In a game heavily influenced by the strong winds St Newlyn East secured a valuable win against long-time rivals Boscastle on a pitch that had survived the worst of the weather to produce an excellent playing surface.

The Saints were without some notable influential players, but turned out a very strong side nonetheless who were up for the game right from the start. With a strong wind in their backs it took just 4 minutes for Brodie Mitchell to burst down the left wing crossing to Ross London who selflessly passed to Elliott Powell who struck home for his first of what was to be a Man of the Match performance. Nine minutes later and Boscastle were to concede from a near-identical move as London surged down the left to produce a first-time pass which Harry Mugford allowed to run to Powell who was virtually in the same position to score his second.

Mugford then supplied London by way of a strongly won header which saw London jink past his marker to slam his drive home on 24 minutes. Newlyn then relaxed and just two minutes later a rare foray by the visitors produced a low cross that home 'keeper Zefran Counter looked to claim comfortably but a violent gust of wind moved diverted the ball into the legs of backtracking Will Perry who could only watch as he deflected into his own net.

The visiting keeper then made a hash of a goal-kick which went straight to Powell whose quick pass found London to guide the ball into the net for his brace despite a nasty challenge by the Boscastle gloves-man. The game heated up just 2 minutes later as the visitors claimed a handball by Elliott Dodd which referee Steve Tootle deliberated on and then awarded a drop ball much to the frustration of the visitors. With just 3 minutes left in the half and with Newlyn down to ten men following Jack Thompson's sin bin a soft Boscastle header was allowed to find the net to set up a tough second half ahead for Newlyn who would have wanted a bigger margin of lead having played the opening 45 minutes with the strong wind behind them.

However Saints' pressure was maintained by the hosts from the restart as Newlyn introduced Chris Hall for Thompson. Elliot Powell forced two good saves and London just missed the target with a header. However twleve solid minutes of dominance saw the Saints move another goal clear as Powell latched onto a fine pass to slot home for his hat-trick despite the close attention of the defender and goalkeeper.

The rest of the game saw Boscastle throw everything at the Saints. Counter produced two fine saves on 58 and 60 minutes to deny the visitors, who must have thought Christmas had come early and it was still to be their day when Al Titterington saw red with 25 minutes left to play reducing the hosts to 10 men. However there was to be no capitulation this time as, despite their lack of numbers and playing into a howling wing the Saints produced a superb team performance in the second half to claim the points, their only blot being a third, late goal conceded a minute into injury time from a very weak penalty.

This coming Saturday the Saints have another difficult away fixture when they travel to Lostwithiel hoping to wrap-up their festive games with another win.

THE PHEASANT INN MAN OF THE MATCH: ELLIOTT POWELL