Duchy Division One

LC Phoenix 8 (Webber, N. Cox, P. Davis, O.G, Knights x2, Parnell, Smith)

Altarnun 1 (Medlecott)

LC Phoenix were in impressive form in thrashing derby rivals Altarnun 8-1 in Division One.

The hosts took a fifth minute lead, after an end to end start, when Darren Webber made himself some space from 25 yards out, and struck a left footed shot past the outstretched Bradley Agar in the visitor’s goal. It wasn’t long before an uncleared corner fell for Altarnun’s Walter Medlecott to drill in and level things up.

Phoenix started to dominate possession from this point and the growing pressure told when a delightful through-ball from Dan Castle saw winger Joe Davis brought down by Agar, who was duly sent off for a professional foul.

With Medlecott donning the gloves, home captain Nathan Cox made no mistake in dispatching the penalty. In a crucial time of the game, the hosts made the one man advantage count, and Davis provided an inch-perfect cross to brother Patrick to head over the stranded Medlectott to make it 3-1.

Before the break, an Adam Daw handball gave Altarnun a route back into the game from the spot, but Sam Smith saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Nick Oldaker.

The floodgates opened in the second half as some visiting players began to lose their heads and became far too concerned with the referee.

The fourth came from an own goal after a Cox corner, leaving new ‘keeper Jake Hobson rooted.

A poor goalkick then fell to Jowan Knights, who cooly slotted past Hobson from 25 yards, before Jed Parnell made it 6-1. Knights got his second when he ran on to a through-ball by midfielder Paul Smith, looping the ball over a stranded Hobson with the outside of his boot.

Fan-favourite Smith got on the scoresheet himself with his weaker right foot from 20 yards out to finish things up 8-1 and complete what was a very good day for the Knights.

LC Phoenix manager Ryan Cox said: "It was a great performance by the boys after a disappointing result last week. There’s always an extra edge in derby games and none more so than when we play Altarnun.

"Their goalkeeper getting sent off helped, but I felt we were getting on top before that anyway. I have to mention Nick Oldaker’s penalty save at 3-1, just before the break, it was crucial to how both teams came out for the second half.

"We came out full of confidence, knowing we had it in us to get more, whereas they looked beaten already and self-destructed. It’s always telling when the opposition start getting on the referee’s back like they did, it’s a sign that they have lost their heads.

"It was pleasing for me to be able to use a lot of the young lads who haven’t had much playing time yet this year and even more pleasing two of them got on the scoresheet in the second period.

"I hope this is the start of things to come and we can really kick on now."