Bashley 2 Helston Athletic 2

15 March 2025

Bizarrely, no Brock game on a Saturday this week, so the Content Adviser and I took ourselves off to Bashley instead to watch a Southern League Division One South encounter… the visitors, who are presumably used to long journeys (although this might be one of the longest – I mean, I complain enough about having to go “all the way” to Portland or Wincanton!), needing points to try and drag themselves out of the relegation zone; the hosts ten points clear at start of play of the drop zone and probably only one or two wins from guaranteeing safety.  Did you want a report on this?  Lucky you.

A tight game, not without its moments of controversy, and Helston snatching an unlikely point right at the death.  It was, to be fair, a cut above Step 5 – as you’d expect – that touch quicker, a bit more physicality.  But they still all shout “foul throw” at every opportunity…  Bashley were the better side in the first half, largely holding Helston at arm’s length but not creating clear chances against an organised defence (shout-out here to O’Brien who was solid all game, great distribution, more of him to follow later).  20 minutes, a great volley from Whiteley well blocked a few yards out, but the Bashley breakthrough came in unusual fashion, direct from a corner from Ross – which was harsh on keeper Sowden-Bird, who had just made a flying save and tipped the ball behind.  And the hosts saw that lead through to half-time with few alarms. HT 1-0

But drama at the start of the second half, right in front of us – three players converged on the ball, which had bounced shin-high, and Holmes caught O’Brien; after a discussion with the assistant, also close by, straight red card.  Personally I thought it was a bit harsh, but if you invite the referee to make a decision you can’t complain when he makes it (evidently not a view shared by the home fans!).   So, Bash up against it?  Not obviously so: for 15 minutes you wouldn’t have known there was a man advantage, and on 65 minutes the hosts doubled their lead on the break. Bent, who worked hard all afternoon, laid the ball slightly behind sub Speechley-Price but his return pass was pinpoint and Bent ran through to score.  And that looked like being that, especially when an immediate response was ruled out for offside.  But gradually Helston took control of the ball and made the extra man count, and with ten minutes to go they pulled one back: a brilliant header from Duff-Dick which looped over Philpott and into the far corner.  From his reaction, it may well have been off his face rather than head, but they all count.  It wasn’t the Alamo after that, but Duff-Dick should probably have levelled when Philpott could only parry a shot – his back was to goal, and maybe a makeshift striker can be forgiven for not attempting the backheel, but you felt those were chances which had to be taken. And you’d have been wrong, because four minutes into stoppage time Helston won a free kick which wasn’t properly cleared, and Redd hit a shot through the crowd, Philpott saw it late and while he got a hand on it he couldn’t deflect it enough, and the visitors had their point.  My guess is nobody really went home happy… FT 2-2

So it was quite eventful, and quite enjoyable.  The Content Adviser and I laughed far too much, about the viability of a business importing squawks and about gangling, and teddy bears who speak when you press their tummy… which shows that, while we enjoyed the game, we weren’t overly invested.  I’m not going to say that the ulterior motive was to go and watch Mitch – it was the only motive.  And he came off the bench to get an assist, job done.  Apparently there were 296 in attendance, it didn’t feel that many although there were certainly more drums than strictly necessary.  Anyway, normal business to resume on Tuesday, away to HamRec, already looking forward!