Saltash United opened up a three point lead at the top of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League with an excellent 3-0 win at The Mill on Boxing Day, writes Kevin Marriott.

Ryan Richards scored his 33rd and 34th goals of the season while his strike partner, Sam Hughes, got the other as the Ashes looked every bit a title chasing outfit.

Hughes gave them the lead after 10 minutes with a close range header after Chris Menhenick flicked a Sam Farrant corner on at the near post.

Richards then made it 2-0 in the 34th minute with a low drive from 15 yards after Hughes made pulled the ball back from the right byline just inside the penalty area.

Torpoint, who were without their top scorer Lewis Young through suspension, offered more of a threat in the second half but Saltash made sure of their 11th win in 13 away games with a Richards finish from Farrant’s free kick on the left.

Full match report, reaction and pictures in this Friday’s Cornish Times.

Saltash’s day was made better by news that title rivals Plymouth Parkway were held to a 1-1 draw by Ivybridge, while Bodmin Town crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Camelford.