Helston Athletic 1, Plymouth Argyle Res 4

Helston were well-beaten by a formidable young Plymouth side on Friday after three goals in six minutes finished the home side off, writes Chris Jones.

Goals from Rio Garside, captain Jordan Bentley, an own goal by George Roberts and a superb volley from Adam Randall gave the Devon side the three points.

Helston manager Steve Massey was disappointed with the result but still praised the hard work from the Helston side who had not played a SWPL Premier game since December 16.

He said: “There was a great opportunity for the boys to go and show what they are capable of and unfortunately they didn’t.”

Plymouth started the game in the ascendancy and had an early chance in the third minute when Ruben Wilson’s cross to the back post found Luke Jephcott who could only hit the outside of the post with his volley.

The next best chance fell to Dan Rooney who managed to turn his defender creating space to shot with his right, however his shot flashed across the face of goal and wide.

Argyle finally broke the deadlock on the 30th minute after Helston failed to clear Ryan Law’s cross, and as a result the ball fell to Garside who smashed the ball in from three yards to make it 1-0.

Helston did have a chance late in the first half, when Barrie Wyatt’s long goal kick found Billy Tucker who worked space for himself in the box but he could only put his shot the wrong side of the post.

It wasn’t until the 70th minute when the back of the net bulged for the second time, and it was Plymouth who made it 2-0 after Garside’s cross from the right found the head of Bentley who powered the ball home giving Wyatt no chance.

But Helston hit back immediately in the 72nd minute after Kyle Marks’ free kick from near halfway beat everyone including the Argyle keeper, putting Helston back in the game at 2-1.

However any comeback was quelled with two goals in as many minutes for the away side.

First Roberts headed into his own net from a Garside free kick in the 74th, before a high looping clearance found Argyle midfielder Randall whose spectacular first time volley from the edge of the box nestled into the bottom left corner to complete the scoring 14 minutes from time.

Helston: B Wyatt, S Jenkin, G Roberts, T Russell, H Howlett, T Smith, K Marks, G Mills, K Cornish, B Tucker, J Thirkle. Subs: M Buchan, C Young, T Oliver, S Young.

Packet Pick: Barrie Wyatt