Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup (quarter-final)

Plymouth Marjon 6

A ROUSING second-half performance proved in vain as Launceston’s League Cup adventure came to an end in an extraordinary ten-goal contest played out on a 3G surface at the Plymouth Marjon University sports complex, writes David Harrison.

The Clarets were able to welcome back pivotal figures in skipper Josh McCabe and utility man Denham Guild, both of whom had missed the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Godolphin Atlantic the previous weekend.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, at a venue boasting virtually no home supporters, the Clarets who have recently lost first team players Mike Steele (Camelford), Dan Metherell (Holsworthy), Morgan Parsonage (Plymouth Marjon), Charlie Hardcastle (Torpoint Athletic) and Jack Lee (Elburton Villa), following the departure of manager Gary Jeffery, struggled to come to terms with the unfamiliar conditions but did create the first clear opportunity when a fierce Sam Watts cross somehow eluded a series of outstretched legs in the penalty area.

With the home side having won 5-4 the previous week against Axminster, there looked sure to be goals in the game, so it was no great surprise when Aaron Hulme put Marjon in front after 17 minutes. What was more surprising, however, was the Premier East side adding four further goals before the game reached the half-hour mark.

James Battle, Elliot Cunningham, ex-Claret Morgan Parsonage and Aaron Hulme scored goals ranging from brilliant to farcical, to make it 5-0 after 30 minutes.

Launceston had been run ragged in the first period, but whatever was said at half-time they came out determined to make an impression on the game. Sure enough, Ruben Kane soon reduced the deficit with a neat 15-yard finish.

With the strong wind now at their backs, the Clarets swarmed forward looking for a highly unlikely comeback. But when Kane made it 5-2 in the 57th minute, anxiety spread through a suddenly jittery home defence.

Launceston were now dominating possession but when their third goal arrived, it was something of a bolt from the blue. Club stalwart Chris Head, making a rare but welcome appearance as a half-time substitute, hit a scorching drive from wide on the left that flew inside the far post. That made the score 5-3, with 20 minutes still remaining.

The next goal was clearly going to be crucial and, it was Marjon, very much against the run of play, who extended their lead to 6-3. Parsonage climbed highest to nod in a corner from the right.

The Clarets refused to lie down and Sam Barton scored probably the best goal of the game, cutting in from the right and dribbling straight through the heart of the Marjon defence before placing his shot precisely into the far corner.

Hard though Launceston tried they couldn’t create another clear opportunity and, despite scoring four away goals for the first time this year, their League Cup run ended.

The Clarets welcome title-chasing Saltash United to Pennygillam on Saturday (3pm) in Premier West, before making the traditional Boxing Day trip to Callington (11am).