Report by Sam Russell
Hartpury FC fell to a 3-0 defeat against Falmouth Town at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium this afternoon, despite a bright start from the Acorns.
Hartpury began the game on the front foot and nearly took an early lead inside two minutes, when Drew Robinson drove down the left and fizzed a dangerous low cross across the box that was inches away from reaching Noah Coates.
Coates was involved again on 8 minutes, beating two defenders with a strong run down the left before driving towards goal, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
The Acorns continued to show attacking intent through Nathan Jenkins, producing a moment of skill on 13 minutes to nutmeg his man, however having his shot blocked.
Jesse Aldridge then tried his luck from distance on 20 minutes, striking a bold volley from around 40 yards that forced a good save from the Falmouth goalkeeper.
However, it was the visitors who struck first just a minute later. Rubin Wilson met a cross from Martyn Duff to give Falmouth the lead on 21 minutes.
Falmouth doubled their advantage just before the break on 42 minutes, when Luke Barnes found the net to put the visitors ahead.
Hartpury had a big chance to pull one back in stoppage time of the first half, as Vanylson Silva played Renato Prifti through on goal, but he could only lift his effort over the bar from close range.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-2 FALMOUTH TOWN
The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances, though Falmouth threatened again on 59 minutes when Barnes broke through on goal, only to be denied by a strong save from Seth Locke.
The visitors extended their lead on 65 minutes through a moment of real quality, as Oliver Walker cut inside and curled a superb left-footed strike into the top left corner to make it three.
Despite their efforts, the Acorns were unable to build further momentum. The final stages of the game were relatively quiet, with Hartpury working hard but struggling to create clear opportunities against a well-organised Falmouth side.
The Acorns will look to make things right when we travel to Swindon Supermarine next Saturday.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 0-3 FALMOUTH TOWN
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent © (Callow, 68’), Robinson, Sims (McGregor, 46’), Roney, Jenkins (Sanniola, 75’), Manning, Aldridge, Prifti (Tomos Shyamapant, 57’), Coates, Silva (Symons, 75’)
