Shinty Match: Mylor Cons v CSM Blue – REPORT

Written by Matt Mossop |

With the Cornish monsoon in full swing, it was with relief that the long-suffering ground staff gave the go ahead for an important double header on the new shinty pitch at Dracaena Centre.

With CSM Blue on a high after their unexpected derby win over Gold last week, it was a questionable decision to start from the bench for the Cons Captain. The Blues were out in force pinning the Cons deep in their own half for the first period.

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Martin was on great form, despite the swamp, whilst Goodwin and Harman-Mckenna harried the Cons backline, with Comyn forced out to save the day on numerous occasions. A rusty Pullen… looked worried on the edge of his own ‘D’ and the Cornish Vice Captain Wickenden, was ensuring there was no release for the Cons when a rare clearance looked about to buy a breather.

“The Cornish Keeper rose to the challenge, arguably his toughest 20 minutes of the campaign”

The Cornish Keeper rose to the challenge, arguably his toughest 20 minutes of the campaign, coming out to quell the rising in what has to be his best game of the season. A kick in the ‘D’ and suddenly all his efforts were on the line, Mossop looked on in horror as the referee pointed to the spot on 18 minutes and Cornwall’s first choice penalty striker stepped up with menace.

The dual was well matched, Cornwall’s keeper has the best penalty save record in the English League, though few could deny, these were nervous moments for the defending Champions.

With Comyn at his steely best, it was Wickenden that broke, skying a scud half way to the police station to put a wry smile on Mossop’s face as he lidded up to head into the fray, relieving Tatibogel and steady the Cons ship from Buckshee back.

One ball and one minute later Cons super-sub struck as the Champions surged forward to lay siege the students ‘D’. With hope withering fast, CSM’s young Captain got the blues and left the field. The half time break at 1-0 and a stern talk from the referee were arguably the Miners only reprieve from this point.

One minute into the second half Pullen laid on for Mossop who raced the wing to actually cross a ball for once. MacCloud’s not one to squander such a rarity, capitalising on an error from the young Blue backs to finish effortlessly, 2-0. A valiant defence in depth, drew some fine saves from Cranston, brilliant breakneck rescue cliques from Wickenden but in truth the end game was always coming. A second burst up the left wing on 45 minutes had Mossop in the clover.

“A rare patch of grass allowed a sweet backhand to finally undo the loan keeper in the top left.”

A rare patch of grass allowed a sweet backhand to finally undo the loan keeper in the top left. Within a minute, action replay had Pullen pull the stunt a second time, hitting a second backhand goal from almost the same clump of beleaguered turf. Comyn and Tatibogel were asleep as Cons cruised into harbour 4-0. Pullen is back. Only Devon can stop them now.

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Match Result

Mylor Cons 4 (Mossop 19, 45; McCloud 26 ; Pullen 46) CSM Blue 0
Player of the Match: George Wickenden

The Teams

Mylor Cons: Mike Comyn (Goals), Toby Coker, Paul Tatibogel, John Pullen, Nadia Reeve, Mipi MacCloud Sub: Matt Mossop (Captain)

CSM Blue: Anya Goodwin (Captain), Jamie Cranston (Goals), Ellie Kemp, George Wickenden, Daniel Martin, Victoria Harman-Mckenna

Referee: Jamie Goodship

Venue and time: Dracaena Centre, Falmouth. 3pm throw-up