Helston vs St Agnes, CWFL League Cup Quarter-Final, 2 April

[Gary Hocking]

1st Division champions-elect Helston welcomed 2nd Division champions-elect St Agnes to Kellaway Park in the fourth of this year’s CWFL League Cup quarter-finals. 

Given the one division gap between the two teams St Agnes were theoretically the underdogs but they dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game with Helston struggling to get out of their own half. It felt like only a matter of time until St Agnes scored and it was Lily Langan who did the honours, coolly slotting home a low cross from the left wing.

The goal seemed to be the spur that Helston needed though and they gradually asserted their authority over the game, first of all wrestling possession from St Agnes and then once they were on top ruthlessly scoring three quick goals. Katy Barker-Thomas was Helston’s first scorer making the most of a St Agnes defensive slip-up on 28 minutes. Abi Locke followed up with a second on 35 after a strong run from midfield and then Barker-Thomas added her second, Helston’s third on the stroke of half time. 3-1 felt a touch harsh on St Agnes but the confident way in which Helston finished the half suggested that they might run away with it the second.

St Agnes had other ideas though and had their best spell of the game straight from kick-off. St Agnes’s attacking approach had Helston on the back foot, especially after Zoe Arundell-Lethbridge hit a 30 yard free kick directly into top corner to bring the score back to 3-2. Just a couple of minutes later goal-machine Jordana Pardoe added an equaliser for St Agnes and the cup shock looked on.

But, just as in the first half, Helston showed a maturity and confidence, never panicking, and slowing asserting their authority over the game by first taking control of midfield and then working their way ever closer to the St Agnes goal. Their big chance came in the 73rd minute when their striker was through one-on-one on goal only to wiped out by … let’s call it a “strong challenge” from the St Agnes keeper. Ref Aimee Green had no choice but to point to the spot and Liz O’Reilly made no mistake hitting her spot kick firmly to the keeper’s right.

Both teams had chances in the closing spell but Helston defended well to see out their 4-3 victory. Helston keeper Emily Full is probably the best in the CWFL at the moment and, despite conceding 3 goals, was perhaps Helston’s key player on the day. 

Already through to the County Cup final Helston will also hope to book a League Cup final place when they welcome neighbours RNAS Culdrose to Kellaway Park for the semi-final on 30 April. On the same day Foxhole host Bodmin in the other semi.

Congratulations to both teams on playing such a competitive and entertaining cup tie, and to Ref Aimee Green for a flawless performance. Congratulations also to the Helston groundsman for preparing what looked like a perfect pitch when so many other games were called off. I didn’t do a head-count but I’d guess the crowd at around 60-70. 

 

[Paul Parfitt]

Good report Gary.  Thank you.