By David Harrison at Kellaway Park

WARD WILLIAMS CORNWALL SENIOR CUP SECOND-ROUND (TUESDAY)

Helston Athletic 7 Launceston 0

WITH the county’s top club, Truro City, opting not to take part in this season’s Cornwall Senior Cup, the Step Six Clarets were handed the toughest possible challenge when the second round draw sent Neil Price’s side to Step Four Southern League promotion-chasers Helston Athletic on Tuesday evening.

Price handed a Launceston first team debut to goalkeeper Liam Hill while giving more valuable game time to youngsters Jake Ham, George Plumb and Jack Japes, who took a place on the bench. The manager also welcomed the versatile Denham Guild back into his matchday squad.

Helston included former Clarets Tyler Elliott, Callum Martindale, Callum O’Brien and the prolific Reece Thomson, who learnt his trade as a teenage striker at Pennygillam.

Unsurprisingly, the Clarets came under pressure from the start but although Aaron Bentley gave Helston a 10th minute lead with a precise header, it was almost half-time before the impressive Jack Crago doubled the advantage.

Another fine Crago effort followed on the stroke of half-time, but Andy Watkins and Jake Ham both had good efforts on goal before the home team finally showed their undoubted class and pulled clear with four goals in the final quarter.

Substitute Regan Hull added two goals while the impressive Thomson also scored twice as the Clarets lost shape in the face of intense pressure and controlled possession, the like of which they won’t face in the SWPL.

Launceston battled hard with notable performances from some of the younger squad members, all of whom will benefit greatly from the experience.

LAUNCESTON: Liam Hill; Lucas Preston, George Plumb, Ryan Dawe, Jude Jago(capt), Archie Wall, Josh Harris, Jake Ham, Andy Watkins, Denham Guild, Mark Elvidge. Subs: Jake Japes, Mike Steele.

Clarets’ man of the match: George Plumb.