CAMELFORD’S players gave outgoing boss Reg Hambly a perfect Trefrew Park send-off as the Camels cruised past high-flyers Wendron United 3-0 in SWPL Premier West.

Hambly is stepping down at the end of the season after 34 years in the role, a feat never likely to be seen ever again in Cornish football, and goals from man-of-the-match Kenley Dyson and Adam Sleep (2) ensured another three points in their quest for a top half finish.

The Camels had picked up a superb 1-1 draw at title-chasing Liskeard in midweek and made three changes as Josh Colwill, Andy Boxall and Bailee Deignan started.

The day started with Hambly walking on to the field to a guard of honour from both sets of teams and the officials, but once the action got underway they proved too good.

Mark Gusterson saw an effort from Zach Telling saved before the same player shot just wide after good play from winger Josh Caddy. They took the lead, however, on 18 minutes when Dyson fired a low drive into the corner of the net.

It was soon 2-0 as Sleep doubled the lead with a firm strike from 18 yards, and although the Dron had a fair share of possession, they rarely troubled the Camels backline.

The second half carried on in a similar fashion until Camelford clinched a third and ended the contest. A quickly-taken corner between Gusterson and Caddy caught Wendron napping, Caddy delivered a pinpoint cross and it was Sleep who nodded in from six yards.

Wendron were reduced to ten men late on when Sleep was brought down, as the score remained 3-0.

Hambly was then applauded off the Trefrew Park for the final time as Camelford ended the day ninth, four points behind seventh-placed Wadebridge Town, who they visit on Good Friday (7pm).

Reflecting on the afternoon, Hambly said: “The boys put in a great performance up at Liskeard in midweek and it was great to follow that up with a deserved victory over a top five team.

“We scored some really good goals and despite Wendron having two very lively strikers, they rarely threatened our goal.

“We lost 7-0 down at Wendron in October, so it goes to show how well the boys have done as the season has gone on.”

Hambly has managed hundreds of games at their old Tregoodwell ground before the move to Trefrew Park, and admitted: “I couldn’t have asked for anything better really, to get three points and play like we did was fantastic.”

When asked why he thought it was the right time to go, Hambly said: “Maybe I should have done it a couple of years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t now.

“It’s been a brilliant 34 years and last 13 or so working with Phil Brown, it’s been a fantastic journey.

“I feel the club is in now a good place for me to step aside and I’m hoping the squad we’ve now put together will stay together and push on under a new manager.”

CAMELFORD: Josh Colwill; Olly Taylor, Sam Wade (capt), Tom Crowe, Bailee Deignan; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare, Andy Boxall; Josh Caddy, Adam Sleep, Mark Gusterson. Subs: Ryelee Deignan (gk), Dan Metherell, Fin Ellacott, Shae Cardiff.

Camels’ man-of-the-match: Kenley Dyson.