SAINTS COME HOME WITH CUP WIN

St Newlyn East advanced into the second round of the CCFA Intermediate Cup with an impressive win over higher division Helston Athletic Development 1 at Cargoll Road in their first home fixture of the season. Missing Ben Lawrence and Dan Ball the Saints were dealt a further blow with captain Jack Thompson declaring himself unfit to start due to illness and only fit enough to be an unused substitute. The visitors – also missing players - saw their goalkeeper suffer an unfortunate injury in the warmup and was also unable to play.

Both sides started brightly, keeping the ball when in possession and trying to play out from the back. However, Newlyn carried more threat in attack with strikers Ross London and Dan Woodgate enjoying their battle with Helston’s Harrison Jewell. London saw some good efforts go wide and he turned provider for Woodgate midway through the first half only for his strike partner to flash his shot high over the bar.

Newlyn’s wide players Jackson Rochford and Owen London were enjoying sone good moments and it was from one of these on 31 minutes that saw Owen London attack the-full back before hitting a low shot that the keeper could only parry out into the path of his brother Ross who smashed home to give Newlyn a deserved lead at the break.

Newlyn introduced Martyn Probert at the interval with Woodgate dropping into midfield for Rochford and the veteran forward showed he has lost none of his enthusiasm for the game with his intelligent runs in behind Helston’s defence. Helston’s young side began to press Newlyn’s back line higher, trying to force errors but Newlyn’s experience of Ash Bradshaw and Sam Eglinton were composed and dealt well with any threats. Newlyn’s other outstanding performer Cam Burt was called into action and had to make two superb blocks from goal bound shots.

The “force of nature” Harry Mugford was everywhere in Newlyn’s midfield – constantly closing down opponents, supporting attacks and defending resolutely when needed. The excellent referee produced a yellow card for Helston’s Jewell on the hour mark for a late, clumsy challenge on Woodgate - who was first to the ball - that forced the Newlyn wide player off and be replaced by Sonny Summers-Evans.

Probert was unlucky when his low shot from a tight angle struck the base of the post on 70 minutes and with fifteen minutes left Probert found himself unmarked at the far post but he headed the ball down into the ground and back across the goal. Ross London reacted quickest, and he headed the ball home to double Saints’ advantage and score his second of the game.

Helston, to their credit, never gave up and as this entertaining cup match entered the last 5 minutes were rewarded when from the only real poor piece of defensive play the home side did all day allowed Liam Pascoe to cut in from the left before curling a low shot past the returning Nathan Prentice in the home goal.

Newlyn showed that they are playing their way back into form after their two recent league losses and they will look to continue this in their next fixture – again at home and another cup match.

Newquay Health Man Of The Match: Harry Mugford