Liskeard Athletic 2 Falmouth Town 0

In a crucial six pointer at Lux Park, Liskeard came out on top in a match where Falmouth Town ended up with several players nursing injuries.

Manager Steve Massey made several changes from the previous week and in doing so gave debuts to two players, one making his first Town appearance for several seasons. That player was Lee Fox, who won the championship with Town in the late 1990s; he came in for Mark Spargo. James Wilcock was replaced by new signing from Penryn, Martin Day, and Bryn Wheeler was unavailable so Matthew Ellis started his first match. Steve Retchford was on the bench to give Falmouth the option of four substitutes.

The visitors had the first effort on goal when Justin Ashburn beat the offside trap and fired in a well-struck shot, which Philp easily saved. Liskeard came back at Falmouth in the 13th minute when Neil Robertson met Ian Stephens' cross with a diving header.

Two minutes later Falmouth were fortunate not to have been a goal down. In a goalmouth scramble, Ayres made a good save from Gary Williams' shot and after a couple of ricochettes, the ball landed again at the feet of Williams who drove his shot against the post and the danger was over.

Lee Harvey was unlucky twice in a minute. His first effort was a downward header which didn't trouble the 'keeper, and secondly his shot on goal was rather wild and it cleared the bar.

On 33 minutes, in an attempt to catch a cross 'keeper Ayres was heavily fouled by Lee Harvey in the air and fell awkwardly on his shoulder. After treatment he bravely tried to continue, but succumbed to the injury two minutes later that led to his retirement from the game.

Captain Damian Stevens took his place between the sticks. Rob Woolner replaced the Town skipper to make his Falmouth debut.

Stand in 'keeper Stevens performed admirably and dealt with everything Liskeard threw at him. In first half injury time, Gary Williams tried his luck from distance but to no avail.

In a game played in freezing conditions with a swirling wind, both teams struggled to control the ball. In many cases the first touch let down what promised to be a good move.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Falmouth continued to attack but lacked the finishing touch. Day was left in a one-on-one situation with Philp from which the 43-year-old veteran made a point blank save.

Dave Larsen was unlucky when his shot skimmed off the bar, but Falmouth's cause was dealt a crushing blow with just nine minutes remaining. A corner was met by Neil Robertson whose header took a deflection off the unaware Harvey which gave Stevens no chance.

In taking a free kick given for offside, Stevens injured his knee and hobbled around for the final seven minutes. Woolner was replaced in a double substitution on 68 minutes after he too picked up an injury, Steve Retchford and Matt Pellow coming on with Matt Ellis being the other substituted player.

Town came back hard at Liskeard with a Pellow header and an Ashburn shot which Philp saved. From the latter, Pellow tried a follow up shot which gave Ian Stephens the chance to block and concede the corner.

The flattering second goal came three minutes into stoppage time. Martin Hake was fouled on the edge of the box and Gary Williams stepped up and scored a wonderful goal with a free kick that gave Stevens no chance.

With Robert Troon unavailable, Duncan Ayres, Andy Morris, Damian Stevens, Rob Woolner, and Andy Munro all carrying injuries, St Blazey away is not the game you want next on the fixture list! Kick-off against the three-time champions is 2.30 pm.

Town: D. Ayres (R. Woolner) (S. Retchford), L. Patchett, R. Pope, L. Fox, A. Munro, J. Ash, W. Brown, D. Stevens, J. Ashburn, M. Day, M. Ellis (M. Pellow) Sub: D. Keen.