By David Harrison
SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)
Launceston 5 Mullion 1
THE Clarets ended the SWPL season in the best possible way, handing out a 5-1 beating to Mullion at a sunny Pennygillam.
Manager Neil Price was forced to make changes with Jude Jago, Lewis Young, Denham Guild and Ryan Downing all unavailable following the recent Dobwalls match. Ben Harrison and Ollie Northam came back into the side together with the fit-again Andy Watkins.
Launceston started brightly with Watkins only narrowly wide from an extravagant overhead kick, while at the other end, Lewis Slade had to be alert to deny Jack Gray when the speedy winger broke clear.
With Northam and Archie Wall in dominant form at the back, the scoresheet remained blank at the interval but Mullion still looked dangerous and moved in front on the hour with a fine 22-yard drive by Jasper Turner.
Price introduced Josh Harris and Liam Raglan as the Clarets stepped up the intensity. Mullion were suddenly rocking and the floodgates opened once Watkins nipped in to equalise with 20 minutes remaining.
Mike Steele put Launceston in front and the same man soon scored again with another excellent penalty after Watkins had been brought down, with the culprit dismissed by referee Will Annear.
The Clarets were running riot against a demoralised side and the substitute Raglan, combining well with Declan Woodgate, added two more goals in added time.
So Launceston ended a long, demanding season where they have made steady progress. They finished the campaign in 10th place, with 44 points, a massive improvement on finishing 14th with 24 points last year.
LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade; Mark Wilson, Archie Wall, Ollie Northam, Declan Woodgate; Ben Harrison, Mike Steele (capt), Jake Ham; Mason Tape, Andy Watkins, Dan Clifton . Subs: Liam Raglan, Jaden Wood, Josh Harris .
Clarets man of the match: Ollie Northam.