FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

Liskeard Athletic 0 Bridgwater 2

LISKEARD Athletic’s return to the FA Cup after several years lasted only 90 minutes as they lost to an impressive Bridgwater side at Lux Park on Saturday.

The crucial moment of the tie came when Miles Quick put the visitors ahead in the 29th minute, and in the aftermath influential Liskeard favourite Matt Andrew saw red for dissent.

Having already been yellow carded, Andrew had too much to say in the opinion of referee Leigh Michael and his dismissal left the Blues to play the remaining hour with 10 men.

The home side put up a valiant effort and stayed in the tie until 12 minutes from time when Will Collins scored Bridgwater’s second goal which left Liskeard with too much to do.

The Cornishmen suffered a blow in the warm-up when centre-half Tyler Yendle pulled up with an injury to be replaced by Scott Sanders.

And their luck didn’t change once the action started as they had a Max Gilbert effort ruled out for offside in the ninth minute.

Liskeard gave a debut to striker Harry Probyn, who joined on Friday from Torpoint Athletic, who had signed him last month from St Blazey.

Probyn came off the bench just before the hour after replacing Bailey Mabin.

Newly-promoted Liskeard, who have had a hectic start to the season in the Western League Premier Division have this midweek off before they entertain league rivals Brixham on Saturday in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round (3pm).

In other local football news, South West Peninsula League Premier West side Wadebridge Town have reappointed club legend Paul Rowe.

Rowe has accepted an invitation to return to the North Cornwall club, it was confirmed on Monday, his appointment coming only two months after Plymouth-based Lewis Challen joined the Bridgers as first team manager with Billy White as his assistant.

Pre-season has not gone particularly well for Wadebridge and crashing to a 6-1 defeat at Sticker in their first Premier West fixture of the season last Friday night probably highlighted the need for change at Bodieve Park.

Rowe stepped down as manager 15 months ago to take a break from the game and was replaced by former St Blazey joint managers Brad Richardson and Andrew Moon.

Unfortunately their reign lasted only a matter of months with stand-out summer signings like Neil Slateford and Olly Brokenshire from St Austell departing amid reports that the club had financial concerns.

Rowe remains a popular figure at Wadebridge and his presence may help to attract better players, although he acknowledges the job won’t be easy.

He was due to be in the dugout last night for the Bridgers’ first home league game of the season against former Southern League Division One South outfit Mousehole, who were beaten 3-1 at home by promoted club St Mawgan on Saturday.

LISKEARD ATHLETIC: Tom Burstow; Toby Haley, Josh Robins (George Newton, 72), Harry Jeffery, Josh McCabe, Matt Andrew, Max Gilbert, Calum Merrin (Ben Cross, 81), Scott Sanders (Harvey Mullis, 59), Sean Thomson, Bailey Mabin (Harry Probyn, 59).

BRIDGWATER UNITED: Liam Kingston; Mike Duffy, Jason Quick, Tom Llewellyn, Toby Lawrence, Jacob Spence, Harry Horton (Lloyd Mills 63), Miles Quick, Shea Mannings, Sam Beresford (Hayden Chambers 76), Will Collins.

Referee: Leigh Michael.

Attendance: 212.

Liskeard Athletic man-of-the-match: Josh McCabe.