Helston Athletic 4, Penryn Athletic 3

JAMIE Thirkle scored a hat-trick as Helston Athletic's reserves saw off Penryn Athletic in an entertaining Combination League derby at Kellaway Park on Saturday.

Jake Shaw put Penryn in front early on before Thirkle levelled minutes later. Bradley Leivers restored the visitors' lead by 17 minutes with Thirkle equalising again seven minutes before the break.

Fraser Patterson put the Blues in front shortly before half-time before Thirkle completed his hat-trick one minute into the second half, with Josh Sharpe halving the deficit in the 90th minute.

It was Penryn who struck first in the eighth minute when Shaw headed Leivers' cross past Helston 'keeper Robert Eddy from six yards.

But the hosts were level three minutes later after Dan Stidwell's close-range effort was blocked before falling to Thirkle who drove the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

But Athletic were in front again after another five minutes in controversial fashion, with Leiver's tucking home Ryan Reeve's low cross across goal just moments after Helston had a penalty appeal turned down.

Thirkle drew his side level for the second time on 38 minutes when a floated cross fell his way at the back of the six-yard box once again, but this time volleying into the far corner.

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Despite being behind for much of the half it was Helston who ended it in front after Stidwell broke free of the visiting defence and drew Penryn 'keeper Nick Boase before squaring to Patterson who couldn't miss.

The buoyant Blues wasted no time in doubling their lead with Thirkle completing his hat-trick within 60 seconds of the re-start after Patterson's through ball allowed Thirkle to race in on goal before slotting past Boase.

Penryn spent much of the remainder of the game desperately trying to find their way back into it, but by the time Sharpe headed Reeve's cross past Eddy in the 90th minute it was too little too late.

Helston: R Eddy, S Jenkin, J Shainberg, I Drysburgh, B Stidwell, J Thompson, T Russell, C Young, F Patterson, D Stidwell, J Thirkle. Subs: F Williams, K McPhilbin, A Stidwell, K Jaka, F Conway.

Penryn: N Boase, J Shaw, J Sharpe, E Rowe, R May, R Reeve, J James, L Osborne, B Leivers, C Powell, H Roberts. Subs: C Saunders, A Hayhoe, R May, M Hollands, B Williams.

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