CLYST ROVERS 0

FALMOUTH TOWN 3

FALMOUTH Town consolidated their second place position in the premier division of the South West Peninsula League with what looked like a comfortable win over second bottom Clyst Rovers at Waterslade Park.

In their first game at the Exeter airport-based ground for 15 years, Town looked far from comfortable but did the business and pulled out a result when they didn't play as well as they could.

Fergus Nevin, injured in midweek, was out and with Jamie Morrison-Hill also carrying a knock he was named on the bench, Town missed the presence of the overlapping wide men.

The home side started off dangerously and with barely 20 seconds on the clock, Town 'keeper Nathan Murphy was in action making a save from Liam Collins.

Town came more into the game and after five minutes, Glen Squires was body-checked some 25 yards from goal and with a free kick in striking range, Brinton Nute struck it hard and low but his effort rolled wide.

The visitors had a very fortunate let off five minutes later when Murphy slipped as he cleared a back pass. Luckily the Clyst attacker dallied too long and by the time his weak shot was struck goalwards, the relieved Town custodian was on hand to pick it up.

Nick Murray missed a chance for the home side when he lobbed an effort goalwards, but it was always going to end up wide and Murphy wasn't troubled.

Aaron Harper-Penman ventured forward and forced a save from Nicky Moyse in the home goal.

After 26 minutes, Moyse was lucky to stay on the field after he lunged at the onrushing Kain Bond as he broke through at an angle, but even though the Town striker rolled the ball wide, the referee's assistant flagged for a corner - a somewhat fortunate decision as it led to the goal!

Matt Cusack's corner was cleared but back to the Town man who fired in a shot which was well saved by Moyse only for the ball rebounded to Brinton Nute who blasted the ball home from six yards.

Seven minutes after the re-start, Tim Whiteoak tried his luck from distance for Clyst but it cleared the goal.

Falmouth made a change in the 58th minute when Aaron Cusack replaced Squires.

Six minutes later they came very close to doubling their tally when Andy Bowker forced his way into a shooting position and his low effort wasn't too far off target.

In the 67th minute Clyst full back Kevin Dadds was booked for dissent.

The crucial second goal came three minutes later. Again Matt Cusack played a crucial part as it was his skill, trickery and neat lay back from the left to Andy Bowker who shot hard and low left footed from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

Moyse in the home goal was out sharp on a couple of occasions to thwart the Town attackers.

In a Town move from the left, Harper-Penman was penalised for a foul then cautioned for disputing the decision.

In the 75th minute Chris Wolstencroft replaced Bond.

As the game approached the final ten minutes, Clyst missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back. A pin point cross from the left flank found Murray who somehow blasted over from less than six yards out.

In the 81st minute, Dadds inexplicably handled the ball as Town tried to break forward and as he had already been booked, Exeter referee Qaiser Iksander had no choice but to send him off. Clyst then made a change by bringing on Simon Laity for Tim Cridland.

Three minutes later, Neil Bettis was injured and replaced by Steve Sims.

Falmouth's third goal in the 87th minute was a touch of genius, met with some poor goalkeeping. Aaron Cusack's corner was poorly defended and Matthews' sliced clearance went as far as Aaron Cusack who smashed a perfect volley into the net, beating Moyse at his near post and slipping through his fingers into the net.

Matt Cusack tried emulating his brother in the last minute but his effort hit the bar and went out for a goal kick.

This should set Falmouth up for their FA Vase game at Hallen on Saturday, although the injury list is longer than it could be.

There are seats available on the coach, priced at £25. For more information, contact Mike Williams on 01326 378352, 07791 575526 or pidgeon1981@hotmail.com.

Town: N. Murphy; A. Harper-Penman, R. Francis, N. Bettis (S. Sims 84m), B. Nute, G. Squires (A. Cusack 58m), M. Cusack, L. Beer, K. Bond (C. Wolstencroft 75m), A. Bowker, B. Goldring. Subs (unused): M. Godfree and J. Morrison-Hill.