Following their recent run of poor results, St Newlyn East needed to take stock and kick-start their season again – and that is exactly what transpired at St Minver Reserves in their Round 1 encounter in the KMD Developments Knock-Out Cup.

A renewed changing-room atmosphere saw a buoyant and confident Saints take to what was, in truth, a very uneven and poor playing surface which threatened to deter any quality passing play. However the visitors took the game by the scruff of the neck right from the off and the travelling support was to witness a much improved display by all players.

Within 15 minutes they were 2 goals up. Chris Ballett opened the account with a sweet low shot after 12 minutes, followed up 2 minutes later with the goal of the game as Lewis Dodd burst past the midfield and defence on the right wing, crossing to Ross London who deftly slotted home. The hosts were reduced to a single long-ball tactic which failed to produce a shot on target for them in the first half.

Highly impressing on the day was Lucas Moses who placed a pinpoint corner onto the head of Elliott Powell who buried home a fierce header on the half hour mark. The half-time came with the Saints another goal to the good with ever-active Brodie Mitchell with a thunderous strike from outside the box four minutes before the interval.

The Saints could afford the luxury of making numerous changes in the second half, with experience in the form of Steve Harris who was able to control the back, tenacious energy coming from Sam Lawrence, and impressive entrances by new young talents Harry Owen and Callum Edgcombe. St Minver's frustration built as the game wore on, with some robust challenges flying in.

Powell secured his brace mid-way through the half and Dodd topped off his usual dominating performance with a goal on 65 minutes. Mitchell lobbed the keeper with a couple of minutes left for his brace, and despite a great defensive show the Saints conceded a very soft late consolation goal from Dean Roberts as the second half entered late injury time.

This was a welcome return to the form and attitude that had been lacking in recent weeks, and although the opponents were from a lower division than the Premier Division this was a game that the Saints controlled from the start to finish!

Next up for the Saints in two weeks is a return to league action away at Gerrans & St Mawes, 2.30pm Kick-Off.

THE PHEASANT INN MAN OF THE MATCH; LUCAS MOSES