Match Report 11th April: St Breward AFC vs Grampound Reserves

St Breward manager Richard Brown made 3 changes to the side that was knocked out of the league cup last week. Brown started with a common 4-5-1 formation that his side have frequently used throughout this season. Lee Newton was rested ahead of the Cornwall Sunday Cup final less than 24 hours after kick off so Martin Jago started in goal. Both Steve Aldous and Mike Hoskin returned to the starting line-up as the two full-backs after long absences from the team. Paul Dowson and Dan Couch maintained their partnership at centre back. Due to Jago going in goal, Nathan Elliot started at right midfield following Aldous returning at right back. Club captain Karl Croft returned to the side partnering Ben French and Scott Burke in the centre of midfield. Kelvyn Tootle stayed in the side at left midfield and Rob Marks started as the lone striker. Jack Holt returned to the Breward bench following his move away from the area. Josh Galvin drops back to the bench alongside Dave Ord, Richard Brown, Oli Mitchell, Jonty Colman and Luke Richards who returns from his suspension following a red card against Gorran.

St Breward started the game on the front with their first half chance coming within seconds of kick off, Nathan Elliot broke down the right hand side however his cross was caught before Ben French could get there.

In the 4th minute, Ben French had a close range free kick blocked from just outside the area. 5 minutes later French had 2 good chances within a minute. The first being a break through the middle which was unfortunately flagged for offside. French was then laid off by Karl Croft following some good midfield play through the Grampound defence however his shot from the edge of the box goes over the cross bar.

In the 16th minute, Ben French had yet another with a free kick, however his effort went over the bar.

In the 23rd minute, Steve Aldous were left on the receiving end of a disgraceful foul after the Grampound midfielder slid in with his studs showing clattering into Aldous, due to the referees restricted view he was unable to give out any card and Steve Aldous was forced to be carried off. Oli Mitchell came on in place of Aldous with Mike Hoskin moving to right back.

Grampound's 'keeper nearly scored from a goal kick a minute later with Jago forced to tip the goal kick over the cross bar.

In the 28th minute, St Breward should have easily gone ahead, some great skill from Oli Mitchell was followed up by a good pass to Nathan Elliot who beats three players going in one on one he attempted to square his pass however visiting defender Tom Molyneux was able to clear any danger.

3 minutes later, Oli Mitchell really started to show-boat after beating 2 the players in the air just by keepie-uppies however he was eventually pressured off the ball.

A free kick in the 37th minute taken by Oli Mitchell on the halfway-line put in the box that was cleared by the Grampound defence who cleared the cross only as far as Mike Hoskin whose 30 yard shot deflected off of Molyneux beating his own keeper and putting St Breward 1-0 up in the process.

2 minutes later, Grampound nearly equalised after a cleared free kick was rebounded wide.

On the stroke of half time, Grampound had 2 late half chances however both chances were comfortably saved by Martin Jago.

In preparation for the Cornwall Sunday Cup Final the following day, Jack Holt came on for Dan Couch following a long absence from the team with both Couch and Holt part of the Sunday match day squad.

St Brewards first half chance came in the 49th minute however Kelvyn Tootles shot was scuffed straight at the Grampound 'keeper. 

2 minutes later Grampound had a half volley from long distance which ended up miles wide.

A minute later, Jack Holt's long range free kick went straight at the visiting keeper. Holt then proved why he has been missed from the team after tracking back well to deny Grampound going through one-on-one.

Rob Marks was having a worryingly quiet however his long shot in the 58th minute failed to test the keeper.

In the 66th minute, St Breward made their third substitution with goalscorer Mike Hoskin making way for Josh Galvin which saw Nathan Elliot drop deep to right-back.

Grampound struggled all day to get a decent shot on and in the 66th minute nothing changed after a hopeless long range strike picked out Martin Jago forcing a very easy save.

Josh Galvin's cross 3 minutes after was his first noticeable action however he cross was caught before he could find Marks in the box.

Another long range free kick from Jack Holt was cleared straight Scott Burke whose shot didn't really trouble the opposition keeper.

In the 75th minute, St Breward had 4 great chances in quick succession to goal 2 goals clear, 2 shots from Rob Marks and chances from Galvin and a swing and a miss from Tootle was unable to find the back of the net.

2 minutes later Galvin had another long shot winning his side a corner however the corner failed to come to nothing.

In the 79th minute Grampound won a free kick on the edge of the box conceded by substitute Holt however the free kick forced a good save from Martin Jago. St Breward's final substitution came with Ben French making way for Luke Richards.

Bodmin College Academy team-mates Josh Galvin and Tom Molyneux certainly showed signs of a mini-rivalry after a stupidly late challenge from Galvin wiped out Molyneux however no love was lost between the two of them.

Josh Galvin could've and should've got his first goal in men's football after the Grampound 'keeper cleared his pass straight to Galvin whose Beckham-esque lob was struck perfectly however the cross bar denied his chance of a first goal for Breward.

The match finished with a 1-0 win to St Breward which helps them into their late quest for a top 4 position. St Breward are currently 6th in the league with 3 games remaining. Grampound Reserves drop to 11th place and could seriously be facing the relegation battle, with only 3 games left of the season, it may be a case of too little to late for them.