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St Stephens Borough AFC

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Saturday, 5th May 2007

St.Stephens Borough 3

Mevagissey 0

St.Stephens Borough's 3-0 victory over Mevagissey handed them the Division One title. The ninth consecutive league win for Borough meant they won the title by a single point from their closest rivals Edgcumbe. Mevagissey made them work for their title and made it difficult for Borough to score ensuring they had ten men behind the ball the whole time. The first half saw Borough restricted to long range efforts and as time went on the players, management and supporters were getting more more anxious. Borough finally got the goal they needed on sixty minutes when Stuart Fort was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Andy Wright had no hesitation in grabbing the ball and riffled the ball home. The goal went some way to settling the nerves but it wasn't until Nicky Souness converted 10 minutes later that the Borough men and supporters could relax. Souness then got his second 10 minutes later and the celebrations began.

The win gave Borough their first title in the clubs history. The players received the cup and trophies from the league and ensured they made the most of the long awaited league title!

Thursday, 3rd May 2007

St.Stephen 0

St.Stephens Borough 4

Borough started the match at a tremendous pace and dominated the first quarter playing good passing football around their opponents. Andy Wright had the ball in the back of the next in under five minutes but was adjudged to be off side. They didn't have to wait long to notch up their first goal, top scorer Stuart Fort latching onto a good move to riffle home from 8 yards. Their second came 15 minutes into the game. Nathan Holiday scored his first goal of the season running a full fifty yards down the left to shoot past the outstretched goalie. Borough then took their foot off the gas and were nearly made to pay for it but for excellent goalkeeping by Dave Green.

The second half saw Borough regain control and started to test the St.Stephen keeper who to his credit kept them in the game. Inspired substitutions to rest key players for Saturday saw the game put beyond doubt. First Dave Wright popped up with a terrific header 15 minutes from time and then with his first touch of the game Player manager Steve Brown controlled the ball on the edge of the box and shot under a tired keeper. St.Stephens never gave up to their credit and but for fine saves from Dave Green could have pulled a goal back. However in the end Borough were too good and now have one more win to secure the title.

Saturday, 28th April 2007

Edgcumbe 1

St Stephens Borough 3

St Stephens Borough recovered from conceding a controversial early goal to deservedly win a top of the table thriller at Torpoint against Edgcumbe and kept the race for the Division One title alive.

Edgcumbe started this their last game eight points clear of Borough who had three games left. Therefore a point would have been enough to clinch the title for them. In front of a large partisan home crowd Edgcumbe started the better of the two sides although it was in somewhat fortuntate circumstances that they took the lead after 15 minutes. The ball appeared to go out of play for a throw in near the Borough dead ball line but the referee awarded Edgcumbe a corner. From the corner the ball rolled on the line into a post and out but at no time appeared to fully cross the line. However, the referee deemed it had and awarded a goal mush to the astonishment of the Borough defenders. Brett Shannon was the Edgcumbe player adjudged to have scored.

Borough were shaken by this reversed and had goalkeeper Dave Greene to thank for some outstanding saves. However, they gradually fought their way back into the match and equalised with five minutes of the half remaining when Nick Souness finished off a good passing move.

This inspired Borough and seem to deflate the home side and Borough were without question the better side throughout the second period and when ahead after sixty-five minutes when Ben Philip fired home direct from a free kick,.

Edgcumbe thought they had a way back into the game when Borough midfielder Shane Blanks was dismissed for a second yellow card with twenty minutes left but Borough held firm and were rewarded with a third when Stuart Fort shot home in the closing minutes.

This result leaves the destination of the title in Borough's hands as wins in their remaining two games will see them crowned champions whereas any points dropped will see Edgcumbe the winners. It also meant that a presentation party from the Duchy League returned home with the trophy after a wasted journey. They may be heading to Saltash this Saturday - certainly everyone connected with Borough will be hoping they are.

Both Edgcumbe and Borough are now guarranteed a top two finish and will both be competing in the Duchy League Premier Division next season.

Thursday, 19th April 2007

Launceston 0

St.Stephens Borough 1

Borough traveled to Launceston for their first evening fixture knowing that nothing but a win would result in Edgcumbe being crowned Division One champions. The first half saw even exchanges of pressure but it was Launceston's keeper who was the busiest saving from shots from Stuart Fort and Daniel Thompson. Borough started the second half at a tremendous pace and on 55 minutes Andy Wright put in a good cross to the far post and the ball was bundled in by top marksman Stuart Fort. Borough continued to apply the pressure but as time went on Launceston began to throw more men forward in a bid to find the equaliser. However Borough's defense marshaled by captain Alistair Sinclair, stood firm and Launceston did not have a noticeable shot on target all game. Borough deserved the win and now need look forward to visiting Edgcumbe for a top of the table showdown.

Saturday, 14th April 2007

Maker with Rame 2

St Stephens Borough 3

St Stephens Borough travelled to play Maker with Rame after two weeks without a match and with both sides needing the points for different reasons at opposite ends of the table.

Borough's rustiness showed and, after Nick Souness spurned an early chance to give Borough the lead, it was the home side who went in front after 12 minutes with Reece Toull getting in behind the Borough defence to score following a Maker free kick. Some Borough players appealed for offside but the ball had clearly come off a Borough defender and so the referee's assistant quite correctly allowed the goal to stand.

Boroughs response was instantaneous and they were level within a minute as Stuart Fort squared the ball to veteran left back John Busher who finished from 7 yards.

It looked as if the half was going to end all square and the Borough management team were already preparing their half time team talk when Andy Wright played a short back pass to Borough goalkeeper Dave Greene and the predatory Richard Gibson nipped in to give Maker a 2-1 interval advantage.

Borough took the field for the second half following strong words from the management during the break and within two minutes were level with the goal of the game as Daniel Thompson superbly headed in Shane Blanks pin point cross from the left.

The winning goal had a touch of good fortune as Andy Wright redeemed himself with a left wing cross that deceived the Maker keeper and ended up in the back of the net.

This was not vintage Borough by any stretch of the season but at this stage of the season its results that count and this was another vital three points in Borough's quest for promotion.

Saturday, 30th September 2006

St Columb Minor 1

St Stephens Borough 1

St.Stephens Borough continue to frustrate. They have now scored nine goals in six league games, which is not going to frighten too many of their opponents. They travelled to struggling St.Columb Minor, a game they had to win, but could only draw one all with Stewart Fort’s goal cancelled out by a debut strike from Aaron Howe after his midweek transfer from Grampound.

Saturday, 4th November 2006

St Stephens Borough 3

St Columb Minor 1

The only fixture in Division one saw St.Stephens Borough take on St.Columb Minor with Borough knowing that a victory would take them to the top of the table.

Borough started the livelier and created two good chances in the first ten minutes but failed to convert. A well rehearsed corner set piece saw Ben Philp pick out Shane Blanks on the front post who headed past the outstretched keeper to put Borough one up 15 minutes into the game. Borough continued to press and were guilty of missing several good chances until on the half hour mark Stuart Fort latched onto a short back pass to put Borough two up calmly curling the ball past the advancing St. Columb keeper. St. Columb continued to battle for possession and were reward 5 minutes before the break when Dan Rollerson latched onto a through ball, out paced the Borough defence and gave Dave Greene no chance, slotting home to make it 2-1 at the interval.

The second half started well for Borough with top scorer Fort getting his second of the game within 5 minutes of the restart running onto a perfectly timed through ball from Ben Philp and again slotting past the keeper for his second of the game. St.Columb continued to compete for every ball and didn't make live easy for Borough. Borough failed to find the back off the net again despite creating four or five good chances to increase the score line, with Philp coming closest with a powerful strike which rattled the crossbar. The battle for the top spot in Division One continues to hot up with Borough becoming the fourth team in as many weeks to occupy the position.

Saturday, 11th November 2006

St Stephens Borough 8

Altarnun 0

St.Stephens Borough entertained promotion hopefuls Altarnun and produced their best result of the season with an emphatic eight-nil win.

Borough started lively and Stuart Fort opened his account scoring with a header from close range following an Andy Wright corner and a flick on from Shane Blanks 15 minutes into the game. Borough continued to press for their second but it was Altarnun who came closest hitting the foot off the post following a corner. Borough were guilty of missing two good opportunities to increase their lead and had to wait for 2 minutes before half time to finally increase their lead when Fort beat the offside trap and calmly passed the ball past the advancing keeper.

Borough moved up a gear after the interval and they didn't have to wait long to increase their lead with Fort getting his hat-trick 5 minutes into the second half again out pacing the Altarnun defence and cleverly nut-megging the goalie. Five minutes later the game was all over with Nick Souncess knocking home from close range following a good run and cross from Ashley O'Rourke down the right.

Borough have been guilty in the past of taking their foot of the gas and missing opportunities to increase their goal difference but not in this match. Borough continued to play excellent football and open up Alternan's defence. Ben Philp had an excellent game in the centre of the park and was rewarded with two goals two minutes apart, one direct from a corner, seventy minutes into the game. Right winger Ashley O'Rourke got on the score sheet 5 minutes before the end scoring from just outside the box but goal of the game came from player manager Steve Brown who pounced on a loose ball inside the box and with a sideways scissor kick riffled the ball into the top corner to make it eight. Altarnun must be credited for not letting their heads go down but Borough were just to good for them on the day and remain top of division one.

Saturday, 6th January 2007

St Stephens Borough 4

Maker with Rame 0

St. Stephens Borough played host to Maker with Rame in Duchy League division one for their first fixture of the new year. Borough without a competitive game for seven weeks were eager to establish themselves back in the title race. Borough started well with Andy Wright having the opportunity to put the hosts two up in the first five minutes but lacking match practice could be forgiven for not converting his chances. He didn't have to wait too long to get on the score sheet when a Maker defender handled the ball on the line on the 10 minute mark. Wright neatly converted the resulting penalty. Seven minutes later a good through ball from Stuart Fort provided Nick Souness with any easy opportunity to make it two. It wasn't all one way traffic and Maker did have periods in the first half when they looked like they might get back into the game. However the game was put out of reach when great work down the left hand side from man of the match Shane Blanks saw him square the ball for Stuart Fort to slot home. The second half started brightly for Borough with Fort adding a second ten minutes in following good work from right winger Ashley O'Rourke. It looked like the flood gates would open but a combination of determined defending and good goalkeeping by Maker and a failure by Borough to hit the target on numerous occasions saw the score line stay at 4-0. The win saw Borough go second in Division one with games in hand on the leaders Edgcumbe.

Saturday, 13th January 2007

Tywardreath RBL 1

St Stephens Borough 1

St.Stephens Borough slip back after being held one all at Tywardreath RBL. The home side hope to have turned the corner this season after consecutive good results against the 2nd and 3rd placed teams in the division.

RBL were the better side in the 1st period, full of hard work and always a threat with their pace up front. Steve Wheatley put the hosts ahead midway through the 1st half with a finely executed free kick into the keepers bottom right hand corner from twenty yards.

The visitors turned things around in the second half with them in the ascendancy, RBL continued to defend well but found themselves pinned back. Ashley O'Rourke had an effort cleared off the goalline by the home defence and it looked as if they may hold out for all 3 points until Ben Philp hit a marvellous looping volley from 25 yards late in the game to equalize and ensure the spoils were shared.

Saturday, 27th January 2007

St Stephens Borough 2

Launceston 3

St.Stephens Borough dropped 3 valuable points at home to Launceston in Duchy Division One. Borough with a depleted squad knew it was going to be a tough encounter against Launceston. The game started with an even exchange of pressure but it was Borough who took the lead on 15 minutes. Shane Blanks was fouled in the box and Andy Wright converted the resulting penalty.

Ten minutes later it was Launceston's turn to try their luck from 12 yards as Alistair Sinclair was adjudged to handle the ball in the Borough box. Simon Oliver neatly converted to make it 1-1. The turning point in the game came a minute before half time when Borough were reduced to ten men.

The second half saw the 10 men of Borough start the more lively and Andy Wright beat two defenders only to be upturned in the box and again calmly slotted home the penalty to make it 2-1.

Borough continued to battle well and had the changes to but the game beyond the reach of Launceston. Launceston never gave up and with five minutes to go the extra work the 10 Borough men had to do during the second half started to take its toll. With no noticeable subs to bring on to defend the lead Launceston equalised. The linesman flagged for a clear off side decision when the initial cross was put into the box. This was missed by the referee and Adam Jenkins converted from the following goalmouth scramble. The linesman had stood with his flag raised throughout this scamble but to the Borough players astonishment the referee would not speak to the linesman, merely waving away his flag and allowing the goal to stand.

With the Borough boys heads down Launceston rubbed more salt into the wound with a goal 60 seconds later when a deflected shot form Andy House ended up in the back of the net. Both sides played good football in an excellent competitive game on a surface not idea for two footing teams. Launceston must feel fortunate to take all three points with Borough left to rebuild their confidence to remain in the title race.

Saturday, 10th February 2007

Jefferys Estate Agents Knock-Out Cup, 1st Round

St Stephens Borough 4

Torpoint Athletic 3

St. Stephens Borough played host to Torpoint Athletic in the Duchy league knock out cup first round. Borough had done the double over Torpoint in the league this season so knew Torpoint would be after revenge.

Borough started the better team and Ashley O'Rourke nearly put them ahead hitting the bar from close range 5 minutes into the game. Borough had a major set back in their game plan when influential centre back Alistair Sinclair had to come off after 8 minutes with an injury. Andy Wright put Borough ahead on 10 minutes beating two Torpoint defenders and neatly slotting past the advancing keeper. Torpoint came back strong and 5 minutes later Hicks broke free of the defence and lobbed the Borough keeper from 25 yards. Borough struck back immediately with man of the match Stuart Fort getting his first of the game scoring from just inside the box straight from the restart.

The second half started with equal pressure from both teams but it was Torpoint who struck first again with Hicks heading home from a corner on 65 minutes. But again Borough only had to wait 2 minutes to restore their lead when Nick Souness headed over the Torpoints keeper leaving Fort with an open goal to head home for his second of the game. Torpoint pressed forward in search of an equaliser leaving themselves exposed at the back. John Busher carried the ball fifty yards down the left winger and finished the move lobbing the keeper from just inside the box to make if four for Borough with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Torpoint continued to apply the pressure and with 5 minutes to go Mansell got their third. With five minutes left on the clock Boroughs defence stayed firm with excellent performances from Swales, Philp and Thompson to see Borough deservedly through to round two.

Saturday, 24th February 2007

Mevagissey 0

St Stephens Borough 6

St.Stephens Borough travelled to Mevagissey for only their 4th Duchy League game in three months. The pitch didn't allow Borough to play their normal passing game and it was Mevagissey who adapted best and had the best opportunities to open the score line in the first fifteen minutes.

Borough slowly got into the game and on 20 minutes Stuart Fort got his first of the match shooting past the keeper from the edge of the box following an excellent cross from Andy Wright. Fort got his second five minutes later again following good interchanges with Wright down the left and again giving the keeper no chance with an accurate shot into the corner.

Mevagissey continued to battle for pocession but found themselves 3-0 down at half time when Fort set up Ben Philp to score from the edge of the box 10 minutes before the interval.

The second half saw Borough start more brightly than they started the first and only had to wait 3 minutes before adding to the score line. Ashley O'Rourke put in a perfect cross for Philp to head home for his second of the game. Stuart Fort's hard work was reward with his first hat-trick of the season lobbing the keeper from the edge of the box on 68 minutes.

Philp also got his first senior hat-trick with five minutes to go with a fantastic strike from just inside the box with left the keeper no chance. To their credit Mevagissey never gave up and battled right to the final whistle but in the end it was a convincing win for Borough putting them back in the promotion race.

Saturday, 3rd March 2007

St.Stephens Borough 2

Roseland 0

Third place hosted second place in the Duchy Divison One game of the day as St.Stephens Borough entertained Roseland at Warfelton. Both teams knew only a win would do if either wanted to stay in the contest for the automatic promotion places.

It was Borough who started the more lively and opened their account within 3 minutes. Andy Wright played the ball in from the left hand side to Shane Blanks who set up Stuart Fort to rifle the ball into the top corner from close range.

The next half an hour saw equal exchanges of pressure and but for a great save from Dave Greene Roseland would have equalised. With less than 5 minuts to half time Borough got their second of the game to give them the breathing space they needed. Stuart Fort played a perfectly weighted ball through the defence for Ben Philp to run onto who hit an unstoppable shot straight into the top corner.

The second half saw both teams have a couple of opportunities to score but both teams failed to hit the back of the net. A tight game, played in a good competitive spirit with the only real difference between the two teams being Borough's clinical finishing in front of goal.

Saturday, 10th March 2007

DUCHY LEAGUE KNOCK-OUT CUP - 2nd ROUND

St.Dennis 2

St.Stephens Borough 0

St.Stephens Borough travelled to Premier Division and Cornwall Junior Cup finalists St.Dennis in the second round of the Duchy Knock Out Cup.

Borough's passing game took the home team by surprise and it was Borough who had the best of the opening and could have gone one up when Stuart Fort shot over from close range. St.Dennis came back into the game and although finished the stronger team it was Borough who had the best chance to go into the interval one up with Fort latching onto to a defensive back header and with only the keeper to beat his shot went just wide of the post.

St.Dennis took the lead five minutes into the restart when a long ball over the Borough's defense saw John Busher outpace St.Dennis forward Dave Rickard but he only succeeded in hitting the ball high into the and cruely watched as it lobbed his own keeper and bounced into the back of the net.

St.Dennis continued to apply the pressure and on 70 minutes Steve Hayhurst got their second pouncing on a rebound from the keeper and slotting home.

Borough continued to apply the pressure and although they lost on the day they can be proud of their performance and content in the knowledge that if they do get promoted they should have no problems holding their own in the premier division.

Saturday, 17th March 2007

St.Stephens Borough 1

St. Teath 0

St Stephens Borough entertained St.Teath with both teaming knowing nothing but a win would suffice.

The match saw two footballing teams cancelling each other out with chances few and far between for both teams. The best chances feel to Borough in the first half with top scorer Stuart Fort heading against the cross bar from close range and thirty minutes into the game uncharacteristically failing to convert a one on one chance against the St.Teath keeper.

The second half again saw even exchanges of play with neither side looking like scoring in open play. With fifteen minutes left on the clock Borough's management decided to throw caution to the wind by taking a defender off and replaced him with an attacker with Mark Blanks replacing John Busher. This tactical decision saw the turning point and with Borough applying the pressure with 6 minutes left on the clock they were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out. Up stepped Ben Philp who struck the ball right into the top corner, a goal which would not have been out of place in the Premiership and was worthy of winning such a tight game.

St.Teath were left to feel somewhat aggrieved that they did come away with at least a point after playing so well but the three points went to Borough keeping alive their automatic promotion place.

Saturday, 24th March 2007

Altarnun 0

St.Stephens Borough 2

St. Stephens Borough left it late in the game to secure the three vital away points to move them to joint second in the league with a game in hand on Torpoint.

Borough controlled the game in the first half playing good passing football but despite creating three good chances failed to convert any of them as Altarnun's defence stood firm.

The second half saw Altarnun get back into the game and the opening twenty minutes saw equal exchanges of pressure. Thirty minutes into the game Altarnun's Neil Tyner found himself through on goal 35 yards out and as he tried to push the ball past the out coming keeper the ball hitting his chest and rebounding onto his hands. Both teams waited to see what colour card would be produced and to the relief of Borough and astonishment of Altarnun it was yellow.

Borough who could not settle for a point so pushed forward with more urgency and with 39 minutes on the clock they were justly rewarded with a goal. Good work and a cross into the box from Andy Wright saw Stuart Fort volley home from close range. Five minutes later Fort was brought down in the box and Wright stepped up to secure all three points from the penalty box.

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