Falmouth Town 1, Sticker 0

FALMOUTH booked their place in the second round of the Senior Cup for the first time in five years after this hard-fought victory at Bickland Park on Saturday.

Sticker came into the game having won their last five Division 1 West games without conceding a goal and their spirited, occasionally last-ditch defending showed why they are a tough team to beat.

They rarely threatened the hosts’ goal, while Town were guilty of missing several clear chances which would have changed the dynamic of the match had one been converted in the first half.

As it was, they had to wait until the 77th minute to break the deadlock, when some tired Sticker defending allowed Rob Wearne time and space to slot the ball past keeper Kai Stone.

The early signs were good for Falmouth, with Dan Richardson’s lovely pass releasing Jordan Annear, whose slightly heavy touch enabled Stone to come out and tip his shot around the post.

James Ward, enjoying the freedom of a right back berth in the absence of Ed Timmons, then played a slick one-two and crossed to the back post where the ball was cleared in the nick of time.

Sticker carved out the best chance of the opening 15 minutes when Matt Lloyd ghosted in behind the Town defence and volleyed over Andrew Butler’s pin-point diagonal pass.

Wearne then sent Annear away again but with only Stone to beat, he shot wide of his left hand post.

Annear, who endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal, then saw his first effort from Richardson’s cross blocked and when the ball rebounded to him, he headed straight at Stone.

Just before half time Wearne headed wide when well placed from a Richardson cross, as the hosts were left to rue several clear chances to take the lead.

The second period continued in the same vein, this time Wearne blasting wide from six yards amidst appeals for handball by a Sticker defender.

Just after the hour mark it was Annear’s turn to squander another chance, shooting high over the bar following an almighty goalmouth scramble.

Finally Town breached the visitors’ defence when a poor clearance was recycled to Wearne, who who was in acres of space in the inside right channel due to an injury to left back Sam Kenny. Stone rushed out, but Wearne held his nerve to find the bottom corner.

Within 30 seconds of the restart Butler hit the crossbar for Sticker with a fine 25 yard effort, but Town comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to deservedly progress to round 2.

Falmouth: R.Barnes, J.Ward, H.Clarke,T.Whipp, J.Cooper (capt), R.Pope, D.Richardson, M.Vanes, R.Wearne, J.Annear (A Westgarth 78m), M.Jones (O.Walker 70m). Unused Sub: M.Everard.

Yellow card: Joe Cooper 80m

Sticker: K.Stone, J.Rogers, S.Kenny, A.Avery, M.Rowles-Jane (M.Duff 5m) (J.Hill 57m), F.McAvoy, B.Roseveare (capt), S.Marchant, A.Butler, J.Bowyer, M.Lloyd (M.Body70m).

Yellow card: J.Rogers 28m, B.Roseveare 50m, M.Body 84m, S.Kenny 88m.

Packet Pick: James Ward - Strong, full of running and distribution better than most

Referee: Ryan Cornelius-St.Austell