Kellaway Park
Clodgey Lane
Helston
Cornwall
TR13 8PJ
Ground Number: 1378
Saturday 14th December 2024
Helston Athletic 2-2 Thatcham Town
Southern D1 South
HELSTON ATHLETIC FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was established in 1896. They joined the Cornwall Senior League after its formation in 1931 and won back-to-back league titles in 1937 and 1938. After finishing as runners-up the following year, the club were champions for a third time in 1940. In 1953, Helston Athletic joined the South Western League, having their best finish of 3rd in 1965. In 1972 they were relegated back to the Cornwall County League. After becoming champions in 1988 and 2001, Helston won the title for a sixth time in 2011 and was promoted to the South West Peninsula Division 1 West. They were highly successful here and finished as runners-up in their first two seasons. In 2015 they were champions and it was only at this point that they installed floodlights. Finishes were unspectacular in the SWP Premier initially but results over two abandoned seasons were good enough for promotion to the Western Premier. Last season they were champions, earning promotion to the Southern League D1 South West.
MY VISIT
I had long had Helston Athletic v Thatcham Town pencilled in for this day. This was more in hope than anticipation as Didcot Town, who I had travelled with were going the day before for both the Helston Athletic and Mousehole games. This was a shame as I got on well with the people on the coach but it couldn't be helped. When I looked at the trip, it was a huge distance, about as far west as you could get. I therefore pinned my hopes on the next most easterly club in Thatcham Town, albeit with little expectation. Surprisingly, when I checked out their website the Sunday before, they confirmed a coach was running. I waited until Monday to check that the weather would be OK but as soon as I did, I emailed the club and received a quick reply confirming departure time and a cost of £25. The only negative was that it would be a long day with me probably getting back the next day as we had to wait for the players. However, the lure of doing a difficult-to-reach ground for a great price was too good to turn down. I'd probably be tired for work the next morning, but if they were going to get me in at 5 on a Sunday morning, I had the right to be knackered occasionally.
The week before was a tiring week at work. I was hoping for some Friday night football and briefly considered a revisit to Maldon & Tiptree for the U23 game between Colchester United & Cardiff City. However, as much as I fancy going again, I'd rather see the home team again when I do. Matches were falling like dominoes on Friday night, especially in the west where 'Storm Darragh' was predicted to wreak havoc. As much as I despise postponements, it was better to make the call early, rather than calling it off on the day. I had a few drinks, glad that a Wycombe Wanderers home game was better than the lottery of groundhopping in bad weather. I got a fairly early night and got up at my normal work time. I could hear the weather outside and as the morning wore on, more matches fell, including remarkably, the Merseyside derby. It was the usual pre-match, although it was rainier than usual. We drew 1-1 against Reading in a generally weather-affected scrappy game. A fair and reasonable result, although not the same happy feeling I'd had the past few Saturdays. Despite a reasonably early night, I was still knackered the following afternoon. I'd had an afternoon sleep instead of going to a game down The Rye. With everything else called off, I was surprised that it went ahead with Wycombe Saints beating Wokingham Town 5-2 in what appeared to be a great game.
Tuesday saw my day off and a productive walk down to Wycombe to get some things that I needed. I was pleased to see signs of a Taco Bell opening which will prove decent for before Wycombe home games. For the evening though, I was driving to the ground so I could get back home as quickly as possible. The 7 PM kickoff was most welcome but the performance on the field was not. We never really got going and were second-best to Swindon Town who were struggling in the league below, only scoring in the last minute as we lost 2-1. It was 'only' the Vertu Trophy, a much-maligned competition but after winning eleven in a row, we are three without a win. Another dull week and another frustrating Friday night without a game. The nearest options were uninspiring and as far away as Norwich & Shrewsbury. A night in with a few drinks it was then. It was the standard work night bed time and as a result I awoke at my normal work time, unable to take advantage of a slight lie in. I got ready and had breakfast before leaving at 6.15. It was a decent journey, despite the whole of my journey on the M4 being subject to roadworks.
I arrived at the ground at 7.15 and was happy to see the coach there waiting. It was still pitch black so I was unable to get a decent picture. We got going just after 7.45 due to some late arrivals. We stop at Taunton services at 10 for half an hour. The choice is very limited but I settle for a Christmas Toastie from Costa for £5.75 and a Rocky Road cake from WH Smith for £1.29, both nothing special. We leave on time but the journey drags and we arrive at 1.20. I get a few pictures of the ground before heading to the Wetherspoons, less than 15 minutes walk away. The Coinage Hall is my 380th in the chain, a well kept but fairly nondescript pub with a decent cider selection. Two pints of Black Dragon and an excellent Big Cheese Pizza with added chillies came to £14.18, a real bargain. The service was excellent too. The walk back to the ground, via Poundstretcher was a bit of a slog uphill with a belly full of cider and pizza but I arrived at 2.50, parting with a tenner to get in.
Helston Athletic were 6th and were enjoying a great start to their first season at step 4. That said, their last result was a 1-0 loss to Melksham Town, the latest of three games without a win. Thatcham Town were second-bottom, their last result a spirited 4-4 draw at Bishops Cleeve, their first away point of the season following eight defeats on the road. Both teams were playing their first game in over a week, having suffered the effects of the repugnant 'Storm Darragh' last weekend. Thatcham dominate the early stages but look toothless up front. A calm finish on the break by Will Sullivan gives Helston the lead on 27 minutes. Thatcham continued to have chances and it was all square on 43 minutes when Andy Matthews headed home from the corner. A disappointing cider selection for Cornwall but I got myself a pint of Somersby Blackberry for £6.60, albeit with a refundable plastic glass which as a collector, I opted to keep. It did highlight how excellent Wetherspoons is though. Thatcham took the lead with a super strike by Clive Gwavava which flew in the net from some way out. Helston tried to get back in and were given a helping hand from the referee who reduced Thatcham Town to ten men with 15 to go. A great ball from the left put a chance on a plate for Reece Thomson who finished well. It was all Helston for the remainder of the game but Thatcham held on. I was pleased for a friendly club and hoped that they'd also be running a coach for the Mousehole game in a months time.
THE GROUND
KELLAWAY PARK is one of the more basic setups at step 4, A metal stand provides the only seated accomodation, around 100. There's covered standing for around thr same in front of the clubhouse, otherwise the ground is open. The bar offers a basic range of drinks and there are a couple of food places too. There's plenty of car parking and buses stop nearby. The town is 15 minutes walk away and has a Wetherspoons amongst other choices.
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