HELSTON Athletic striker Matt Buchan was the hero of the hour as the class of 2017 became the first ever Cornwall under-18 team to reach the FA County Youth Cup final on Saturday.

The 18 year-old, who lives in Porthleven, scored both goals in their 2-1 win over Durham at St Blazey to set up an unprecedented final against Middlesex next month.

"It's quite surreal, to think that class players like Liam Eddy and Mark Goldsworthy didn't get to the final and we've managed to do it," said Buchan, who is studying A levels at Helston College.

"We knew Durham would be down our throats in the second half so the penalty came at the right time. I asked Joe (Adkins), the other striker who won the penalty, if he wanted to take it but he told me to have it.

"I didn't want to think too long about it because I thought that I might change my mind, so I just ran up and knocked it in."

That goal put Cornwall 2-0 up and although the visitors pulled one back with quarter of an hour to go, they held on for a famous victory and wild scenes of jubilation at the final whistle, in front of a crowd of 230 at Blaise Park.

Buchan, who played his early youth football at Wendron before moving to Helston, has had a memorable year having become a first team regular at Kellaway Park.

His manager Sid Taylor said: "Mattie has had a tough time recently so I am absolutely delighted for him. What an achievement - he reminds me of a young Liam Eddy, he has pace and power and he has a knack of making things happen."

Buchan is thoroughly enjoying his football at Helston, but has made his ambition clear.

"I've loved it this season, I'm buzzing to stay at Helston but I want to keep going up through the leagues and see how far I can go."

Buchan will rejoin his team mates on Saturday and could scarcely have a tougher assignment in which to pit his wits, as they travel to SWPL Premier leaders Tavistock.