A late goal from substitute Andreas Calleja – Stayne ensured that Falmouth Town continued their winning run with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Bodmin Town at Bickland Park in the South West Peninsula League.

Falmouth could have been a goal up after 14 minutes, Luke Brabyn was played in behind by Luke Barner but despite having time the striker opted to hit the shot with his first touch and his effort flew wide of the goal.

They didn’t have to wait long for the goal however as Falmouth opened the scoring through captain James Ward in the 17th minute. David Broglino produced a dangerous cross to the back post which Ward powerfully converted into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

Minutes later they should have doubled their lead on a counter attack. Oli Walker drove at the defence and picked out Nixon on the right, the winger swiftly moved the ball onto Barner who sat down two defenders before sliding an effort wide left of the post.

In the 25th minute, Bodmin equalised following a defensive mishap from Ward. He failed to bring down a long ball allowing Dan Jennings to be in on goal. In front of the Falmouth fans, he slotted his effort past Ryan Barnes to level the score.

Jennings could have grabbed his second five minutes later when a long ball caught Town off guard. Jennings opted to round Barnes, and in doing so this tightened the angle for the striker. His half volley went over the bar.

Falmouth nearly went ahead in the 37th minute. Jack Webber and Tom Annear linked up nicely on the left with a neat ‘one-two’. The latter used his wand of a left foot to cross the ball into the six yard box where a Bodmin defender diverted the ball goalwards. But quick reactions from Ollie Chenoworth in the Bodmin goal kept the score at 1-1.

Falmouth regained the lead with a moment of magic from Luke Barner in the 44th minute. A corner was headered out to Broglino who whipped a low cross into the area, and Barner found room from near the penalty spot to expertly backheel past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Bodmin fought back again early in the second half with a 50th-minute equaliser. Sol Wheatley picked got on the ball, ran at Kirk Davies, made room with a drop of the shoulder before blasting a shot into the bottom right corner to make it 2-2.

The visitors took the lead for the first time of the game three minutes later. Dan Magee got away down the right and delivered a low cross into the six yard box. Broglino attempted to clear the ball away with a sliding effort but his intervention resulted in the ball bundling into his own goal.

The thriller continued in the 62nd minute when Falmouth scored through Brabyn. A long ball split the Bodmin defence who all assumed the striker was offside. The linesman kept his flag down and the striker confidently rounded the keeper before passing into the empty net to make it 3-3.

Three minutes later Town were so unlucky not to extend their lead. Substitute Alex Wharton got away down the left, dummied past his man before putting the ball on a plate for the arriving Andreas Calleja – Stayne. His effort looks certain to hit the back of the net, but the ball hit the, unfortunately, placed Tim Nixon before going over.

Town piled on the pressure as they looked to retain their winning start to the season and got the goal they deserved in the 83rd minute. Wharton found space on the left to pick out a cross his was only half cleared by the defence as far as Calleja – Stayne who buried his shot into the corner of the goal to send the F – Troop wild with celebrations.

Town could have added to the score line in stoppage time, Bodmin brought their keeper up for the corner but it was cleared and Falmouth had a 3 v1 and an open goal to put the ball into. However, Walker could only see his effort blocked on the line by a last ditch block which was swiftly followed by the referees full time whistle.

All of Town's subsitutions turned the game in Falmouth's favour and this delighted manager Andrew Westgarth, speaking after the game he said:

"I thought our subsitutions made such a difference. Alex (Wharton) I thought was excellent. Andreas (Calleja - Stayne) brilliant for him to get on and score and Scotty Kellow brought bags of energy"

"We matched them up 442 we got a bit of pace in there with Alex (Wharton) and he just stretched them. I thought for as poor as we played we still scored four goals and looked excited going forward so I suppose we set our bar so high this year, anything below it is a bit of a disappointment."

"I was pleased for Andreas (Calleja - Stayne) because he joined the club, started the season really well then chose to go to Boardmasters, got Covid then ended up missing three or four games. He's found himself on the bench and he could have easily sulked or been influenced by ex manager or ex-players asking him to come back. He has shown great character and he has got his rewards tonight." He added.

Falmouth's next game is away to Dobwalls on Saturday September 18.

Falmouth Town

R. Barnes, K. Davies, T. Annear, J. Webber, T. Clark, J. Ward, O. Walker, D. Broglino, L. Brabyn, L. Barner, T. Nixon

Subs: S. Kellow, A. Thompson, A. Calleja – Stayne, A. Wharton, J. Bowyer

Bodmin Town

1 O. Chenoworth, 2 D. Magee, 3 E. Crawford, 4 J. Bentley, 5 T. Chambers, 6 R. Kane, 7 S. Colwell, 8 R. Shanley, 9 L. Landricombe, 10 D. Jennings,11 S. Wheatley.

Subs: J. Smith, D. Stidwell, J. Penhallurik

Goalscorers

J. Ward, L. Barner, L. Brabyn A. Calleja- Stayne

D. Jennings, S.Wheatley, OG.