HAYLE 2

RNAS CULDROSE 1

THE Easter break has not proved to be a good one on the football pitch for RNAS Culdrose who suffered their second successive Jolly's Combination League defeat since their return to action.

Before their sabbatical the servicemen were in a rich vein of form, but although they are still performing well they are unable to pick up the results.

The match was dominated by the wind and in the first half it was the home side who had first use of it and, not surprisingly, most of the possession.

The visitors defended well for much of the opening skirmishes, but they fell a goal behind in the 18th minute. Wayne Quinn's cross into the box was headed out, but before Culdrose could regroup Quinn returned the cross with interest for Shaun Quinn to ghost in and head into the net from close range.

Hayle looked dangerous in attack and although Culdrose threatened they wasted what opportunities they created with a shot from Jamie Thompson and a header from Sam Connell both failing to hit the target.

The first goal in the second half was always going to be an important one and after ten minutes it was Hayle who scored it. Alan Roberts had the ball on the flank and beat a defender before laying it into the path of Matt Shiels who went round the 'keeper to score.

As the half wore on so Culdrose began to dominate possession and Hayle were fortunate to survive when a thunderous free kick by George Pattison cannoned off the wall.

Shortly afterwards Thompson skied his shot over the bar following a glorious cross from Carl Brown who beat two defenders in a determined run.

Another chance eluded the servicemen when another fine run by Brown saw him deliver a great cross that skimmed across Connell's head when any contact with the front of the head would have brought a certain goal.

Culdrose got the goal they deserved when Brown, who had an excellent second half, beat a couple of defenders before finding Chris Morris who pulled the ball back for Thompson to volley in.

There was still time for Culdrose to salvage something from the game, but the home defence displayed some solid defending to hold on to the lead and the three points.

"I'm not over disappointed with the result," said manager George Pattison. "It was a good end-of-season game with both sides playing some good football.

"Against a good Hayle side I thought we did well given the sort of side we had to put out."

RNAS Culdrose: S De'Ath, I Pattison, J Brooks, D Slesser, C Brown, M Bulgin, J Adam, J Thompson, G Kennedy, S Connell, C Morris.