Lee Lashenko ends his dozen-year tenure at Manor Farm with a hard-earned point in Cornwall against Helston.
Farm had the perfect start to the emotional occasion, taking the lead within the first fifteen minutes. Rhys Thomas, who had been a superb utility player for Lashenko over his two seasons, struck a volley that hit the keeper and the crossbar before bouncing on the right side of the line. Farm came inches away from a fitting tribute as the manager’s son, Regan, clipped the bar with an in-swinging corner before the young forward curled another effort just over. Helston would score a goal just before and after the break to turn the game around, having spent much of the first half on the back foot. Jordan Copp was tugged down in the area and stepped up to convert from twelve yards, sending the sides in level.
Minutes into the second half, Copp and his side got their second. A ball pinballed around in the Farm area, and the striker was on hand to finish. Stalwart goalkeeper Ben John was handed a rare start in this curtain-closer, and he made a fabulous save to deny Copp a hat trick, flying across to tip a header around the post. Farm would equalize with their final goal of the Lashenko era, which came from his last non-returning signing. Farm’s claims for a penalty were waved away, and amidst the confusion, Abu Sama’s deflected effort leveled the game. Farm would have one final chance for a fairytale ending in the dying seconds. Evander Grubb turned inside before seeing his effort slip narrowly wide.