Southern League Division One South round-up – Saturday, August 31
HELSTON Athletic’s fine start to their debut season at Step Four continued on Saturday as they won 1-0 at bottom side Cinderford Town.
The Blues made the long trip into the Forest of Dean with seven points from a possible nine, and the solitary strike arrived 15 minutes in when former Tavistock and Plymouth Parkway attacker Jack Crago beat Joel Manning-Butler in the home net.
Helston are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Melksham Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy having won their preliminary qualifying round tie at Didcot Town back in August.
Falmouth Town were also on their travels when they played their rearranged clash at Bashley, but despite Oscar Massey’s 58th minute goal, fell to a 2-1 defeat in Hampshire.
Uke Delaney put the Stags in front after just four minutes, before Scott Bungay doubled the advantage 25 minutes later after Town had gradually worked their way back into the contest and had missed chances through Luke Barner and Oscar Massey.
Town boss Andy Westgarth brought on Rubin Wilson for Cam Hutchison at the interval and that paid dividends as they improved markedly.
Massey set up an enthralling final half hour when he fired home from the penalty spot on 58 minutes after Luke Barner was brought down by home keeper Mack Allen, but Town couldn’t force an equaliser, despite Harrison Jewell’s effort coming off the post with seconds remaining as they fell to a first league defeat of the campaign.
Like Helston, Falmouth are back in action in on Saturday in the FA Trophy when they entertain Cindeford Town at Bickland Park (3pm).
The third Cornish side in the division – Mousehole – had the weekend off and are in Trophy action at the weekend when they visit Bashley (3pm).