Junior Cup 4th Rd. St Keverne 1 Holmans 1 aet. Holmans win 4-3 pens

[StarsAndStripes]

holmans progress to the last 8 of the junior cup with a hard fought win over an equally committed saints side.With very few games surviving the monsoon like weather a trip to to the west cornwall village side as a neutral was on the cards for the saturday afternoon football fix.This on paper looked like being a close affair with both teams doing well in their respective leagues.St keverne(div 3) hosting Holmans(div2) wiith both teams already defeating higher league opposition to get this far.

The pitch looked in great condition plenty of grass to soak up any morning rain and although heavy going held up well.First half saw Saints going downhill and the majority of which was battled out in midfield with neither goalkeeper having much to do with defences on top throughout.st keverne taking the league on 28 mins when a holmans defender was adjudged to have bundled over the home teams attacker on the edge of the box.The penalty was confidently despatched 1-0 halftime.

After  the break with holmans having the "advantage" of the slope play continued in the same vein lots of committed challenges and endeavour from both teams but clearcut cut chances were at a premium.with legs tiring st keverne were first to utilise their full quota of 5 subs.shortly followed by holmans also ringing the changes.After 63 mins the equaliser came when a far post corner was headed in by the tall holmans centre half. both teams huffed and puffed showing good levels of fitness but good passing play was not possible on apitch starting to cut up and the full time whistle blew.

Into extra time and Holmans seemed to take the initiative looking more likely to score the winner a heavy touch by there forward when stretching for a through ball was the nearest they came though and apart from a mis kicked clearance by the away team keeper which was capitalised on there was very little more to report.

So penalties it was. which took place in the bottom goal.St.keverne going first and blasting no1 over the bar.holmans converted a couple before their third was saved by the keeper.St.keverne had a chance to take the lead but put another over the bar which left Holmans the opportunity to win the tie and they smashed the 5th in to spark wild celebrations.

An enjoyable game to watch despite the wind and light rain both teams gave their all but unfortunately only one can go through.Holmans despite their league 2 status will not be a pushover for any team in this competition.

The referee had a fine game kept control throughout and i dont think any of the contentious decisions were overly argued-a sign he got most right!

M.O.M  Scott Thomas-Holmans centre half didnt put a foot wrong and a goal as well