Predator Rapsey strikes with hat-trick

11:26am Wednesday 30th April 2008

HAYLE VINTAGE BREW 3

ST AGNES 1

Newly-crowned Cornwall Veterans League champions Hayle Vintage Brew added the county cup to their trophy cabinet on Sunday at Marazion after they defeated St Agnes 3-1 in the final played at Marazion on Sunday.

The final was another triumph for goalscoring predator Mark Rapsey who helped himself to yet another hat-trick.

They could yet win an unprecedented treble when they meet St Teath in the Devon and Cornwall cup final at Roche on May 18.

Hayle got off to a dream start in the fourth minute when John McCullum's strong run into the box was halted by Peter Hunt's untimely tackle and referee Mike Carter had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The ever reliable Mark Rapsey drilled the penalty into the bottom corner and on 20 minutes it got even better after a great flowing move between Shaun Quinn and Lee Norman ended with John Matthews laying the ball back into Rapsey's path to hit a low daisy cutter from 25 yards which the 'keeper got a hand to but couldn't keep out of the net.

On the half hour the cup was all but won as Dave Cooper's cross was fumbled by the unfortunate 'keeper and Rapsey reacted quickest to volley the ball into the roof of the net to complete yet another hat-trick.

The league's leading scorer was denied a fourth goal right on half time when Norman's pace took him clear and his pinpoint cross was unselfishly headed back across goal by McCullum for Rapsey to lash in but the assistant referee somehow spotted an off side.

The second half was a totally different affair as St Agnes threw everything at Hayle, but were denied by some solid defending by skipper Andy Harvey and man of the match Dean Mooney who turned in a faultless display.

Aggie did finally get a consolation goal which their efforts deserved when Rupert Arch latched on to a ball over the top and lobbed Dennis Fallowfield to score.

Fallowfield did well shortly afterwards to deny St Agnes another goal when he saved at full stretch from a Kevin Atkins snap shot.

Hayle had chances to extend their lead but McCullum, Matthews, Rapsey and Norman all failed to hit the target.

However, Hayle's first half display proved more than enough to retain the trophy for the third successive year.

The East Cornwall Referees' squad to play the Cornwall Supervets at Wadebridge on Sunday, May 4, has been announced and includes some prominent current footballers. Kick off is at 8 pm.

The East Cornwall Referees warmed up for the fixture by trouncing the West Cornwall Referees 7-1 on at Porthleven on Monday evening.

Len Stevens scored for the West, but Falmouth Town's Brinton Nute hit five for the Wast Cornwall Referees.

The squad is: Mark Oldaker, Shaun Edge, Mark Adkins, Ian Spurling, Jim Wakern, Colin Penhorwood, Paul Forse, Steve Nute, Chris Stephens, Tim Hyslop, Eddie Harrison, Russell Hale, Dave Robinson, Phil Voltz, Ken Hoare, Brinton Nute and Calvin Quinn.

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