St Newlyn East came out on top as the top two clashed in Division 1 East with an emphatic win that saw them retain their place at the top of the table.

Still missing key players – especially from ther midfield – with captain Jack Thompson, Chris Sturgess and Seam Kinsella all absent the Saints were able to name Harry Mugford back in their squad for the first time since the end of September.

The home side took the lead on 11 minutes when a partially cleared ball from the Torpoint defence fell to Jake Watson who frilled a low shot through a group of players and into eh bottom corner from 18 yards.

Torpoint responded in determined style and enjoyed a large amount of possession without any real goalscoring opportunities forcing Newlyn to work hard to cover all areas of the pitch as the visitors started to grow in confidence.

Torpoint were rewarded late in the half with an equaliser following a prolonged period of pressure. Newlyn put bodies on the line to block shots but when the ball fell to Ferguson he made no mistake from the edge of the area, firing into the back of the net.

Penalty Pain

Just a s the half seemed to be ending in stalemate Jake Watson went to kick clear a loose ball in the Newlyn penalty area in the second minute of added time, but a Torpoint attacker jumped in between Watson and the ball and was kicked by Watson before the ball. Even though the clash was completely accidental the referee pointed to the spot. Hussey, no doubt mindful that Prentice and previously saved two of his penalty kicks in one game, made no mistake – smashing the ball high into the roof of the net.

A Dan Ball Rocket

The interval saw Newlyn make two enforced changes due to more injuries with Summers-Evans replacing Perry and Cam Burt on for Mugford. Burt made an immediate impact when his cross from the right wing was met by Ross London with a brave header on 52 minutes to bring the Saints level.

The goal of the game duly arrived on 62 minutes – Dan Ball, now playing in a more advanced role, burst forward and collected a pass before unleashing and thunderbolt of a shot that ripped into the back of the net to restore Newlyn’s lead.

A second penalty in the game but this time for Newlyn on 78 minutes allowed Ross London to give Newlyn a two goal cushion before deep into added time at the end of the half Newlyn substitute Owen Nichols also found himself in space on the right wing before finishing low across the goalkeeper for Newlyn’s fifth goal and to seal the win.

Newquay Osteopaths Man of the Match: Dan Ball

Referee: Andrew Barnett