Helston Athletic 1, St Just 0 - Combination League, April 2006

WITH their Jolly’s Combination League Cup semi-final defeat well behind them, Helston picked up their second win in five days to keep leaders Truro City within their sights.

The Blues were again well below strength and manager Kevin Goldsworthy and that meant an unexpected call up for super vet James Eddy who responded with a fine performance.

Helston began the first half well and quickly had the visitors under pressure.

It came as no surprise that they took a 15th minute lead following a clearance in their own box. Alex Sharkey held his nerve to hold on to the ball and then threaded the perfect pass for Jason Robertson to beat goalkeeper Andrew Curnow to the ball and chip it into the net with his weaker foot from the side of the penalty area.

The Blues continued to apply pressure with Curnow making several good saves to keep his side in the game.

Eddy was thwarted by the in-form 'keeper and Curnow did well to turn a goalbound header from Robertson around the post.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Helston had a chance to consolidate their lead when a good move between Phil Black and James Eddy saw Black brought down in the box. Sharkey took the spot-kick, but Curnow again denied the Blues with a fine save.

The goal spurred St Just into action as they enjoyed their best spell in the game, but they never really managed to create clear-cut openings although a long-range shot by Danny Rendle dipped and hit the top of the bar.

In midweek Helston pulled off a 2-0 win at RNAS Culdrose with goals from Mark Wood and Rob Eddy.

Reflecting on the week, manager Kevin Goldsworthy said he was pleased with the way in which the squad had responded after the semifinal defeat: “We were awful at Hayle and we got what we deserved which was precisely nothing.

“There were a lot of disappointed people in the dressing room afterwards, but give them their due they bounced back with a win at Culdrose and given that we were well below strength, that wasn’t easy.

“It was the same on Saturday when we were without several players, but they did well and if we can hang on in there we can still finish as runners-up.”

Helston: M Thomas, S Robinson, A Sharkey, G Blake, M Hallibone, M Wood, J Robertson, C Taylor, P Black, J Eddy, T Rowe. Subs: C Matthews, T Morley.