A BRACE from Mark Goldsworthy helped Helston Athletic get their season off to the best possible start on Saturday.

His strikes in the first half set up a 2-1 victory away at Liskeard Athletic on the opening day of the South West Peninsula League West Division.

Ben Collins pulled one back for the hosts in the second half, but despite exerting heavy pressure as the clock ticked down, his effort proved to be just a consolation goal.

It took a little while for Helston to settle into the game, with Liskeard, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, creating a couple of chances early on.

However, the visitors were the team who opened the scoring after ten minutes after Dan Stidwell made a darting run down the left wing before supplying a cross for Goldsworthy, who made no mistake in front of goal.

Stidwell himself had a couple of chances during the half, but on both occasions took the wrong option, pulling the trigger on one opportunity when he should have passed and vice versa moments later.

Goldsworthy was in no mood though to scuff chances for Helston and five minutes before the break he doubled his tally for the day and his team’s lead.

The set up was provided by a lovely through ball from midfielder Charlie Young, which got Goldsworthy round the back of Liskeard’s defence before he hit a clinical finish.

In the second half, Liskeard’s young side came out fighting and pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Collins made the most of a poor clearance from the Helston box to bundle the ball home after a goal mouth scramble.

Liskeard continued to push forward as they searched for an equaliser, but Helston’s defence was able to stay strong and hold off the attacks to secure the win.

Their boss, Sid Taylor, said it was good to get a victory on the opening day of the season.

Taylor said: “Liskeard have got a good young side and they play good football.

“It was a bit 50-50 during the second half as they really came at us, but the first game of the season is more about getting a result rather than how you play, so to win is great.”

HELSTON LINE-UP: Wignall, Howlett, Collick, B Stidwell, Leech (Miller, 65), Young (Adlard, 75), Thompson (c), Russell, D Stidwell (Davey, 70), Robertson, Goldsworthy.

SUBS NOT USED: Fox, Davies.