Helston host Falmouth in potential title decider
THERE are plenty of exciting matches at many of our non-league grounds this Good Friday, but perhaps the most intriguing will be at Kellaway Park, where Western League leaders Helston Athletic welcome Cornish rivals Falmouth Town in a crunch clash that will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the league title.
Helston have been hard to catch since overtaking early pacesetters Clevedon Town, but by winning their games in hand, Falmouth have kept pace and go into the game six points adrift of Helston, but still with a game in hand.
There is sure to be a large crowd for one of the biggest games Cornwall has seen in a long time, so the advice is to get there early to avoid disappointment.
Elsewhere, it is ‘derby day’ across the league with 11am starts for Millbrook, as they welcome Torpoint to Jenkins Park and St Blazey, who play host to Saltash United.
Buckland Athletic entertain Brixham at Homer’s Heath in a 1pm kickoff, while the north Devon derby between Ilfracombe Town and Barnstaple Town at Marlborough Park starts at 3pm.
Our Southern League clubs are all in action tomorrow with Plymouth Parkway and Tiverton Town both in need of the points to climb out of the relegation zone.
Parkway’s 2-1 midweek win over Didcot Town saw them close to within three points of safety – and five to with Sholing, who they visit tomorrow. Sholing have played three games more than Lee Hobbs’ side, though.
While Parkway were winning, Tiverton suffered more frustration as their clash with Winchester City was postponed again. Hopefully, Ladysmead will be in a fit state tomorrow when Merthyr Town are the visitors.
In Division One South, Tavistock manager Stuart Henderson was left frustrated by his side’s wild inconsistency as they drew 3-3 with Larkhall Athletic at snowy Langsford Park on Wednesday.
On-loan Exeter City man Alfie Cunningham broke the deadlock early on, but three quick goals saw Tavistock trail 3-1 after 23 minutes. Alex Battle and Joe O’Loughlin struck to earn Tavi a point, but Henderson was not happy with what he saw from his young team. “Yes, we have resilience and character, but if we are to get anywhere, you need to have that consistency and we haven’t had that all season and we probably won’t get that with a young side,” he said.
“But they need to learn that, if we are to challenge and get to the next level, defenders have to stop crosses, win headers, put in challenges. It’s all part of being defenders and for 45 minutes, we were missing.”
Tavi’s pitch took quite a bettering and there will likely be an inspection before they play host to league leaders Wimborne tomorrow.
There is a Devon derby at Southern Road as Exmouth Town welcome Willand Rovers, while Bideford will look to put their midweek mauling at Mousehole behind them when they travel to Frome Town. Mousehole are without a fixture until the Easter Monday clash at home to Exmouth.