FALMOUTH TOWN 2-3 YATE TOWN
Table Toppers Yate Town won this close Southern League encounter with the odd goal in five having trailed twice in the game, but Falmouth belied their lower league position by taking their visitors to the wire and only missing out on a well-deserved point by the width of the woodwork in the last minute.
Falmouth re-united central midfielders Andreas Calleja-Stayne and Jack Webber in a strong midfield and again started with Kian Thomas wide on the left.
Falmouth started the game on the front-foot with some impressive pressing in forward areas from Thomas, Oscar Massey and Jared Sims and wouldn’t let Yate settle into the game. They were rewarded when Kian Thomas opened the scoring for the home team on 7 minutes courtesy of a cross from Luke Barner from the right flank. Thomas seems to be really benefitting from manager Andy Westgarth’s faith in him and was one of Falmouth’s most effective performers on the day.
Having conceded, Yate then started to get into the game more and equalised 17 minutes later from James Byrne after some good work down the left.
Falmouth went ahead again after 32 minutes. The ball was played forward to Thomas on the left edge of the box. He flicked the ball up over his head to beat the defender and as he was challenged, the ball was diverted into the path of Luke Barner who steered it past Aaron Sainsbury in the Yate goal.
Yate responded again and finished the half on top but the score remained at 2-1.
Yate upped their game again in the 2nd half and had the majority of the ball, with Falmouth having to concede territory and defend a little deeper. Within 13 minutes Yate were level, courtesy of a wicked deflection from a Will Christopher effort from just outside the area.
Falmouth still looked dangerous when they got forward though and Massey was unfortunate not to gain the lead back for Falmouth as he steered a great chance from just inside the 6 yard box, past the post after some good work down the left flank.
Yate were not content with a draw and they took the lead on 76 minutes through Ross Stearn after further pressure.
This triggered Falmouth’s best period of the game as they themselves pushed for an equaliser, and in the 6th minute of injury time, a free kick was won by Falmouth substitute Marcello Jones wide on the right. Tom Annear found Jones from the restart who hit a fierce shot from just inside the box against the Yate crossbar and Yate survived to register a hard-fought victory in front of the large home support.
Although Falmouth are now winless in five games, it was a very encouraging performance against a side experienced at this level. The work rate and attitude from the whole team was admirable and further performances like this should see them survive comfortably in the league.
Falmouth now turn to a tricky home tie on Wednesday against high-flying SWPL side Newquay AFC in defence of their Cornwall Senior Cup title. They will be up against recent ex-Falmouth players Jacob Grange and Tom Moxham and interestingly, former Falmouth, Mousehole and Plymouth Parkway striker Jack Bray-Evans, as he returns from a long injury lay-off.
Yate Town: Aaron Sainsbury, James Taylor, James Byrne, Will Christopher, Wiliam Larvin, Lloyd James, Ross Stearn, Joseph Guest, Marlon Jackson, Lucas Tomlinson, Stanly Wyatt. Subs: Ryan Lewis Hillier, Ross Staley, Nuno Felix, Ewan McMillan, Darren Mullings.
Ref: Mark Senior.