ST AUSTELL 2

FALMOUTH TOWN 6

ST Austell's players must have gone off at half time wondering how they were trailing 0-1 after they had had the lion's share of the play throughout the first half of this Carlsberg SWL match.

The Lilywhites forced a corner after six minutes which James Cook headed just wide and a few minutes later he ran on to a good through ball which by-passed Town's defence but he hurried his shot and it went wide of the post.

Paul Jago was the first of three St Austell players to get his name in referee Steve Paul's notebook following a cynical foul on Andy Bowker as the home side maintained a physical approach to their defensive duties.

After 24 minutes Paparone played a good ball back to Burchell who in turn chipped it over the Saints defence for the alert Bowker to run on to it and dribble it round the 'keeper and blast it into the empty net to put Town ahead.

Following this St Austell had most of the play, but some over-hit passes and poor finishing let a sometimes hesitant Town defence off the hook.

Ten minutes before half time, Darren Burchell was brought down just outside the penalty area following one of his mazy runs from midfield and his resultant free kick forced a good save from Martin Quantick.

Right on the stroke of half time, Mike Roberts finally slipped his midfield shackles and broke through the St Austell defence where he squared the ball back to an unmarked Paparone, but he tried to place his shot and the 'keeper just got a foot to it to knock it wide.

Ten minutes into the second half and with the wind at their backs Town launched an attack on the left. Fergus Nevin got the ball and hammered a strong cross-cum-shot from 30 yards which completely deceived Quantick and the ball sailed past him into the roof of the net to double Town's lead.

In the 62nd minute play went straight back to the other end of the field where Roberts ran back to tackle Jago and clear the ball, but to Town's amazement the referee awarded a penalty which was converted by Wayne Gamble to put Saints back in the game.

Two minutes later Burchell found Wayne Hewitt 30 yards out in the middle of the pitch and he hit an unstoppable shot which flew past Quantick to restore Town's two-goal advantage.

Five minutes later St Austell, who never gave up trying to chase the game, broke away on the left and a well placed low cross found Cook lurking at the far post and he slotted the ball past Joe Tickle to keep them in the hunt.

In the 70th minute Paparone worked his way into the St Austell area where he was tripped by Jon Reed leaving the referee with no option other than to award a penalty. Bowker took the kick and blasted home his 14th goal of the season.

Straight after coming on, Proctor tried a cheeky lob over Quantick from 20 yards out but the 'keeper managed to back-pedal and tip the ball over the bar.

Six minutes from time, Burchell's free kick found Nevin whose header somehow went between the 'keeper's legs and rolled over the line for Town's fifth.

In the 87th minute, Town gained their 12th corner of the 14 they won on the afternoon and from it, Proctor powered a header into the back of the net to wrap up the points for Town and keep them in seventh place in the league.

Falmouth travel to St Blazey again on Saturday for the third and final time this season with a place beckoning in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-finals. Kick off is 2.30 pm.

Town: J. Tickle; W. Brown, F. Nevin, W. Hewitt (S. Burt 78m), P. Davey, L. Beer, D. Burchell, C. Paparone, M. Roberts, A. Bowker (S. Proctor 72m), C. Davey (C. Farnham 80m).