FOLLOWING last week’s 7-4 drubbing, at the hands of Holmans, Helston Athletic were given the perfect opportunity for revenge when they played the same side at the weekend.

Following the thrashing the week before it was said, had the defence turned up Helston would have won the game comfortably – Saturday’s performance proved that point.

Manager Anthony Roberts was able to recall a few players back to the starting line-up including the vocal Graham Blake at centre back. It made all the difference, as Helston looked more solid at the back.

“I could play everyone in their usual positions, where as last week it was a bit of a shambles admittedly but you get weeks like that,” said Roberts.

Athletic got off to an excellent start looking to right the wrongs of the previous week. It was Neil Southall, who scored four goals in the previous encounter, who was reliably on hand to open the scoring. Darren Robertson picked up the ball on the right wing and floated a cross into the six-yard box, where Southall was left with a simple header to score.

Robertson then turned provider again as he sent in another cross to the six-yard box where Shane Abrahams was able to volley the ball in from close-range.

Then came one of the finishes of the season to make it 3-0. Colin Kettle picked up the ball in the middle of the park and played a ball through to Southall. The speedy strike raced onto the pass but, before he could get there, the keeper stuck out a leg and cleared the ball up field. However, it only fell as far as Darren Robertson, 40 yards from goal. Seeing the keeper off his line the midfielder hit a speculative effort towards the goal which dipped in under the crossbar.

However, it was to be his last action of the game as moments later he picked up a groin injury and had to be replaced by Keith Jacka.

The substitution didn’t halt the vistors’ momentum as moments later they made it four. Mark Goldsworthy picked up the ball and threaded a pass into Kettle, on the edge of the area, who struck the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Holmans with the wind in the favour started to threaten more in the second half but the their keeper Paul Williams had to be alert on three more occasions to save from Neil Southall, twice, and Goldsworthy when they were put through on goal.

Twenty minutes from time the home side were awarded a dubious penalty, which Tom Hogarth slotted away and then Richard Carroll headed home a Danny Jewell cross to set up a close finale.