Saturday, February 23

Carlsberg South West Peninsula League

Premier Division

Callington Town 1

Elburton Villa 1

A LATE Ryan Lucassi strike earned Callington a deserved share of the points in a bruising encounter against Elburton Villa which saw both sides end up with ten players.

Villa had the perfect start and found themselves 1-0 up after just three minutes when Jake Miller converted but Callington continued to battle and were awarded a penalty on 23 minutes when Lucassi was fouled by Elburton keeper Jack Dixon but Kevin McCallion’s spot kick was easily saved by Dixon.

Town felt aggrieved shortly after when what looked like an even more stonewall penalty was waved away by the referee.

Five minutes into the second-half and an off the ball incident led to a melee which was seen by one of the linesmen and the referee issued red cards for Callington’s Paul McAdam and Villa’s Miller.

Callington continued to press for the equaliser and were rewarded on 88 minutes when Lucassi was on hand to score and in injury time they could have won the game but in the end both had to settle for a share of the points.

Launceston 2

Camelford 1

AFTER a difficult week featuring the resignation of first team manager Mike Walton, Launceston recorded their first league win at Pennygillam since August as they overcame local rivals Camelford.

The Camels had edged the reverse fixture 4-2 at Trefrew Park back in September, but Launceston extracted full revenge on an unseasonably mild afternoon.

Both clubs were able to field strong sides, with the Clarets boosted by the return of popular forward Jack Alexander.

A cagey first-half saw Camelford repeatedly denied by the towering figure of Launceston skipper Lee Rundle, now back to his best after a lengthy spell out of action.

The energetic Cameron Webb posed a constant threat for the home side, but first-half chances were at a premium. 

Camelford’s Mark Gusterson was booked for an ill-timed lunge on Jordan Walton before Adam Sleep ran clear only to see his shot blocked by Launceston keeper Josh Colwill.

But just as the first-half looked likely to finish goalless, the Clarets grabbed a priceless lead. 

Tallan Mitchell, impressive throughout in midfield, turned sharply on the edge of the penalty area and beat visiting keeper Nick Oldaker on his near-post.

The game opened up after the break, with chances at both ends. Rundle and Webb were both denied by Oldaker as the lively Alexander became increasingly influential.

Mitchell and Camelford’s Josh Insley exchanged bookings before the visitors levelled things up with an outstanding 65th minute effort. Left-back Leighton Carhart cleverly set up the impressive Ed Harrison who finished superbly from 18 yards, giving Colwill no chance.

At that stage all three results remained possible, but it was Launceston who finished the game very much on the front foot and their efforts were rewarded with a wonderful 82nd minute goal. Mitchell won possession wide on the left, cut inside and curled a perfect shot up and over the helpless Oldaker who could only watch the ball dip into the far top corner.

Mitchell disappeared under a mass of jubilant Clarets, as their team finally ended a horrible run of seven consecutive league defeats.

Launceston will now look forward to the remaining 12 league games as they seek to climb the table. That challenge begins with a visit from Bodmin Town on Saturday (3pm).

Camelford are back at home for the first time since Boxing Day when they welcome Ivybridge Town to Trefrew Park (3pm).

Reflecting on the game, Camelford manager, Reg Hambly, said: “It was a scrappy game played on a pitch with a lot of bumps. But Launceston played the better football and we struggled to get any rhythm.

“We came back at them in the second-half and probably deserved a point. Ed Harrison had a really good game and there were one or two good points but it doesn’t help when you constantly have to change the side.”

Launceston —

Colwill; Lee, Rundle (captain), Metherell, Hardcastle; Mitchell, Watson, Savigar, J Walton; Alexander, Webb

Substitutes: Irwin, Elvidge

Camelford —

Oldaker; Jenkin, H Hambly, C Hambly, Carhart; Haynes, Insley, E Harrison, Kempthorne, Gusterson; Sleep (captain)

Substitutes: Wilshaw, Sanders, Looker

Division One (West)

Holsworthy 0

St Dennis 3

HOLSWORTHY paid the price for some poor finishing as St Dennis left Upcott Field with all three points.

The home side started brightly and should have scored twice early on as Joe Barker could only head straight at the goalkeeper before Dom Abbott failed to hit the target from six yards.

The visitors who are now third, took the lead through Carl Rickard’s brilliant 25-yard free-kick before striker Jacob Rowe added a second on the stroke of half-time after a mix-up between skipper Carlo Chandler and goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick.

Holsworthy needed the next goal after the break but it was the Cornish side who grabbed it on 48 minutes as midfielder Aaron Beresford slammed home an effort from well over 30 yards.

Having made all three substitutes, Abbott was forced off injured. However, Holsworthy saved their best for the rest of the game, but Barker, Harry Barrett, Ollie Kenneally and James Dart all failed to beat Tristan Orchard in the St Dennis goal.

Holsworthy manager, Liam Dart, said: “Well to simply put it we weren’t good enough first-half and missed two glorious chances, including one after two minutes and then paid the price for poor decision making and sloppiness in our play.

“Second-half we improved but conceded straight after half-time. Having made all three subs, things went from bad to worse with Dom Abbott going off with a hamstring injury.

“With ten we played our best football and created some good chances and looked a better side. However all being said, we were second best all over the pitch and didn’t deserve anything from the game. It was one to forget and we now focus on a tough trip to Penzance on Saturday (3pm).”

Penzance 2

Bude Town 1

SCOTT Percy’s second-half effort proved in vain as the Seasiders were edged out by the Magpies at Penlee Park.

Mark Vercesi put Penzance in front with a brilliant 25-yard lob before they doubled the lead before the break as Lewis Caspell followed up his own penalty after it was initially saved by Gary Dinshaw.

Dinshaw was inspired throughout and it seemed his efforts maybe rewarded as Percy took down a free-kick inside the box before firing home from ten yards.

They nearly grabbed a point in injury-time, but skipper Liam Sandercock saw his header superbly saved.

Mortgage Advice Bureau East Cornwall League

Premier Division

Saltash United 3

Callington Town 0

Division One

St Minver 2

(E Green, Northcott)

Padstow United 3

JJ Jones and Sons Duchy League

Premier Division

Boscastle 5

(D Capstick, Pethick, Sleep, J Bosley, Haddy)

St Dennis 1

North Petherwin 1

(J Reeve)

Torpoint Athletic 2

Division One

Saltash United 2

Gunnislake 3

(Davies 2, Rapson)

St Breward P

Queens Rangers P

Stoke Climsland 3

(King 2, Ryall)

Holywell and Cubert 2

Tregrehan Mills 2

North Hill 0

Division Two

Altarnun 5

(S Smith 3, Porter 2)

Pelynt 0

Foxhole Stars 0

St Minver 1

Lifton 3

(Gregory 2, Heard)

Gorran 0

Tintagel 4

(Page 2, Westlake, A Price)

Lanivet Inn 2

Division Three

Southgate Seniors 0

Pensilva 1

Division Four

Delabole United A

Boscastle A

(The local derby between Delabole United and Boscastle Reserves was abandoned after 80 minutes due to fog).

Nanpean Rovers 7

Week St Mary 1

(Thomas)

St Cleer 3

Lifton 5

(T Hancock 3, L Rich 2)

North Devon League

Senior Division

Shebbear United 1

(Coles)

Boca Seniors 1

Intermediate One

Bridgerule 2

(J Peschke, Leverton)

Holsworthy 2

(Seymour-Smith, Dyer)

Kilkhampton 2

(S Thomas, Nancekivell)

Combe Martin 4

Intermediate Two

Hartland Clovelly 3

Bridgerule 2

(Parker, Williams)

Morwenstow 2

(Kendall, B Pengilly)

Equalizers 8

Intermediate Three

Ashwater 2

(Arriku, og)

Kingsley Wizards 2

Bradworthy 0

Eastside 4

Macron Devon and Exeter League

Division Two

Halwill 8

(Wonnacott 5, J Down, Gilbert, James)

Priory 0

Division Four

Feniton 0

Halwill 5

(Hopcroft 2, B Potter, L Potter, M Down)