SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Liskeard Athletic 0 Holsworthy 0

THE Magpies put in a sterling defensive performance to dent Liskeard Athletic’s title bid at Lux Park.

The Devonians went into the game off the back of four successive clean sheets and ten points from a possible 12 having seen off Dobwalls 3-0 the week before, and also set up a Torridge Cup semi-final with neighbours Bude Town after seeing off Shamwickshire Rovers by the same scoreline in midweek thanks to an own goal, Callum Martyn’s header and a second half finish from Todd Peschke.

Boss Ryan Hall switched to a 3-5-2 formation to deal with the Blues’ attacking threat and it worked a treat.

Holsworthy had the first big chance on four minutes as after Craig Penberthy set Max McDonald away down the left, the midfielder saw his angled drive from just inside the box superbly tipped on to the post by Luke Gwillam.

Craig Penberthy
Craig Penberthy has made a big difference to the Holsworthy midfield since his return to the club. Picture: Dimitri Old (Dimitri Old)

Although the hosts had much of the ball they found Holsworthy’s well-drilled outfit a tough nut to crack, and the visitors had another chance on 20 minutes as Gavin Carter turned his marker before seeing his effort blocked.

Liskeard threatened when Luke Cloke headed a corner at Chadwick, but the second half was much of the same with the home side getting more and more frustrated.

Holsworthy had a couple of moments themselves including Sam Jago breaking towards goal, but home captain Josh McCabe got around to snuff out the danger.

But despite time running out, a home goal which would have kept them right in the title race, wasn’t forthcoming as Holsworthy made it five games on the spin without conceding.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jedd Peschke (capt), Sam Hill, Ollie Moores; Callum Martyn, Gavin Carter, Craig Penberthy, Max McDonald, Kieran Jollow; Sam Jago, Todd Peschke. Subs: Aidan Slade, Dean Hutchings, Elis Aldrich.