The previous time these two teams played each other before Christmas Caradon forgot to turn up and got blown away to their biggest defeat of the season (6-0). Having been beaten by 5 goals in midweek this young Caradon team showed character in putting in a battling performance from the start. Plymouth University were shading the first 15 minutes until Caradon capitalised on their first short corner of the match as Captain David Lockett struck home. Caradon weren't able to build on that lead as Plymouth Uni equalised within a couple of minutes and it looked like that would be scoreline at the break until Evan Spencer picked up a rebound from a short corner and fired home and then with Caradon's next attack a beautifully weighted ball through the middle gave Thomas Rowe a clear run on goal and he maintained his composure to squeeze the ball past the keepers left hand. The Uni side came out strong at the start of the scond half but the Caradon defence held firm and then on the breakaway Evan Spencer produced the new goal of the season as he reverse struck the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle before the goalie had time to blink. Uni soon reduced the deficit back to 2 goals when a miss hit shot seemed to wrong foot everybody in defence and it trickled into the goal. The end to end nature of the game continued as Harrison Pollard got in on the action with another reverse struck goal and the lead was back to 3 goals. Back down the other end and a student shot was stopped on the line by a defender and despite George Rowe getting a stick on the ball the penalty was dispatched. With time running out Plymouth Uni put in a last push to try and get something from the game. A shot from the top of the D did beat the keeper but a dive from Lockett managed to divert the ball wide and then with the last play of the match a short corner was awarded to the Students. With the final whistle having gone the short corner had to be played out and a well executed drag flick was deflected by Rowe but not enough to push it past the post and the breathless game ended 5-4 to Caradon. Evan Spencer was named man of the match for his two goals and an energetic all round game in midfield. Next up is a visit to neighbours Bodmin with the chance of a top six spot a distinct possibility something at the halfway point of the season looked miles off.
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