Falmouth Town boss Andrew Westgarth will celebrate his 300th match in charge on Wednesday night when Wendron United visit Bickland Park in the Cornwall Senior Cup second round (kick-off 7.30pm).
Westgarth has led his side to one South West Peninsula League title, two Cornwall Senior Cups and one Walter C Parson League Cup in his previous 299 games at the helm, and he will be hoping to mark his milestone by taking another step closer to a third Senior Cup crown as Town look to continue their promising recent form.
SWPL Premier West outfit Wendron are fitting opponents for Westgarth’s milestone match, with Wednesday’s tie a repeat of last season’s Senior Cup final, when a Jack Bray-Evans goal secured a 1-0 win for Town at St Austell’s Poltair Park to complete the first part of what would become a stunning treble-winning campaign.
While Wendron are starting their Senior Cup campaign at this stage, goals from Olly Walker and Luke Barner helped defending champions Town eventually overcome Wendron’s league rivals Bude Town 2-1 in the previous round.
Despite letting a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw at home to Keynsham Town 11 days ago, Town are enjoying a run of just one defeat in their last nine games. But with four draws included in that run, the Bickland Park outfit will be aiming to turn more of those into wins, starting with the visit of Wendron.
Wendron are led by Michael O’Neill, who guided the side to an excellent third-place finish and a maiden appearance in the Senior Cup final in his first season in charge last term. The Dron scored 92 goals in 32 games last year as they recorded their highest-ever league finish in what was their first full season at Step 6 of the National League System.
And this season is already looking like it could be another successful one for the west Cornwall side, with Wendron one of four teams separated by just two points at the top of the SWPL Premier West. The Dron are currently second in the division, just one point behind leaders St Blazey.
Wendron have scored 51 goals in all competitions this season, with Charlie Young leading the way with 14 strikes, while new signing Ryan Reeve is close behind with 12 goals this term.
Westy’s words
“It’s a proud moment, to get to 300 games is a great achievement. I’ve probably missed out on 50 through covid, so to wait one more [after Saturday’s game was postponed] wasn’t going to be the end of the world. I’m immensely proud and hopefully there’s more to come.
“We’ve played two sides that are competing at the top of the table, so it’s been a tough draw for us. Wendron are on a great run, I think they’ve lost once in their last eight games so they’re in really good form. We know it’s going to be a tough game.
“We’ve won the competition two times running now we know we’re going to be a target. We’re a Western League side so we’re one of the favourites for the competition I imagine, so everyone is going to up their game for us and we’re fully aware of that.
“This week is a massive period for us. We’ve got three cup ties in three cup competitions so it’ll really define our season. We’re in the Les Phillips Cup, FA Vase and Senior Cup [over the next seven days] so it’s a really important week for us.”
Last five games – Falmouth Town:
Oct 29: Falmouth Town 2-2 Keynsham Town (League)
Oct 22: Falmouth Town 2-1 Helston Athletic (FA Vase)
Oct 8: Falmouth Town 1-0 Shepton Mallet (League)
Oct 5: Falmouth Town 2-1 Bude Town (Cornwall Senior Cup)
Oct 1: Ilfracombe Town 2-2 Falmouth Town (League)
Last five games – Street:
Oct 29: Wendron United 5-0 Camelford (League)
Oct 26: Wendron United 2-1 Penzance (League)
Oct 22: Dobwalls 1-5 Wendron United (League)
Oct 15: Liskeard Athletic 6-3 Wendron United (League Cup)
Oct 12: Wendron United 2-0 St Austell (League)
Stadium address
Bickland Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth TR11 4PB
Tickets
Adults: £6
Under-16s and concessions: £3
We advise that supporters arrive in plenty of time to avoid queues at the gate shortly before kick-off.
Matchday programme
Limited copies of our matchday programme will be available on entry to the ground for £1.
50:50 draw
A collection for the 50:50 draw will be made during the first half, with the winning ticket announced over the PA system at half-time. Each entry to the draw costs £1.
Refreshments and facilities
Once inside Bickland Park, food and beverages can be purchased from the serving hatch immediately to your left upon entering the ground.
Toilets can be found inside the clubhouse and in the hut at the far end of the ground.
Seating is available in the grandstand, with disabled access provided via a separate entrance at the top of the steps alongside the back row.
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We look forward to seeing you at Bickland Park on Wednesday and hope you enjoy your evening.
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