The East Cornwall Premier League is proving to be the closest for many years with four teams in with a shout of the title, writes Dave Potham.

Heading the table are newcomers Altarnun with St Minver, Gunnislake and Torpoint’s third team all in with a chance. Looking at the end-of-season fixtures, Torpoint will feel the more confident. Although in fourth place they have to play all their remaining six matches at home.

Altarnun

Altarnun, who head the table unbeaten and with six matches remaining, are in the driving seat, but their problem is they have a tough run-in, having to play fellow title aspirants St Minver twice, Foxhole twice and highly ranked Torpoint Athletic away.

Altarnun are currently managed by team captain Sam Wade but have a new manager lined up for next season and an announcement will be made at the end of the season.

Spokesperson Kevin Sandercock said: “We hope and plan to win the ECPL and move on to the St Piran League and have a new manager lined up to push us on as we hopefully step up in standard.

“We also hope to attract more local and young players in next season and are hoping to increase the strength and depth and set up a team that can carry on for many years.’’

Altarnun run-in

9th April St Minver (A)

16th April Foxhole (A)

23rd April Foxhole (H)

4th May St Cleer (A)

7th May Torpoint Athletic (A)

14th May St Minver (H)

Gunnislake

Along with Altarnun, newcomers Gunnislake have been the surprise package of the season.

Strangely, their Achilles heel has been their home record where they have lost three games, while being unbeaten away.

The other good news is that they have the easier of run-ins with only fellow title aspirants St Minver to play in their last five matches.

Another remarkable feat is that they do not have a player in double figures, with the goals being spread amongst the players.

Gunnislake run-in

9th April St Blazey (A)

16th April Roche (A)

23rd April St Minver (H)

30th April St Teath (H)

7th May St Newlyn East (H)

St Minver

An impressive unbeaten home performance this season has kept St Minver in with a chance of taking the title.

Their problem is they have to play leaders Atarnun twice, Torpoint and Gunnislake – all teams vying for the title.

Manager Mike Green said: “On the whole the season has gone reasonably well and we are currently on a good run, having gone on a 16-match unbeaten run.

“Our plan is to move up to the St Piran League as we believe we have the squad to compete. However, facilities may hold us back.’’

St Minver run-in

9th April Altarnun (H)

16th April Torpoint Athletic (A)

23rd April Gunnislake (A)

30th April Stephen (H)

14th May Altarnun (A)

Torpoint Athletic

Winning their last five matches has put Torpoint Athletic in with a chance of a shot at the league title.

Losing two of their opening four matches saw Torpoint off to a poor start and that didn’t help, but their run-in sees them playing all remaining six matches at home, with only promotion rivals Altarnun and St Minver standing in their way.

Torpoint are well served by strikers Chris Westall and Ryan Easterbrook, who have already scored nearly 50 goals between them this season.

Torpoint has always been a club that develops it youth and once again under player manager Callum Bays there is a clear path from the junior sections into the ECPL and St Piran League and hopefully on to the first team.

Torpoint Athletic run-in

9th April St Teath (H)

16th April St Minver (H)

20th April Looe Town (H)

27th April St Cleer (H)

7th May Altarnun (H)

13th May St Stephen (H)