Heavy rain over the festive season played havoc with the soccer programme with few matches played.

The first matches of the new millennium fixtured for holiday Monday (Jan 3) saw the Cornwall Charity cup tie involving Porthleven and Newquay washed out as were the Jewson SWL cup quarter finals involving Liskeard and Tavistock and and Falmouth and Penzance.

However a goal from Chidley was enough to put Holsworthy through to the semis at the expense of visiting Millbrook while Callington's progress came to an abrupt halt at St Blazey. They lost 3-0 with Parsons, Dyer and Hooper Saints goalscorers.

In the Cornish Guardian East Cornwall Premier League only two matches escaped waterlogged grounds. They were the matches at Wadebridge and St Dennis.

Wadebridge beat near neighbours Padstow 4-0 to reach the semi finals of the League cupwhile St Dennis just managed to extend their unbeaten league run to 17 matches with a 2-2 draw against leaders Liskeard. Richard Stoneman netted Saints second equaliser in the final minute of a thrilling game.

"It was a good advertisement for the League", said St Dennis manager Billy Davis. "Liskeard often bossed the game and we could not have complained if we had lost but we battled back and managed to grab a point."

Opening exchanges were even with Liskeard' keeper Paul Lowden denying Darren Vincent while Dave Lloyd cleared a shot from Colin Barrett off the St Dennis goalline. Liskeard broke the deadlock when Lee Maddock beat Paul Pethick with a 25 yard cracker.

Early in the second half Andy Stevens put St Dennis on terms but within two minutes Saints were trailing again when Barrett converted an Adam Nickson cross. Liskeard well deserved their lead but St Dennis dug in with defenders Dave Lloyd and Andy Stevens outstanding. Their efforts were rewarded a minute from time when Richard Stoneman forced home a Neil Dudley cross, the ball beating Paul Lowden and deflecting in off a post.