Tuesday, October 1

Kit Kitchen South West Peninsula League Premier West

Launceston 3

St Dennis 4

DESPITE taking the lead on three separate occasions, Launceston were unable to shake off a resolute St Dennis at Pennygillam on Tuesday, going down 4-3, writes David Harrison.

Mike Steele and Ruben Kane both went close before the Clarets took a 22nd minute lead with a well-executed goal. Charlie Hardcastle made ground on the left, looked up and picked out Tom Ellacott with a deep cross. The club’s top scorer nodded the ball into the far corner, giving James Hunkin no chance.

Launceston were unable to build on the lead though and Carl Rickard equalised on the half-hour, staying onside and beating Josh Colwill at his near post.

The Clarets stepped up the pressure and enjoyed what proved to be their best spell of the game. A right-wing cross by Sam Watts was handled for a clear 38th minute penalty, but Ellacott’s spot-kick crashed against the crossbar and out of the ground.

Hunkin was performing heroics to keep his side level but, having once been saved by the woodwork, was unable to intervene when Dan Hart was hacked down inside the box for another clear penalty. Ellacott again took responsibility and this time steered his kick low into the corner to give his side a half-time lead.

The second period opened in explosive fashion. Referee James Gallagher spotted some pushing in the Launceston penalty area and awarded yet another penalty. Lee Rickard brought the scores level from the spot. Within a minute, however, Charlie Hardcastle’s cross totally deceived Hunkin, floating over the keeper’s head and into the far corner to put the Clarets back in front.

The visitors, to their credit, stepped up the intensity and pulled level for a third time when lively winger Paul Robertson was on hand to turn home a left-wing cross with Colwill well beaten.

St Dennis were now sensing the possibility of an unlikely away victory and pushed hard for a winner. The decisive goal duly came in the 74th minute when midfielder Aaron Beresford thrashed a loose ball into the far corner to spark scenes of wild jubilation from the visitors.

Ruben Kane thought he had equalised when nodding a rebound past Hunkin but the flag had already been raised and the goal disallowed.

The visitors held out to claim all three points and end a run of nine consecutive defeats. For Launceston this was a game they should have won, but one could only admire the attitude shown by a committed St Dennis side.

Saturday, October 5

Kit Kitchen South West Peninsula League Premier West

Helston Athletic 6

Launceston 1

THE Clarets ran into a full-strength Helston Athletic at Kelleway Park on Saturday and the well-resourced title favourites duly delivered a ruthless performance, writes David Harrison.

Helston manager Steve Massey has assembled a very strong squad, acquiring some of the county’s most experienced players to feature alongside a talented crop of youngsters.

Despite coming under heavy pressure straight from the kick-off, Launceston defended well while riding their luck on occasions.

As early as the third minute the prolific Mark Goldsworthy beat Josh Colwill in the Launceston goal, only to see his shot rebound from the near post. Colwill needed to be on top of his game as wave after wave of attacks threatened his goal.

The Clarets bravely held their hosts at bay until just before half-time, at which point the floodgates opened.

Goldsworthy finally made the breakthrough in the 37th minute, tapping home from close range. Dan Metherell was soon forced into a tremendous goal-line block but the resultant corner was flicked on, allowing Goldsworthy another simple finish.

Launceston were desperate for the half-time break, but before they could reach the sanctuary of the dressing room, Helston winger Kai Cornish capitalised on some shoddy defending to make it 3-0 and give the Clarets a mountain to climb.

The second-half followed a similar pattern, with Launceston denying their hosts for another half-hour, only to concede three times in the final 20 minutes.

Andrew Elcock, on the road to recovery following long-term injury, replaced Sam Watts and immediately made an impression for the Clarets, firing narrowly over from 25 yards.

Goldsworthy missed two simple chances to complete his hat-trick before the experienced Billy Tucker, signed during the week from Southern League Bideford, made it 4-0 with an accurate 20-yard free-kick.

Man-of-the-match Matty Bye and substitute Alex Wharton added further goals, either side of a consolation effort for the Clarets, Dan Metherell seizing on an error by home keeper Jason Robertson to fire home from close range.

Launceston’s season will not be defined by results against the likes of Helston who appear to be investing in the hope of bringing Western League football to the far South West of the country.

Next Saturday the Clarets will travel to Newquay to face Godolphin Atlantic Newquay (3pm).

The next league game at Pennygillam will see Wadebridge Town visit on Tuesday night (October 15, 7.30pm).