On Monday Cornwall FA hosted the RGB Cornwall Senior Cup Final at Priory Park, home of Bodmin Town FC. Cup holders Saltash United took on Falmouth Town who were competing in their first Senior Cup final for 22 years.

It was a traditional Easter Monday final which had everything from goals, a red card and plenty of drama. The 592 spectators were treated to a great game which ultimately saw Falmouth pick up the trophy following a pulsating ninety minutes.

The game started at frantic pace with both sides looking for a fast start but it was Saltash who grabbed the lead after just three minutes. Ryan Rickard in the Saltash goal recorded an unlikely assist as his clearance from a back pass somehow managed to find its way through to Ryan Richards up front, the Ashes captain took a couple of touches and slotted a clinical finish past Ryan Barnes the Falmouth keeper. The noisy travelling Falmouth fans couldn’t quite believe what had happened.

However, if the Falmouth fans were in shock at going behind so early there were in ecstasy 3 minutes later as Falmouth levelled the score. A corner from the left hand side was whipped in and only cleared as far as the edge of the area, Falmouth skipper Joe Cooper was waiting and struck a beautiful half volley into the top left corner. Six minutes played, two goals and no chance for anyone to catch their breath

The next fifteen minutes saw end to end action but with both defences standing firm clear cut chances were at a premium, both keepers dealt well with the long shots and neither team could find the net. The first real clear cut chance came on 25 minutes when the ever dangerous Richards found space in the box but his shot flew over. The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with plenty of effort and endeavour but defences on top and no way through.

The first five minutes of the 2nd half started with both teams looking to keep it tight, however on fifty minutes the dynamic of the game changed when Richard Maddison of Saltash was dismissed for receiving a 2nd yellow card. Falmouth sensed an opportunity and started to press and for 10 minutes it was all hands to the pump for the 10 men of Saltash. Only a fine double save from the outstanding Ryan Rickard kept Falmouth out, firstly turning away a whipped Luke Johnson shot and then getting down quickly denying Tim Nixon from close range. Luke Brabyn was the next to threaten as he cut inside on the left wing and fired a shot over. Saltash defended clinically and started to get forward themselves, almost going ahead from a delightful free kick delivered in by Menhenick in which Barnes turned round the post.

Falmouth made three changes to try and force the issue with Buchan, Webber and Bowyer all coming on in some very attack minded changes from manager Andrew Westgarth. It was Buchan who had the best chance of the game, after being put in the clear and turning the Saltash defence his dinked finish just dropped the wrong side of the post keeping the game at 1-1 with not long left on the clock.

It seemed like Saltash had hung on to force extra time when Falmouth struck a winner, having won a corner which resulted in a wonderful curled delivery James Ward rose unchallenged and powered a header into the back of the net. The Falmouth Town players, bench and fans went wild sensing it was their year. Despite a nervy seven minutes in added time Falmouth hung on celebrate their first Senior Cup win in 22 years!

Congratulations to our team of match officials on the day, referee Shaun Edge, assistants Richard Butter and Steve Nuke and fourth official Mike Glanville.

                                                                                                                  Teams 

View the full album of photos HERE

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................