One month without a game had a negative impact on St Newlyn East as they went down at home to a Torpoint side who, with their South West Peninsular side playing on the Friday night, were able to use regular first- teamer Darren Hicks for his second game in 24 hours – ironically the only other game Hicks had played for Torpoint’s Duchy side was in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. The Saints hoped that returning to near full-strength would help their cause, but the lack of recent matches and general match sharpness told from the kick-off.

Home captain Jack Thompson had the first chance of the match, however, as his strike went wide of the right post just four minutes in. What followed in the next half hour was a period of sustained dominance by the visitors. Physical challenges went in early by Torpoint and their interplay was better by far. Torpoint’s Trethewey and Robertson were linking up well and were looking to release Rosevear as much as possible and the opening goal came when a clipped ball from Robertson found Rosevear in behind, with Newlyn’s Will Perry closing fast he got to the goal line and was able to find an unmarked Rosen at the back post to open the scoring for the visitors after eight minutes.

Returning after a lengthy time away due to injury Zefran Counter was called into action in the Saints’ goal and his good work helped keep the deficit to one. The Saints suffered a big loss with 10 minutes left in the half as a sturdy challenge left front-man and leading goal scorer Lewis Dodd with an injury that saw him unable to continue. The break in play allowed some rethinking for the home side and the last 5 minutes were the best of the game for them.

With Newlyn now retaining the ball better and creating chances a low effort by Sam Lawrence was easily snuffed out by the goalkeeper on forty minutes. Sustained pressure continued with a succession of corners and a Thompson free-kick blazed high over the crossbar. With moments left in the half the game looked to have changed as Ross London burst through the middle, the speed of the attack causing panic in the normally resolute Torpoint defence. London then played a slide-rule pass that found Elliott Powell who curled the ball home past the rooted ‘keeper.

Once again, however, the Saints failed to come out for the start of the second half and the opening fifteen minutes was saw the visitors press Newlyn back through making tactical changes that gave them the upper hand. Steve Harris made a fine block after five minutes of the re start; Aaron Thompson made a goal-line clearance two minutes after and Counter made two fine saves in the space of a minute. A long range, speculative effort hit the home crossbar and another parried save by Counter saw a reactive shot pushed wide of the goal.

Hopes were raised in the second half as the visitors went down to ten men after a sin-binning, but the Saints failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage. The defining moment of the game came as a penalty was given on 66 minutes just two minutes after the sinbin started. The consensus was that the award was “soft”, but the decision held. Counter was unlucky to not get a hand on the spot-kick, as Hicks converted.

Matt Toms’ return to the side saw an improvement for a ten minute spell as the hosts tried to redress the balance. London was a breath away from heading home at close range and Al Titterington had arguably the home sides’ best chance as his goal-bound shot was deflected into the goalkeeper’s hands. Late in the second half with Newlyn finally finding their form and passing they created multiple chances, but couldn't find a way to further trouble Westall in the visitors’ goal.

The game petered out in the final 10 minutes and the home fans left the field rightly disappointed with the result. Newlyn will need to quickly regroup as they face Veryan away this Saturday – a side that has won five of their last six league games.

After the match Saints Manager Martin Grigg said he “was proud of the team today who competed well especially after effectively’ rolling over’ in the game at The Mill earlier in the season. Today we showed that on our day we can match the sides at the top of the division but consistency – and a bit of quality and control in key situations - is what we need right now”

THE PHEASANT INN MAN OF THE MATCH – ZEFRAN COUNTER