Sixteen-year-old Owen London celebrated his home debut by coming off the bench to score the winning goal as Newlyn deservedly won their first home fixture of the season against Polperro Reserves in the Duchy Knock-Out Cup. With his older brother – Saints top goal scorer Ross – unavailable young Owen stole the show with his composed second half finish.
Newlyn have had to wait a long tine this season for their first home game but could not have foreseen the deluge that started right on kick-off and lasted for the remainder of the game making the immaculate surface very slippery and difficult to play on. To both sides’ credit the football that they produced was fantastic and led to a game played to the best of competitive spirit.
Newlyn pressed early with the energetic Brodie Mitchell and composed passing of Callum Faulkner controlling the midfield. Newlyn made a tactical change from previous games dropping Jack Thompson from midfield to centre back and the Saints skipper gave an outstanding display of leadership from the heart of the defence.
Newlyn went close on a number of occasions in the first half but could not find the end product – Matt Toms and Martyn Probert both forcing fine saves from the Polperro goalkeeper. The visitors almost shocked the home side when a long-range shot cannoned to safety off the cross bar with Ian Brooks a relieved home ‘keeper.
Brodie Mitchell fired over following a move that saw Toms and Harry Mugford link well before Toms incisive pass found Mitchell. Ross Emery was called in to action making a last-ditch tackle that saw the visitors threaten on a counter-attack from another Newlyn attack.
The second half saw Newlyn enjoy the majority of possession and they scored within a minute of the restart when the outstanding Faulkner, now playing as a striker, followed up on a shot that was well saved to stab home. Young London was introduced on the hour mark and he doubled Newlyn’s advantage within a minute of entering the play – calmly chipping the ball over the stranded keeper before side footing home is first ever goal in adult football.
Sam Lawrence saw his shot strike the crossbar for Newlyn and Mitchell from a fine flowing move and Probert who saw his vicious shot flash past the past both could have scored along with numerous chances but it was the visitors who had the final say with an injury time consolation goal from Antony Harman.
Overall Newlyn were deserved winners in a game that was affected by the downpour that caused all players difficulties, but the home side remain with a 100% record this season and take this in to their next fixture on Saturday – again at home – when they entertain Altarnun in the Premier League, 2.30pm KO.
THE PHEASANT INN MAN OF THE MATCH – CALLUM FAULKNER