HELSTON ATHLETIC 1

PENRYN ATHLETIC 2

AN understrength Helston produced a fighting performance in their Jolly's Combination League game against Penryn Athletic at Kellaway Park, but it wasn’t quite enough as the visitors ran out 2-1 winners.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening stages, but Helston created a couple of good chances that saw Ross Brooks pull off good sves from Mike Hallibone and Neil Southall.

Athletic always looked dangerous on the break and Blues goalkeeper Barry Hennessy did well to get down and block a shot from Steve Owen.

Hennessy also did well to hold on to a lob by Ollie Moody, but after 32 minutes Helston edged in front when Colin Kettle gained possession on the edge of the box and drove in a shot that Brooks parried only for Southall to knock in the rebound.

Athletic put Helston under some pressure as half-time approached, but it was the Blues who almost scored again when Southall’s powerful shot was well saved by Brooks.

Within two minutes of the second half restarting Penryn were back on level terms after Rob Canale raced on to a pass and crossed into the box for Adam Pryor to drill his shot into the top corner of the net.

It needed another good save by Hennessy to deny David Blizzard, but in the 56th minute Athletic enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when Southall dispossessed a defender and rolled his shot past the ’keeper only for it to hit a post.

Four minutes later the game was over for Southall when he was shown a red card for a late challenge on Laurie Magowan.

Athletic dominated the remainder of the game and after Moody went close to scoring 20 minutes from time Canale was put away by Owen and crossed for Blizzard to drive his shot past Hennessy for the wnner.

Athletic: R Brooks, P Hart, R Canale, B Oliver, L Magowan, D Knowles, A Pryor, O Moody, S Owen, S Churcher, D Blizzard. Subs: M Potts, A Heard.