St Austell 3 DUCHY 4

Jay May fired in a late winner for Duchy on his first appearance in four months to give the Black-and-Whites victory on the final day of the season.

After hearing the news that PGSOB had received a 5-0 walkover in the match against Truro, Duchy knew that promotion was out of their grasp before the match began, however the desire to end the season on a high was strong for the visitors.

May’s vital goal came inside the closing thirty seconds of an end-to end game, with the Duchy coming from 3-2 behind to record a 4-3 win and secure the double over St Austell for the season.

Duchy started brightly against a side traditionally strong at home, taking the lead after eleven minutes through Will McKenzie who scored from eight yards with a deft touch added to a powerful pass from Martin Crump.

Two minutes later St Austell were level, with Duchy caught napping as the home side took a quick free-hit into the circle which was deflected home neatly by Sam Bennetts, and with the dismissal of Ben Noakes for an innocuous challenge moments later, Duchy were forced to go on the defensive for the following exchanges.

Mid-way through the half St Austell pulled in front, scoring through Joey Bastin with a well- executed penalty corner awarded by the supporting umpire, although Duchy fought back doggedly and duly equalised from a set-piece of their own with Martin Crump affirming his status as club top scorer with a strong effort from the edge of the circle.

The sides went into the break at 2-2, but almost straight from the re-start the home side took the lead from another well-struck penalty corner strike from Bastin, with the set-piece awarded for a clumsy tackle outside of the Duchy 25-yard area.

Again Duchy looked to respond, with McKenzie rattling the woodwork with a powerful shot whilst Crump and Kevin Bennetts both had goalbound efforts saved by the St Austell keeper.

Ten minutes after the interval Duchy found their equaliser, with Will McKenzie scoring a scintillating goal - later voted as Duchy goal of the season. Crump was again the provider, sweeping a pass across the circle for McKenzie to slam home a diving reverse stick effort from sixteen yards, giving the home 'keeper no chance.

The final quarter of the match was an evenly contested affair with both sides having opportunities to score as the players began to tire in the warm conditions, however with the game heading for a draw Duchy mounted one final attack which saw May dart into the circle from the left wing to sweep home a late winner.

St Austell barely had time to re-start the match, and the result secured third spot for Duchy, who end their first season in South West One only two points from top spot. Duchy: Richardson (gk), May, Skelton, Allen, Wilkes, West, Pound, Symons, Chippett, McKenzie, Crump, Rafferty, Ettling, Noakes, Roberts. Player/Manager: Bennetts. Man of the Match, sponsored by TSI Group: Jay May.