FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

St Blazey 3 Launceston 0

LAUNCESTON were knocked out of the Vase at the first attempt as old rivals St Blazey ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Blaise Park.

The Clarets were back in action four days after their SWPL season opener at Dobwalls where they drew 3-3, but the found it tough against a Blazey outfit who have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their Western League Premier Division campaign and earlier in the week eliminated Tavistock from the FA Cup.

The hosts looked confident and comfortable against their lower-ranked opponents and swarmed forward right from the kick-off.

Former Claret Tallan Mitchell soon established himself as the game’s key figure and was behind most of his side’s better moments.

But Launceston dug in and a mixture of heroic defending coupled with sheer good fortune saw them reach the interval on level terms. ost notably they were indebted to keeper Howie Evans who dived low to deny Kai Burrell an 18th minute penalty after Mitchell had been brought down, but the whole side put in a tremendous shift.

Kian Berry and Lee Robinson again worked tirelessly up front for the Clarets, but got little joy from an uncompromising home defence.

Blazey finally broke through shortly after half-time when Will Tinsley’s cross was firmly headed home by Tom Cavanagh.

The relieved hosts added two further goals from top-scorer Olly Redd, but this young Launceston side will have learnt plenty from a tough afternoon.

The Clarets return to league action with a trip to Wadebridge Town on Saturday (3pm).

LAUNCESTON: Howie Evans; Sam Tattersall, Taylor Davey, Joe Moynan, James Simmons (capt), Dylan Rangecroft, George Bills, Tom Bullock, Lee Robinson, George Davey, Kian Berry. Subs: Ryan Dawe, Sonny Dover, Tom Manuel, Luke Gibbons