Cornish Guardian

East Cornwall

Premier League

Cup semi-final

THERE'S a mega soccer weekend in store for Liskeard following the ECPL side's comfortable semi final victory over Millbrook at Launceston last Thursday.

Having duly booked their place in the Easter Sunday final at St Blazey against arch rivals Saltash it means that the club are involved in two cup finals over Easter.

Following Easter Sunday's showdown with Saltash at Blaise Park, Liskeard's Carlsberg SWL side meet St Blazey at Saltash in the Cornwall Senior Cup Final.

Any hopes Millbrook had of creating an upset were dealt a severe blow in only the second minute when Dave Waters's corner was met at the near post by Martin Nicholls, who guided the ball past Steve Williams in the Millbrook goal.

If anything, Millbrook had a slight territorial advantage for the remainder of the half but Liskeard looked the more dangerous in attack with Williams saving from Jon Niblett while both John Collins and Neil Mullis drove wide when through with only the keeper to beat.

Although forced to make a fine first half save Blues keeper Paul Pethick enjoyed a quiet second half as Liskeard played some flowing football and consolidated their position with three more goals.

In the 47th minute Mullis drove home Liskeard's second from just inside the box and ten minutes later Niblett drilled in the third. Williams made a couple of fine saves before substitute Andy Collins completed the scoring.

Liskeard's Carlsberg South Western League side should have been contesting another semi-final on Tuesday, against Saltash in the League Cup at Launceston, but the match was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

Premier Cup

semi final first leg

Dobwalls 6

St Dominic 2

DOBWALLS got off to a flier when skipper Rob Cole fired home through a crowded penalty area. The keeper, who was unsited, could only watch as the shot found the corner of the net.

It was 2-0 a minute later when Cole's 25-yard strike was parried into the goal by the unfortunate keeper.

Ten minutes from half time Dobwalls extended the lead from the penalty spot, Francis Cater maing no mistake from the spot after Martin Polatch had been hauled back. On the stroke of half time Woods pulled a goal back in a goalmouth scramble.

Ollie Craddock reduced the arrears just after the restart heading home from a set piece. The scores remained the same until ten minutes from the end, when a superb volley from Jim Moynan gave Dobwalls a two-goal cushion.

A brace from Fran Cater in the last five minutes sealed the result. The first came direct from a free kick, the second when Cater was upended in the penalty area. His spot kick was well saved but Cater followed up to tap in to complete his hat trick.

St Dominic had battled hard throughout and were it not for the woodwork and a string of last ditch saves from Daniel Parsons in the home goal the result may have been different.

Willie Williams was the man of the match

Match sponsors were Baco Metal Centres.

Dobwalls are in league action for a change when they play hosts to current champions St Stephen in a 2.30pm kick off. Players should meet at the ground at 1.45pm. The team will be selected from a full squad. Baco Metal Centres are match sponsors.

Duchy Division Four East

North Hill 6

Altarnun Res 0

NORTH Hill sewed up this game in the first half, taking the lead in the 16th minute when Phil Lucas ran through the defence.

Goals followed through Mark Horwell (2), Russell Pugsley and Stan Smith from the half way line.

To be fair to Altarnun they pulled themselves together in the second half but lacked punch in the attack.

The home side added a sixth from a glorious Richard Robson run and finish. This was a local derby played in a sporting spirit with veterans Nigel Wadge, Dibbs Davey, Neil Gubbin and Grenville Rowe all holding their own with the youngsters around them.

North Hill have been forced lately to bring in a number of youngsters and all are improving with each game.

Launceston Cup

Quarter Final

Callington 6

St Teath 1

CALLINGTON cruised into the semi-final of the Launceston Cup at the expense of their Premiership rivals.

It took only four minutes to open their account, Blatchford turning in the six yard box to score.

Callington continued to press against a very strong wind and with ten minute gone Blatchford raced through to score his second from 16 yards into the top corner.

St Teath did have their moments with the wind at their backs and scored just before the break after a mix up in the Town defence.

But after the break it was one way traffic as Callington laid siege to the visitors goal.

Truscott added the third with a header from eight yards and then the same player added the fourth with a low left footed shot into the bottom corner.

With 20 minutes remaining Blatchford got his hat-trick with a low 20 yard drive.

Just before the end young James Crawford capped a fine game with a fine individual goal of his own beating three players before slotting home from 18 yards.

Cornish Guardian

East Cornwall

Premier League

Sticker 0

Liskeard 6

WITH playing conditions at Sticker excellent, despite the recent rain, Liskeard were soon playing the ball around and struck after five minutes when Neil Mullis lobbed keeper Andy Tregaskis.

'That goal seems to finish them,' said Blues manager Martin Hodge. 'They didn't play that badly but lacked conviction.'

The visitors added two further first half goals through in-form Martin Nicholls and Jon Collins.

Gary Warne fired in Sticker's best effort but goalie Paul Pethick excelled denying the striker with a fine save.

Three minutes into the second half and Paul Webber added the visitors' fourth with Dean Tongue and Mullis completing the rout.

'No complaints,' said Sticker manager John Peters. 'Liskeard found their men better, were a yard quicker and overall were to good for us.'

THE Cornish Guardian ECPL leaders continue to count down the season.

Following their 6-0 victory at Sticker the Blues have six matches remaining and if they win five of them then they will be certain of retaining the championship.

'We are in the driving seat,' said manager Martin Hodge.

'Our current form is first class. We've won our last three matches scoring 16 goals whilst conceding just one.'

Tomorrow (Sat) Liskeard visit Torpoint (3pm) without the unavailable Paul Stephens.

Liskeard from: Pethick, Lowden, Nicholls, Mills, J Collins, Mullis, Jeffery, Waters, P Webber, Cole, Niblett, Trevarthen, Tongue, A Collins, Pengelly, Quaintance, West, Billing.

St Cleer 7

St Dennis 0

MAINTAINING their mantle as the competition's most improved club, third placed St Cleer swept to their biggest win of the season - a crushing 7-0 triumph over St Dennis.

'That has to rank as one of the club's best ever performances as St Dennis are currently fifth in the table,' said a delighted joint manager Dave Ewings.

Once again the electric Dave Greening featured with four goals - two in each half.

Wayne Mousella (penalty) after Greening had been fouled also hit the target as did Mike and Simon Fitze who completed the scoring when heading in from a Mousella corner.

Greening, with 27 goals to his credit from 15 games, is the subject of a seven-day notice of approach from Carlsberg League Bodmin but the Marjons student will not be available after next weekend as he returns to his home in the Isle of Wight.

Following their tremendous 7-0 victory over St Dennis last weekend St Cleer's Cornish Guardian ECPL team are in high spirits for the trip to Roche tomorrow (Sat, 3pm).

Martyn Hake and Jimmy Truscott come into the squad.

Disappointingly it's the last game of the season for hot shot Dave Greening, a Marjons student, who next week returns to his home in the Isle of Wight.

Sponsors are Stag St Cleer and Callington SC.

St Cleer from: Harris, Saunders, Heath, Thompson, Stonehouse, S Fitze, Nicholson, J Jessop, Woodman, J King, Collins, Fenn, McDonald, Hambly, Aggiss, Greening, M Fitze, Mousella, M Jessop, Hake, Truscott, Robins.

Duchy Premier

Callington 1

Boscastle 1

CALLINGTON came up against a much improved Boscastle side, but were still in control of this game for long periods and a lack of finishing cost them dear.

It was Callington who took the lead after 20 minutes through top goal scorer Chris Truscott.

Wakenshaw's low cross from the left was met by Truscott six yards out to score.

Callington only kept their lead for ten minutes. Against the run of play, Boscastle were back in the game when Pethick, from 14 yards, gave Wood in the Town goal no chance.

The second half started in the same manner with the visitors pinned back in their own half as Town missed chances through Truscott and Blatchford.

In the closing seconds Blatchford was up-ended in the box but the penalty claims were turned down.

CALLINGTON entertain Mevagissey in the Duchy Premier League tomorrow (Sat), kick off 2.30pm.

Manager Paul Blatchford concluded that with Dobwalls running away with the League it remained very important for his side to finish in second place.

'It's well within our grasp,' he said.

Callington from: D Wood, A Striplin, J Crawford, C Cannon, S Fisher, S Wakenshaw, S Brooks, T Truscott, S Pocknell, G Pote, S Prynn, J Illayard, K Blatchford and C Truscott.

Cornwall

County FA

Suspensions Commencing March 18: Nigel Andrewartha (Gwinear Church Town) 7days - 24.03.02; Lee Bryant (St Mawgan) 7days - 24.03.02; Neil Burnett (Nanpean Rovers, St Dennis, Roche) 35days - 21.04.02; Malcolm Dingle (Foxhole Stars, Penwithick FC, Newmoor Rovers, Bugle Orient) 35days 21.04.02; Arv Hirani (Halsetown) 21days 7.04.02; Jay Isbell (St Blazey, Foxhole AFC & Social Club, Team Surveys Ltd, Biscovey) 7days - 24.03.02; Tyson McFarlane (Biscovey) 35days 21.04.02; Justin Norman (Liskeard Athletic, Millbrook, Jubilee Inn, Porthleven) 7days 24.03.02; Steven O'Leary (Clipper Bar) 35days - 21.04.02; Jeremy Pascoe (Western Inn, Foxhole Stars) 35days - 2.1.04.02; Chris Penfold (Madron, Marazion Blues) 7days - 24.03.02; John Penhaligon (Gerrans, Probus) 35days - 21.04.02; Matthew Pepperell (Stratton United) 35days - 21.04.02; Darren Pervin (Sir Humphry Davy, Gulval, Old Smithy FC) 35days - 21.04.02; Maurice Richards (Pool United) 35days - 21.04.02; Jonathan White (Antony, DML, Fellowship Inn) 35days - 21.04.02; Graham Whitehead (Gerrans) 35days - 21.04.02; Ryan Williams (St Austell) 7days - 24.03.02.

Durning Lawrence Charity Cup semi-finals: St Blazey v Callington Town (at Liskeard Athletic on Tuesday April 9, 7:30pm); Saltash United v Porthleven or Liskeard Athletic at St Blazey (if Porthleven) or Launceston (if Liskeard), kick off 7:30pm.

Double header

for cup finals

The Cornwall Senior and Junior Cup Finals will be played at Kimberley Stadium, Saltash, on Monday April 1 (Easter Monday).

In the Junior Cup Final, Perranporth take on Morwenstow (kick off 2.15pm)

The Senior Cup final between Liskeard Athletic and St Blazey follows at 4.30pm.