2022 LAUNCESTON K.O CUP Final
ALTARNON 4-0 DOBWALLS
Charlie Wevill
Sam Smith
Cameron Bailey
Bradley Stokes
NUNS RETAIN LAUNCESTON CUP
Altarnun made it back to back Launceston Cup titles with a convincing 4-0 victory over Dobwalls Reserves at Pennygillam last Thursday night.
The East Cornwall Premier League title challengers thrashed Boscastle 7-1 last year and had the game all but sewn up by the break thanks to goals from Cameron Bailey, Charlie Wevill and Sam Smith.
The second half was less thrilling, but the Nuns continued to be much the superior side to their Duchy Division One east opponents and added a late fourth through centre half Brad Stokes.
On a pristine playing surface Altarnun started brightly and took a ninth minute lead.
A Dobwalls free kick was headed out by Stokes which found striker Sam Smith who advanced down the pitch before passing to midfielder Cameron Bailey, whose toe poked shot from 25 yards somehow sailed over goal-keeper Peter James.
Smith then missed a glorious chance to double the lead as a fine move ended with left back Alex Shopland sending over a delightful cross which frontman headed just wide from the centre of the goal from six yards out.
Dobwalls looked to get their frontmen in behind when they got the opportunity, and from one of those, striker Sam Humagain forced stand-in goal-keeper Toby Knights to tip his shot on to the top of the net.
Midfielder Craig Butler was fortunate not receive a yellow card from Dave Sellars for bringing down Smith as he broke clear, before Altarnun doubled their lead in the 29th minute.
Some good play down the right saw the ball played inside to midfielder Cam Heard, who looked to tread the ball inside the right back Lenny Humagain. Humagain got there first and looked to pass the ball back to James. However winger Charlie Wevill nipped inside, took the ball around the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.
The third arrived just three minutes later as Wevill stood a cross up to the back post where an unmarked Smith volleyed it home from six yards.
Dobwalls were struggling to contain the pace and creativity of the Nuns who should have added a fourth soon after but Stokes could only head wide from six yards from Heard's delightful cross.
Dobwalls player/manager made a change at the break, bringing on striker Ben Gaynor for Caden Crowle, and although the second half was much more even, they failed to trouble Knights.
Altarnun went close to a fourth as Smith's near post header was awkwardly turned around the post by James before stretching Michael Turner just failed to get on the end of a knockdown in the box.
Moments later the dangerous Humagain advanced his way into the box before Knights saved at the near post.
From the hour onwards there was an understandable lull to the game as both sides utilised their benches.
With 15 minutes remaining Smith was denied his second thanks to an outstanding covering tackle by Jack Quaintance, before the striker shot wide after good work from Turner in the middle of the park.
Left back Alex Shopland shot well over when well placed while man of the match Josh Smith forced James into a superb save low down to his left. However from the resulting corner, Dobwalls failed to clear their lines allowing Stokes to nip in and toe poke a finish past James to make it 4-0 with just three minutes remaining.
The rest of the game passed off without much incident as the Nuns remain on course for a league and cup double.
Cup presented by competition Chairman Ken Turner to Jack Burnley who has won the cup three times in succession firstly with Bridgerule back in 2019
Referee: Dave Sellars, Assistants Davey Green and Chris Sillifant
(Attendance 170)