BOTH Helston and Barnstaple went into their Toolstation Western League match in good form as the Blues looked for a repeat of their performance against the Devon side in December which saw them run out 2-0 winners.

Sat in seventh place in the league, Helston were unbeaten in their last six games with a win over Barnstaple potentially taking them above Shepton Mallet.

Barnstaple on the other hand find themselves in fourth place having won three of their last four games with a win against Helston taking them to within a point of third-placed Bridgewater United.

After 15 minutes had been played, the first big chance of the game came from the home side, with Reece Shanley hitting the ball over the bar after Teigan Rosenquest and Jamie Simmonds linked up well down the flank.

The first half of the game remained relatively even throughout, with a number of opportunities for both teams to take the lead not taken.

Simmonds put through a good ball to Shepherd inside the area but Helston’s number 10 found himself unable to get on the end of it.

At the other end of the pitch, a period of good passing play from Barnstaple lead to a lofted cross from Callum Laird put into the box and onto the head of Tor Swann who nodded it towards Stuart Bowker whose audacious attempt at an overhead finish landed safely in the hands of Helston keeper, Kyle Moore.

Another chance for Helston to take the lead went amiss as a neat little cross from Rosenquest from the byline passed three Barnstaple defenders before being blasted over by Shanley who had arrived on the six-yard line.

As the half-time whistle approached, the visitors were denied the opening goal as clearance from the Helston defence saw the ball drop to Barnstaple’s number 11 Alfie Moulden, however, his left-footed attempt was blocked by the Helston’s man between the sticks.

As the second half got underway, early appeals for a penalty were turned away after an alleged handball in the Barnstaple area.

The opening goal came as a Helston throw-in landed at the feet of Shepherd who was allowed plenty of space by Barnstaple’s defence to put a ball through which was scrappily cleared as far as the edge of the box. Storey picks up the loose ball and sees his shot parried into the path of Matty Bye who taps it home from all of four yards.

The hosts could have gone two up had a fierce strike from Elliot not been blocked by the Barnstaple keeper, Liam Kingston.

Barnstaple eventually began to work their way back into the game with a number of threatening pieces of play. 

The visitors eventually found an equaliser after Helston failed to clear a long throw from Roberts into the area which found its way to Brodie Montague who fired a half-volley home for a final score of one apiece. 

The result sees Helston remain in seventh place but with only a point separating them from sixth-placed Shepton Mallet. Helston’s next game will see them take on Ashton & Backwell United away, with the game kicking off at 3pm at The Lancer Scott Stadium.