With St Stephens leapfrogging St Newlyn East in the League last weekend this was always going to be a close game, but the lack of matches for almost two months was ultimately what would cost the home side.

Newlyn’s pitch looked magnificent and a large crowd attended as the sun made a most-welcome appearance. The Saints, despite missing top goalscorer Dan Woodgate and new signing striker Liam Dent, had a near full-strength side and were aiming for a victory – however they stumbled through the first half with inaccurate link-play and a loss of physicality that allowed the visitors to press them and close Newlyn down giving them little time and space to play.

After twenty minutes Brodie Mitchell was dispossessed, and St Stephen quickly fed the ball to Ben Rosevear whose turn and finish opened the scoring. However, despite their poor opening the Saints were confident their form would return.

Newlyn started the 2nd half brighter and deservedly equalised from Matt Toms who pounced on a parried save seven minutes after the break. The visitors restored their advantage four minutes later with Newlyn’s 5ft 6 Toms found himself marking the 6ft plus Damerall who was easily able to head home from a corner. Josh Dingle for the Saints then conceded a soft penalty on the hour which was duly converted by Courtney Rowe before Saints skipper Jamie Seery brought the deficit back to one with a superbly won header in the box.

Lucas Moses saw a powerful shot well saved by the visiting keeper, but the lack of match-sharpness was ultimately to tell though as despite creating numerous opportunities before the final whistle the Saints were unable to level the score.

On Saturday they will look to return to form as they host St Teath in their final game before Christmas.

Man-of-the-Match: Harry Mugford