HELSTON Athletic survived a late penalty scare in their derby clash with Porthleven on Saturday as they progressed in the Walter C Parson Cup.

Charlie Young had fired the Blues into a first half lead with what turned out to be the only goal of the match at Gala Parc, but the South West Peninsula League Premier outfit could have been dragged into extra time if Port's luck had been better.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Fishermen's leading scorer of the season Ryan Trathen had a golden opportunity to equalise after winning a penalty, only to see Jason Robertson save the spot-kick.

Former Blues player George Molcher also thought he had extended the game when he put the ball in the net with virtually the last touch of the game, but was left despairing as referee Mark Hoskings ruled it out for a foul.

The first round clash was highly anticipated with many fans not expecting a derby so early in the campaign following Athletic's promotion last season.

Molcher had a great chance to create the opening goal in the first half, but opted to shoot rather than pull the ball back to his colleague waiting in the area, with Robertson saving his effort on the angle.

Jamie Greet also had an opportunity to break the deadlock when Jed McCardie's corner found him in the box, but the midfielder miscued the chance and saw it drift away.

Young then forced James Wignell, another former Blues player, into an excellent save, but just two minutes from the break sent the visitors in with the lead.

Port fell asleep from a short corner move and Young ran onto the ball and hammered home a shot past Wignell.

After the interval, the hosts went searching for an equaliser and thought it was going to come after Ashley Stidwell brought down Trathen in the area, with Hoskings pointing to the penalty spot.

Sadly for the home side, Trathen fluffed his lines with 15 minutes remaining as Robertson saved the kick with his legs, much to the joy of his team-mates.

However, it did look like Port had levelled matters deep into injury time as Scott Kellow's long throw-in was met by Molcher, who slotted the ball into the net.

But frustratingly for the hosts, Hoskings blew his whistle, saying he had spotted a push on Stidwell from McCardie, chalking off the strike.

A few moments later, the game was over and Athletic will meet Falmouth Town at Kellaway Park in the second round on October 17.

PORTHLEVEN: Wignell, Hall, Tarrant, S Kellow (c), Row, J Greet, McCardie, Trathen, Paddock (Orchard 70), Molcher, Williams (Hosking 80).


HELSTON: Robertson, Ellis (Roberts 22), Howlett (c), A Stidwell, Davies, Russell, Thirkle (Young 29), Fox (Thomson 61), McPhilbin, Goldsworthy, Cattran.