St Newlyn East secured their position in the second round of the Cornwall Senior Cup for the first time in their history with a narrow win over St Teath that should have been more emphatic than the score line suggests if not for some wasteful finishing from the Newlyn players. The win was a very poignant one for the Saints as they gathered before the match to pay their respects at the spot where one of their ex-players Ryan Saltern was tragically killed by a hit and run driver in St Teath last year. Newlyn players and management were joined by Ryan’s parents Mark and Helen Saltern and a minute’s applause also took place from both teams before kick-off.

Missing Seery, Paxton and London, Newlyn started brightly, and Dan Woodgate forced the home keeper in to the first of many first half saves after 14 minutes with a low drive. Will Perry and Matt Toms then brilliantly combined to set Perry racing into the penalty area only to see his shot fly over the crossbar.

Lucas Moses and Josh Dingle, not to be out done, then did the same on the other wing only this time Dingle’s went closer, but his ferocious drive cannoned back off the post. Callum Faulkner saw a free kick tipped away from the impressive St Teath keeper before Harry Mugford saw his left foot drive hit the outside of the stanchion and deflect wide.

With no reward for their total domination Newlyn seemed to be going in to the break without breaking the deadlock but on 40 minutes a well worked move involving Callum Faulkner, Brodie Mitchell and Moses saw Faulkner arrive un marked at the far post to side foot home.

Th second half saw Newlyn start brightly in the early exchanges – Faulkner saw another shot well saved by the home side’s goalkeeper and undoubtedly their Man-of-the-Match. Woodgate saw a long range effort parried and Toms had another shot saved but Newlyn’s chances to increase their lead were few as the home side grew in to the game and Newlyn’s quality that had so overwhelmed St Teath in the first half now missing.

A petulant sinbin for needlessly kicking the ball away from Jack Thompson with just 10 minutes remaining saw Newlyn under late pressure but they held firm and were able to see the game out. The Cargoll Road outfit now eagerly await the draw for the next round as they enter uncharted Senior Cup territory!

Man-of-the-Match: Will Perry