FALMOUTH Town boss Andrew Westgarth was thrilled with his team’s latest triumph as his Falmouth Town side reached the last 16 of the Les Phillips Cup on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory over Barnstaple Town, writes Matt Friday of Cornwall Sports Media.
After four previous postponements, the tie finally went ahead at Bickland Park in midweek with Olly Walker opening the scoring after only ten minutes with a superb individual goal before Tim Nixon netted his 13th of the campaign a few minutes later to put the home side in control of the tie.
Barum top scorer Tor Swann’s header halved the deficit for the visitors midway through the second half, but Nixon made sure of Town’s progression with his second of the night late on.
Town will now head to familiar foes Helston Athletic in the last 16 in three weeks’ time - the fifth time the teams will meet this season.
"It was a really big win," Westgarth said after the game. "Barnstaple are one of the better sides in the league and any side in the top six are a challenge. I thought we played really well and we’re on a bit of a purple patch, ironically only losing to Barnstaple [in our last six games].
"We started the game really well and took it to them and scored two great goals and sat back a little bit. I wouldn’t say it was a nervy second half but you could definitely feel an edge of, ‘I hope this doesn’t fall to pieces again’ because your mind goes to what happened last time with it being 5-4.
"[Walker’s effort] was a lovely goal. He just went through the gears and put on the afterburners. He’s in scintillating form and it's really good to see. And both wingers scoring [was excellent as well]. If your strikers can't score you want goals from midfield and that’s what we’re getting at the minute, which is great."
He added: "You know what we’re like with cup competitions, we obviously want to do well in them but if you look in our group it’s a bit of a group of death. I get it’s done because of travelling but it doesn’t make it easier for the Cornish and Devon sides.
"Your reward for beating a top side in Barnstaple is Helston and then your reward for that is either Buckland or Saltash. I do get it but it’s frustrating, but I suppose if you want to win anything you’ve got to beat the top sides."
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