Helston Athletic football club in Cornwall match report

After a 3pm kick-off, The Blues gifted the home side an opener after a penalty was awarded 25 seconds into the first half and was converted by Brixham’s Charlie Johansen.

The game almost went from bad to worse on the 20-minute mark as a the home team put a header from the back post passed the Helston keeper, only for it to be ruled offside by the assistant referee and disallowed.

Fifteen minutes later, on the 35-minute mark, it was Helston’s turn to take a spot kick after being awarded a penalty themselves. However, Brixham’s keeper made a fine save to deny The Blues an equaliser.

The penalty trend continued in the dying moments of the first half as the home team were awarded a second penalty, with Charlie Johansen bagging his second of the game and pushing the hosts further into the lead.

There were FOUR penalties awarded in the game (Image: Stock)

As the second half kicked off, Helston had another scare when their keeper ended up on the wrong end of a crunching tackle and required treatment, although he was back up on his feet shortly afterward.

Almost an hour into the game, Helston nabbed themselves a lifeline through, you guessed it, another penalty, which was converted by Tom Payne.

Unfortunately for The Blues, their good fortune didn’t last long, as a shot on goal from Brixham was ruled to have had the whole ball cross the line and the hosts were awarded their third goal of the game.

By the time the final whistle went, superior defending and a penchant for taking their chances saw Brixham leave the pitch as winners in what could have easily been mistaken as a 90-minute penalty shootout.

There was, however, better news for Helston’s youth team who played St Austell AFC in the FA Youth Cup and won by a single goal to nil.

The Young Blues will travel to Yeovil Town FC for their next game on September 19, 2023.