ST BLAZEY 1
M Vercesi (pen)
FALMOUTH TOWN 0
St Blazey: G. Penhaligon; D. Bance, L. Reed, A. Street, W. Riley, M. Parsons, M. Vercesi (M. Body), J. Harrington (N. Campbell), D. Richardson (J. Hoyles), J. Isbell, S. Ovens. Sub (unused): D. Sweet.
Town: J. Tickle; W. Brown, F. Nevin, W. Hewitt (C. Farnham), P. Davey, L. Beer, D. Burchell, S. Proctor, M. Roberts, D. McGhee, S. Burt. Subs (unused): A. Bowker, C. Davey and D. Tongue.
AFTER a spirited first half performance, Falmouth Town were unlucky not to have salvaged a replay from this Cornwall Senior Cup quarter final tie against what was an unusually subdued St Blazey team.
St Blazey have been the most successful Cornish team of the new millennium, but were a shadow of their normal selves and if Town had had their best team out, it would be them heading for a place in the semi finals.
Town were without Andy Bowker who although being present at the ground and named as a substitute, wasn't in his playing kit, so Steve Proctor started the match as striker. Also named on the bench were Carlton Farnham, Chris Davey and Dean Tongue, with only the former being present.
Proctor missed a good early chance as the left wing cross zipped over the surface and he was unable to react quickly enough.
Considering 250 gallons of water had to be drained from the Blaise Park pitch, the ground held up well.
After eight minutes Proctor was cautioned for what seemed like a 50-50 collision with 'eeper Garry Penhaligon and Dave McGhee went close but a sliding tackle prevented his clean strike and the ball went out for a goal kick.
In the 24th minute Danny Bance stole through the midfield and defence but his shot brought a fine save from Joe Tickle who had a fine game,.
Ten minutes before the break, Wayne Hewitt's run brought him to the edge of the box where he let fly with a decent shot, but it swerved too much and ended up wide of the post.
Three minutes after the break came the deciding factor in the game. Dominic Richardson, heading away from goal and going nowhere, was needlessly bundled over by Lee Beer. Captain Mark Vercesi stepped up and sent Tickle the wrong way from the spot to score what proved the only goal.
After 63 minutes Carlton Farnham replaced Wayne Hewitt, but his introduction was held up after St Austell referee Robin Tucker banished both Steve and Stuart Massey from the technical area for comments made to the assistant. Andy Bowker took over on the sidelines with the Massey brothers taking up positions along the banking.
Within two minutes St Blazey made a change, bringing on Nick Campbell in place of Harrington, and two minutes later Steve Ovens was cautioned for a foul.
Matt Parsons came close to doubling the home side's advantage not long after when his low shot from the edge of the box crept past the far post after he was set up by Vercesi.
St Blazey made their second change in the 70th minute. In a straight swap, Jon Hoyles replaced Dominic Richardson.
Fergus Nevin was cautioned for a foul in the 78th minute and three minutes later Jay Isbell was also booked.
In stoppage time Farnham broke through the middle and past Penhaligon who was outside his area, but with three defenders covering as Farnham tried to lay the ball back for Burt, the Blazey stopper was back in time to collect.
Not a very inspiring game but it will allow Town to focus on a Peninsula League positional finish.
On Saturday Town entertain Callington Town at Bickland Park (2.30 pm.
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