HUGH Howlett’s first-half header earned Helston Athletic a point in their SWPL Premier encounter with Godolphin Atlantic at Kellaway Park on Friday night.

Jordi Wilmott put the visitors ahead in the 27th minute before Howlett levelled in first-half stoppage time. Both sides huffed and puffed in the second half but neither could find a way past either goalkeeper.

A quiet start to the game should have seen its first goal on 15 minutes when Godolphin’s Ross Fallens found himself in plenty of space, but fired well over the bar.

But the visitors were ahead on 27 minutes when a cross reached Wilmott at the far post to sweep the ball past Barrie Wyatt.

Phil Cattran came close to an instant leveller when he fired inches wide from a wonderful cross by Kai Cornish, before the visitors came close to a second when Matt Saunders' volley forced a smart save out of Wyatt.

Helston had improved as the half wore on and the hosts got their reward moments before half-time thanks to another superb Cornish cross, which Howlett expertly headed past Godolphin keeper Ethan Fearn from close range.

The Blues almost grabbed a lead in unusual fashion when Ryan Holland’s dangerous corner kick almost found its way in at the far post ten minutes into the second half.

A poor quality second half - not helped by the incessant rain - only sparked into life in the 80th minute, with Wyatt racing out of his box to clear a long ball forward but only managed to reach Fallens, whose attempt at a 40-yard chip was headed clear by Howlett.

That was followed by another big chance two minutes later as Fallens broke through the Blues defence only to be thwarted by the onrushing Wyatt.

Helston had a huge opportunity of their own to sneak all three points with Holland smashing a 30-yard free-kick against Fearn’s crossbar.

Their hopes of a late winner were helped by Godolphin’s Stuart Flannigan picking up a second yellow on 88 minutes, and they almost had it in the 90th minute when Cornish pounced on a weak clearance from Fearn and raced towards goal, only for the keeper to recover and deny the youngster at the near post.

Helston: B Wyatt, K Davies, G Roberts, R Beattie, H Howlett, H Jewell (L Tripconey 80), K Marks, R Holland, K Cornish, P Cattran, L Roberts (T Oliver 64).

Godolphin: E Fearn, S Flannigan, E Simcox, O Pinnell, O Stone (L Paxton 66), C Bucanhan, M Saunders, L Rigby, J Wilmott, R Fallens, T Shephard.

  • Helston travel to Newquay on Bank Holiday Monday (kick-off 3pm) before visiting Tavistock in their FA Vase preliminary round tie on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).