PORTHLEVEN 1 BIDEFORD 6

BIDEFORD had their expected victory against Porthleven in the preliminary round of the FA Challenge Cup, but what they didn't expect was to have an unexpected "helping hand" from the referee.

Let's get one thing clear from the outset. Bideford, last season's Screwfix Western League Premier Division champions, were far better than the scoreline, looked a fine side, and sought no favours, but even their own players, officials and supporters couldn't believe what they were seeing when goalkeeper Ryan Draper brought down Adam Palmer in the fourth minute and wasn't sent off.

From just inside the halfway line, Port's Steve Williams drilled the ball into the heart of the visiting defence where Palmer got in between the last defender and the onrushing goalkeeper. Palmer nicked the ball round the 'keeper and with no-one else between him and the goal, Draper took the last line of action open to him and brought down the striker.

It may have only been the fourth minute, but it was quite clearly a penalty and a red card, but somehow Mr Alan MacReth of Bristol viewed the matter differently and only booked the 'keeper.

To compound matters even further Palmer was hauled back again in the second half, this time by the experienced Tom Kelly, again with only the goalkeeper between him and the goal. It should have been a red card according to the letter of the law, but Mr MacReth again decided noone would be leaving the field of play.

Whatever anyone's thoughts about those incidents, fortunately it would not have affected the result and from Porthleven's point of view they did extremely well to restrict last season's beaten FA Carlsberg Vase semi-finalists to 6-1.

At half-time they trailed 5-1, but dogged determination and an unflagging willingness to show commitment, allowed them to emerge with their pride intact.

Yes, they were outclassed, they gave away possession all too easily, ball control was lacking, and at times, they were a couple of yards slower in speed of thought, but none of the players hid and they did all that could have been expected of them.

After Bideford got over the shock of going a goal down they got back on level terms after 12 minutes when Derek Hawkings volleyed the ball into the roof of the net following a corner by Robbie Herrera.

In fact, the former Queens Park Rangers player proved a thorn in the Fishermen's side all afternoon and whenever there was a free kick or corner, Herrera's crosses spelled danger for Porthleven.

Bideford, who throughout played neat, brisk football, should have taken the lead in the 24th minute when Groves' free kick was headed back across the goal to Kelly who volleyed wide from close range.

A minute later a poor free kick by Dean Marks allowed Bideford to swiftly clear the ball to Mike Southgate, but his shot hit the post after Holland came out to narrow the angle.

Porthleven's defenders were constantly under pressure and it was from another corner that the visitors went in front. Herrera clipped the ball to the far post and Hawkings headed the ball back for Ellis Laight to head in. Two minutes later it was 3-1 when a shot deflected off a defender for Mike Southgate to turn the ball into the net.

Bideford put the result beyond doubt with a fourth goal when Porthleven were unable to clear Herrera's cross and Laight scored with an overhead kick.

In the final minute of the half Laight completed his hat-trick when he headed down Herrera's corner and Southgate cleverly allowed the ball to pass between his legs and into the net.

The second half was all about how many Bideford were likely to score and they didn't have to wait long with Laight scoring with a fine header in the 54th minute.

Kelly had his slice of good fortune in the 69th minute when he should have seen red, but final goal didn't come until five minutes from time when Andy Stevens tapped the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble from another Herrera cross.

This Saturday Porthleven are home to Newquay i nthe SWL.

Porthleven: R Holland, D Phillips, M George, H Gibbons, S Williams, D Marks, D Bray, S Johnson, A Hart, A Palmer, M Conniff. Subs: D Stidwell, A Mills, A Gallagher.