With many sporting achievements, it’s the near misses that can be the most painful of all. The injury time screamer that hurtles just over the bar hurts more than one hoofed a million miles wide.

And that’s why it’s so sad to see Falmouth School’s plans to bring a potentially excellent sporting centre to the heart of the town potentially crushed for want of an extra half-hour’s playing time.

While the Skipper understands the concerns of the residents of Trescobeas Road, concerned at noise and light that will emanate from the school’s planned 3G pitch, I feel it is far outweighed by the opportunity to keep our young people - and not so young - fit, healthy and having fun.

Can Diana Merrett really be the only councillor to see sense in this situation, pointing out that in most parts of the country 10pm would be considered a reasonable closing time for such a facility - and many of those are much closer to homes than across a busy road.

Another councillor asked if, as working people didn’t get home until well after 5pm, don’t they deserve some rest - but I would ask how many grown adults really require utter quiet and darkness by 8.30pm? I personally would still be watching Holby.

It seems the school cannot change after moving the goalposts on its plans for the Budock Hospital site. And what about the concerns of Kergilliack Road residents?

I just hope that in choosing the new location the school hasn’t just scored an own goal.