CORNWALL might have left it late to score the only goal of the match in this FA County Youth Cup first round tie, but when it did arrive it was well worth the wait, writes Dave Deacon.

Substitute Ed Harrison volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area to ensure a trip to meet Gloucestershire in the next round in early November.

As summed up by a more than pleased manager Glynn Hooper, it does not matter when the goal comes.

Hooper said: "As I said to the boys, if you’re going to score a winner, score it in the 91st minute as it’s very difficult to come back from that position.

"But I’m delighted for the lads who have committed to playing for the county this year and in the end they thoroughly deserved the win."

In a cagey opening, after Guernsey’s Robin Legg had a shot go wide in the 12th minute, probably the best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Penzance’s Tyler Tonkin who smashed an effort high and wide over from a Dario Pisano head back.

Pisano himself then saw a stunning volley crash against the Guernsey crossbar after a clever ball came his way from a delicate Kyle Marks chip across and over the visitors back line.

The second half saw plenty of chances created down the right hand side with Pisano so unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet. Either the woodwork or the Guernsey ‘keeper Jordan Kelly stopping the Redruth United player from scoring on more than one occasion.

In the end, it was one of the three substitutes, Ed Harrison, who decided the fate of the game.

Hooper revealed afterwards in his post-match thoughts the Probus youngster, although very versatile, is probably a more comfortable right-back than a central midfielder, but nevertheless it was a tremendous finish.

Although the better chances went the way of Cornwall, an outstanding piece of defending from left-back George Roberts in the second-half also deserves a mention.

A break out of defence had Guernsey’s striker Legg looking odds-on to have a strike on goal, but he had not allowed for the athleticism of the Wadebridge left-back making up the distance and putting in a brilliant cover tackle.

Even after the very late Cornwall goal, Guernsey still had time to try and force the game into extra time.

However, they agonisingly had to watch the ball hit the Cornwall crossbar and bounce out to safety.

In the end though, it was Harrison’s goal which ensured a second round meeting with Gloucestershire on the November 7 for the Cornwall side.

Afterwards, Hooper admitted he allowed his assistants do the half time team talk and felt it had the desired affect.

"I left it to Alan Yendall to do most of the talking as they had heard enough from me," he said.

"My words really though were that I thought we were scared to lose it, rather than let’s just go and win it.

"Just relax, go and play."

CORNWALL: Atkinson (Helston), Ahearn (Wadebridge), Roberts (Wadebridge), Dan Marks (c, Sticker), Parker (Godolphin Atl), Hambly (Camelford), Tripconey (Falmouth), Clarke (Falmouth, Harrison (Probus) 77), Kyle Marks (Holman SC, Farbrother (Camelford) 59), Pisano (Redruth Utd), Tonkin (Penzance, Trew (Truro School) 67).