St Newlyn East hosted bottom-of-the-table Lostwithiel who came to Cargoll Rd with just 4 points all season. A superb playing surface, fine weather and good support all boded well for a decisive victory – but it was the visitors that were to take the honours.

Lostwithiel bossed the Saints throughout the first half and whilst they did not create many openings they succeeded in preventing Newlyn from creating anything worthy of note as the Saints stumbled through the opening exchanges. A single moment of good play after 35 minutes saw Elliott Powell strike home to give some encouragement – but this was muted as Chris Hall lost control and was sin-binned as the half ended.

The Saints received a harsh half-time team-talk and this should have seen them regroup as the second half began – but the deficit in numbers was to prove costly as Lostwithiel scored two goals in the opening 7 minutes after the break. Hall then returned and the remainder of the game was to prove end-to-end and frenetic.

Matt Toms levelled the score with a thundering strike from close range just after the hour and nerves were jangling as the game entered the last ten minutes. Lostwithiel struck first with a goal that beat sloppy defending by the hosts. Two minutes later Captain Jack Thompson’s fierce free-kick beat veteran ‘keeper Davies from long range. With just four minutes remaining Lostwithiel’s determination paid off with another goal – this time from young striker Connor Phillips. Pooley saw red for his reaction after the goal but there was still time for a possible response.

However fate intervened in a cruel way as match-winner Phillips went over in a fair challenge just a minute later as he bravely sought a second goal. It was immediately obvious that he had suffered a very serious injury and any thoughts of victory or loss were put aside as both Clubs’ players and committee members rallied to assist him. He was later found to have a double fracture and St Newlyn East have said that the whole Club wishes Connor a speedy and safe recovery.

The Saints will rue their lack of form which has seen them gain just 4 points in 2 months and will surely need to improve as they face St Dennis, Godolphin and St Mawgan in their next three matches.

THE PHEASANT INN MAN OF THE MATCH – WILL PERRY