The first game of the season saw Threemilestone Reserves take on Goonhvern 3rds in this Mining League Division 3 match held at Polstain Road Threemilestone.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine with both sides committed to attack. Threemilestone had the better of the early exchanges with Sercan Acar coming close to opening the scoring, unfortunately, for the home side slack marking gave Goonhavern the opportunity to get behind their defence, and despite a double save from the TMS goalkeeper and a last ditch tackle by right back Mike Waller, the away side forced the ball home. This seemed to rock the Stones slightly and it took them several tense minutes to find their composure, until a fine sweeping move saw Darren Woolcock equalise for TMS after the away keeper could only parry a close range effort from Acar.

The second half began as the first half had ended both sides attacking with neither side being able to dominate, the deadlock was broken in the 60 minute when a foul inside the box on Acar saw the referee point to the penalty spot, Ryan Eustice stepped up and converted the kick to give the Stones a two one lead. Any thought of Goonhavern lying down after this, was soon dispelled when they struck twice within a five minute spell, on both occasions springing the home side’s offside trap and finishing well. Goonhavern continued to apply the pressure and the TMS keeper pulled off two fine saves before Goonhavern were awarded a penalty; however, they were not able to convert when the penalty struck the left hand post. Stones manager Richard Luff brought on Pirret for Man of the Match Steve Howson, who went off injured and within five minutes the young attacking midfielder scored TMS’s third goal from an acute angle after being put through by Neil Stoddard.

This would have been a fair result as both teams had given their all and produced a highly entertaining game, however, a superbly struck free kick with 5 mins left on the clock by the Goonhavern Substitute, saw the away side pull into the lead. The home side through everything at their opponents to try and salvage a point but were unable to do so.

Richard Luff, Manager