Helston School and Community College 5

Dan Greet, James Clarke (2), Jowan Shainberg, David Hilliard

Saltash.net Community

School 4

JordanTaylor, Jordan Copp (2),

Stefan Paul

Helston School and Community College squad: Jordan Allen; Steve Jenkins; Charlie Autie (c); Luke Hunter; Nathan Roberts; Jowan Shainberg; Kegan McPhilbin; Freddie Conway; Dan Greet; James Clarke; David Hilliard; James Currie; Jake Caddy.

Saltash.net Community School: Josh Tapp; Jimmy Tucker; David Barker; Macauley Easton; Callum O'Brien; John Bersey; Alex Palmer; Jordan Copp; James Washburn; Stefan Paul; Jordan Taylor; Aaron Perks; Cameron Barker; Matt Pullen

HELSTON School and Community College narrowly defeated Saltash.net Community College by the odd goal in nine in a dramatic ESFA Minute Maid Schools Cup Cornwall County Final played at Pool Community School.

The teams made light of the overcast, rainy and windy conditions to deliver a game that was an advert for the schools' game at under-13 level.

Helston opened the scoring after only three minutes when right midfielder Dan Greet hit a clinical free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner of the Saltash.net.

But Saltash replied with a quickfire equaliser. Following a corner kick there was a scramble in the box and striker Jordan Taylor was on hand to head home.

Helston managed to seize the initiative going into half time as they scored again after sustained pressure and good passing - this time with striker James Clarke on target.

In the first half both teams had demonstrated good passing moves and controlled periods of possession as the play flowed from end to end, with Helston making more of their chances.

Standout for Saltash was captain and centre-back David Barker, who marshalled his defence with aplomb and read the game like a seasoned pro. Offensively midfielder/winger Jordan Copp was a constant thorn in the side of Helston with his penetrative and evasive attacking play.

In the second half the pattern of play remained largely the same. Helston scored again through striker Clarke but Saltash were quick to claw back the deficit when central midfielder Jordan Copp - an academy player at Plymouth Argyle - slotted past Helston 'keeper Jordan Allen.

Helston re-established their two-goal advantage when Jowan Shainberg scored as his side's midfield dominance started to pay dividends.

But the resilient Saltash side continued to battle and they scored again when Helston conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Up stepped Jordan Taylor to thunder a free kick goalwards only for 'keeper Allen to pull off a fine save. However, the ball fell loose and Saltash striker Stefan Paul was the quickest to react to again claw back that deficit.

The scoreline again yo-yoed when Saltash lost possession in their own half and Helston striker David Hilliard seized on the opportunity to rifle the ball home.

The never say die attitude of Saltash saw them battle back. With three minutes left on the clock Jordan Copp beat two players before lobbing a tidy half volley over the Helston 'keeper's head into the top corner of the net.

The final few minutes were full of tension and very frenetic to say the least but Helston School had done enough to secure the victory and at the final whistle sparked celebrations in their ranks as they lifted the Cornwall County Cup.

After the match Helston coach Peter Carr commented: "This is certainly the best the team have played this season. The boys are really gelling as a team and are beginning to play some excellent football. Hopefully they'll be able to maintain this winning run in the next stage of this tournament. Their confidence is now sky high and the team spirit is fantastic.

"Our thoughts go out to our usual left back Josh Avington who contributed so much to helping this side qualify for the final, but broke his leg in the semi-final."