Saltash 4

Lamerton 0

THIS was a very close game, where Lamerton were unfortunate to loose a key player in Nathan Blamey to a dislocated shoulder.

At the start of the second half, Lamerton started to stamp their authority on the game. In the 65th minute, Ashes won a corner, and Steve Carew headed towards goal when Lamerton player Blair Vanstone handled the ball by pushing the goal bound header over the bar.

The referee had no option but to award a penalty to the Ashes and send off Lamerton's Blair Vanstone for the offence.

Adam Keith stepped up to take the penalty, to give the Ashes a one nil lead. Down to ten players Lamerton had to work hard to stay in touch, but in the 77th minute they were broken, when Ashe's Ryan Tetley laid off a ball to  Paul Shannon, who pushed the ball through to Tom Jane who hit an unstoppable shot, beating Lamerton keeper Pete Daniel. Lamerton had another good spell, and Ashes made changes to strengthen the midfield by introducing Andrew Mitchell, replacing Scott Somerfield who worked hard throughout.

In the 88th minute a Mitchell lay-off from midfield released Matt Fulton, who ran the length of the left wing, cut in and scored the third with a great strike from the angle.

The Ashes could have gone four up when a deflected shot went to the feet of Tom Jane, but the already diving Daniel somehow clawed it from his toe.

Mitchell also got himself on the score sheet, by scoring from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Antony Jones had been penalized for kicking out at Mitchell. The game was played in good spirit, with some good football, although Lamerton will be disappointed to loose their unbeaten league record after a great start to the season with many key players out injured.

A speedy recovery is wished to Nathan Blamey and a quick return to the side. Man of the Match Steve Lake.

Launceston Cup first round

Lamerton 2

St Dominick 3

LAMERTON went one down within five minutes as a corner was unable to be cleared by the unfortunate Simon Breyle, who slipped in the six yard box, only for the ball to fall to a St Dominick player to blast home from six yards.

St Dominick doubled their lead half way through the first half with a sweet strike into the top corner.

This triggered Lamerton into life and they pulled one back through the excellent Liam Mills after a goal mouth scramble from a corner.

Lamerton equalized ten minutes later through Dan O'Hare with an excellent strike at the back post from a Dave Ball free kick.

The best chance of the second half fell to St Dominick as their forward was brought down in the box by Lamertons O'Hare. The penalty was awarded but the spot kick was excellently saved by Daniel.

St Dominick won the game in the last minute when a mix up at the back between Steve Lake and Dan O'Hare allowed the St Dominick striker in on goal, the initial shot being well saved by Daniel, but the rebound was tapped in for the winner.

Another disappointing day at the office for Lamerton but a much improved performance from Saturday.  

Man of the Match Liam Mills.