Foxhole 5 Callington 3

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole 5 Callington 3

Saturday 29th March 2008

Foxhole faced the gale in the opening half and appeared to be coping comfortably with the mediocre visitors before conceding two poor goals in 120 seconds. First Ryan Holland was deceived by Sleep's speculative effort from the half way line and then Pethick was allowed to turn and fire home at the near post from 20 yards. Callington may easily have extended the lead, twice striking the post through Pethick and Woolley, while Norman, whose movement caused Dillon much anxiety, was denied by Holland when clean through.

The Foxes were all over the shop, not testing Drinka until the half hour when the keeper tipped over Bromley's lob, sustaining a finger injury in the process which prompted a lengthy delay for treatment. However, on 39, Rickard displayed clever feet to create space for a drive which was blocked, and Bromley reacted before Benney to reduce the arrears, but Norman quickly restored the two-goal advantage, lobbing Holland after more indecision in the home rearguard.

Although Drinka did well to push away Bromley's thunderous free-kick just before the break, the Foxes' disjointed display meant a recovery was by no means certain, even with the fierce wind now behind them, and the second half began with Norman again afforded far too much room to race clear only to finish weakly. However, three goals in five minutes turned the game on its head. On 52, Dillon's free-kick provoked an almighty scramble, the ball eventually crossing the line via Drinka's arm. Four minutes later, the keeper's poor clearance was returned over his head by Hill for the equaliser before Nicholls made it 4-3, turning home Hill's cross from close range after Panter's initial effort was stopped.

With 33 minutes still remaining, the chance was there to bury Callington, but poor finishing kept the final result in doubt until the end, and Benney, earlier booked for a foul on Adam Holland, went close with a goal-bound header that hit Norman before floating harmlessly wide. Nevertheless, after Rickard, Rowe, Nicholls, Morris and Bromley (twice) had all spurned good opportunities, Rickard sealed victory at the death from 18 yards.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Ryan Holland 6; Richard Fairclough 6, Jason Warne 6, Jeff Dillon 6, Mark Rowe 7; Scott Hill 6 (sub. Colin Morris 5), Adam Bromley 8, Adam Holland 6, Steve Panter 6 (sub. Jamie Bullock 5); Liam Nicholls 6 (sub. Gary Camps 5), Carl Rickard 7.

Callington (4-4-2): Tomas Drinka; Lee Murphy, Matt Sleep, Chris Canham, Dan Moore; Mark Channing, Dan Pethick, Dan Discombe, Jake Benney; Mike Norman, Darren Woolley (sub. Adam Reid).

Referee: Mr Ben Lugg (Cury) 9.