Saltash United 1 Falmouth Town 0

Dave Barker proved to be the unlikely hero as Saltash United clinched the South West Peninsula League’s Walter C Parson Cup in front of a bumper crowd of 585 at Blaise Park on Saturday, writes Kevin Marriott.

With an absorbing final looking likely to go into extra time, right wing back Barker met Sam Farrant’s 88th minute corner with a bullet header which hit the back of the net before Falmouth goalkeeper Ryan Barnes could react.

The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Saltash players and they saw the game out in some comfort to complete another successful season with a trophy.

It was sweet revenge for the Ashes, who had lost 2-1 to Falmouth in controversial circumstances in Easter Monday’s Cornwall Senior Cup final at Bodmin.

Ashes manager Matt Cusack said: ‘We played better in the Senior Cup final and lost. It doesn’t matter.

‘I am immensely proud of the players. I’d like to dedicate this victory to Paul Quick and Daley Simpson, who sadly lost their battles against their respective illnesses this season.’

Saltash, without top scorer Ryan Richards through injury and central defender Callum O’Brien, who was on his way to a stag party, looked anything but winners in a disjointed first half.

Falmouth, backed by their noisy supporters, came out of the traps strongly while the Ashes were having problems stringing two passes together.

Tim Nixon had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 31st minute as he burst into the penalty area but Saltash goalkeeper Ryan Rickard was quick off his line to block the winger’s shot.

Two minutes later Luke Brabyn was found in space on the right inside the penalty area but his low shot across the face of goal finished wide of the far post.

Falmouth maintained their momentum early in the second half with James Ward sending a 53rd minute effort wide of a gaping net with keeper Rickard stranded.

But Rickard was at his best six minutes later as he denied Brabyn from close range before Jordan Annear lifted the rebound over the bar from 10 yards.

Then the introduction Jamie Simmonds from the bench 18 minutes from time seemed to shift the momentum in Saltash’s favour, and the teenage striker was inches away from connecting with the ball in front of goal after Sam Hughes’ shot had been parried by Falmouth keeper Barnes.

Falmouth looked visibly tired as the final moved into the last 10 minutes and they breathed a sigh of relief when a challenge on Dave Trott in the penalty area, which sent the Saltash midfield man sprawling, was deemed fair by referee Stuart Ash, who had an excellent game.

But three minutes later the Ashes made their breakthrough – and it was enough to see them lift a trophy for the second successive season, having won the Senior Cup last year.

Saltash: R Rickard, D Barker, C Martindale, S Cleary (C Summerfield 62), C Menhenick, D Trott, H Wilson, S Farrant, S Hughes, L Edwards (J Simmonds 72), D Lewis.

Subs not used: L Phillips, S Hillier (gk).

Goal: D Barker (88).

Yellow card: S Farrant (68).

Fallmouth: R Barnes, D Blizzard, O Moody (J Webber 82), R Martt, J Cooper, J Ward, L Brabyn, D Broglino, M Duff (M Buchan 62), J Annear (J Bowyer 82), T Nixon.

Sub not used: C Davis.

Yellow card: R Martt (45+2).

Referee: Stuart Ash (Plymouth).

Attendance: 585.