Sunday October 21st: SOUTH WEST U18 COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP - Dorset 0-4 Cornwall.

Cornwall opened their South West Counties U18 Women's Championship campaign on Sunday, with a 4-0 win away to Dorset at Weymouth FC. Cornwall were full value for this excellent victory and looked to attack the Dorset goal at every opportunity. They took an early lead when Kat Dawe (Penzance) ran past a hesitant home defence to score with a low shot into the left hand corner of the goal after 7 minutes. Cornwall should have increased the lead some five minutes later but Sophie Weedon shot wide after running clear of the defence. Dorset looked to attack on the break but defenders Sam Drewery (Saltash Utd) and Amy Hemingway (Penzance) were playing well and kept the home attack in check. Dorset keeper Christine Byrne (Broadstone) was quickly off her line to deny Alice Rae (Mullion) and Kat Dawe as Cornwall continued to attack the home goal before defender Naomi Dixon (Weymouth) had the misfortune to knock a low cross into her own net to give Cornwall a 2-0 lead after 43 minutes. Cornwall went further ahead just before the break when Rose Knuckey (Penzance) ran on to a through ball to score. Second half exchanges were even as Dorset looked to get back into the game but it was Cornwall who extended their lead on the hour when Rose Knuckey hit home the rebound after Dorset’s substitute goalkeeper Felicity Carroll did well to parry her well struck first drive. Dorset continued to press but Cornwall’s defence was playing well with debutant goalkeeper Emma Chown (Wendron) looking safe. The home side had the ball in the Cornwall net after 70 minutes but the effort was disallowed for offside and with ten minutes remaining, Dawe's right wing cross found Knuckey whose first time shot hit the bar.

The Cornwall U18s next play Devon at Saltash United FC on Tuesday 30th October (7.30pm), followed by an away game with Somerset at Taunton Town FC on Sunday 20th January (2.30pm).

The Cornwall squad, managed by Mick Gale and Natasha Mills was chosen from: Zoe Dyson, Steph Woodward, Beth Tweddle, Sophie Weedon (Newquay), Amy Hemingway, Amber Grose, Rose Knuckey, Cat Dawe (Penzance), Jenna Borlase, Georgia Lake, Sam Drewery (Saltash), Amy Drinkwater, Alice Rea (Mullion), Stacey Tonkin (Plymouth), Silva Weller (Wadebridge), Lucy Bounsall (Camelford), Katie Venton (Wendron), Lizzie Small (Truro College).