Saturday, January 4
Kitchen Kit South West Peninsula League Premier East
Axminster Town 3
ADAM Smith scored an equaliser as Holsworthy grabbed a crucial point in a six-goal thriller against Axminster Town at Upcott Field.
With conditions very wet and sticky, both sides tried to knock the ball around on a difficult surface. However, it was the hosts who went in front inside 15 minutes as good work down the left from Smith saw the ball cut back for Wes Pugh to apply the finishing touch.
Holsworthy continued to press and top-scorer Harry Stevens shot just wide.
However, the Tigers roared back into the contest in the latter stages of the half, and took the lead before the half-time whistle. First, Josh Lukins broke away to score, before the same man was on hand to slot home from close range from a corner.
The Magpies needed a response, and after dominating the early stages of the second-half, equalised when a long ball over the top by goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick was misjudged by the Axminster keeper, allowing Stevens to nip in.
Both sides went for the victory but it was 18-year-old Lukins who kept his cool to fire past Ryan Chadwick with 15 minutes to go.
Holsworthy again responded with eight minutes left on the clock as Stevens crossed for Smith to do the rest.
It was one way traffic at the end, but Axminster held out to ensure they made the long trip home with a valuable point.
Kitchen Kit South West Peninsula League Premier West
Callington Town 2
Penzance 0
CALLINGTON began the new decade with a well-deserved battling 2-0 victory over their visitors from West Cornwall at a cold and damp Ginsters Marsh.
Playing their first game in four weeks, the Marshmen hit the ground running and went 1-0 up inside 12 minutes when captain Ryan Lucassi fired home after a good move.
The East Cornwall side should have been further ahead at the break after winning a 38th minute penalty when Sam Marker was upended in the box, but the left-back saw his spot-kick cannon off the goalkeeper’s left-hand post and clear.
Both sides had chances early in the second-half, but then on 55 minutes Ben McIver Redwood set up Tommy Norton who controlled the ball before hitting a rasping shot that left the Penzance keeper clasping air as it hit the back of the net.
Late chances came and went for both teams but in the end it was Callington celebrating a valuable three points that sees them leapfrog the Magpies in the table.
Porthleven 0
Launceston once again made the long trip to Porthleven on Saturday, following the half-time abandonment of the original fixture back in September due to torrential rain, and claimed three crucial points.
The Clarets had led 3-1 when the first game was called off, but it was a very different Launceston side that travelled on Saturday. Six first team regulars have left the club following the shock departure of manager Gary Jeffery. However, those who stayed, aided by young recruits from the club’s successful St Piran League side, did the club proud.
Midfielder Andrew Elcock put the Clarets in front after 20 minutes with a fine 18-yard drive into the top corner. The goalscorer was subsequently sin-binned for dissent but the defence, superbly marshaled by skipper Josh McCabe, ensured the lead was safely retained until half-time.
One of those to step up from the second team, striker Marius Pislaru, doubled Launceston’s lead late in the second-half, neatly finishing an excellent passing move involving Pat Riddell and Tom Ellacott. Launceston came under pressure but keeper Josh Colwill made some fine saves to help preserve the club’s first clean sheet on the road all season.
Denham Guild, who had also scored in the original fixture, fired home a spectacular 30-yard drive in the final minute to cement the win and confirm three very welcome points. In the process the side jumped out of the bottom six while significantly improving their goal difference.
With the Clarets well in control, the only significant threat to a clear-cut victory came off the pitch. The Gala Parc floodlights briefly failed down one side of the ground, provoking fears of yet another visit to the fishing village, but all was well with three points gleefully delivered back to Pennygillam.
The Clarets have no SWPL fixture until next weekend (January 18) when old rivals Bodmin Town are the visitors.