Godolphin Atlantic 0, Helston Athletic 2

JAKE Flamank scored his first senior goal as Helston Athletic ran out comfortable winners in their South West Peninsula League Premier match at Godolphin Way on Saturday.

The Blues dominated for much of the game but had Matt Bye’s first-half strike to show for it, until Flamank came off the bench to score with his first touch with 14 minutes to go to seal the victory.

What made the win more impressive was that the Blues were missing seven of their regular contingent, with six involved in Cornwall under-18s’ win at Devon while Josh Storey was on England Schools duty.

Helston started brightly but could not transfer their possession into shots on target, with a few efforts going wide or straight at the goalkeeper from various set pieces.

But they got their noses in front on the half-hour mark when Kirk Davies’ ball to the far post was nodded back to the edge of the box by Scott Beattie where Bye was lurking, who took a touch before thundering a shot into the net.

Helston stepped up the pressure after the break and were camped in the Godolphin half for large spells but had nothing to show for it. It was not for the want of trying, however, as Al Williams headed wide before Bye’s strike cannoned off the upright.

Ryan Beattie sent a header over the crossbar shortly after Jamie Thirkle had looked to have doubled the lead when he sent the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs, only for the Godolphin man to manage to sit on the ball in the nick of time.

Flamank entered the fray on 76 minutes after Bye was forced off with injury, and his first act was to volley his side into a two-goal lead. Flamank took his position on the edge of the box for a free-kick, which was then headed his way by Ryan Beattie, and the 16-year-old struck a sweet right-foot volley through a crowd of players and into the corner to score his first senior goal with his first touch of the game.

With the game safe, there was time for fellow 16-year-old Keelan England to become the latest youngster to represent Helston’s first team, with the centre-back replacing Al Williams with ten minutes to go.

Helston: B Wyatt, K Davies, G Roberts, R Beattie, I Dryburgh, R Chinn, A Williams (K England 80), M Bye (J Flamank 76), S Beattie, P Cattran, J Thirkle.

  • Helston welcome Tavistock to Kellaway Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).