SAINTS SUFFER LAST MINUTE DEFEAT!

A late Ryan Best free kick consigned Newlyn to a cruel defeat against Nanpean at Victoria Bottoms in the Kernow Stone St Piran League.

The Saints had efforts cleared on the line in both halves, but just couldn’t find their way through the Rovers' defence, who went top of Division 1 East table with the victory. Newlyn were without some key players for the match, with goalkeeper Nathan Prentice and striker Dan Woodgate both unavailable leaving striker Simon Baulch volunteering to don the gloves.

Newlyn started the game well and with the returning Ross London leading the line always looked dangerous going forward. On 10 minutes London was first to react to a long clearance and as he forced his way goal side of the defender, he was hauled to the ground on the edge of the penalty area resulting in a yellow card for the defender. The same Nanpean player could consider himself very fortunate to be on the end of some lenient refereeing 5 minutes later when a fast Newlyn break saw him hold and pull Ben Lawrence back by grabbing his arm and preventing a Newlyn counterattack that could easily have resulted in a second yellow card.

London was a constant thorn in Nanpean’s defence shooting inches wide and moments later on 28 minutes having a fierce left foot strike well saved by the excellent Alfie Harbone in Nanpean’s goal who was undoubtedly their best player on the day. Just 2 minutes later Harbone again saved from London tipping a point-blank header past the post.

The home side’s main threat in Callum Oldham also had chances to open the scoring but was well marshalled by Sam Eglinton and Jadon Gotthardt at the heart of Newlyn’s defence and his frustration came to the fore on 35 minutes when he was sin binned for dissent.

Newlyn were still unable to convert their opportunities and Jake Watson was the latest Saints’ player to see a chance to wide when his low right foot shot flashed just wide of the post in the final moments of the half.

In the second half Ross London thought he’s scored just two minutes after the restart only for a very late offside flag to rule the goal out. London again thought he’d scored on 60 minutes beating the defenders to the ball and finishing well, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul even the home supporters admitted after was a very harsh decision.

With Dan Ball, Jack Thompson introduced in the second half as substitutes Newlyn were still creating chances with Ball also linking up well with London to force another save from Harbone. Nanpean were also dangerous going forward and the visitors rode their luck a coupe of times when Nanpean seemed certain to score.

Nanpean finally broke the stalemate and took the lead on 89 minutes. An innocuous and innocent coming together at the edge of the penalty area between Chris Sturgess and Oldham saw the official award a direct free kick much to the visitors’ amazement. Ryan Best’s accurate left foot shout found its target and arrowed into the top corner past the rooted Baulch.

Manager Martin Grigg was keen to highlight another impressive display from his side, despite Ryan Best’s late free kick consigning the Saints to a defeat.

“There were chances for both teams; I felt we had the better opportunities to score and the 2 goals we had ruled out were harsh, but they took their big chance when it came, and we didn’t” he said.

“It’s tough to take when they score in the last minute of the game, but we made it very difficult for Nanpean and more than matched them. There are a lot of positives to take from the game. Right now it is frustrating to take a defeat like this, but we need to focus on our performances which have been very good of late.”

Newquay Health Man of the Match: Jadon Gotthardt