Cally grind out home victory over Wadebridge Town to continue fine start to the season

CALLINGTON Town continued from where they had left off 13 days before by seeing off Wadebridge Town 2-1 at the Ginsters Marsh on Friday night.

The Bridgers arrived having drawn 3-3 with high-flying St Austell in midweek, but fell behind in the seventh minute as a neat move down the right saw Dan Alford deliver a cross which Fin Harrison headed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Both teams looked lively going forward, however defences remained on top until half-time.

Cally were much improved after the break, although Wadebridge still had their moments, and after Harrison was denied by a good save when one-on-one, it was the ever-lively Calum Courts who got the crucial second goal on 72 minutes as a strong burst into the box was followed by an emphatic finish.

Wadebridge keeper Jamie Dudley then pulled off a fine save to deny Kieran Prescott’s effort, and the Bridgers started to push forward in search of a way back into the game, although Cally’s well-drilled defensive shape kept them out.

When they did get through, centre-half Sam Hill made a fine block, and although Wadebridge scored with virtually the last kick of the game through Tom Hensman following an underhit backpass, the hosts held on for a sixth win in seven outings to start the season.

Reflecting on a tough evening’s work, joint boss Simon Riddle said: “We knew Wadebridge would come into the game in a positive mindset, especially after scoring three midweek against St Austell, and they’ll certainly pick up results with the side Paul Rowe is assembling.

“After two weeks without a game, the worry is always that you can drop off a little, particularly after putting together a few good results. I felt we were a bit flat in the first half and didn’t quite pick the right options with our passing often enough. So it was pleasing to manage to go in a goal up, with our best move of the half resulting in the opener.

“The lads responded really well after half-time and I thought we looked a lot more confident as a result. Even though we didn’t pepper their keeper, it felt like we were going to keep creating chances, and Courtsy did what he’s done so well this season with another strong, bursting run and a cracking finish to make it 2-0.

“It was a bit gutting to lose the clean sheet with virtually the last kick of the game after a mix-up, but we’ve been really good defensively over the last few games, so we’ll brush that off and be pleased to get the win.”

Riddle also praised the players’ off-field attitude, concluding: “Jay (Martin) and I keep beating the drum about fitness and the lads doing their own work outside of training, so it was pleasing to see us maintain that intensity late on. The substitutes coming on also really helped with that.”

Cally are next in action on Saturday, October 3 at Holsworthy (3pm).

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

Callington Town man-of-the-match: Callum McDonnell.