FALMOUTH TOWN 1-2 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS
Luckless Falmouth Town lost yet another game by the odd goal in this encounter at a wet and windy Bickland Park. They welcomed visitors Bemerton Heath Harlequins who sit just outside of the play-off positions in what was a vital game as Falmouth struggle to climb out of the relegation positions in their first ever season in the Southern League Division One South.
In their first home game since their defeat against fellow strugglers Cinderford Town on the 9th of November, they named a strong side with Rubin Wilson at centre-forward, pace down the flanks provided by Luke Barner and Luke Brabyn and a strong centre-midfield pairing of Andreas Calleja-Stayne and the fit-again Jack Webber. Falmouth also named Ollie Walker on the bench who is home for the Christmas period.
Falmouth started brightly and created their first chance after only 2 minutes when a run down the right from Barner resulted in a low cross that Wilson could only steer around the post.
It was an even first 15 minutes with Town playing into a strong wind amidst driving rain with Cam Hutchison showing some good touches in tight areas despite the conditions. 18 minutes had passed when Bemerton played a ball between the Town defence. Morgan Coxhead in the Falmouth goal rushed out to claim the ball but could only catch the Bemerton forward and a penalty was conceded. The penalty was placed low to Coxhead’s left and for the 2nd game in a row he got down well to save the spot-kick to keep the scores level.
Falmouth had the next big chance of the game on 33 minutes when a cross and a nod down fell to the feet of Cam Hutchison. Under pressure from the visitors defence, he leaned back when taking his shot and the ball cleared the crossbar. Bemerton then went up the other end and hit the post after a cross deep on the right hand side found an an on-rushing forward.
Much to the delight of the nervous home crowd, Falmouth took the lead on 40 minutes. The goal came after a free kick from the right touchline was cleared to captain Tom Annear who swung a powerful cross deep into the Bemerton box where Cam Hutchison arrived to steer a firm header past Bemerton keeper Benjamin Taylor.
Unfortunately, the home side could not take the lead into the break as 3 minutes later, Harlequins levelled from a long free kick, which had been controversially taken 10 yards ahead of where an offside offence had occurred. The ball was played forward into the Falmouth box where it fell to Brad Waters to beat Coxhead.
The half finished at 1-1 which Falmouth would have settled for at the start of the game, given the conditions, but Bemerton started to dominate after the break, and during a period of pressure 4 minutes in they made it 2-1 when debutant Gregory Borthwick converted after a goalmouth scramble which Falmouth failed to clear.
Bemerton then used all of their experience to run the clock down, taking the maximum time over throw-ins and goal kicks and generally not allowing Falmouth to gain any momentum. Manager Andy Westgarth quickly played what looked to be his ace card as he replaced Brabyn with the pacy Olly Walker but Falmouth struggled to get the ball out to him in the windy conditions. When they did, Falmouth looked threatening and created a few half-chances but, consistent with their lowly league position, they didn’t get the breaks and Bemerton saw the game out for an away win which placed them back into the play-off positions.
So, the tough run of results continues, and Falmouth now look forward to the visit of near neighbours Mousehole on Boxing Day. Mousehole sit just outside of the play-off places in 6th place having drawn with fellow promotion hopefuls Bashley away on Saturday. Mousehole count ex-Falmouth Town players James Ward, Oscar Massey and Tim Nixon amongst their ranks as well as former Falmouth coach Charlie Davis, so it should be a competitive atmosphere in front of a big and hostile crowd. Falmouth will look to overturn the form book and get back to winning ways as they approach the new year, and hopefully put together an improved run of results.
Star Man: Andreas Calleja-Stayne (Falmouth Town)
Falmouth Town
Cam Hutchison 40′
Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Bradley Waters 43′
Gregory Borthwick 49′
Att: 272
Bemerton Heath Harlequins: Benjamin Taylor, Oliver Balmer, Bradley Waters, George Higgins, Connor Cocklin, Charlie Rayfield, Domenico Panssar-Dower, Charlie Burden©, Gregory Borthwick, Ronan Clancy, Joe Smith. Subs: Eddie Perrett, Callum Corbridge, Ionel Lalot, William Brackley.