St Newlyn East progressed to the semi-final of the Bond Timber CCFA Junior cup for the first time in almost 100 years following a tight 0-1 victory thanks to a Ross London late goal at Polperro. The last time Newlyn reached this latter stage of the competition was in the 1920s when it was in a very different and smaller format.

Before the game started Newlyn’s preparations were hampered when they were told their changing room was not available and they would have to use a cramped, smaller referee’s changing area that they could not all fit in to. This only served to strengthen the Saint’s resolve to get the result. With a pitch already in a poor condition following the home side’s incredible decision to play another match on it less than an hour before kick-off of a quarter final Newlyn steeled themselves for a traditional blood and thunder cup tie.

Newlyn settled into the game quickly and arguably played the better of the football on a difficult surface. Loud appeals for a Saint’s penalty were ignored by the referee after the ball clearly struck a home defender’s hand. Jamie Seery then saw himself sin-binned but Newlyn dug deeper, and Brodie Mitchell was played in by Lucas Moses only to see his shot fly inches wide of the post.

Polperro had their own opportunities to score but were wasteful and could not take the occasional chances that came their way. With Torpoint’s SWPL Luke Cloke drafted in to help Polperro the battle between him and Newlyn’s Cameron Buchanan and Harry Mugford seemed destined to determine the outcome of the game as to who would get the important upper hand.

Changes at half time saw the introduction by Newlyn of Lee Paxton and Sam Lawrence and both players had an immediate impact. Paxton’s all-round play was a constant threat and Lawrence’s energy and pressing were infectious. Both players had good opportunities to score when one-on-one with the keeper, but their shots lacked conviction and were easily saved. Another chance fell to Lawrence but his shot was parried by the keeper and Moses fired wide from the follow up.

The midfield duel was dominated by Buchanan who covered every blade of grass and urged his team forward. Callum Faulkner worked tirelessly for his team and linked play well between midfield and attack.

The commanding Seery’s towering header seemed certain to find the back of the net but a reaction save from the Polperro keeper saw him throw out a hand and tip it onto the cross bar. With the game seemingly headed for extra time a fine move from Newlyn saw Ross London burst past two defenders to race on to a neat ball and he hammered the ball home to the delight of his teammates with five minutes remaining.

The goal was enough to allow Newlyn to see out the remainder of the game comfortably and although the scoreline was close few would argue that Newlyn did not ultimately deserve this result. Newlyn now must await the completion of the other quarter finals over the coming two weeks before finding out who their next opponents in the Cup will be in the semi-final due to be played at the end of March.

The Pheasant Inn Man-of-the-Match: Cameron Buchanan