St Newlyn East returned to St Piran League action again travelling the Atlantic Highway to face an in form Kilkhampton who had scored 25 goals and conceded just 2 in their opening 4 matches of the season prior to their encounter with the Saints. Newlyn were able to welcome back Harry Mugford, Will Perry, Sean Kinsella and Sam Eglinton back to the squad who all missed the cup defeat at Dobwalls along with Ash Bradshaw who also returned to the starting line up.

Newlyn probably should have opened the scoring inside the first minute when Jack Thompson found Jay Manning on the wing who beat his marker before crossing into the penalty area only for Jake Warson to glance his header inches wide of the post.

Kilkhampton had two shots from distance easily smothered by Nathan Prentice before Russell Brooker’s long-range effort was caught by the home goalkeeper. Newlyn were looking to find Manning and Brooker’s pass on 26 minutes sent Newlyn’s wide man away, but he was unable to find Ross London who had made a move to the far post. The resulting goal kick was won by Brooker with the ball falling to Kilkhampton’s defender who hesitated and was caught in possession by Manning who sped away, this time his cross was excellent only for London to miss the ball but with the chance seemingly gone Jake Watson appeared at the far post to score from close range.

A well worked throw in saw the outstanding Sean Kinsella find Harry Mugford who in turn played a neat pass to London who set up Mugford with a return ball but Mugford's left foot shot hit the defender’s back and was cleared.

Dobwalls equalised with 5 minutes remaining in the half. Brooker’s mis-placed high pass was met by Newlyn’s central defender Simon Baulch but his attempted header to fins a team mate on the edge of the penalty area only found Ryan Thomas who rounded Prentice to coolly tap in to an empty net.

Newlyn brought on Sam Eglinton for Baulch during the half time interval although it was the home side who had the first shot of the second half on 50 minutes when Thomas forced Prentice into a smart save low to his right before London then shot wide for Newlyn just after the hour mark. Newlyn then brought on Chris Sturgess for captain Jack Thompson and pushed Manning forward into a more central role – replacing London – with Dan Ball also entering the match.

Mugford found space to collect a clearance on the edge of the penalty area but his powerful left foot shot was parried away by the Kilkhampton goalkeeper after 70 minutes before another Newlyn attack saw Bradshaw pass to Mugford who slipped the ball to Watson who saw his cross into the area tipped over the crossbar by the goalkeeper when it deflected off a defender.

With Newlyn dealing comfortably with Kilkhampton’s ‘long ball tactic’ the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate until with 7 minutes remaining Mugford played the ball wide to Watson who held the ball up before passing back to Sturgess who then played a sweet chipped pass over the home defence to Watson who crossed low for Dan Ball to smash home a second goal for the Saints. Kilkhampton appealed in vain for an offside, but later VEO footage showed Watson was clearly onside.

Newlyn then put the game beyond doubt deep into added on time when Ball won the ball from a Kilkhampton goal kick and played a first time perfectly weighted through ball to Manning who raced clear and finished with aplomb across the goalkeeper and into the far corner to score Newlyn’s third.

The result sees Newlyn maintain their 100% league start to the season and now have a welcome return to Cargoll Road for their next two fixtures.

Newquay Osteopaths Man of the Match: Sean Kinsella

Referee: Nigel Colwill