FALMOUTH TOWN 1

A Bowker

SALTASH UNITED 1

C Farnham

Saltash United remain in second spot in the Carlsberg SW Peninsula League's premier division following this hard-fought draw at Bickland Park which also saw Town hold on to fourth place for the time being.

Town made a lively start and their front two of Andy Bowker and Ben Davies combined well to force Steve Sargison into conceding an early corner. The kick was punched out by Chris Wearing as far as Brinton Nute who lobbed the ball back in but central defender Tony Bouch cleared the danger.

Town lost the services of Davies, who limped off after 13 minutes and he was replaced by reserve team striker Luke Wort.

Five minutes later Lloyd Gardner hit a stinging shot at goal and Wearing did well to tip the ball over the bar. The resultant corner was cleared as far as Darren Burchell who hit a shot back in but Gavin Coulton blocked it and then cleared.

Former Town player Carlton Farnham had several good runs on the flank for United and from one of them his cross was headed just over the bar by Toby Clarke.

United then forced four corners in a five minute spell, but Town's defence came out on top with Nute and Neil Bettis getting above the Ashes attack to head away any threat.

Burchell and Gardner combined well to make an opening, but Sargison read the move well and intercepted before Bowker could reach it.

A few minutes later Bowker had a good run and cut in towards goal past two defenders and fired the ball hard and low across the face of goal, but Luke Wort was just one pace away from being able to connect with it for what would surely have been Town's opening goal.

United were building more attacks and forced another corner but this one was cleared quickly and Town broke away to the other end where Dominic Rivans' cross was put behind for a corner.

The visitors took the lead just before half time when Farnham used his pace to beat Nathan Murphy to a through ball and knocked it past him before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Town forced a corner in the first five minutes of the second half but Bouch cleared it as far as Burchell whose return ball in was gathered by Wearing.

Falmouth equalised after 55 minutes, a Rob Francis long throw-in leading to confusion between Wearing and Dave Smith and as the ball broke loose, Andy Bowker was on hand to stab the ball over the line.

A few minutes later Burchell played a great ball out wide to Francis and he in turn put over a fine cross which saw Bettis' header tipped over the bar by Wearing.

Both teams' midfields were dominating play and neither sid's defenders looked to be in the mood to concede as clear cut attacks became fewer and fewer.

Saltash made a couple of substitutions with Carl Pender and Marc Thorne coming on to replace Farnham and Bouch.

There followed a spate of fouls and squabbles which led to Gardner, Francis and Bettis all picking up yellow cards for Town and Glen Palmer for United.

Fergus Nevin and Wort combined well in a move on the left and the former's high cross was headed out for a throw in. Francis tried another of his long throws but Danny Lewis beat Bettis to the ball and headed clear.

United had two chances late on when Coulton broke through the Town defence but on both occasions; Murphy came out on top with some good goalkeeping.

The two sides meet again next Saturday, this time at Kimberley Stadium (2.45pm).

Town: N. Murphy; D. Rivans, F. Nevin, N. Bettis, B. Nute, R. Francis , D. Burchell, M. Godfree, B. Davies (L. Wort 13m), A. Bowker, L. Gardner. Subs (unused): G. Squires and L. Langmead.

United: C. Wearing; D. Smith, S. Sargison, T. Clarke, T. Bouch (M. Thorne 73m), D. Simpson , M. Chapman, G. Coulton, C. Farnham (C. Pender 72m), G. Palmer, D. Lewis. Unused: M. Purnell and J. Fenwick.

Referee: Ashley Hockin (Kilkhampton) Assistants: Paul Murphy (Truro) and Ian Pattison (Helston)