By David Harrison
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY (SATURDAY)
Launceston 0 Helston Athletic 6
FOLLOWING two pre-season games against SWPL opposition in Torrington and Sidmouth Town, Launceston manager Neil Price chose to put his young squad under real pressure with a game against one of Cornwall’s top sides.
Western League champions Helston Athletic were the visitors to Pennygillam on Saturday as they prepare for their first-ever season in the Southern League, under the guidance of manager Matt Cusack.
Against what amounted to virtually a full Blues squad, Price was missing his regular central defensive pairing of Jude Jago and Archie Wall, along with midfielders James Close and Dan Clifton. All should be available for Saturday, August 3, when the Clarets open their league campaign at Penzance.
In front of Lewis Slade, Price started with a back four of Josh Harris, George Beardsmore, Ollie Northam and Mark Wilson. Mike Steele, Denham Guild and Jacob Ham anchored the midfield behind Lewis Young, Ismail Badjie-Heath and Andy Watkins.
On a wet afternoon, Helston, who included former Clarets Reece Thomson, Callum O’Brien, Tyler Elliott and Callum Martindale, moved ahead in the sixth minute with a superb 20-yard free-kick that left Lewis Slade helpless and set the tone for a difficult afternoon.
However Price’s young side dug in and, while riding their luck on occasions, made it through to the 40th minute without conceding again. A third goal, from the penalty spot, followed just before the break, with the Clarets struggling to contain the 6ft 4in Reece Thomson who has developed into an impressive operator, having signed from Plymouth Parkway last month.
The visitors made it four on the hour and added two further late goals to make the final score 6-0. Helston were excellent throughout, with the final score a fair refection of their superiority. Their goal-scorers were Reece Thomson (2), Sam Carter, Jordan Copp, Tyler Elliott and Greg Eastman.
Visiting manager Matt Cusack was delighted with his side’s display, in particular their miserly defence. This was a fourth consecutive pre-season clean sheet for the Blues who look well equipped to make the step up into the Southern League where they will face local rivals Falmouth Town and Mousehole.
Clarets boss Neil Price also saw plenty in his side’s display to provide encouragement for the upcoming season. With both sides utilising all available substitutes, the second half lacked any real rhythm.
The Clarets ended the game with six 17-year-olds on the pitch, but this was all about getting valuable game time into the full squad.
The game against Helston kicked-off at 3pm but, before that, Pennygillam staged the first outing for the club’s new Development side who took on Delabole United.
A good crowd watched as the young Clarets, playing at Pennygillam for the first time, competed strongly in their first experience of adult football.
Unsurprisingly, the visitors were superior in terms of strength and physicality, but the Launceston side, having trailed 2-1 at the break, only faded in the final 20 minutes when the visitors pulled clear to win 6-2.
This was an encouraging first outing on a big day for the club. The new team will play in the St Piran League Division Four East. Launceston’s goal-scorers on Saturday were Josh Chidley and Andy Honey.
The next Development team game will be against Plymouth Kolts Development on Saturday, July 27, while the new team will open their league campaign at home to St Neot on Saturday, August 17.
Meanwhile, with the season getting ever closer, Pennygillam will stage two First Team friendlies this week.
Western League Ilfracombe provide the opposition on Tuesday night (7.30pm), while Southern League Mousehole will visit on Friday (7.30pm).