Helston Ath 3, Witheridge 1

THE old saying that possession is nine tenths of the law was certainly true at Kellaway Parc on Saturday.

After an uncertain opening 20 minutes of this match, Helston took complete control and were full value for their win thanks to two goals from 41 year-old striker Matt Drummond.

For the decisive third goal, Drummond outpaced the visitors’ laboured defence and had strike partner Phil Cattran brought his shooting boots with him, the scoreline could have been embarrassing for the mid-Devon side.

As early as the first minute, Cattran and Drummond combined to set Nathan Taylor away down the right, but as he closed in on goal, his cross-shot went harmlessly wide.

Barrie Wyatt then made a smart save low to his left before the visitors went in front after ten minutes.

A free kick bounced awkwardly in front of Wyatt and he was only able to swot it back into the danger area, allowing Dean Jones the chance to square the ball for Joe Barker for the simplest of finishes.

The Blues’ midfielders were occasionally being caught on the ball and on one such occasion Barker broke away down the left, but Jordan Adlard’s covering tackle snuffed out the chance.

A free kick dinked in by Scott Kellow was flick volleyed by Jamie Greet, forcing keeper Charlie Briggs to tip over the bar.

Helston’s numerical advantage in midfield began to pay off and after a lovely passage of passing, Hugh Howlett found space 25 yards out, but fired his drive wide of the right hand post.

The home side’s dominance finally told two minutes before the break, when Greet’s corner was flicked on by Howlett for Drummond to head home from close range.

Witheridge would have been relieved to hear the half time whistle, but Helston were right back at them in the opening exchanges of the second period.

Kellow scampered down the left and collected a return pass from Drummond, squaring it for Cattran to smash home left-footed just three minutes into the half.

Cattran then pick-pocketed centre half Jeremy Tucker and raced clear, but his shot was too close to Briggs.

After 53 minutes it was 3-1. Witheridge captain Steve Avery contrived to stub his toe in attempting to intercept a pass to Drummond, who duly raced clear and slotted past the advancing Briggs for a masterful finish, so typical of the ice cool veteran.

Boss Sid Taylor made three quick substitutions and Drummond ought to have completed his hat-trick when in the clear again, but his rising drive was tipped away by Briggs.

Cattran squandered another couple of presentable chances before curling a delicious 20-yard shot which struck the left hand post, as Witheridge’s hopes of a comeback disappeared with a whimper.

Helston: B Wyatt, S Kellow (L Tripconey 63m), N Taylor (W Paul 70m), H Howlett, K Davies (capt), J Adlard, J McCardie, G Mills (J Thomson 63m), P Cattran, M Drummond, J Greet.

Packet Pick – Scott Kellow, unlucky to be taken off after an hour of enterprise and non-stop running