An unbelievable game of football unfolded at the NL Services Stadium as Manor Farm and Helston Athletic scored five each to share the spoils.
Both teams had been flying high in the early stages of the season, with Farm winning their last eight games and the visitors still unbeaten in the league. Farm started stronger, creating a few early chances. Good work by Rhys Thomas saw him find Dan Dodimead, whose tee-up was hit just wide by the in-form Josh Bissett. Even the Farm defenders got involved in the early exchanges. Mason Winter drove inside his marker before sending a thirty-yard effort on target, but it was tipped over by Kyle Moore.
All the early pressure suggested Farm would get the opener, but the visitors stole the lead with their first real attack after 10 minutes. A wide free kick was whipped into the melee, and the ball was inadvertently headed into his own goal by Farm captain Jamie Adams. Farm leveled shortly after, in what would turn into a crazy first half. Bissett’s quick feet earned him half a yard, and his effort deflected off the Helston captain, looping over the helpless Moore.
The early turnaround was complete from Farm’s next attack. A recycled set piece fell to Winter, who sent a dangerous ball into the box. Despite what looked like a solid defensive header, Thomas was on hand to place his looping header perfectly for his second goal in as many games. The breathless pace continued as Helston drew level again. A quick move down the right resulted in a low cross, and despite a miscue by Thompson, Jack Crago was on hand to celebrate his permanent move to Helston by sweeping home for 2-2.
This wild first half showed no signs of slowing down as Farm went back in front on the half-hour mark—and in some style. Dodimead plucked a long clearance out of the air superbly before finding Bissett, who left one defender sliding into the hoardings with a clever chop inside before unleashing a stunner into the far top corner. It looked like Farm had taken firm control when they got a fourth late in the half. A scramble in the area was missed by both strikers and defenders before the ball dropped to Louis Britton, who was never going to miss given his fine form of late.
Farm had almost negotiated their way through the staggering six minutes of added time before a crazy moment swung the tide. Harry Lucas lost his bearings and passed the ball beyond his own goalkeeper, gifting Farm their second own goal of an unbelievable half of football.
It seemed as if the second half would continue in the same vein, as Helston equalized barely a minute after the restart. A cross from the right found the completely unmarked Jacob Smith, who swept his volley in from close range. The game finally settled down a little as both sides took a breather, but there would still be another goal for each team.
Josh Bissett got a thoroughly deserved hat-trick with 25 minutes to play, after his devastating drive at the near post was too much for Moore, putting Farm back in front. Helston, however, were never likely to give up after their part in this crazy contest, and they equalized once more, albeit in slightly controversial fashion. A corner was somehow awarded after a shot went wide from the visitors, and further punishment came as Crago headed in his second at the back post.
Although the goals stopped flowing, Crago’s eventful afternoon wasn’t finished. His wild high swing of a leg caught Farm defender Jacob Spence square in the face, and the Helston forward was given his second yellow card. Farm had one final chance to steal all three points in stoppage time, but substitute George Dowling’s swinging free kick dropped agonizingly wide.