HOLMANS 1 HELSTON 3

THE only surprise in this Jolly's Combination League clash at Blaythorne was that Helston did not win by a bigger margin.

They would have settled for 3-1 before kick-off, but such was their domination the game should have been well out of reach of the home side well before half time.

It is no exaggeration to say that Helston created the proverbial hatful of chances and could have won with a score into double figures, but were eventually reduced to scrapping it out in the final 20 minutes or so.

The early chances came thick and fast with Helston utilising the space that their front two of Reg Pearson and Liam Eddy offered them, but try as they might the ball always went the wrong side of the woodwork.

Holmans' luck couldn't hold and in the 13th minute it proved unlucky for them when Helston broke the deadlock. Tony Morley picked up possession on the edge of the box and turned to hit his shot through a crowd of players, but the coup de grace was applied by Aaron Collick who dummied the shot through his legs to see it nestle in the corner of the net.

With Tom Russell prominent in midfield, Helston continued to run the show and Holmans were fortunate to survive another scare when Eddy's free kick landed on the roof of the net.

Eddy then shaved the side of the post before being substituted as a precaution with a possible injury and was replaced by Chris Matthews.

Morley had a chance to extend Helston's lead in a one-on-one with the 'keeper, but again lack of composure cost a goal.

Ninety seconds into the second half Helston did score a second goal when a good through ball by Russell found Collick who beat the offside trap and cut in to beat the 'keeper with a great chip shot.

Within five minutes Helston were beginning to score the goals that matched their dominance. Chris Breasley closed down the 'keeper as he came out to meet a ball into the box by Morley, but the 'keeper's clearance rebounded off Breasley and gave the midfielder time to regain possession and knock it into the net.

Helston continued to be wasteful with their chances and after 70 minutes were given a wake-up call when Holmans pulled back a goal. Justin Harrington spotted Ian Chatfield off his line and from 40 yards hit a terrific shot over the 'keeper's head and into the net.

Roused by the goal and Harrington a constant threat, Holmans enjoyed a good spell of pressure as the Blues became ragged.

However, Helston regained their shape and began to look dangerous on the break once more with Pearson getting into the box but unable to finish.

Collick thought he had snapped up another goal, but was wrongly given offside with a defender behind the goalkeeper, a decision that brought an apology for the error from the assistant after the match.

Helston: I Chatfield, E Dunn, N Crook, A Sharkey, R Wilkinson, T Russell, C Breasley, R Pearson, L Eddy, T Morley, A Collick. Subs: C Matthews, A Trathen.