving Bould and Cheshire, Marcisse Campbell performing wonders on the goal-line to deny the fierce effort. However Deadman did open the scoring ten minutes later, volleying home from twelve yards after Prynn could only palm away McAvoy's corner. The second half followed a similar pattern of constant Foxhole pressure without the necessary cutting edge, although the victory would have been clinched earlier had Bould's finish on the hour not been controversially disallowed for offside. While St Blazey seemed to lack the wherewithal to unlock a rearguard held together by Andrews, it was nevertheless a relief when Appleby's challenge on newcomer Bickle was deemed inside the box. Dingle duly slotted the penalty past Prynn, who immediately talked his way to an early bath.

Well played lads and good luck to St Blazey. Many thanks to Paul Sowden, Ian Osborne and Liam Turner.