Carlsberg South West Peninsula League premier division

Godolphin Atlantic 0 Saltash United 2

Two goals in the first 22 minutes proved enough for Saltash to see through a comfortable victory over battling Godolphin at a wet Godolphin Way on Tuesday night, writes Kevin Marriott.

Dave Barker headed the Ashes into a 17th minute lead after a poor attempted punched clearance by home goalkeeper Ethan Fearn.

And five minutes later Ryan Richards was on hand to finish after Barker’s ball in from the right side of the penalty area was flicked on by Sam Hughes.

In total contrast to last midweek’s performance at home to Cullompton which led to a 1-0 defeat, Saltash were sharp all over the pitch in a one-sided first half and might have doubled their lead before the break.

Twice Richards missed chances he would normally score, while the hard-working Hughes fired a great opportunity wide and a Richard Maddison shot was kept out by Fearn’s legs.

Godolphin improved in the second half – they had to – but Saltash keeper Ryan Rickard still didn’t have a save to make.

The Ashes comfortably held on to what they had and in the last five minutes Richards missed a sitter after good work by substitute Shaun Cleary, who was himself denied by a good Fearn save.

There was still time for another substitute, Reece Thomson, to drive a low shot across Fearn towards the net but the ball struck the inside of the post and stayed out.

A feisty second half was completed with a straight red card for Godolphin substitute Tom Shephard for a remark aimed at referee Adrian Clements.

Godolphin: E Fearn, S Flannigan (J Hickling 67), R Fallens, O Pinnell, J Stone, C Johnson, J Barrot (J Gray 52), M Saunders, P Lowry, D Perryman, J Gotthardt (T Shephard 63).

Subs not used: K Tippett, D Woodgate.

Yellow cards: O Pinnell (14), R Fallens (58), D Perryman (87).

Red card: T Shephard (90+1).

Saltash: R Rickard, L Edwards (S Farrant 75), S Sargison, C Menhenick, C O’Brien, D Barker, H Wilson, D Lewis (R Thomson 78), S Hughes (S Cleary 84), R Richards, R Maddison.

Subs not used: C Martindale, S Leary.

Scorers: D Barker (17), R Richards (22).

Yellow card: D Lewis (27).

Referee: Adrian Clements.