Latest pre-season results from across the Post area

TWO young sides met at Upcott Field on Thursday evening and produced a thoroughly entertaining pre-season friendly, Launceston eventually edging home by the odd goal in seven.

Holsworthy started much the stronger and took a deserved ninth minute lead when Joe Barker struck an accurate drive past Clarets keeper Josh Colwill.

The visitors pulled level after 24 minutes when a long Colwill clearance caused havoc in the home defence, with Travis Skerton brought down as he prepared to shoot. Tom Ellacott rammed home the resultant spot-kick.

Deep into first-half injury time, Launceston moved in front with the minimum of fuss. Central defender Chris Hill was left all alone on the back post from a right-wing corner and headed firmly home.

The Magpies again started on the front foot after the break and took barely three minutes before Ryan Lee tapped home from close range to level things up at 2-2.

An enjoyable game flowed nicely from end-to-end throughout the second-half.

Holsworthy regained the lead in the 75th minute when Brad Birch was left one-on-one with Colwill and made no mistake to put the Magpies 3-2 in front.

However the Clarets swarmed forward and grabbed a fine 86th minute equaliser through Morgan Parsonage. The young striker scored the best goal of the game, only to better it deep into injury-time with an unstoppable drive into the far top corner, to win the game 4-3.

Launceston complete their pre-season campaign with two games this week. They visit Plymouth Marjons on Thursday (7.30pm), before making the short trip to Broadclose Park to face Bude Town next Saturday (3pm).

Holsworthy’s gruelling pre-season schedule continued with a game either side of the list of Launceston.

On Monday night they entertained St Piran League East outfit Saltash United Reserves and drew 2-2 with Joe Barker and Max MacDonald on the scoresheet.

Manager Liam Dart said: “We used 30 players across the three games with four 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds playing from this year’s under 18s.

“It’s been a good insight for me and a good test of what resources we have available for the new season ahead. We have Barnstaple away on Friday in our last pre-season game at Mill Road.

“We have unfortunately picked up some injuries with Carlo Chandler, Lee Gardiner and Harry Stevens all suffering muscle injuries while Toby Martyn suffering a severe sprain at Bude and Dom Abbott medial knee ligament damage against Saltash. Both will be out for a long period of time.”

Camelford’s preparations continued as well with a double-header.

Last Tuesday night saw them win 2-1 at St Piran League West outfit Penryn.

The mercurial Bobby Hopkinson gave them a first-half lead with a 30-yard shot before Athletic equalised before the break.

However the game was decided deep into the second-half when striker Jack Lawrence raced onto a throughball from the returning Will Cherrill and slotted home at the second attempt.

On Friday night manager Reg Hambly named a slightly more experimental side as they welcomed Brixham to Trefrew Park.

The first-half didn’t go to plan as the Fishermen led 4-1 at the break despite Adam Sleep’s strike.

Camelford improved after the break, passing up a load of chances although youngster Sam Brown did get his first goal for the club as it ended 5-2.

Hambly is pleased with how the Camels are shaping up. He said: “We’ve had Luke Haworth, Will Cherrill and Matt Andrew back playing for us after long-term injuries. They’ve all played well so far and look like they should be good acquisitions for us this year.”

Other pre-season results (Post area clubs in bold):

Bere Alston United 4-4 Launceston Reserves; Bude Town 4-5 Halwill Reserves; Hatherleigh 2-6 Halwill Reserves; Holsworthy Reserves 2-2 Halwill

Selected friendlies this week (Post area clubs in bold):

Thursday, August 1

Camelford v Millbrook (7.30pm); Plymouth Marjon v Launceston (7.15pm)

Friday, August 2

Barnstaple Town v Holsworthy (7.30pm)

Saturday, August 3

Bude v Launceston (3pm); Launceston Reserves v Torpoint Athletic (3pm); Morwenstow v Redruth United (1pm); Morwenstow Reserves v Redruth United Reserves (3pm)

Tuesday, August 6

Launceston Reserves v St Dominick (7.30pm); St Minver v St Mawgan (7pm)