St Newlyn East AFC continued their fine run of form with a totally dominant display against AFC Bodmin which saw them win their Knockout Cup group and secure a next-round home advantage in the last 16 of the competition.

The game saw the debut of newly-transferred Dan Parsonage and he was to produce a Man-of-the-Match performance on a day that every member of the squad was literally on fire from start to finish. Parsonage and Lucas Moses were unstoppable on both wings and both were to claim Newlyn’s opener after just two minutes as Parsonage floated a sublime cross into the path of Moses who was right at the far post to possibly to claim the faintest of touches from point-blank range.

Over the next couple of minutes captain Brodie Mitchell fired from distance only to see his goal-bound shot deflected by Ross London, Parsonage forced a good save from the visiting ‘keeper, Harry Mugford shot wide and Martyn Probert was brought down in the box only to see his penalty appeal turned down by the official.

Newlyn cleared everything thrown at them with Al Titterington controlling the line well, Steve Harris produced a solid performance at left back and the hosts produced a string of controlled moves each one threatening the visitors across the park. On 20 minutes Moses’ deft chip beat the ‘keeper but not the crossbar, 8 minutes later London’s freekick forced a save, and with 10 minutes left in the half another apparently clear penalty was turned down despite protests from the Saints faithful. Mitchell shot just over the bar and then shortly afterwards produced a fine solo run past several Bodmin midfielders and defenders to drive a fierce shot into the bulging net to double Newlyn’s advantage on the stroke of half time.

Bodmin were only to produce a single shot on target all half – 30 seconds from the break a long-range effort was tipped over the bar by home ‘keeper Zefran Counter.

Newlyn restarted as they left off, peppering the visitors’ goal. Mitchell claimed his brace and Newlyn’s third with a low drive from 25 yards 7 minutes in. There was a frantic 2 minute’s spell that saw the visiting ‘keeper produce a fine block from a shot, then an outstanding triple-save with right-hand, feet then left-hand – trying to keep his side in the game.

Bodmin left it late and only had their first shot of the half with 15 minutes to go, but this was closely followed by a third penalty appeal for the Saints when Callum Faulkner was pushed over in the penalty area – and a third waving away by the official.

A lack of concentration as the game moved to its conclusion from Newlyn allowed Bodmin more possession but they held firm. Josh Cook topped off a strong substitute performance with 10 minutes remaining as he drilled a strong shot under the ‘keeper to seal the game. A late sin-binning to the visitors compounded their woes and as the whistle sounded Newlyn could consider this result a job well done.

This coming Saturday the Saints return to League action as they travel to Boscastle hoping to continue their unbeaten run.

“THE PHEASANT INN” MAN OF THE MATCH – DAN PARSONAGE