Match Report: Liskeard Athletic 2 v 1 Wadebridge Town

South West Peninsula League Premier West

Liskeard Athletic 2 Wadebridge Town 1

Liskeard maintained their title push with a more convincing victory than the score suggests at a baking Lux Park on Saturday.

Finn Bartlett’s 29th minute strike broke the deadlock but it then took until the 77th minute for them to get the vital second goal through Ben Collins.

The need for that goal was emphasised in time added on when Jacob Smale pulled one back for the Bridgers, who were then thwarted in their quest for what would have been an unlikely point.

Liskeard were the dominant side throughout, driven forward by influential captain Max Gilbert, whose only blot on a fine display was a missed penalty in the 23rd minute, his second successive spot kick setback after having an injury time penalty saved against St Austell.
Dan Jennings normally takes them – but he had already been substituted last week and was unavailable against Wadebridge.

Liskeard, also without star midfield man Jarrad Woods, made an impressive start to a game being played in temperatures nudging 20 degrees.

Gilbert set up a great chance for Mike Smith after only four minutes, holding off a couple of challenges along the right before delivering an inch perfect cross to the far post where Smith sent a diving header wide .

Two minutes later Gilbert was again the provider, this time with a superb long ball from right to left which sent Harry Jeffery clear but he fired his shot into the side netting.

Smith was getting in some great positions and he had another opportunity after 17 minutes but saw his powerful shot tipped around the post by Bridgers keeper Rob Rosevear.

Six minutes later came the penalty when Rosevear tripped Smith but Gilbert’s poorly hit shot was easily gathered by Rosevear.

Liskeard finally made their dominance pay after 29 minutes. Harvey Mullis was fouled as he burst along the right but the referee played an excellent advantage, allowing the youngster to play in Bartlett, who beat Rosevear at his near post with a low left foot shot.

It was almost 2-0 five minutes later as Mullis produced one of the passes of the match from right back to send Harry Jeffery in on the left and his ferocious shot had to be tipped over the bar by Rosevear.

Liskeard suffered a blow after 35 minutes when centre half Dylan Peel, making a rare start, went down with a muscle strain and was replaced by Matt Outtram.

The substitute was soon at the centre of the action, having to turn a Matt Lloyd cross come shot over his own bar as the visitors finally threatened the Liskeard goal.

And they were almost level on the stroke of half-time as Cam Bidgood burst clear. His first shot was parried by Rosevear and his follow-up was blocked by Outtram.

Before the half-time whistle blew, Liskeard had a great chance of their own, Smith sending a shot wide of the onrushing Rosevear but also inches wide of the post.

Wadebridge made an improved start to the second half without being able to threaten an equaliser while Liskeard became more frustrated at not being able to find the second goal.

But a piece of quality finally ended the visitors’ resistance with Collins running onto a through ball from Bartlett to fire a low drive into the net from 15 yards.

By the time Smale reduced the arrears with a fine finish there was little time for Liskeard to have to hold on.

Liskeard: S Borthwick (C Harvey 90+1), H Mullis, W Gilbert, H Bell, D Peel (M Outtram 35), R Kane, H Jeffery (W Larsen 78), M Gilbert, F Bartlett, M Smith, B Collins.
Sub not used: B Hopkinson.
Goals: F Bartlett (29), B Collins (77).
Yellow cards: H Mullis (90+4), B Collins (90+6).

Wadebridge: R Rosevear, T Harris, S Hepworth, B Fowe, S Simmonds, L Webber, C Reski (H Chapman 69), C Bidgood (G Eastman 60), M Lloyd (M Vallejo 80), J Rowe, J Smale.
Goal: J Smale (90+2).
Yelllow card: B Rowe (90+5).

Men of the Match. Liskeard – Max Gilbert; Wadebridge – Jacob Smale.

Referee: Ryan Dennis.

Attendance: 131.