THIS midweek game was overshadowed by the sad death a few days previously of Des Shadrick. He was a long time supporter of the Football Club, was a committee member in the past and until early this season, wrote the match reports, writes Alistair Clements.

Before play commenced a minute's silence was conducted, immaculately observed by everyone in the ground, appropriately the church bells rang mournfully in the background.

The match itself saw the arrival of former Western League side Clyst Rovers, a side whose own ground sits right at the end of the Exeter Airport runway, such that a boring match can be an aircraft spotters delight.

The previous evening saw local rivals Launceston play Falmouth Town at home but they did Holsworthy no favours by going down 1-2, thus enabling their visitors to move one point and one place above the Magpies. Life is tough in the basement.

Holsworthy produced exactly the performance which the circumstances required, winning 4-1 to secure next season's Premier Division place, in a game in which they were in control and which provided their most convincing win of the season except for a ten minute spell shortly after half time .

Man of the Match Lee Morgan scored twice, (although there was some confusion on the sidelines, suggesting he actually scored Holsworthy's second and his third as well), and but for a superb bicycle kick which missed narrowly, would have given him yet another.

There was a welcome return after injury for Ian Rowe, who had to substitute in goal when Dean Chidley damaged his hand just into the second half. Local youngsters Jason Cisneros and Sam Cameron also came on seamlessly to give polished performances.

After just 10 minutes Clyst pushed the ball through the middle of Holsworthy's defence and Chidley had to rush out to clear the danger, the ball was moved forward into the Clyst half and in the resultant goalmouth scramble, Lee Morgan hooked the ball into the net. 1-0. Five minutes later Holsworthy had a let off when a Clyst free kick was headed into the net by Chris Eveleigh only to be disallowed for an infringement,

A rasping Levi Landricombe shot hit Lee Morgan on the side of the head, diverting it away from goal. Fortunately he was unhurt, then being totally in control Holsworthy had a shot from captain Stuart Rickard fly just over the bar.

On the stroke of half time a Holsworthy corner was met by Lee Rundle (but some suggest it may have been Lee Morgan) who headed home so that the home side went in deservedly 2-0 in the lead.

Three minutes after the resumption Clyst hit the bar, two minutes later Holsworthy 'keeper Dean Chidley hurt his hand in a challenge, but he continued only for the resultant Clyst corner to be hit into the net to reduce the arrears to 2-1. Chidley could no longer continue and Ian Rowe, who played a lengthy emergency spell in goal last season, came on after being injured for many weeks.

In the last few minutes a bad Clyst back pass was intercepted by Lee Morgan, who calmly rounded 'keeper Nick Moyse to restore Holsworthy's two goal advantage. 3-1. Another bad back pass saw Levi Landricombe narrowly chip wide with Moyse again exposed.

Holsworthy, after a very short period of Clyst domination, took control again and Morgan's superb overhead kick deserved a goal but flashed just wide after good work by Jason Cisneros. Levi's brother Mike had a rasping shot just wide.

A fine team build up, Lee Rundle played to Morgan who with good control in turn played the ball to Levi Landricombe who slotted past Moyes to record Holsworthy's fourth and final goal, giving a thoroughly well deserved, well refereed, 4-1 victory.