Fice double sinks Town

Millbrook moved to the top of the Carlsberg South Western League on a hot and sunny afternoon at Mill Park with a fairly comfortable win over a Falmouth Town side that never really got going.

Town's second team 'keeper Ryan Brokenshire must have wondered what sort of afternoon he was in for when Millbrook took the lead after just six minutes.

Matt Cusack went on a long run down the left flank and put a pinpoint, low cross to the unmarked Ryan Fice on the edge of the six-yard box. He controlled the ball and turned to shoot home in one swift movement.

Town's regular 'keeper Duncan Ayres was unavailable due to a family bereavement.

Five minutes later Lee Coxon burst through the Town defence on the left and chipped the ball over the advancing Brokenshire, but luckily Rob Francis had read the situation well and got back in time to head the ball off the line.

Play switched to the other end and "Rusty" Rowson managed to lose his two markers for long enough to get in a shot which Millbrook 'keeper Jason Chapman turned away for a corner.

A few minutes later Town forced another corner, which was headed out by Rob Brimming, but it fell to the feet of Darren Burchell who hit a hard, low shot through the crowded area only to see it go just wide of the post.

Millbrook broke away on 29 minutes and the ball was pumped into the Falmouth area where James Lynch flicked the ball on to Ryan Fice to score his second goal with a diving header from five yards out.

Falmouth fought back with a good move between Burchell and Ross Pope which resulted in the latter hitting a shot straight at the 'keeper.

Carlton Farnham went on a mazy run down the right wing for Town leaving three defenders in his wake; he cut into the area and hit a shot, which Chapman pushed over the bar for a corner.

Rob Troon came on to replace Liam Quinn after 40 minutes and he added some strength to Town's back line and kept Ryan Fice in check.

The second half started with Millbrook applying pressure and Town trying to counter attack, but Martin Day and Carlton Farnham were not getting enough of the ball on the flanks to pose any sustained threat.

Following a good run and shot by Paul Edwards, Millbrook forced a corner, but it was safely gathered by Brokenshire.

With half an hour remaining, manager Steve Massey decided to change Town's tactics. He replaced Burchell with Tom Fielding who played wide on the left and pushed Jake Ash up front alongside "Rusty" Rowson, who had the thankless task of competing with two man-marking defenders all afternoon.

Farnham latched onto a careless back pass, but Chapman was out quickly to narrow the angle and Franham's shot went just wide.

With 20 minutes remaining Jonny Ludlam put a good through ball through to Jake Ash who hit a first-time shot which the 'keeper pushed over the bar for a corner.

Millbrook then took control again and forced three corners in as many minutes.

Both teams were employing the offside trap throughout the half and play never really flowed.

Just before the end, Tom Fielding put over a good cross to Rowson, but his hurried shot went straight to the 'keeper.

Town picked up two bookings in the game; skipper Lee Beer for a foul on 24 minutes and Ross Pope for disagreeing with a decision on 63.

Town are on their travels again this Saturday when they visit Fairford Town in the FA Vase.

Town: R. Brokenshire, R. Francis, M. Day, J. Ash, R. Pope, L. Beer, C. Farnham, L. Quinn (R. Troon), S. Rowson, J. Ludlam, D. Burchell (T. Fielding). Subs (unused): W. Brown, S. Winnan.