St Newlyn East made the best possible start to their new season with an excellent win over much fancied Nanpean Rovers. After a good pre-season Newlyn were high on confidence and looking forward to finally playing a league fixture albeit against a Nanpean side that swept the board in the Duchy League last season winning the Premier West Division and securing the CCFA Junior Cup.

Bothe teams began playing open, attractive football on the slick playing surface but chances were few and far between in the opening half. Nanpean’s main threat came from St Austell’s dual registered Leo Best and last season’s prolific Jordi Willmot with Newlyn’s Ross London going close for the home side.

However, it was the Saints who made the breakthrough on 66 minutes when a cross was met athletically by Dan Woodgate who volleyed home from just inside the penalty area. This gave Newlyn extra confidence and they found themselves with more possession. This resulted with Ross London doubling their advantage on 75 minutes when he burst past two defenders before drilling a left foot shot into the bottom corner beyond the diving keeper.

Strange refereeing decisions were leaving both sides confused and it was from one of these instances when an obvious foul on London went unpunished allowing Nanpean to break down Newlyn’s left wing and Adam Sabine finished off by stabbing home at the far post on 83 minutes.

Despite the extraordinary eight minutes of added on time that the referee played Newlyn were able to defend resolutely and hold on for their first, massive three points of the season.

The Pheasant Inn Man-of-the-Match: James Gosley