Truro City U14 1
Dobwalls U14 3
Dobwalls travelled to Truro to face double favourites Truro City in the semi-final of the East Cornwall Youth League Cup.
Armed with a 15 man squad, many spectators and with their confidence boosted by the previous week's victory over high flying Biscovey, Dobwalls were optimistic despite two previous defeats by Truro in the league.
Dobwalls had the wind and slope in their favour in the first half but found it difficult to break down a strong Truro defence.
With play heavily contested in the centre of the park, each team's midfield players battled for supremacy.
Chances were few and far between with the only clear cut opportunity coming late in the half when Wilson sent Bartlett through only to see his shot narrowly miss the target. The half ended goalless.
Truro started the second half the stronger and could have scored within the first minute, only to be denied by keeper Sam Lovelock's legs.
With constant pressure it was only a matter of time before the home side scored in which they did ten minutes into the half with a well taken opportunist goal.
At one down the Dobwalls changed things round and stepped up a gear.
They started menacing Truro's midfield and defence with Bartlett, Lindsey, Benney, Coombes, Hocking and Starr getting the better of their opponents.
Their reward came with 15 minutes remaining. Bartlett picked up the ball just inside Truro's half and with a powerful run, beating three players, he smashed the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.
Dobwalls supporters went wild. As the vocal encouragement increased, so the player's determination grew and they pressed forward.
With five minutes remaining, Bartlett, showing his trickery and pace yet again, found Lindsey who beat his marker and shot past the keeper.
Truro threw everything at the Dobwalls defence but Powell, Ruark, Hick and D Lovelock held firm.
Dobwalls were penned into their 18 yard box for what appeared an age conceding corner after corner.
Truro tried everything to equalise and nearly did, only to see Sam Lovelock's fingertips knock the ball around the post to concede yet another corner.
From the corner the defence cleared to man of the match Bartlett who, from the halfway line, set off on another searing run.
After beating the Truro defence and keeper he put Dobwalls into the final.
This was a very entertaining and evenly contested match. Neither side deserved to lose but Dobwalls are to be congratulated on their gutsy performance.
The final will be at Priory Park, Bodmin, on either May 12 or 19. Dobwalls next game is away in the league to Truro City on March 17.
U16 A H Luke
County Cup
semi-final
Newquay 3
St Cleer 2
ST CLEER were unluckily knocked out of the A H Luke County Cup in a fiercely contested semi-final which was affected by the gale force winds.
The match started with neither side able to create any chances.
A free kick awarded to Newquay on the edge of the box was hit low but kept out by Jonathan Sluman on the line, only for Newquay to score from the rebound.
Minutes later the referee awarded another free kick on the edge of the box to Newquay, which was fired into the top corner. Saints were now 2-0 down with everything including the wind against them.
Saints tried to pull their way back into the game when Craig Walton powered a shot at the Newquay goal only to see it rattle the cross bar.
Nothing seemed to go right for the Saints until about five minutes before half time when Dan Bell received the ball wide left and rocketed a shot into the far top corner. A favourite for goal of the season, it pulled Saints back into the game.
Saints came out in the second half to put Newquay under pressure and the seasiders could do nothing about the Saints second when Martin Hake latched on to a good through ball to score. He beat the keeper and defender to the ball and sscored from an acute angle.
Saints now found themselves with the upper hand but couldn't capitalise on the pressure they put on the Newquay goal.
Newquay kept their heads up and a good run followed by a cross, after Saints had given the ball away, resulted in a goal scored from close range.
Saints switched to a more attacking formation and super sub Kurt Devaney nearly scored with his first touch from a well struck volley from 25 yards which soared just over the crossbar.
Saints went all out for a goal and the keeper was called on to make a good save from Bradley Powell's powerful shot.
The match came to a disappointing end for Saints who just couldn't force extra time.
Saltash United U15 3 Manstow Pumas 3
NEEDING only one point to secure League victory Saltash went into this game in a confident manner, however, Manstow were still i the race, albeit with a somewhat remote chance.
A very strong wind made control of the ball difficult and both sides took a while to settle into their stride abut it was Manstow who took the lead after 15 minutes when a corner was parried by the Saltash keeper and their alert forward found the top of the net.
A few minutes later similar saw a similar opportunity at the other end when a Ben Philp corner to the far post found Adam Hutchings who coolly headed in to level the score.
Continued pressure caused a rare error in the Puma's defence and when a clearance fell short to Daniel Thompson he hit the ball first time from long range finding the middle of the net to take Ashes into the lead.
The second half with the wind in their faces now saw Ashes under pressure and Manstow soon levelled the score with a cracking left foot shot into the roof and the goal leaving keeper Tony Jane no chance.
Adam Hutchings regained the lead for Saltash, with fine solo work on the left wing, firing home across the diving Manstow keeper.
Not to be outdone Pumas once again levelled the match following a good move down their left wing.
With only five minutes remaining the game could have gone either way with chances being created at both ends but both defences held firm and to the delight of the home crowd the final score remained 3-3.
Ashes had secured the vital point to win the League!
A mention must be made of the Pumas keeper, Shaun Baker, who had a superb game pulling off a number of vital saves to keep his side in contention.
DJM Hermes U13
Railway Beacon 2
St Cleer 2
St Cleer travelled to Railway Beacon at Devonport Park, Plymouth, on Saturday, when the gale force wind had a significant effect on the game.
In the first half St Cleer, playing into the wind, displayed good football without scoring, going in at half time two down.
St Cleer attacked from the restart but Beacon stood firm, relying on the counter attack.
Eventually the powerful play and shot of Shane Ruark reduced the deficit, which spurred St Cleer on and with plenty of encouragement from the touchlines they scored a deserved equaliser five minutes from time through a good header by Phil Benney.
An entertaining game was spoilt by the wind, but the players of both teams deserve credit for not giving in to the arctic conditions.