Foxhole 3 Porthleven 4

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole 3 Porthleven 4

Saturday 14th February 2009

For the second successive week Foxhole went down to an unlucky odd goal defeat to an unconvincing title-chasing outfit, and were left to rue their inability to convert several gilt-edged chances, although they were again on the receiving end of some controversial refereeing decisions.

The Foxes had commenced promisingly, with Butler's chip skimming the top of the bar and Rickard's long-range drive being fumbled by the nervous-looking visiting keeper, so it was against the run of play that Porthleven opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Ainscough's optimistic punt caught Rowe napping and Williams cleverly lobbed Holland from 18 yards. This was followed by Port's best spell, the only brief period when the Foxes were on the ropes, and they were indebted to Holland for fine saves from Laity's cross-shot, Thirkle's point-blank effort and Young's crack from the edge of the box.

Having weathered the storm, Foxhole may have equalised through the effervescent Rickard's shot on the run, or Adam Holland's volley following a scramble, but two contentious decisions soon saw them faced with a mountain to climb. On 33, Warne's tackle on Lawrence was illogically deemed unfair, and the diminutive winger's free-kick was slammed home past a static rearguard by Thirkle. Nine minutes later, Reynolds' lunge on Prince went unpunished, allowing the appreciative Thirkle to run clear and confidently ram the third into the corner. To their credit, the Foxes retaliated with spirit and, shortly after Capeling had forced Burrows into a full-length dive, Rowe's firm header from the impressive Butler's flighted dead-ball flew into the net.

No doubt Billy Davis' half-time team-talk emphasised the importance of the next goal, but unfortunately it was the visitors who got it within seconds of the restart when Gardner robbed Prince before releasing Thirkle, whose thunderous drive was beaten out by Holland only into the path of the predatory Reynolds. Finding themselves 4-1 down was rough on the home team, but they continued to play some decent football, usually centring around the skilful Rickard who was proving far too good for the Port defence.

Capeling was booked for complaining too fiercely about the unseemly antics of Young, who became unnecessarily involved in off the ball skirmishes at the merest hint of a challenge. The referee's capacity to handle such unbecoming behaviour was hindered by the fact that many of the actual Porthleven squad had a stint at running the line, the flag changing hands with the frequency of the Olympic Torch.

With 26 minutes remaining, Rickard made it 4-2 after intelligent play by Hawke, while fellow substitute Rundle almost marked his debut with a goal, but his flicked header was well fielded. Laity was cautioned for a foul on Friendship and, although both Williams and Thirkle squandered opportunities to seal the victory, it was Foxhole who undoubtedly finished the match on the front foot, particularly once Rowe had been thrown forward. Five minutes from time, Rundle freed Rowe down the right and his cross was smashed in at the far post by Rickard. The Fishermen were reeling but survived the final frantic moments during which Adam Holland was twice denied by Burrows, who then gratefully pounced on Butler's effort at the second attempt.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Ryan Holland 8; Matt May 7, Jason Warne 8, Mark Rowe 7, Phil Hobbs 7; Andrew Butler 7, Kyle Friendship 7, Lewis Prince 7 (sub. Richard Hawke 7), Adam Holland 7; Steve Capeling 5 (sub. Aydan Rundle 7), Carl Rickard 8.

Porthleven (4-4-2): Danny Burrows; Matt Laity, Chris Strike, Paul Ainscough, Jamie Burr; Kevin Lawrence, Jamie Thirkle, Richard Young, Paddy Gardner (sub. Dean Bray); Danny Williams (sub. Jordan Allard), Stuart Reynolds.

Referee: Mr Tony Allen (Bodmin) 6.

[rusty]

port had six players out , might of been diff if they didnt

[isaac rosenberg]

So the wedding story, leading Roberts to give Chairman Vidal's club permission to cancel their Combo fixture three days in advance, is confirmed !

QED ! Crooks on the top table !