Tuesday, October 29

Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup (second-round)

SKIPPER Josh McCabe’s second-half strike ensured the Clarets progressed safely through to the last 16 of the Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup after a dour battle with local rivals Holsworthy on Tuesday evening, writes David Harrison.

The Pennygillam surface was heavy but perfectly playable, showing the benefit of not having staged a game at the ground for a week.

In the absence of regular keeper Josh Colwill, Clarets manager Gary Jeffery handed a first team debut to Archie Walsh. Charlie Hardcastle and Charley Skilton both came back into the side following last week’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders St Austell, but defensive stalwart Dan Metherell still wasn’t fit enough to start.

The first chance fell to visiting striker Harry Stevens whose shot was deflected narrowly wide. In a cagey opening it took the Clarets until the 19th minute to fashion a clear opportunity, but Tom Ellacott’s fierce close range drive flew well over the bar.

Walsh was handling the slippery ball confidently but was forced into a scrambling save to deny Stevens. Ellacott saw another shot touched over by visiting keeper Ryan Walter but the resultant corner was scrambled off the line with the keeper beaten.

Launceston midfielder Andrew Elcock was pulling the strings in midfield and came closest to scoring when his 20-yard drive flew inches wide as a scrappy but even half drew to a close.

Soon after the break Skilton hit the post with a well-struck 20-yard drive. Holsworthy were still right in the game however and the dangerous Jed Harper-Penman fired over a menacing cross which Stevens was just unable to turn home.

The deadlock was broken on the hour when Elcock struck a wicked corner into the swirling wind. McCabe headed against the bar and was fastest to react, bundling home the rebound.

The game opened right up as the energy-sapping conditions took their toll and late chances came at both ends. Substitute Brandon Stott saw his effort loop up and over Walter, only to see it cleared off the line. Jack Lee hit the post as the game ran into a lengthy period of added time but the Clarets, despite a few alarms, held on for a win they just about deserved.

Apart from the excellent Denham Guild, who covered every inch of the sodden Pennygillam pitch, special mention should be made of young Gareth Jones who put in another mature performance at the back, in what was only his second first team start.

The draw was made in the clubhouse and produced an away tie for Launceston, who will travel to face Plymouth Marjon for a place in the quarter-final on Saturday, December 16.

Weather permitting, Launceston will entertain St Blazey in SWPL Premier West at Pennygillam on Saturday (3pm), before making the short trip to Liskeard on Wednesday (November 6, 7.30pm).

Holsworthy host Sidmouth Town in SWPL Premier East on Saturday (3pm).

Launceston —

Archie Walsh; Pat Riddell (Jack Lee, 65), Josh McCabe (captain), Gareth Jones, Charlie Hardcastle; Denham Guild, Mike Steele (Sam Watts, 55), Andrew Elcock, Charley Skilton; Tom Ellacott (Brandon Stott, 83), Ruben Kane.

Substitutes: Sam Watts, Jack Lee, Brandon Stott.

Holsworthy —

Ryan Walter; Jack Gilbert, Ollie Kenneally, John Elvins, Lee Gardiner (captain), Matt Ward, James Dart, Tudor Placinta, Harry Stevens, Adam Smith, Jed Harper-Penman.

Substitutes: Wes Pugh, Nathan Bonney, Toby Martyn, Ryan Chadwick, Liam MacDonald.