Callington....................................3
Southgate......................................0
CALLINGTON came into this fixture full of confidence coming off the back of some good results and continued in impressive style against a lively Southgate side. As in recent weeks Callington started strongly and dominated from the first whistle forcing Southgate to defend for long periods.
The first chance came following a great run from Tilbury, his cross was pulled back to Bradley eight yards out but shot wide, minutes later a Tilbury header crashed against the cross bar. The visitors keeper was in fine form and the save of the match was to follow. Smiths fierce shot was partly saved and when it seemed certain Williams was going to score he somehow got back to save at his feet.
With 25 minutes gone the pressure finally showed as Williams beat two players and unleashed a powerful low shot from 20 yards which found the bottom corner. 10 minutes later it was two, following some good work from Truscott and Rowland. This time Bradley made no mistake as his powerful shot from 14 yards found the top corner to go into the interval 2-0 in front.
After the break Callington continued to play the better football leaving Southgate to try and hit them on the break but were restricted to long range efforts with young Adam Reid solid at the Heart of this town defence. Callington squandered many more chances before Truscott wrapped up the game with a lobb from 30 yards which gave the advancing keeper no chance. "There were some good performances out there today" said manager Paul Blatchford, "With Truscott in the middle of the park and tireless running from Rowland and Bradley in particular".
Star Man - Adam Reid.
Lanreath.........................................1
Dobwalls .......................................2
THIS local derby again produced a competitive match with both sides showing great commitment.
Dobwalls put heavy pressure on the home defence in the first half but couldn't find the target.
A lone breakaway against the run of play saw James Loynan give Lanreath the lead at the second attempt after Nick Carpenter had parried his first.
In the second half the play switched from end to end with both sides creating chances. With 20 minutes to go an injury to a defender saw Dobwalls reshuffle with Dave Skews going into goal and Nick Carpenter going outfield.
Shortly after the change Carpenter chipped the ball in from the left and his effort found the far corner to level.
With time running out skipper Robin Cole latched on to a through ball from Simon Dann and snatched victory.
Both sides battled hard on the heavy pitch and a draw would have been a fair result but the visitors were delighted with the outcome. For Dobwalls the Man-of-the-Match award went to Scott Brown for a strong display in the heart of midfield although he was pushed close by Andy Sheer.
Division One
Southern's goal gives Polpero the edge
Pensilva...........................................3
Polperro........................................4
ALTHOUGH the weather was dry the Pensilva pitch was in poor condition due to the ravages of the recent bad weather and this made it very difficult for both teams to play constructive football but they both played their part in producing a really entertaining match.
After 10 minutes play it was Pensilva who opened the scoring when a loose ball in the box was prodded home to make the score 1-0 to Pensilva. Polperro responded quickly and an excellent through ball from midfield found Jason Richardson who side-stepped his marker to slot the ball home and bring the teams level. With the play going from end-to-end it was Polperro who took the lead when striker Kevin Faulkner found space on the left and calmly slotted the ball home between the keeper and the near post.
Again the play rebounded from one goalmouth to the other with both goalkeepers called into action on numerous occasions but it was a sustained spell of pressure from the home side that brought the equaliser when a defensive slip allowed a home forward to run through unchallenged and make the score 2-2 just before half-time. Within 10 minutes of the restart Pensilva went ahead when another unforced defensive error let the home side in to score.
This slip seemed to spur rather than deject Polperro who played some of their best football in the last third of the match. With forward Jason Richardson giving his marker a torrid time with his strong running it was no surprise when Polperro were awarded a penalty, which was duly dispatched by Jason himself. Not content with a draw Polperro pressed even harder and were awarded a free kick just inside the box when Jason Richardson was again impeded and when the ball was rolled back to defender Nick Southern it was rifled into the back of the net to make the final score 4-3 to Polperro.
Full credit must be given to both teams who produced a hard fought and entertaining match in difficult playing conditions and to referee Ian Spurling, who was always willing to allow the advantage to be played thus producing a very free flowing match. Man of the match - Jason Richardson (Polperro).
Division Two
Tired legs
St Cleer...........................................2
Altarnun........................................0
THIS was an important win for St Cleer as they gained a valuable three points, and also reversed the recent trend against what had come to be their boggy side Altarnun, scoring in each half plus having a goal disallowed in a scrappy niggly match on a heavy pitch.
Both sides were up for this match and attacked form the start with each given very little room in which to work, and it took sometime for the match to settle down with chances being created at both ends with defences prevailing. Gradually though Saints took control and started to penetrate and took the lead after 20 minutes when a corner delivered by Taylor on the right saw Gubbin head the ball past the keeper and beat the defenders on the line.
The same player then had the ball in the back of the net again meeting an excellent cross by Roberts from the left and beating two defenders and the goalkeeper to the ball to plant a loping header underneath the cross bar, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside although it was difficult for supporters to see how an advancing attacker beating three defenders coming out could be ruled 'offside'? Still the referee upheld the linesperson's decision so Saints reached half-time leading by the single goal.
The visitors came out in the second half determined to get something out of the game but the Saints defence proved to have none of the festive spirit and acted like scrooges by not giving away anything remotely resembling a chance, while at the other end the elusive second goal just would not come until with 14 minutes to go Saints were awarded a free kick 10 yards from the box taken by Taylor which saw Shepherd rise above the defence to head home to make the game and points safe for the home team.
This was not a pretty game to watch but was never expected to be so with various niggles arising over the pitch, as each team gave no quarter nor expected any, and although there were some tired legs on the home side at the end of this match, these were mainly due to the festive celebrations undertaken the night before, rather than the heavy pitch.
Division Four
Three late bookings
Altarnun.........................................1
North Hill.....................................2
THIS was a local derby game played in a good sporting spirit for the first 80 minutes but marred in the last 10 minutes by Altarnun having three players booked.
The game started with the home side taking the play into the North Hill half and took the lead when Brian Holden fired home a free kick from 30 yards. Nigel Wadge in the Altarnun made three brilliant saves before being beaten with a hard ground shot by Peter George.
North Hill playing down the slope in the second half took control for long periods with Daniel Sharp and veteran Neil Gubbin shining forth, whilst Phil Lucas and Adrian Parsons speed up front played havoc with Altarnun defence. However this was held together solidly by Paul Wherry, Dibbs Davey and Holden. North Hill clinched the match when 16 year old Andrew (Spud) Pocock, scored from the penalty spot.
Polperro Reserves...................5
Pensilva Reserves.....................1
AFTER three easy games in a row, Polperro knew they were in for a tough game against an improving Pensilva side in this local derby.
Polperro again fielded an unchanged side and started the game strongly, although they missed a string of early chances to take the lead. Pensilva put up strong resistance and pushed forward time and again. But Polperro's defence held firm once again, Jamie Rich winning every aerial challenge.
Polperro finally took the lead after half an hour when Aaron Spry steered home a Matt King through ball. Pensilva fought back strongly and were denied by a brilliant save from Shane Eastley in the Polperro goal. Polperro were also saved twice by two last ditch tackles by Matt Pengelly, but went into the break 1-0 up.
The second half began with Polperro on the attack again and they increased their lead when Tony Gosling bundled home a corner for his first of the season. At this point, Pensilva lost the plot and had to resort to late challenges in a bid to intimidate and upset the home teams attacking moves.
However, this Polperro side are made of sterner stuff and gave as good as they got. Both in terms of physical strength and attacking football. The game was put beyond doubt when Spry rounded off a move which began with a ball from the Polperro keeper and a string of passes carving open Pensilva determined defence. Mark Pengelly added the fourth with a powerful drive, before "Supersub" Chris Gowing beat the Pensilva keeper with his first touch of the game, an absolute screamer - his first goal for Polperro.
A late Pensilva goal from a seemingly offside position couldn't put the dampeners on an excellent, battling Polperro team performance. The only thing that spoilt the game was both teams being reduced to 10 men late on, when Hon Pengelly and Pete Collings were dismissed for a bout of handbags.
For Polperro, Rob Bilsborough and Tony Gosling provided some fine crosses and Del Palrey and Aaron Spry played well in midfield. However the best performances came from the back four of Martin Hamlet, Jamie Rich, Matt Pengelly and Jordan Whaley, with opinions split on the Man-of-the-Match, between Rich and Pengelly.
Polperro Reserves go into Christmas at the top of the league with nine wins from 10 games.
Bodmin Trophies Duchy League results - K.O. Cup: Godolphin 0 St Columb Minor 3.
Premier: Boscastle 4 St Teath 1; Callington 3 Southgate 0; Mevagissey 2 Biscovey 4; Newmoor 10 St Stephens 3; Lanreath 1 Dobwalls 2.
Division I: Fowey Utd 0 Menheniot 0; Pensilva 3 Polperro 4; St Mawgan 4 St Newlyn East 2; St Minver 4 Padstow 1; Southgate 0 St Mawes 1.
Division II: Lostwithiel 2 Godolphin 1; Roche 2 Queens 3; St Cleer 2 Altarnun 0; St Stephen 2 Gerrans 1.
Division III: St Columb Major 0 Sticker 3; St Stephens Boro 6 Bere Alston 3.
Division IV East: Altarnun 1 North Hill 2; Calstock 3 Callington 3; Lewdown 6 St Giles 3; Maker/Rame 3 Bodmin Town 1; Polperro 5 Pensilva 1.
Division IV West: Ladock 1 St Mawgan 3; Probus 2 Newmoor 2; St Newlyn East 0 St Minver 3; Tregony 0 Veryan 7; Tywardreath 2 Biscovey 2.