SWPL Division 1 West: Wendron United 2-5 Liskeard Athletic

WENDRON United were made to pay for earlier missed chances in their final South West Peninsula League Division 1 West game of the season at home to champions Liskeard Athletic.

The score did not tell the full story with the home side on top for large spells of the game. Liskeard, who were crowned champions three days earlier, took the lead on the half-hour through Sam Rogers before Michael O'Neill levelled soon after.

Jack Stocker put Wendron in front early in the second half but the visitors restored parity when Rogers' free-kick went in off goalkeeper Dan Stedman.

The game was hanging in the balance but Wendron were then rocked by three goals in the final five minutes, with Rogers adding another before setting up team-mate and the division's top-scorer James Lorenz to score twice.

Liskeard stepped out onto the Underlane turf through a guard of honour formed by their hosts to recognise their league success, which they sealed on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win at Dobwalls.

Both teams then made their way back to the front of the clubhouse for a photo with a newly-unveiled plaque in memory of club chairman Kevin Williamson, who died in February.

The match itself began with the hosts enjoying the early run of the ball. Liskeard goalkeeper Josh Gilbert had to be out early to snatch the ball from the advancing Cameron Wheat before saving from O'Neill.

O'Neill then saw a shot blocked by Dylan Peel before Stocker fired wide on the turn as Wendron inched closer to an opening goal.

But it was Liskeard who took the lead on 32 minutes after enjoying a bit more of the ball in the few minutes prior. Lorenz made an excellent run down the right flank before finding Rogers at the near post, who drove the ball into the top corner from ten yards.

Wendron looked to respond quickly with Stocker having a shot blocked before O'Neill fired Reece Carroll's cross over the bar from six yards.

But thankfully for him the striker didn't have too long to dwell on that miss as he pulled the hosts level on 39 minutes. Stocker pounced on some indecision in defence and his cross/shot reached O'Neill at the far post to tap in.

The hosts could have enjoyed a lead at the break with Gilbert saving from O'Neill before Adam King cleared Sam Humphries' header off the line.

But they only had to wait until three minutes into the second half to do so, with a good run down the right from O'Neill giving Stocker the chance to shoot from the edge of the box, with his effort finding the top corner.

Sensing that their glorious title-winning campaign may be about to end in defeat, Liskeard ramped up the pressure with Rogers striking the post before Lorenz curled a shot wide.

Lorenz was then denied by the onrushing Stedman soon after before Will Paul almost hauled Wendron level, with his shot flying wide of the far post.

O'Neill had the ball in the net midway through the half but celebrations were curtailed by the linesman's flag, with O'Neill rightly ruled offside.

There no debate about the next time the ball entered the net on 71 minutes, although there was more than a touch of misfortune about it. Rogers' 25-yard free-kick struck the crossbar, with the ball rebounding off the diving Stedman and dropping into the net behind him.

The goal buoyed the visitors and they snatched what looked to be the winner with five minutes left of the 90. Rogers worked some space to shoot inside the box with his effort glancing into the bottom corner off the inside of the post.

Rogers then turned provider to tee up team-mate Lorenz in the 88th minute, who rounded Stedman and tapped into the empty net to seal victory and net his 49th of a remarkable campaign.

Their was still time for goal number 50, however, with Rogers putting Lorenz through in the second minute of added time to complete a marvellous victory and season for him and his team.

Wendron: D Stedman, J Souch, R Carroll, J Webb, S Humphries, B Ringrose, B Clarke (M Trise 70), J Stocker, M O'Neill, W Paul, C Wheat. Subs (unused): J Burtenshaw, J Greenwood.

Liskeard: J Gilbert, A King, R Cleveland (J Woods 67), J Podmore, D Peel, M Thorp, B Waters, J Lorenz, S Rogers, J Olver, B Collins. Subs (unused): R Woods.