FALMOUTH TOWN 0

WITHERIDGE 0

Witheridge's first ever visit to Bickland Park turned out to be a drab encounter in which both team's defences were on top throughout this Carlsberg SW Peninsula League premier division clash.

This was Witheridge's last game of the season and they have finished with a run of twelve games undefeated and also have, currently the divisions leading goalscorer in Steve Ebdy, with 25 goals.

The visitors were determined to finish on a high note and they dictated the early play with Ebdy and ex-Tiverton Town striker Phil Everett proving to be a handful from the start with Nathan Murphy blocking a Steve Ebdy shot after he broke through the Town defence.

After 20 minutes Falmouth had a free kick on the edge of the Withy penalty area and Rob Francis blasted a shot goalwards but big defender Richard Groom headed it out for a corner.

Ten minutes later another Falmouth free kick saw Neil Bettis rise above former team mate Aaron Harper-Penman but his header went straight at Steve Johns in the visitor's goal.

Witheridge were employing the offside trap, frequently and successfully, much to the frustration of the home supporters, but Glen Squires did well to lose his marker and played a good ball through to Lee Langmead whose shot ended up in the arms of 'keeper Johns.

The first half ended with Johns making a good save from Francis' shot from just inside the area.

Town started the second half on the offensive and forced an early corner which Gary Hunt headed away to safety for the visitors.

Town's defence were using the offside trap now and most attacks by both sides were ending in free kicks.

As the game wore on Falmouth tried some speculative long range efforts with both Gardner and Ben Goldring having unsuccessful attempts.

With 20 minutes remaining Aaron Harper-Penman became the third Withy player booked by Camborne referee Ian Roberts as he brought down Squires on the left flank.

Edby's shot was pushed out for a corner and the ball was cleared out as far as Withey's Jake Crush who thundered in a shot that went narrowly wide.

A couple of minutes later Falmouth had a good move along the left and the ball found Nevin who hit a screaming shot from 25 yards which hit the post with Johns well beaten.

With ten minutes remaining Town made a double substitution, taking off Francis and Squires and bringing on reserve team captain Dave Rawlings and making his debut for the first team, Luke Wort who has hit 20 goals this season for Town's Combination League side.

Ebdy made a good break near the end but Brinton Nute was alert to the danger and made a good tackle.

This was to Town's first 0-0 draw at Bickland since the first game of the 2005-06 season when Goonhavern were the visitors.

Town travel to Holsworthy on Wednesday and are at home again next Saturday when Saltash are the visitors.

Town: N. Murphy; D. Rivans, F. Nevin, N. Bettis, B. Nute, M. Godfree, L. Gardner, R. Francis (D. Rawlings 80m), L. Langmead, G. Squires (L. Wort 80m), B. Goldring. Subs unused: D. Burchell and A. Bowker.