St Blazey's FA Vase hopes ended after bad start

St Blazey 0 Bitton 3
St Blazey were made to pay the price for a slow start as they bowed out of the FA Vase with this third round defeat against the Western League premier division visitors.
In the opening 45 minutes St Blazey, who were without several key players, never really got going and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
The Bristol-based side went ahead after 22 minutes when good interplay between  striker Mark Salter and   Jason  Llama saw  the right back sidefoot past the ball past a  helpless Dave Painter in the home goal.
And seven minutes later they found themselves 2-0 down when Mitch Tippens burst in from the left before  Blazey central defender Dan Bennett was adjudged to have brought him down in what looked a strong but fair challenge.
Salter easily converted the spot-kick and St Blazey, who had looked ineffectual going forward, were left with a mountain to climb.
Only a great save by Painter from Salter's powerful close range header and a bad miss by the dangerous Dane O'Connor prevented the game being over by half time.
After a few choice half time words from manager Bobby Oaten St Blazey  began the second half well with Lewis Edwards curling a fine left footed effort just wide and then  seeing his goalbound shot just deflected over the bar.
But Bitton weathered the storm and when Bennett received his second yellow card, after being booked for conceding that first half penalty,  for a challenge on Hanin Rohmdame with ten minutes left it was game over.
And in stoppage time Bitton rubbed salt into the St Blazey wound when  Salter burst clear before calmly planting   the ball past  Painter.