Last gasp victory for juniors
News Archive > Sport > Last gasp victory for juniors
It's the stuff dreams are made of for any neutral spectator. You just couldn't write a script better for any cup final on any day.One team starts brilliantly and goes three goals adrift of their opponents inside the opening 11 minutes of the game and with the game looking as good as over the spirited opponents fight back with three goals in a ten minute second half spell which level the scores.
Both sides go close to winning the game with late chances but then the winning team, who in this case are St Austell under-18s grab a goal in extra-time and manage to hold off St Tudy's advances and win 4-3 after-extra-time to claim the PM Bartlett trophy.
Played in glorious sunshine at Blaise Park the side managed by Andy Bragg and Graham Nicholls started brightly and with just 11 minutes on the clock they had already established a three-goal advantage.
After the whole-hearted Keiran Conibear-Trathen had a header cleared off the line St Austell were in front after just four minutes, Josh Bragg's spectacular 20-yard free-kick dipping off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
Four minutes later it was two when Jay Hill sped away from the visiting defence and after rounding the on-rushing St Tudy goalkeeper Jake Butler he shot into an empty net.
Just three minutes later a third goal was added when Jordan Ball's cross from the wide right slipped through the hands of Butler and into the back of the net.
St Austell could have added further goals with Liam Nicholls having a shot saved after a fine piece of trickery and Bragg shooting just wide of the target from 20 yards.
Where the first half belonged to St Austell the second half saw a spirited second half from St Tudy, whose comeback was superb.
Just after the hour they were off the mark. Steven Lake saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Rob Rosevear but Saul Halpin was following it up and he converted from six yards, with 63 minutes on the clock.
Seven minutes later they lead was down to just one goal as substitute Bradley Palmer rose highest in the box to head Halpin's corner into the back of the net.
With confidence flowing through their veins St Tudy managed to level the scores on 73 minutes, Steven Lake powerfully heading into the back of the net from close range.
Both sides could have won it late on, St Austell having the best chance when Nicholls saw his effort come back of the post in time added on.
In the end, both sides had to settle for extra-time and it was St Austell who claimed the victory after just four minutes when Nicholls jumped and got to the ball first before St Tudy goalkeeper Butler to head home the all-important winning goal.
St Tudy pushed in the second period of the extra-time and could have been awarded a late penalty but referee Justin Moses turned down their appeals for a spot kick when St Austell captain Ashley Steele appeared to handle the ball inside the box.
St Austell will be hoping to make it a cup double on Monday when they play Spear United in the final of the Rathbone trophy, at Dobwalls, kick-off will be at 6.30pm.
