LAUNCESTON had a real chance to get their season back on track down at St Columb Minor against Truro, writes Liam Dart.

From the dreadful conditions of the changing facilities to the windswept pitch, Launceston seemed up against it. Playing against the wind the game was largely an even affair but on chances Launceston edged the game.

In the opening minutes both 'keepers were called into action, with the Truro's Laura Collins saving from Jill Haines and Margaret Brimacombe who is turning out to be a real classy 'keeper, saved well from two strikes from Dani Salt and Kym Eke.

The first real chance fell to Louisa Crick, neat inter-play between Kelly Henderson, who was excellent throughout, Ria Tilley and Fi Stevenson saw Crick burst through but her shot clipped the outside of the post.

Stacey Tonkin went through at the other end but Brimacombe saved well only for Salt to follow up and loop the ball into the net.

Haines broke free on 30 minutes only to see her strike hit the underside of the bar and come out. Stevenson tested Collins, as did Haines again and from the resulting corner Julie O'Keefe swept home. Lucy Bounsall almost increased the lead but her shot was well saved by Collins. At the other end Brimacombe showed all her class to twice deny Tonkin and Salt.

After the break Haines should have doubled the lead but miscued. O'Keefe and Bounsall tried from distance only to shoot wide or over. At the other end Henderson, Guymer, Bowden and Medland were strong with Brimacombe mopping up anything that came through, (even with her face at times, ouch!).

On 75 minutes Truro got a lucky break as Bowden went to clear she went over on her ankle and as she lay on the ground Lorena Clavert smashed home. Launceston didn't give up Henderson and Pett had strikes blocked and Henderson even had one cleared off the line.

Right at the death Bounsall saw a strike fly narrowly wide. Ali Tilley came on and troubled the back line, Alex Harris, Louise Dart and the returning Amy Hooper didn't get on but real team spirit and fight to dig themselves out of this poor run in form. If we keep performing like this and improving like we have been since the Saltash game we will be ok. Hopefully Jess Shirley will return next week after being out for two weeks for the home game against Torpoint. Jill Haines plays the same morning for the Cornwall County side at Pennygillam.