SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Penzance 0 Launceston 2

LAUNCESTON put in a heroic defensive performance and had Andy Watkins to thank for their opening day victory at Penzance on Saturday.

Despite conceding the majority of possession at Penlee Park and having 24 efforts peppered at Lewis Slade’s goal, efforts from Watkins and Denham Guild ensured three points went back up the A30.

The difference between the two sides was Watkins. 

The ex-Truro City, Bideford, Bath City and Mousehole forward headed home Mike Steele’s early free-kick, then set up strike partner Denham Guild to turn home the second early in the second-half, a killer blow that secured for the Clarets a fourth consecutive victory at Penlee Park – a run that now stretches back to October 2019.

At the other end, the defenders were working over time, but thanks to some wasteful finishing, great defending and fine goalkeeping from Slade, the Clarets weren’t to be denied.

Launceston are next in action at Wadebridge Town next Wednesday night (7.45pm).

LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade, Josh Harris, Carl Aldridge, George Beardsmore, Archie Wall, Ollie Northam, Denham Guild, Jacob Ham, Andy Watkins, Mike Steele (capt), Dan Clifton. Subs: Ismail Badjie-Heath, Isaac Varga, Aaron Hughes, Morgan Jones.