THE SEMI final stage of the Cornwall Charity Cup was reached by Helston Athletic for the first time on Saturday.

A 4-2 win away at Dobwalls saw the Blues progress to the final four of the competition where they will meet either Penryn Athletic, Sticker or St Dennis.

Manager Sid Taylor said he was delighted to make it into semis, adding it is great to see other sides chasing the South West Peninsula League West title also still involved.

Taylor said: “I’m pleased because ever since we first took part in the competition, we have never really done well in it.

“With all the division’s top teams getting through, it says a lot about all four of us and proves we’re not in the top spots by luck.

“Whatever happens from here in the competition, it will be tough and with neutral grounds being used, it will make it even harder.”

Heading into the quarter final, Athletic were without Hugh Howlett and Hedie Santos through suspension after the pair were sent off in their Cornwall Senior Cup tie at Wendron United last month.

Also unavailable for the visitors were Ash Stidwell and James Wignall, who were both injured, while James Miller and Jamie Thirkle were both away.

A frantic start was made to the match when Charlie Young, pictured below, scored his first goal for the Blues after returning from his brief hiatus last month after two minutes.

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Within three minutes though, Dobwalls were back in the game when striker Harry Hook levelled matters.

Mark Goldsworthy restored Athletic’s advantage, but once again they were pegged back by Hook who was put through into the box before slotting home.

Dobwalls could not keep their visitors out though and in the 40th minute, Goldsworthy struck his second and Athletic’s third goal of the match.

In the second half, the hosts had the advantage of playing with the stiff breeze swirling around the ground, but it was not something they could use fully in their favour.

A couple of alterations were made to Athletic’s tactics during the break, with the team coming out with a more defensive look and targeting the counter attack for their chances.

This set-up did create several opportunities for the visitors and the game closed out with the Blues bagging another goal, this time from substitute Dan Stidwell, to ensure their place in the semi finals.

A week off the pitch now awaits Athletic before they head back up to Dobwalls on February 21 for a South West Peninsula League West clash.

Looking ahead to this match, Taylor feels they can take a lot of confidence from Saturday’s result.

“We played poorly in the first half but changed things around after the break and it worked for us,” he said.

“The win also showed how good the depth of our squad is as had guys like Aaron Collick, Chris Strike and TT Santos come in and do jobs for the side.

“I have said it a few times already this season, but if we are going to win trophies this year, we will need the whole squad performing well when their chance comes to play.”

HELSTON: Robertson, T Santos (Strike 75), B Stidwell, Collick, K Davies, Adlard, Young, Thomson (c), Russell, Goldsworthy (D Stidwell 70), Westgarth (M Davies 65).