A member of the St Piran Football League and Cornwall Veterans Football League

Match Report

Gunnislake Res. 2-1 Grampound

11 April 2024

St Piran League

After a disappointingly late cry-off for an injury, Grampound made the long journey with a bare 11 on the hottest day of the year so far.  The team, though, were not put off by this and gave an impressive performance in their last game of a tough season.

Grampound started reasonably but again gave an early goal away after conceding easy possession in their own half but after that the team settled down and gave the home side numerous problems.  Hayden Bates hit the underside of the crossbar from a free kick, the home goalie made a string of impressive saves and blocks and Grampound were simply not quite decisive enough in the home penalty  area to capitalise fully.  Ben Rowe was unlcuky as a good move involving several players gave him the chance to advance past the last defender into the penalty area. The defender bowled Rowe over but the referee awarded just a free kick just outside the penalty box. The defender escaped without even a talking to let alone the expected yellow card.

Grampound's excellent first half performance seemed to have disappeared just minutes after the break when a home midfielder dribbled through 3 attempted tackles in the penalty area without being  stopped and this questionabler defending allowed him to have the easy task of passing the ball beyond Mark Roch in  goal.  The next 20 minutes saw Grampound struggle to put any pressure on the home defence but gradually a degree of control returned and Gunnislake looked a little rattled when Henry Hughes at the far post headed into the far top corner to reduce the arrears.  Grampound sensed that an equaliser was possible and ins spite of tired legs on a hot day battled hard and a few half chances came and went.  Grampound thought they had grabbed the equaliser when Rowe's low drive from 18 yards looked to have beaten the keeper but he managed to get a fingertip to the shot and push it around the post.

Even though defeated, the team were pleased with their overall performance and deserved the congratulations given by the referee and several Gunnislake players for their efforts.