ST AUSTELL 0 PORTHLEVEN 3

THE omens could not have looked too good for Porthleven when they travelled without a regular goalkeeper for their important Carlsberg SWL Cup quarter-final clash with St Austell at Poltair Park.

With Steve Taylor injured and the Fishermen also missing Tom Lamborne, Nigel Thwaites, and Keiran Avery, a cup tie on a ground where results have never been that good was definitely not what the doctor would have ordered for the New Year.

That meant a new role between the posts for youngsters Hugh Howlett and he repaid manager Gary Marks' faith in him by keeping a clean sheet against a side that a few days earlier had humbled the mighty St Blazey 3-1.

With the other three ties rained off, before kick-off Port might have been forgiven for thinking that they wished theirs had also been a victim of the weather, but they needn't have worried as they always looked the likely winners. They made a positive start to settle any nerves or doubts with Shane Richards driving a shot over the bar following a good run.

Home goalkeeper Martin Quantick did well to save at the foot of the post from Sean Middleton, and they had an even better chance just a few minutes later when Richards headed wide from a cross by Ben Medlin.

Howlett did well to deny Adam Carter by a save with his feet and a free kick by Neil Kinsman was cleared by Patrick O'Shaughnessy as St Austell began to look dangerous.

Just before the break Quantick came to his side's rescue again when he did well to tip Jamie Thirkle's header from Lawrence's corner over the bar.

St Austell made a bright start to the second half with Kinsman's drive from Davies corner being brilliantly tipped over the bar by Howlett.

With stand-in skipper Martin Day and O'Shaughnessy showing up well for the visitors, Porthleven began to take control of the game.

The pressure paid off ten minutes into the second half when Porthleven took the lead following some brilliant football. A sweeping move involving Cadman, Day, and Lawrence saw the pocket battleship raider get to the by-line and pull the ball back for Middleton to score from close range.

Stidwell had a shot on the turn that went just over the bar and O'Shaughnessy's free kick whistled past the post as the visitors looked increasingly dangerous.

Fraser Cadman returned a corner to O'Shaughnessy who curled his shot just wide of the upright whilst at the other end Matt David headed a Kinsman free kick over the bar.

Thirkle should have sewn up victory for Port but shot straight at Quantick. However, five minutes from time Stidwell, who led the line well, had his shot blocked only for Lawrence to follow up and score.

Mark Holland came on for Thirkle and within a couple of minutes had his name on the scoresheet when he followed up to score after Lawrence's shot was parried by the 'keeper.

It was all over for St Austell, but in the dying seconds Cadman embarked on a superb solo run that saw his shot beat the goalkeeper, but not a defender who cleared the goalbound shot off the line.

It was a great start to the New Year for Porthleven who now wait to see who will join them in the semi-finals.

On Saturday Porthleven are away to Wadebridge Town, weather permitting.

Porthleven: H Howlett, B Medlin, M Day, P O'Shaughnessy, F Cadman, J Burr, S Middleton, D Stidwell, S Richards, J Thirkle, K Lawrence. Subs: D Mulready, M Holland.