CORNWALL SENIOR CUP SeconD ROUND

Helston Ath 1

Saltash Utd 8

An incredible second half display saw the Ashes score seven times and cruise through this potential banana skin at Kellaway Park.

Cornwall Combination League outfit Helston had somehow held their Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division visitors at bay in the first half – and even had the cheek to take the lead, albeit courtesy of a dubious penalty award, before Saltash equalised to go in level at the break.

The second period was just as one-way as the first, but with one major difference – Saltash converted the majority of their scoring opportunities.

Ashes manager Kevin Hendy was not concerned about the first half, revealing: 'To be fair to the lads, we were very good in the first period, as we dominated possession and the play but just couldn't take any of the numerous chances we created.

'We were absolutely shaken to our roots when Helston went a goal up but, to the lads' credit, they simply shook that disappointment off and levelled before the break.' One could be forgiven to thinking that the riot act was read during the interval but, according to Hendy, that was simply not the case.

'All I said to them was to quicken the tempo and pass the ball quicker and once we got into the lead then we would get five or six,' he revealed.

'I could not have asked for more in the second half, as everyone was magnificent and they went one better and got seven,' said a beaming Hendy, who also had words of praise for his four-goal striker and his two new signings.

'I was delighted for Marc Thorne, as he has been blighted by injury this campaign, and this was only his seventh start of the season.

'I made him captain for the day and he responded with four goals; he looked to be back to the Thornie of old – and that was especially pleasing, as we were without top goalscorer Glen Palmer who has been absolutely tremendous for us this season.

'My new signings were also pleasing, as goalkeeper Kenny Griffiths gave us assurance at the back and Anthony Mason looked a class-act up front with a great touch and movement that will surely benefit us.

'It was also pleasing to be able to give Dennis Mason his first half-hour since joining us from Callington – and he will certainly be another good acquisition.'

Saltash had completely dominated the first period, only to find themselves a goal down after 37 minutes when Mark Goldsworthy went down easily in the box under challenge from Jamie Frickleton, for Jason Robertson to fire his penalty past Griffiths.

It was former Ireland youth international Mason who, with his back to goal, played the ball back to Steve Sargison on the edge of the area for the Ashes wing-back to cross the ball to the back post where Carlton Farnham headed back for Thorne to convert at the near post.

Within 90 seconds of the start of the second half, Thorne was brought down in the area and he picked himself up to beat Barry Hennesey from the spot-kick.

A further two minutes had elapsed when a Sargison cross was fumbled by Hennesey and the ball fortunately hit Mason's knee for his first goal for the Ashes.

The game was over as a contest on 58 minutes when Thorne's driving run across the 18 yard box saw him beat off two defenders before turning back on himself and shooting past Hennesey from 15 yards to complete a fine hat-trick.

Helston were reeling and Saltash were in no mood to let them off the hook, promptly adding a fifth with the goal of the game and Thorne's fourth of the contest.

Farnham's low pass from the right wing found Thorne with his back to goal, 15 yards out on the angle of the box.

Thorne's superb turn left the home defence floundering as he advanced to the edge to edge of the six yard box to slam the ball past Hennesey.

The Ashes' sixth arrived on 69 minutes when a Danny Lewis free-kick was met by central defender Toby Clark who rose above the home defence to place his header into the roof of the home goal.

Saltash maintained their momentum and, eight minutes from time, Paul Madden's super left-wing run saw him evade two challenges before reaching the byline and pulling the ball back for Mason to fire home, albeit at the second attempt.

The scoring was completed a minute from time when Madden's corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Dave Smith for Frickleton to fire home at the opposite post.