Saturday 2 April 2016

POWELL SINKS THE PEPPERMINTS

Cornwall Combination League

CARHARRACK AFC 5 NEWQUAY RESERVES 1
Admission £2
Attendance: 51

After heavy rain in Cornwall, it was a matter of seeing what was left on and getting a new ground in, I did look at Halsetown FC in the Trelawny League, but after a text from their secretary saying in doubt, I looked at option B, I have passed Carharrack AFC’s ground on several occasions over the years and it hass been on my hit list, so as soon as I saw a tweet on twitter to say those magic words Game On, then it was in to the car and on our way.

On arrival, we were greeted by the friendly groundsman who was setting the tea bar up, we had a chat before Mr Chown Snr and his wife arrived. Mrs Chown runs a well organised tea bar and I soon sunk my first cuppa on the afternoon whilst I went and paid for my £2 entry.

Mr Chown Jnr(Richard) runs the Cornwall Football Forum and Ive had many a conversation in print with him over the years but never met him, so it was good to meet him face to face at this friendly and progressing club. The club has a real community feel about it and only last weekend they won the Cornwall Combination League Cup beating St Agnes in a thrilling final played at Porthleven FC.

Just before making my way to the stand, I was greeted by a old friend who Ive not seen for years, Newquay Loyal and we sat in the stand on the halfway line area.

Carharrack on a high from their cup victory were quick out the blocks and on only 6 minutes, their top striker  RYAN STEPHENS collected the ball 30 yards out and unleashed a thumping shot in to the top of the net. 1-0 soon became 2-0 after 9 minutes, when RYAN STEPHENS turned 25 yards out and proved his first goal wasn’t a fluke with a stunning shot.

The game went from end to end with chances missed at both ends, but the visiting keeper made 4 or 5 outstanding saves and the homesters could well have been well out of sight. After 39 minutes, came a turning point in the game, when the Peppermints striker was clear through, went round the keeper and stroked the ball wide of the post. On 42 minutes, Carharrack broke down the right side and the ball was crossed in, a Newquay defender failed to clear and CONNOR POWELL slotted home his first and his teams third of the half.

After the half time cuppa, Mr Chown Snr presented me with a club mug in the stand to remind me of my visit. The start of the Second Half belonged to the visitors as they came out with more of a purpose in their game and on 51 minutes thought they were back in thhe game when a Dean Vince goal was ruled offside. They continued to press and got their reward a minute later, when ELLIOTT SIMCOX smashed home to reduce the arrears to 3-1.

This seem to wake the homesters up and CONNOR POWELL made it 4-1 in the 56th minute. Newquay again pressed forward and the home keeper made a triple save with his legs to keep his goal in tact.

The pitch was now beginning to cut up in to a mudbath and mistakes by both sides was beginning to show, but some good football was still being played even with players tiring.

With 80 minutes on the clock, a cross came in and after a scramble CONNOR POWELL notched home his hat trick to end the scoring at 5-1.

A lovely club run by lovely people and if anyone hasn’t been there, then you must put this ground on your list.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

No comments:

Post a Comment