With the Dawn of Dead arriving on our cinema screens this week, it was ironic that I have taken over again as the season draws to the end. Thanks must go out to Dave Hill who has decided to step down due to work commitments over the closing games. Dave worked hard to improve the fortunes of the team, even though results still did not go our way he seemed to pull the boys together and apart from one or two games managed to squeeze 110% effort out of them. Cheers Gaffer. Looking at the team and the way the season had panned out I made the decision that it was about time the second team was injected with some fresh blood. It was with this in mind that I introduced D.Tamblyn, M.Tregenna, J.Bright, T.Peters and C.Banner into the squad. Tamblyn came in for regular keeper Carlyon who was away, after the problems the side has had with goalkeepers this season it was pleasing to see that we now have two young keepers who want to ply their trade with Threemilestone. Arriving at Goonhavern we were informed that we would be playing on the main pitch as our match was the only game playing that afternoon, we were also asked to observe a minutes silence as Goonhavern’s secretary Mr Brian May had passed away the day before, for which we offered our condolences to the club.

The game began frantically with both sides trying to gain the upper hand. TMS pressed forward and were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to take the lead but their efforts did not find the target. The home side also had their chances but again accuracy let them down. The three young lads who made the starting eleven certainly brought a spark to the side and seemed to inspire those around them. The midfield pairing of Tregenna and old hand Ken Bishop certainly stamped their authority on the game and began to cause problems for their opponents. The deadlock was finally broken half way through the first half when Rob Pentecost crossed the ball from the left had side, Bright climbed well flicking the ball across the area finding his unmarked strike partner Elliot Jolly who slotted his 10th goal of the season. This shook Goonhavern and they began to pile on the pressure but the Stones defence held firm, although several last ditched tackles were required to retain the lead. As the half came to a close Blake Crouch shot into the keepers arms from 20 yards out, and Tregenna lobbed the keeper only to see his effort bounce past the far post, but it was not all one way traffic with Goonhavern shooting over the bar when they should have equalised. Half time came and one nil to the Stones did not flatter the away side who on merit had just edged the first half.

The second half began with Goonhavern coming forward looking for an equaliser. The Stones defence bought the brunt of the pressure, with the midfield doing its best to curtail any threat from off the ball runners. The reserves seemed to be coping well until the home side won several corners on the trot, unfortunately for the Stones the pressure told when one of the corners was met at the back post by an unmarked attacker who was able to fire home the equaliser. This seemed to rock TMS and several minutes later they found themselves two one down, when the Goonhavern number nine found himself free, although he looked off side when the ball was played, the linesman flag stayed down and he took the chance by finding the net with an excellent strike. A bitter blow after starting off so well, however, the Reserves picked themselves up and began to push forward, both Jolly and Bright up front were causing the home sides defence problems, and it was from one of these attacks that TMS came by their equaliser when Bright was put through by his midfield only to be brought down in the box by the home sides number five. Dave Hill stepped up to take the spot kick which he has done on a number of occasions, always finding the net, however, he saw his shot hit the post, fortunately for the Stones Tregenna was the first to react and smashed the ball into an unguarded net. As the game entered its final quarter both sides had opportunities to find the net, TMS made two substitutions with Adam Hay and T.Peters coming on for Blake Crouch and Elliot Jolly, bringing fresh legs on in midfield and attack. It was in this period that the Stones defence which had been solid throughout the game had a lapse in concentration when Man of the Match David Hill was left isolated with two attackers on him, he managed to push the attacker wide but just before he was able to put his tackle in the forward got his shot off which slipped under the keepers body into the net. It must be said that the young TMS keeper made some crucial saves during the game, which was a credit to him as it was his first game with the team. TMS tried their utmost to get on level terms with the Goonhavern defence having to clear off their goal line in injury time. The whistle blew for the final time sending the reserves to another defeat, but it must be said the performance was excellent; hopefully this will lay a firm foundation for next season campaign.

Well done to all the team, especially those younger members who brought a breath of fresh air to the side.
Next week the Reserves travel to meet league leaders Truro GWRSA.

Richard Luff, Caretaker Manager