FALMOUTH TOWN 4-1 DIDCOT TOWN
Falmouth Town made it four wins from four in this one-sided Southern League encounter with mid-table Didcot Town at a wet and Windy Bickland Park.
Falmouth were again able to start Olly Walker, before he leaves to resume his work in London, and named Jack Webber and Jared Sims in midfield in what was a strong line-up.
Falmouth started the game strongly and created a chance for Luke Barner after 5 minutes, Barner arriving at the far post to get on the end of an Olly Walker cross. Within a minute, Bradley Leivers was unable to convert from a similar position 2 yards out, as he stretched to reach another good cross.
Falmouth were completely dominating proceedings but were unable to convert some further half-chances, Barner being foiled by the feet of the excellent Didcot Keeper Leigh Bedwell when one on one.
On 22 minutes, Falmouth deservedly took the lead. During another period of possession, the ball was squared to Rubin Wilson in a position just outside the area. Shrugging off the attentions of his defender he curled the ball just inside the left-hand post to make it 1-0, claiming his fifth goal in 4 games.
Totally against the run of play, Didcot equalised through new signing Dan Warre five minutes after the Falmouth opener in their first attack of note after a defensive mistake, but Falmouth were unperturbed and continued in the ascendancy, with Olly Walker causing havoc on the left, but they were unable to regain their lead. Bedwell again thwarting Wilson on 34 minutes with a save low to his left. As the half headed to an unlikely 1-1 finish, Falmouth finally scored again after a long delay for a Didcot injury. From the restart, a long diagonal ball found Barner down the right-hand side, who squared for Olly Walker to fire in from 8 yards out. The presence of Walker throughout the festive period cannot be underestimated and has been a large factor in the turn-around of Falmouth’s fortunes of late. He will be much-missed when he is no longer available.
The half finished at 2-1 to Falmouth Town and it was one of the most one-sided witnessed this season as Falmouth strived to maintain their recent run of wins.
The second half started in similar fashion with Falmouth dictating the play, but they were unable to immediately add to their lead as the conditions deteriorated.
They had two efforts cleared from the goal-line within 3 minutes of the re-start. 10 minutes in, and a breakaway move straight from a Didcot corner involving the human dynamo that is Luke Barner ended in the ball being fed to Wilson who hit the post from a well-struck effort. Bedwell then made a great save 18 minutes in. Four minutes later and a great run and cross from Walker found Barner at the far post but he wasn’t able to beat Bedwell and the game remained at 2-1.
The worry was that a goal from Didcot would square the game, despite the Falmouth pressure. However, Falmouth finally got their all-important third goal after 83 minutes. Wilson was played through again and drew another great save from Bedwell. Unfortunately for the keeper, he could only parry it back into the path of Wilson who crossed from the by-line for Jared Sims to head in.
Didcot continued to look dangerous on the break and forced a series of corners all through the half which were dealt with well by the Falmouth defence. Jewell, Annear and Leivers were excellent throughout as usual but a special mention to Freddie Walter, who now looks comfortable at this level and completes what is looking like a strong back four for Falmouth.
The Falmouth performance was completed with a deserved fourth goal from Luke Barner on 43 minutes. Picking the ball up midway in Falmouth half, he ran at the defence, cut back and fired past Bedwell to cap a man of the match performance with his tireless running as well as his composure and quality in possession.
So Falmouth Town continue to maintain their excellent form with their fourth consecutive win. This now lifts them to 13th in the table and 8 points clear of the relegation places. It has been a massive turn-around after their recent struggles and is testament to the determination and attitude of the squad of players who have stayed positive and loyal throughout. They have managed to rise to the challenges of this new league with predominantly a Cornwall-based squad that was playing Peninsula league football three years ago, and they should accept all the plaudits for managing to continually improve year on year.
Falmouth now look forward to defending the Cornwall Senior Cup on Wednesday when they make the trip up to South West Peninsula League Bude Town. Bude are a young side, and one much-changed from last year, whose results are improving as the new players acclimatise to the higher league. Falmouth then continue with their league campaign next Saturday when they welcome Larkhall Athletic to Bickland Park.
GOALS:
Didcot Town
Warre 27′
Att: 316
Didcot Town: Leigh Bedwell, Charles Herbert, Conor McGrath, Talyor-Jay Bedwell, Luke Carnell, Adam Learoyd ©, Connor Barrett, Owen Smith, Josh Davis, Dylan Conlan, Daniel Warre. Subs: Brooklyn Leipus, Kian Duggan, Zach Scott, Cameron McNeill, Charles Cooke.