Match Report

Launceston Development 2-2 Grampound
St Piran League

29 March 2025

Grampound could only field a bare 11 but that did not excuse the slow start and once againthe team conceded very early after some indifferent defending.  Matters got worse after about 20 minutes when the home side went 2-0 up following further problems at the back.  A slight rearrangement settled the team down and Launceston's quick strikers were largely controlled for the remainder of the game.  A few questionable refereeing decisions seemed to damage Grampound's concentration and momentum but the team was pleased to get back in the game when a Grampound corner was not defended well and Gregor Stevens managed to force the ball over the goal-line to reduce the Launceston lead.
Within minutes of the second half starting Grampound were in serious trouble.  Already a  goal down and suddenly Grampound were reduced to 9 men.  A clash of heads saw Ryan Morcom put out of the game and Martin Lloyd was shown a red card after reacting badly to some provocation.  A radical rearrangement to the team was made in the very slight hope that the scoreline might not run away badly from Grampound.  Sleeves were rolled up and the team battled for every ball.  Brendan Hitchens managed to dribble his way past 3 defenders into the home penalty area and as he was about to pass the ball into the corner of the net his rear leg was taken away in a desperate tackle and the referee rightly awarded a penalty to Grampound. A red card might have been awarded by some referees but as far as could be seen, not even a yellow was shown.  Kiall Maugham stepped up to take the penalty but his usual accuracy was missing and the spot-kick was saved.  Rather than accepting defeat in the game, however, Grampound played their best football for the remainder of the game.  With their big advantage in player numbers it was inevitable that a few chances would be presented to the home side but these were very few.  With 20 minutes left, a corner from the left was met by Brendan Hitchens and his sweet header hit the back of the net for Grampound's equaliser.  Grampound might even have taken the lead but a rising shot from Hitchens brought out an excellent save from the home 'keeper.  That final period showed Grampound players refusing to be beaten and looking the better team despite the missing players.