Saturday, January 25

South West Peninsula League Premier East

Elburton Villa 1

MARC Bettiss scored on his debut, but it wasn’t enough as the Magpies were held to a 1-1 draw by Elburton Villa at Upcott Field.

Bettiss joined the club from fellow North Devon side Torridgeside in the week and went close early on as he forced Jack Dixon into a good save at his near-post.

Holsworthy, who gave a first league start to Joel Greening at left wing-back, were on top and again forced Dixon into an even better save as he got down superbly to his left to tip behind James Dart’s header, which was going into the bottom corner.

Bettiss was combining well with strike-partner Harry Stevens, and got his first goal for the club on the half hour as he took a pass with his back to goal before feigning one way and blasting a shot into the far post from 15 yards.

The break didn’t disrupt Holsworthy’s momentum as they continued to press, although the closest they came was through Lee Gardiner’s header.

However Elburton are solidly in mid-table and gradually worked their way back into the game, although a series of crosses failed to seriously test the home defence, who had started to give away some cheap free-kicks.

But it was from another set-piece that they did draw level with 15 minutes to go, as a free-kick was glanced into the far corner.

Holsworthy sprung into life in the final stages, but the visitors held firm.

Holsworthy head to East Devon on Saturday to tackle Honiton Town (3pm).

The Magpies were also in action on Tuesday night in the quarter-final of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl at fellow Premier East outfit Bovey Tracey.

The Moorlanders are riding high in the division and proved too good for Holsworthy, who could only manage a consolation through Toby Martyn’s sensational 25-yard volley in the second-half.

South West Peninsula League Premier West

St Dennis 3

ST DENNIS claimed the double over fellow strugglers Launceston after earning a 3-1 victory at Boscawen Park.

On a miserable, damp afternoon, Launceston started positively with young debutant Matt Bartlett showing up well on the left.

Tom Ellacott and Marius Pislaru also looked lively up front as the Clarets shaded the early exchanges. However the decisive opening goal went to the hosts. Launceston skipper Josh McCabe was penalised for a 20th minute challenge and Mikey Davies fired the resultant penalty past Josh Colwill.

The Clarets continued to push forward and busy midfielder Andrew Elcock saw a fierce 25-yard free-kick well saved by Ryan Holland. But disaster struck on the half-hour when full-back Mike Brewer saw his hopeful cross clip the near-post and somehow squirm over the line to put St Dennis 2-0 in front.

Launceston didn’t deserve to be two goals adrift and within ten minutes they’d halved the deficit. Pislaru and Ellacott combined well on the left, allowing the latter space to spin and plant an accurate drive past Holland and into the far corner.

Launceston sensed their opportunity and began the second-half on the front foot. Sam Barton cut inside and made a good chance for himself. His shot beat Holland but crashed against the near-post and was hacked to safety.

With the Clarets pushing for an equaliser, their hard work was undone by a freak 77th minute St Dennis goal. Colwill left his penalty area to clear a loose ball and was powerless to intervene when Martin Sleeman, attempting merely to launch the ball back into the danger area, was stunned to see his effort from the right touchline sail over everyone and land in the back of the net. The sheepish scorer was mobbed by his team-mates who duly played out time to seal their first home win of the season.

Launceston will re-group and head to mid-table Wadebridge on Saturday (3pm) in search of much-needed SWPL points.

Elsewhere in the division, Callington Town made the short trip to Dobwalls and lost 4-2 despite two Andre Rudyukov goals.

Camelford were without a game at the weekend but host Falmouth Town on Saturday (3pm).

St Piran League East round-up

Launceston Reserves ran riot against their St Dennis counterparts, as they managed to notch a dozen goals. The emphatic scoreline was shared between a total of eight Launceston players with Will Hinks adding the most, with four for himself. Mark Elvidge managed to bag a brace whilst the other scorers were Dan Tilley, Cameron Heard, Josh Harris, Kevin Hatch, Jake Harris and Walter Medlicott. The win draws them level with second placed Polperro on 37 points.

Playing their first game of 2020, Callington Town Reserves brushed off the cobwebs, to record an eventually comfortable victory over their local rivals at Ginsters Marsh.

Town had the worst possible start and opened the scoring for the visitors after just six minutes, but as the home side gained their feet and got used to the game, they began to press themselves. They were gifted the equaliser on 21 minutes when the Liskeard right back’s pass back to their goalkeeper was missed and nestled in the back of the neck.

The Marshmen found themselves ahead when Luke Pearce fired home after 30-minutes.

Callington continued their dominance after the restart and Corey Freeman extended their lead before grabbing a quality second.

Liskeard had the last word as Town legs naturally faded .

Bude Town fell foul to the inform Polperro over the weekend and lost by two goals to nothing as they travelled to Killigarth. The Seasiders now sit ninth in the table.

Kernow Stone League Cup

Morwenstow made the long journey back to North Cornwall from Mousehole in high spirits, after an impressive second-half performance saw them advance into the next round of the cup. They were the team to beat from the start as an impressive half-volley from Matt Carter hammered into the home net. Moushole Reserves were quick to respond and managed to bring things level. Sam Hockin soon put Morwenstow back in front after tapping in his own rebound after latching onto a loose ball inside the box. Before half-time the tie was once again square.

The second-half saw the blue shirted Morwestow assert their dominance and an edge of the box strike by Aidan Davis coupled with a Gary Walter free-kick, assured their spot in the quarter-finals of the cup.

RRL East Cornwall Premier League

round-up

Fourth Placed St Minver were unable to utilise the home advantage over Roche as they were held to a 4-4 draw. Their goals came from Steve Wootton who managed to score a brace, as well as Sam Cleave and Corey Cleave also finding the net.

In a five-goal thriller between St Teath and North Pertherwin, it was the home-side that managed to secure all three points, winning by three goals to two.

Cornwall Airport Newquay Duchy League round-up by Mike Newcombe

TOBY Knights scored a hat-trick as Altarnun underlined their Premier Division title ambitions with a stunning 6-1 defeat of Tregrehan Mills.

The hosts went into half-time with a two-goal lead and scored a third soon after the restart, which should have all but ended the game.

Although Glyn James pulled one back which led to some pressure on the Nuns, the home side added another three before the end.

Sam Smith (2) and Brandon Ambrose were the other scorers.

St Newlyn East also enhanced their title hopes with an impressive 4-0 win at Boscastle.

There were wins for the bottom two. Tintagel gained a first win of the season beating Saltash United Thirds 3-2. Adam Price scored a hat-trick for the hosts and they also missed a penalty for what should have been a comfortable three points. However, the visitors struck twice late on through Jaden Wood and Joshua Ugborne, leaving the hosts hanging on for their win.

Stoke Climsland earned another good away win, 4-3 at Lostwithiel, a result that takes them top of the table albeit having played three more games than the overnight leaders Gunnislake. Rob Eddie scored a brace with Andrew Spokes and Jack Shanley also on target for the visitors. Lostwithiel replied through Jordan Cummings, Johnny Harris and Jamie Facey.

Pensilva beat struggling St Minver Reserves at a foggy Recreation Ground. Sam Rogers and Alex Caers put the hosts two up with Joe Robinson pulling a goal back for St Minver before half-time. With the heavy ground, sapping players energies, the second-half produced no goals as Pensilva held out for a 2-1 win.

In a game where league positions indicated an easy win for Lifton, Dobwalls Reserves turned up looking to cause an upset. Lifton started brighter and went ahead through some great football which ended when Ryan Hancock flicked the ball over the defender to Tom Hancock who volleyed into the roof of the net. Lifton extended the lead when a pinpoint cross from the by-line from man of the match Dylan Boundy picked out Tom Hancock for a powerful header eight yards out. Dobwalls dug in towards the end of the first-half and a quick-fire double from Ben Gaynor and Sam Humagain to level the score at 2-2 and shock Lifton. The second-half turned into an end-to-end battle with Lifton edging the game 3-2 with 15 minutes to go when Ryan Hancock provided a cross for centre-back Nathan Farrer to put the ball in to the stanchion to win the game.

Division Two has three really quality sides and promises an exciting battle for the championship. Whilst Bude Town Reserves were without a game, their two rivals won comfortably. Nanpean Rovers were in devastating form at home to Lifton Reserves, hitting 19 goals without reply.

Southgate Seniors stay second three points behind with a game in-hand but took a big knock in the goal difference stakes despite their 4-0 win at Week St Mary. Wayne Francome scored a brace with Josh Barron and Jacob Hobson adding a goal apiece.

Calstock were 2-0 winners over Boscastle Reserves. Ian Rooke and Tom Savage on his debut after his midweek transfer from St Ann’s Chapel were the scorers.

St Dominick Reserves maintain their unbeaten record in Division Three although they were given a tough battle by Delabole United before winning 2-1. This as a cracking game with an even first-half where both sides missed chances until the 35th minute when Lewis Whittaker put the hosts ahead with a fine drive from the edge of the area. St Dominick missed three gilt-edged chances early in the second half to wrap up the game and paid the penalty in the 65th minute when Sam Turner equalised. Ten minutes later Kieran Jasper put in Adam Snowdon to hit the winner but after that St Dominick faced a rearguard action to deny the visitors something out of the game.

St Columb Major retain top spot although they faced a sterner task than expected at next to bottom North Petherwin Reserves before emerging with a 2-1 win.

Alex Coles scored twice as St Mawgan reserves beat Bude Town Thirds 3-1. Rob Fawcett was the other home scorer and Ben Furber replied for Bude.

In the Duchy Knockout Cup, Gunnislake confirmed topping Group C after Chris Parsons scored the only goal of their game at home to St Breward. The visitors have failed to find their league form in this cup losing all four matches to go out of the competition.

The Shoe Boy League Cup group stages also draw near to conclusions. In Group E, North Hill faced an unlikely task in overcoming Gunnislake Reserves to pip them for second place and fell well short when beaten 7-3 at home. Andy Brown and Keiran Crowle scored a brace apiece for Gunnislake with Nick Beman, Darren Sambells and Keiren Lincoln completing their tally. Ben Davis, Stewart Gundry and Ben Berry replied for North Hill.

North Devon League round-up

Premier Division

Bradworthy will hope to see a vast improvement from their result on Saturday after traveling to Park United and losing 9-0. The Horniwinks currently sit one point above bottom side Torridgeside Reserves in the North Devon Premier division. Hartland Clovelly continue to impress this season and ran out clear winners during their visit to Pollyfield, when they faced Shamwickshire Rovers. Tom Davey grabbed a brace, which was coupled with goals from Max Heard and Casper Griffin as they won by four goals to nil.

Senior Division

Shebbear United lost 6-2 when they travelled to Combe Martin, their only goals coming from Ryan Down and Tom Squire.

It was goals galore between Fremington Reserves and Bridgerule, both scoring four apiece. Todd Peschke, Callum Vivian and two from Frank Bariball meant the points were shared between the two sides.

Kilkhampton’s Ryan Thomas cemented himself as top scorer in the league after he fired four goals against Landkey Town on the weekend. Kilk put five past the home team, without conceding — moving them into first place.

Slipping into second are Holsworthy Reserves after they lost 2-1 to rivals Torrington Reserves.

Keaton Meagan’s goal wasn’t enough to secure any points.

Intermediate Two

Morwenstow Reserves lost 7-2 against Woolacombe, with Ben Polak and Pierce Sykes getting on the scoresheet for the Greens.

Intermediate Three

Ashwater were unable to stop Hartland Clovelly Thirds as Byron Day-rogers, Owen Pennington and two goals from Kaden Tyrer ensured a 0-4 victory for the travelling team.

Bradworthy Reserves hosted an onslaught on Saturday as they lost 1-7 to Woolsery.

It was all square after 90 minutes between Shebbear United Reserves and Sandymere Blues, with Mark Parnell ensuring the home-side got a share of the spoils.

Macron and Exeter League round-up

Division One

Halwill’s match against Clyst Valley Reserves was postponed.

Division Two

Halwill Reserves were firm victors when they travelled to Dunkeswell Rovers. A hat-trick from Harry Hopcroft, a brace from Peter Hopcroft and a single goal from Liam McDonald asserted a dominant display.