Cally return to winning ways against Camelford

CALLINGTON Town responded to two successive defeats with a commanding performance against a lacklustre Camelford at Ginsters Marsh Parc on Wednesday night.

The visitors actually started the game strongly but were then blown away by three goals in 16 minutes before half-time from Dan Alford (17 minutes), Harvey Barrett (29) and Connor Pritchard (33).

Cally went on to dominate the second half and it was surprising that they only had Barrett’s second goal of the game in the 59th minute to show for it.

Defeats to Tavistock in the FA Vase and at Falmouth in the league had dampened the mood at the club after they opened the season with two wins, but they were back to something like their best on Wednesday.

They weathered some early pressure before breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute when a weak backpass towards Cory Harvey allowed Alford the chance to dispossess the keeper and fire a right foot shot into an empty net.

The visitors then conceded two goals from set-pieces in four minutes as their defending came into question. The unmarked Cally skipper Barrett headed in a 29th minute free-kick from the right and then turned provider, heading a free-kick from the left back across the box for Pritchard to hammer his shot into the net.

Camelford needed a strong start to the second half but they were pinned back in their own half as Alex Jacob and man-of-the-match George Soper caused havoc along the right flank.

And from one of their forays just before the hour, the Camels were caught out by a short corner which ended with Barrett finishing off from close-range after an intricate passing move carved the visitors wide open.

Jacob should have made it 5-0 three minutes later when he ran unmarked through the middle, but with only Harvey to beat he lifted his shot just over the bar.

Cally then had an effort disallowed for offside before Camelford’s first real opportunity came in the 68th minute as Kyle Flew fired a fierce shot inches over.

But the home side kept their composure and suffered no further scares as they cruised to three points.

Camelford, who started their season with two wins, have now lost successive games and will hope to bounce back on Saturday at home to table-toppers Sticker (3pm).

Reflecting on the victory, Callington joint boss Simon Riddle said: “We wanted a reaction after Saturday and in particular the soft goals we’d been conceding. I thought everyone upped it on the night with their running, movement and all of it really.

“Being critical we should have probably had a couple more goals if we were a bit more clinical, but happy with three points and a first clean sheet of the season, particularly after our performance in the last home game.”

CALLINGTON TOWN: Jake Mead-Crebbin, George Soper, JJ Gill, Harvey Barrett (capt), Connor Pritchard, Sam Hill, Alex Jacob, Calum Courts, Fin Harrison, Dan Alford, Callum McDonnell. Subs: Harry Southcott, Kieran Prescott, Kieran Ryall, Ed Harrison, Huck Enticknap.

CAMELFORD: Cory Harvey, Olly Taylor, Scott Sanders, Ross Beare, Tom Crowe, Dan Hocking, Kenley Dyson, Josh Harris, Kyle Flew, Joe Parr, Will Rees. Subs: Piotr Masiejewski, Ronnie Reynolds, Matt Lloyd, Bobby Hopkinson.

Man-of-the-match: George Soper (Callington Town).