Match Report

St Columb Major 4-2 Grampound

16th November 2019

Duchy League

With several injured or unavailable and two more withdrawing on the morning of the match, this looked to be a very difficult game against a very strong home team.  Things didn't look great when Matt Skews was injured in the first minute and then Richard Martin put through his own goal seconds later. Skews limped heavily through the next 89 minutes as no substitutes were available but the team stepped up and gave the hosts a really tough game, playing well and looking dangerous throughout.  Chris Kilbey equalised on 15 minutes after an excellent passing sequence from one end of the field to the other, volleying a cross from Dylan Fox into the roof of the net.  Grampound did not look like they were playing with a man short in practice,  Skews contributing what he could, and Grampound were disappointed to concede again at a corner when defenders did not attack the ball as they should.  Grampound were now playing the better and more incisive football and went close several times before Kilbey played a on-two on the half way line that released him and he made no mistake once in the penalty area with defenders pressuring him.  The second half continued in much the same vein but as Grampound's  fitness on the very heavy pitch told, the home team gained in strength.  Eventually, a good run down the left put St Columb ahead for the third time but Grampound battled back and a few opportunities went begging.  Things became more difficult when George Bolt's enthusiasm earned him a second yellow card and his marching orders, meaning that Grampound were effectively down to 9 men.  Kilbey almost equalised with a hat-trick goal but his effort went just the wrong side of the post following a great pass from new signing James Fryer.  With seconds to go, the home side broke once more as Grampound pushed forward and after a few ricochets close in , the ball bounced to a home striker and he put the result beyond doubt from close range.

This was an excellent performance by Grampound against a very strong team and with substitutes available, the result may have been more favourable.