KERNOW FA have booked their place in the 2024 CONIFA World Cup in Kurdistan after beating FA Sàpmi at Bickland Park.
Kernow, Cornwall’s representatives on the international footballing stage, welcomed Hakan Kuorak’s team to the county for the one-chance 'golden ticket' match to book their place in the competition.
The match kicked off on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Bickland Park, the home of Falmouth Town after a rendition of the two club's chosen national anthems.
Town's captain, James Ward, also captained the Kernow FA squad, which included players from Helston Athletic, Falmouth Town, Liskeard Athletic, Mousehole, St Blazey, Wadebridge Town, Launceston, and Truro City.
In the opening half, it was FA Sàpmi who dominated possession but, despite the visitors being the stronger team for much of the first half, Liskeard Athletic's Max Gilbert, fresh from scoring his team's only goal in their 1-13 loss to Huddersfield Town, nudged Kernow ahead with ten minutes to go.
The home side went in ahead at the break and carried that momentum through to the second half where the drama continued.
With not long to go until the full-time whistle, Sapmi gave away a penalty and Dan Jennings, also of Liskeard Athletic, stepped up to slot it home, giving Kernow a two goal advantage.
Seeing their chances of qualification diminishing, FA Sàpmi's Tuomas Leppakangas pulled one back for his side, but alas, it wasn't enough as the game drew to a close with Kernow walking away winners.
The Kernow team now joins Raetia, Székely Land, and Chameria in booking their place in the competition which will take place in Kurdistan
The Kernow Football Alliance squad that faced FA Sàpmi was:
- Ollie Chenoweth - Position: Goalkeeper - Current Club: Mousehole
- Lewis Moyle - Position: Goalkeeper - Current Club: Mousehole
- James Ward (capt) - Position: Centre-Half - Current Club: Falmouth Town
- Harvey Mullis - Position: Right-Back - Current Club: Liskeard Athletic
- Will Tinsley - Position: Right-Back - Current Club: St Blazey
- Callum O’Brien - Position: Centre-Half - Current Club: Helston Athletic
- Shane White - Position: CB / CM - Current Club: Truro City
- Sam Gerken - Position: Right-Back - Current Club: Wadebridge Town
- Kyle Fraser - Position: Left-Back - Current Club: Mousehole
- Harry Jeffery - Position: CM / CAM - Current Club: Liskeard Athletic
- Max Gilbert - Position: Central Midfield - Current Club: Liskeard Athletic
- Tim Nixon - Position: Winger - Current Club: Mousehole
- Gary Carpenter - Position: LB / LW - Current Club: Liskeard Athletic
- Jack Symons - Position: Forward - Current Club: Mousehole
- Mark Goldsworthy - Position: Forward - Current Club: Mousehole
- Dan Jennings - Position: Forward - Current Club: Liskeard Athletic
- Andy Watkins - Position: Forward / Winger - Current Club: Launceston
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