South West League

Western Division One

Callington Town 3 Charlestown 1

Callington started 2015 with a bang as they halted Charlestown's 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

The home side were boosted by the return of centre back Chelsie Horton, who put in her usual assured display.

Despite Callington having the lion's share of possession and creating the majority of chances, it was Charlestown who took the lead.

An unchallenged 30-yard strike from Amber Hadrill caught everyone by surprise as it flew into the back of the net. Callington continued to press hard for a goal and almost got it when some great work by winger Sarah Winn saw the ball pulled back to the edge of the six-yard box but the goalkeeper managed to save Gemma Farley's shot. Grace O'Leary was also unlucky when she had two shots blocked inside the 18-yard box by defenders making last-ditch tackles.

Callington went in at the break a goal behind but came out in the second half with even more determination.

Their efforts were rewarded on the hour mark when Kat Marment turned away from two Charlestown defenders before being brought down inside the penalty area. Sam Veal stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot kick for her fourth goal of the season.

Callington could sense a winner and forced the issue when a goal-mouth scramble saw a close-range effort from Marment cleared away from the goal. However, the Charlestown assistant referee was honest enough to flag that the ball had indeed crossed the goal-line despite the referee not initially deeming it a goal.

With Charlestown trying to pull level, Callington were able to hit their opponents on the break.

The speed of Kate Bourn and Marment playing off Gemma Farley and Imogen Cooper meant that Town broke through on goal several times but failed to find the net.

The home side looked solid at the back as the keeper and back four performed well all game.

Callington looked to have grabbed the vital third with 10 minutes to go when a Veal free-kick struck the cross-bar from 25 yards out. Shortly before the final whistle, the home side did manage to seal the win. A Veal corner was whipped in at the near post and midfielder Jodie Shipton powered home an excellent header from six yards.

Callington's player of the match was given to both Sam Veal, whose set piece delivery was brilliant all game, and Emma Anderson, who expertly partnered Horton in the heart of Callington's defence.

Town manager Adam McPherson added: 'We were more than good value for this win and it puts us just two points behind them in third spot.

'We've also now surpassed our total points score of last season, with just over half a season left to play. The progress has been very good.'

Next up for Callington this Sunday is an away tie with local rivals Dobwalls. Callington have beaten Dobwalls twice this season, 4-2 in the cup and 4-1 in the league.

Plymouth Argyle will play their first match in a month when they take on C & K Basildon in the Second Round of the FA Cup at Elburton Villa FC with a 1pm kick off. Basildon head the Premier League South East Division and could prove difficult opponents as they have already beaten QPR in the league cup who are in Argyle's league.