Del's boys make flying start to the new season

Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 13:41

Portreath 4, Ludgvan 0

WITH two goals in each half Portreath made the most encouraging of league debuts at Clijah Croft on Saturday.

Last season's Junior Cup winners, who were also unbeaten champions in the Mining League Division One, faced a Ludgvan team that battled hard throughout.

Home manager Del Allen said: "We were very pleased with our first match. We played really well after getting over our early nervousness."

Portreath's first goal came after 25 minutes with a header by Brett Wasden and 10 minutes later a cracking strike by Matt Drake from 12 yards made it 2-0.

After an hour's play Darren Adams saw his shot rebound off the crossbar but Allan Buckley was there to finish it off.

Ten minutes from the end Wasden found James Reynolds who crossed it for Buckley to net his second, from close range and complete a great day for the league newcomers.

Portreath: A Williams; J Reynolds, J Salmon, B Wasden, A Wilce, A Johns, M Drake, D Allen, R Press, A Buckley, C Salmon. Subs. A Nuciforo (for C Salmon), T Blaber (for D Allen), A Matthews (for Press).

Ludgvan: G Gilbert; M Bowden, A Thomas, J Matthews (c), L Mooney, C Ladner, K Richards, S Rowe, J Mooney, C Wallis, N Hosking. Sub: W Abou (for Rowe).

St Just 1, Porthleven 2

PORTHLEVEN did well to take all three points against a St Just side strengthened by the club's cricketing contingent after their game was called off because of the miserable weather.

Manager Kevin Richards said: "To come to St Just on the first day of the season was as difficult as it gets.

"We played some good stuff and we must not forget that we had four new players in today and it will take time to gel.

"We have a big squad and with players like Ben Medlin, Rob Robinson, Richard Wilkinson, Paddy Gardner and Gary Chambers all to come back in, we feel that we have a squad to challenge." Nick Perry gave Port the lead after 20 minutes when he cut in and fired the ball in from the edge of the box.

In the second-half St Just had the initiative with Neil Curnow sending in some good chances and it was from his free-kick that John Bird had his reward with a header to draw level from 10 yards out.

It was Tom Russell though who had the final word for Port taking advantage of a mistake by the home defence to clinch all three points.

St Just: A Curnow; B Baker, C Curnow, J Bird, P Waters, T Dann, N Curnow, T George, C Williams, S Smith, M Gendall. Subs: T Walsh (for Gendall), D Page (for Smith), J Williams (for George).

Porthleven: M Thomas; C Strike, N Sharkey, S Yates, S Robinson, P Ainscough, T Russell, R Black, N Perry, T Morley, T Wadsworth. Subs: A Collick, D Bray, J Adlard.

Perranwell 4, St Ives 2

LAST season Perranwell finished as league runners-up and Dave Fisher's men began the new campaign with an impressive win over St Ives.

It took the home side just over a quarter of an hour to take the lead when a cross from Adam Selley was headed back across goal by Jake Harvey for TJ Wilson to net.

Five minutes later Mike Brewer's flashing drive made it 2-0 and the same player hit the woodwork with several other chances going begging.

In the second half St Ives did come more into the match but some fine individual play from Steve Brewer saw Perranwell go 3-0 up.

However, the visitors were still dangerous and midway through the half Darren Steadman pulled a goal back with a good finish.

Perranwell though were not to be denied and Steve Brewer's second goal put the result beyond doubt and Steadman's second goal right on time was no more than a consolation.

Perranwell: S Easterbrook; D Martin, S Allen, H Gibbon, S Selley, TJ Wilson, M Brewer, J Hoon, A Selley, J Harvey, S Brewer. Subs: C Grose, G Boon, D Senior.

Wendron 4, Holmans 3

WENDRON, who struggled for much of last season, got off to the best possible start with an exciting win over a new-look Holmans side.

And the home hero was veteran striker Paul Murray who scored a fine hat-trick.

For Holmans Mark Wade struck twice with left-back Joe Cooper scoring from 25 yards in the last few minutes.

Murray had the home team's first half pair – the first when a drive by James Page hit a post and rebounded and he hooked in his second following a corner by James Moseley.

Angus Howlett was strong in their midfield and Murray completed his trio from close range. The side's fourth and match winning goal came from the penalty spot by Matt Roberts after Moseley was brought down.

Wendron: J Gray; J Page, S Hurst, J Till, T Richardson, A Howlett, S Anderson, S Retchford, J Moseley, M Roberts, P Murray. Subs: J Chapman (for Roberts), A Keenan (for Howlett), J Yelwood (for Moseley).

Holmans: P Williams; T Cooper, R Hopkins, T Hogarth, M Wade, N Medlyn, M Davis, D Scorer, L Burns, N Pitt, M Mitchell. Subs: D Jewell (for Burns), D Batch (for Mitchell), S Mansey (for Pitt).

Helston 3, Falmouth Town 1

NEW Helston manager Tony Roberts was delighted at his side's performance in the opening win over their near-neighbours and rivals.

"It was a very good performance on a greasy surface after the heavy rains." he said.

"It was a good team showing by this young squad, many of whom were in the second team last season. They played with lots of commitment and heart," he added.

Duane Britten had a goal in each half, scoring his first after 15-minutes. Terry Rowe increased the lead after a half-hour, taking his chance from just outside the box.

There was a blow to the visitors' hopes when manager Bryn Wheeler, who came on as substitute in the second-half, was sent off for two bookable offences,

Later Wheeler said the team's performance was "disappointing".

He added: "We have only ourselves to blame and went in to the game over-confident. Helston were better on the day".

It was a narrow verdict with the score at 2-1 at the interval. Close to the break Brett Southerd had Falmouth's goal when he shot from eight yards out following a cross by Charlie Andrew.

In goal Lee Mitchell was in great form with Kirk Davies showing up strongly as sweeper.

Helston: J Brown; E Humeruis, N Rollinson, C Breasley, M Hallibone, C Kettle, G Woods, N Rabone, T Rowe, D Britten, M Goldsworthy. Subs: G Davis (for Britten), D Robinson (for Kettle).

Falmouth: L Mitchell; K Davies, P Wolstencroft, D Thompson, L Appleton, D Friend, S Peters, B Southerd, C Andrew, D Williams, W Herrington. Sub: B Wheeler (for Williams), I Grant (for Andrew).

Penryn 1, Perranporth 4

TITLE favourites Perranporth, under the new management team of ex-Truro City players Steve "Rusty" Rowson and Ian Gosling, got the season off to a flying start at Penryn, writes Phil Mitcham.

The visitors began brightly but were made to battle for possession by a young and hard-working Penryn side.

Gosling carved-out an early chance for the visitors, but his tempting cross was headed just wide by managerial colleague Rowson.

Determined to reduce similar opportunities, Penryn closed down well, and a spell of sustained pressure resulted in a miss-hit Perran clearance, gifting James Wilcock with a chance which he neatly put away.

Perranporth, desperate to equalise laid siege to the Penryn goal, only to see themselves frustrated time after time by dogged defending.

But Penryn finally made the breakthrough shortly before the interval after the home team were penalised for handling in the box, with Rowson clinically converting the resulting penalty.

The second half started in the same vein, with Perranporth dominating, but Penryn battling hard, until a fantastic strike by Kayne Trevaskis broke the deadlock.

The visitors' centre forward received the ball with back to goal, spun away from his marker and unleashed a powerful shot that gave the home keeper no chance.

The visitors stretched their lead when Justin Andrew headed home after a superb run and cross by full-back Ben Goldring.

Then, with time running out, Gosling picked the ball up in the inside left channel and hit a 25-yard bending drive that found its way through a crowded box and into the net to conclude the scoring.

With many players being new to the club this season, Perranporth's Rusty Rowson was happy with the way that his team gelled.

"I like the way the boys stayed positive during the game," he said. "There was a lot of encouragement to be heard and I reckon we'll get better the more we play together."

Perranporth: A Butcher; E Brown, B Goldring, J Miles, M Cain, D Harris, I Gosling, S Moustrides, K Trevaskis, S Rowson, B Hawke. Subs: M Salmon, J Andrew, L Wort.

St Agnes 2, Mullion 0

DESPITE a spirited display from a young Mullion side, St Agnes got their league campaign off to a good start on Saturday.

A disappointing pre-season may have provided manager Martyn Kimmins with some cause for concern, but he could have few complaints with his St Agnes side at the weekend.

He said: "Pre-season was poor but we made a good start on Saturday.

"We've brought in a lot of new players, including four from Goonhavern.

"We didn't even have a goalkeeper in place until we signed John Mitchell recently."

Mitchell was forced to quit his role as player-manager at Goonhavern during the summer due to work commitments.

And the custodian enjoyed a solid debut for St Agnes, who took a 20th minute lead when Paul Debel's effort was deflected past the Mullion goalkeeper.

St Agnes had Mitchell to thank for preserving their lead when he produced a great save to deny a Mullion forward.

There were no real clear cut chances in the second half until James Thomas' long ball forward from his own half eluded everybody, including the Mullion goalkeeper, and somehow landed in the visitors' net to wrap up the points.

St Agnes: J Mitchell; J Thomas, M Eddy, S Jones, G Counter, D O'Toole, L Gillett, R Maynard, T Benney, S Capeling, P Debel. Subs: L Bridger, S Kemp, N Gapp, D Murrish.

Mullion: C Spurrier; B Tremaine, C Matthews, D Higgins, D Cheetham, C Ensink (C Cheetham), C Lawrence (L Cattran), W Duke, D Meagor, D Stidwell, B Stidwell.

Newquay 0, Illogan 1

A SUPERB Craig Williams volley midway through the first half was enough to give Illogan all three points at Mount Wise.

The visitors also had a goal disallowed for offside while at the other end Luke Whelden went close to equalising with a dipping volley.

There was little to choose between the teams in the second half as Illogan held on for a welcome victory.

Illogan: B Wyatt; S Tremayne, M Sabu, J Roberts, G Sturmey, B Widdershoven, R Bray, M Callaway, C Williams, A Callaway, R Treloar: Subs: M Smith, G Pitt.

● On Tuesday night, Perranwell picked up their second successive win with a 4-0 victory at Wendron.

Mike and Steve Brewer were both on target for the visitors, whose other goals came from T J Wilson and Darren Martin.

Portreath also made it two home wins from two with a 2-1 victory over Hayle, thanks to goals from Brett Wasden and Tom Blaber. Andy Withers replied for Hayle.

Perranporth were held to a 2-2 draw at Newquay, for whom Scott Palmer scored both goals, with one from the penalty spot. Kayne Trevaskis and Rob Stapleton got Perranporth's goals.

Fifth and sixth placed Illogan and St Agnes played out a 1-1 draw at Oxland Parc, with Andy Cowper on target for the hosts and the Aggies replying through Tom Benney.

Mullion enjoyed a 3-1 home derby win against Helston, with goals coming from Ben and Dan Stidwell and Darren Meagor, with a Dave Phillips own goal giving his former club a consolation.

Ashley Thomas marked his return to Penzance with a brace as the new-look Magpies opened their campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Holmans, who replied through Tony Eddy.

Penryn won 3-1 at Porthleven with goals from Will Hing, Peter Davey and Malcolm Moyle, with Tony Morley on target for the Fishermen, while a Matty Thomas goal gave St Ives a 1-0 home win over St Just.