St Newlyn East won a highly competitive season-opener away at highly-rated St Dominic on Saturday with a performance that did justice to the huge efforts made both on and off the pitch to get their football restarted after over 6 months of downtime.

St Dominic, who at lockdown were strong favourites and second in last season’s table, had prepared a fine playing surface and no doubt expected to impose themselves on the newly-promoted Saints. But Management-duo Grigg and Thompson had prepared their side to perfection.

Newlyn dominated the first half and played a strong, physical game that totally surprised the hosts. The skill and interplay between all players was evidence of extensive training-ground work and the visiting supporters were treated to the best football they had seen in many games.
Jamie “Bambi” Seery commanded the defence and put a strong challenge in on the Dominic playmaker and top-scorer which drastically affected their ability to trouble the Saints defence. Lucas Moses had the beating of his marker who could only watch on disbelief at the young player’s skill – resulting in several clumsy fouls on Moses.

Newlyn’s efforts and pressure paid off after 17 minutes when Moses was crudely brought down in the penalty are and Ross London confidently converted from the spot. Cheers were cut short, however, as the official disallowed the goal due to “encroachment”! London, who showed a confidence that impressed all game, duly stepped up and scored again to put the visitors ahead.

Supercharged by this lead the Saints entered a prolonged period of possession which had a crowning moment just 3 minutes later when a sublime move that started with goalkeeper Zefran Counter passing to full back Josh Dinlgle who found Moses down the right wing who linked with London who produced a pinpoint cross to find Parsonage who powerfully headed home from point-blank range.

St. Dominic were shell-shocked and on the half-hour London found himself through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat but the home side’s ‘keeper brutally brought him down on the edge of the penalty area which the referee deemed accidental, waving away the protests from the bench. London got his revenge though, as just 5 minutes later Parsonage’s strong drive forced the ‘keeper to fumble his block and London tapped into an empty net.

At this level, however being three goals up just before half-time means little – especially against side such as St Dominic. With a minute left a very dubious direct free-kick was awarded outside the box which the Saints failed to deal with and it was dispatched in to the corner of the net beyond the diving Counter to reduce the deficit.

St Dominic were a different side after the restart and Newlyn struggled somewhat to adapt. Matt Toms was energetic on the left wing and the Saints found new pace as the half progressed. Midfielder Cameron Buchanon covered every blade of grass - leading by example and was ably supported by Harry Mugford and the cultured Callum Faulkner. Repeated fouls on Moses eventually saw the culprit cautioned for his troubles and Dan Woodgate – making his Saints debut – was viscously hacked down with no punishment forthcoming. He almost made a dream start a minute later as he hit a thundering shot that came back off the post. Totally against the flow of the game though, it was the hosts who scored next – another free-kick was quickly taken catching Newlyn unaware and went in va the post and crossbar.

Nerves frayed as the game played to its conclusion – tempers raised as the clock ticked into over seven minutes of injury time. Then the final whistle and pure joy from the Saints.

This was a performance that will need to be repeated throughout the season to allow the Saints to compete in the ECPL – but few watching could dispute that St Newlyn East have definitely “made the weight” for what promises to be an exciting few months to come.

Man-of-the Match: Cameron Buchanan