By David Harrison at Bodieve Park

SWPL PREMIER WEST (WEDNESDAY)

Wadebridge Town 2 Launceston 1

THE Clarets failed to build on their opening day victory at Penzance as Wadebridge Town earned a 2-1 success.

Manager Neil Price was still without a number of influential players. Archie Wall and Ollie Northam were missing from the defence, while midfielder James Close and striker Lewis Young were also unavailable.

Launceston could hardly have made a worse start, falling behind inside the opening minute. James Hamson played a through ball to Kyle Flew who calmly beat the exposed Lewis Slade.

The home team were in total control during the early stages and doubled their lead after 17 minutes when Dylan Peters found Kieron Bishop inside the penalty area. The former St Austell man scored comfortably.

The Clarets were rocking and badly needed a foothold in the game. After 39 minutes Dan Clifton made ground down the left and found Andy Watkins who curled a precise shot past keeper Rob Rosevear and into the far corner.

Price’s side were fortunate to limit the half-time deficit to just a single goal but were working hard to deny the dangerous Wadebridge front-line. One Slade save, touching a fierce shot from Jacob Smale around the far post, was outstanding.

Jude Jago and Josh Harris were working overtime to keep the Bridgers at bay but, with the game deep into added time, Slade launched one last free-kick into a crowded home penalty area.

The ball was fiercely contested but fell to Clarets substitute Aaron Hughes whose shot beat Rosevear but hit the far post before being scrambled clear.

LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade: Josh Harris, Jude Jago, Ray Card, Carl Aldridge, George Beardsmore, Mike Steele (capt), Jacob Ham, Denham Guild, Andy Watkins, Dan Clifton. Subs: Jaden Wood, Isaac Varga, Aaron Hughes.

Clarets man of the match: Lewis Slade.