Football: Falmouth Town lose at home to Didcot Town

Felix Robertson 69’

Owen James 87’

Didcot Town belied their lowly league position with this ultimately convincing victory against a strong Falmouth Town line-up, fresh from having beaten play-off challengers Exmouth Town 5-0 in midweek.

Falmouth would have fancied their chances going into the game, starting Oscar Massey for the first time since his return to the club from Mousehole, and naming a talented bench including Kieran Bishop and Ned Symons, both returning from injury.

Falmouth started brightly with Massey immediately looking to run at the Didcot right-back, but it was Olly Evans who created the first chance after 5 minutes, cutting in from the right, he unleashed a powerful shot which Finlay Coles in the Didcot goal could only parry to Luke Barner, positioned on the edge of the six-yard box, but he cleared the bar with his snap-shot whilst under pressure from the Didcot defence.

The game then settled down, and for the rest of the half, Didcot looked marginally the stronger side as they stopped Falmouth from getting the ball and feeding their dangerous wide players.

Didcot’s midfielders James Glover and JP Nyuysemo were winning the majority of the second balls and pressing their counterparts, Jack Webber and Luke Barner, ensuring that Falmouth could not dictate the play.

In fact, the influential Barner was not given a second of time all through the game, much to the detriment of Falmouth’s performance.

Didcot continued to force the majority of corners and free kicks, but they were manfully defended by Falmouth and the half finished at 0-0.

It was difficult to see what Falmouth could do to change the game going into the second half against a strong Didcot side, who had pace down the flanks, a physical and mobile target man in Felix Robertson and two big central defenders who wrestled with Falmouth forward Rubin Wilson throughout the game, much of it going unrecognised by the referee.

In an attempt to regain control of the midfield, Falmouth made two early changes.

Sims and Duff replaced Evans and Ibbotson, with Jewell taking his place in central defence.

Falmouth improved marginally, but Didcot still looked the better side.

A 0-0 draw would probably have been a good result for Falmouth, but 24 minutes into the half, Didcot opened the scoring.

Nyuysemo received the ball down the right side of the penalty area, and after some mazy dribbling, he drove to the bye-line and delivered a low cross which was poked in by the onrushing Robertson.

Falmouth boss Andy Westgarth then plumped for a change of shape, bringing on Luke Brabyn and going to a back three with wing-backs and three up front.

This opened up the possibility of Didcot scoring on the break, and so it proved with three minutes of the game to go.

A breakaway move down the right resulted in another cross, low into the Falmouth box, which this time was converted by Owen James.

Falmouth threw all remaining caution to the wind and laid siege to the Didcot goal for the last few minutes, but a combination of good goalkeeping and resolute defensive play ensured that Didcot retained their lead and deservedly emerged victorious after an accomplished all-round performance.

The challenges come thick and fast in this league, and play-off contenders Westbury United will be welcomed to Bickland Park on Tuesday evening.

Falmouth will be hoping for a large turn-out for the game to give them that extra edge, as they attempt to rise up the league and into the play-off positions themselves.

Morgan Coxhead, Bradley Leivers, Tom Annear, Fred Walter, Aaron Ibbotsson, Harrison Jewell, Jack Webber, Oscar Massey, Olly Evans, Rubin Wilson, Luke Barner.

Subs: Jared Sims, Ned Symons, Martyn Duff, Kieran Bishop, Luke Brabyn.

Didcot Town: Finlay Coles, Lochlan Colquhoun, Cameron McNeill, James Glover, Luke Carnell, Adam Learoyd©, Cameron Mills, Felix Robertson, Owen James, JP Nyuysemo, Tyger J.Hall.

Subs: Samuel Barder, William Glover, Cieran Walsh, Gabriel Reivers.

Referee: Rowan Clarke.