UPDATE: Match report here - Could Helston Athletic continue their FA Cup dream? Match report
Helston Athletic are making history today as they travel the 164 miles to Weston Super Mare to compete in their FA Cup Third Round Qualifying match.
It is the furthest Helston have ever gone in the competition in their 126-year history and they are the only Cornish side still in.
The Blues will be giving it everything they have to progress further in the prestigious tournament – and they will have the backing of supporters, with the club laying on free coach travel to the match this afternoon.
As previously reported in the Packet by Tom Harris, the side made it this far after staging a remarkable comeback to beat Bishop’s Cleeve 4-3 in the last round.
Helston had gone 2-0 down in the opening 20 minutes but produced a stunning second half display to flip the game on its head.
Two goals from captain Matty Bye, an instinctive finish from Rubin Wilson followed by a 97th minute sealer from Rikki Shepherd had completed the comeback, although Jordan Annear still found time to head home from a corner for Cleeve in the tenth minute of added on time.
You can read his full report of the game here.
This afternoon’s match will take place at Weston Super Mare’s Optima Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm, and the Packet will bring you match coverage after the event.
The winning club today will receive £5,625 for a win, while the losing side will get £1,875.
.🏆🏆🏆 FA CUP DAY 🏆🏆🏆
— Helston Athletic FC (@HelstonAFC) October 1, 2022
It’s @EmiratesFACup time for @HelstonAFC this afternoon, away to Weston-Super-Mare in the Third Qualifying Round.
Kick off is at 3pm…@swsportsnews @sportscornwall @CornwallSport #SWFootball
Helston's FA Cup journey so far:
Extra Preliminary Round: Street 1-2 Helston Athletic (R. Wilson, R. Shepherd)
Preliminary Round: Helston Athletic 2-1 Falmouth Town (R. Shepherd x2)
First Round Qualifying Round: Torpoint Athletic 1-2 Helston Athletic (T. Payne, R. Shepherd)
Second Round Qualifying: Bishop's Cleeve 3-3 Helston Athletic (S. Colwell, R. Wilson, T. Payne)
Second Round Qualifying replay: Helston Athletic 4-3 Bishop Cleeve (M. Bye, R. Wilson, R. Shepherd)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here