By Kevin Marriott at Kimberley Stadium

WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Saltash United 2 Newquay 0

SALTASH produced arguably their most complete performance of the season at Kimberley Stadium on Tuesday night to see off Cornish rivals Newquay.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, the Ashes really hit the heights in the second half and goals from striker Henry Donovan (64 minutes) and Freddie Tolcher (80) rewarded their energetic display.

The victory, watched by a disappointing attendance of 128, lifted Lee Britchford’s team into second place, three points behind leaders Bridgwater having played a game more.

Britchford was thrilled by the performance, saying: “It was up there with the best since my time in charge and the challenge now for the lads is consistency.

“From minute one to minute 96 I thought the boys were outstanding. We’ve been calling for a 90-minute performance like that and now they’ve produced it.

“We were fantastic, brilliant in all aspects of the game. We created really good opportunities from rotations and movements that we’ve been working on in training.

“At half-time we talked about being patient and continuing the momentum we took into the break with the possession we had.

“The boys did that and then we got the goals at good times.

“I’m delighted for the group, delighted for all the players involved last night – the boys can be very proud of their efforts.”

The first half was a tense, tight affair with opportunities at a premium. Harry Truscott had Saltash’s best in the 24th minute when a superb cross from the right by Sam Joce picked him out at the far post, but visiting keeper Shaun Semmens was in the right place to block his shot.

Newquay finished the half strongly with Jack Bray-Evans twice coming close while Tim Nixon should have done better with a header from 10 yards which he miscued.

With the last kick of the first half Saltash came close to taking the lead when a superb Fin Wilkes free-kick from 20 yards beat Semmens but smashed against the bar and rebounded into the Newquay keeper’s grateful hands.

The Peppermints, who introduced Louis Price in place of Bray-Evans for the second half, thought they had taken a 47th minute lead when Ashes keeper Jordan Duffey was beaten from a right wing cross, but a linesman was flagging for offside.

Truscott burst clear for the Ashes in the 53rd minute, but his attempted chip over Semmens was never going to succeed, with the tall keeper grabbing the ball comfortably above his head.

Two minutes later Newquay had a good chance which fell to Price, who turned his man before volleying over from 10 yards.

But Saltash continued to look the more cohesive team, not giving their opponents a second to relax, and they broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a quality finish from Donovan, rising to meet a left wing cross and directing a superb header wide of Semmens into the far corner.

Newquay pushed hard for an equaliser, but found Duffey in inspired form, pulling off several saves to preserve a clean sheet.

And at the other end Saltash found the killer goal when Tolcher continued running through the middle as Semmens looked favourite to clear the ball, but his kick was blocked by the Saltash player and the ball broke kindly for him to slot into an unguarded net.

The Ashes had the chance to make it 3-0 three minutes from time when Semmens tripped Joe Preece, but the winger’s resulting spot-kick was brilliantly kept out by the keeper.

SALTASH UNITED: Jordan Duffey, Jack Jefford, Alfie Wotton (capt), Freddie Tolcher (Owen Davies 82), Sam Joce, Charlie Elkington, Harry Truscott (George Powell 81), Fin Wilkes (Frazer Ferris 89), Henry Donovan (Max Everall 84), Hayden Greening. Dylan Holgate (Joe Preece 60).

Goals: Henry Donovan (64), Freddie Tolcher (80).

Yellow cards: Harry Truscott (44), Alfie Wotton (79), Hayden Greening (90+4).

NEWQUAY: Shaun Semmens; Jacob Kevern (Jamie Edlin 31; Sam Fearon 76), Tom Moxham, Joe Baker, Harry Downing (capt), Connor Paine, Ross Fallens (Tom Shepherd 65), Matt Searle, Tim Nixon (Alex Cole 71), Jack Bray-Evans (Louis Price 46), Callam Mconie.

Yellow cards: Harry Downing (45+1), Tom Shepherd (81).

Referee: Jon Veale.

Attendance: 128.

Men-of-the-match. Saltash United – Jack Jefford; Newquay – Tom Moxham.