After a disappointing run of results St Newlyn East returned to winning ways with an impressive victory at home to St Stephen. The inclement weather failed to beat the determination of the home groundsmen and a great playing surface greeted both teams.

Short of many key players, the Saints still fielded a strong side and there was a great positivity apparent right from the start. An end-to-end frenetic first 5 minutes saw Newlyn create the best chances to open the scoring and Jake Watson was left frustrated as he saw the first of Newlyn’s many clear-cut opportunities to score go begging when he side footed wide at the far post when a goal seemed a certainty.

Dan Woodgate saw his low shot well saved low to his right by the St Stephen goalkeeper but the home side didn’t have long to wait for their first goal when they hit home via a strong Cam Burt header from a free kick launched with pinpoint accuracy on 6 minutes.

Woodgate fired close a couple of minutes later when he rounded the goalkeeper only to see his shot go over the bar with the goal at his mercy and he then saw a goal chalked off by a tight offside call - double-checked by match official Gary Cornish. The pressure was all from the Saints and the relentless effort and superb link up play culminated in Burt gaining his brace after a “ping-pong” moment in front of goal saw him drive home again from point blank range on 20 minutes.

Newlyn conceded straight from the restart after a pass across the goal by St Stephen was met by Sam Eglinton’s outstretched leg to block, but the ball ballooned over home ‘keeper Nathan Prentice for an unfortunate own goal. However, the Saints took this in their stride and kept their heads and were constantly driving forward with wide players Jake Watson and Ben Lawrence a constant threat.

Woodgate was barged over from behind in the penalty area for a stonewall penalty on 25 minutes. The honour fell to Watson whose shot beat the visiting ‘keeper for his first Saints goal and Newlyn’s third of the day. The home side stayed comfortable up to the break and looked to extend the lead their overall play and chances they had created deserved.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with Newlyn looking to add to their tally. The visitors’ frustration was evident and this culminated in a red card for their captain Kyle Wilmott when he fouled Russell Brooker with a crude challenge from behind on the hour mark as Newlyn were attacking with intent.

Newlyn substitute Simon Baulch chipped the visiting goalkeeper for his first goal of the season from Watson’s through ball to score Newlyn’s fourth of the day and he thought he had doubled his tally moments later but his header was thwarted by a fine save.

Cam Burt was all set to celebrate his hat trick in the closing moments when he fired home at the far post only for it to be ruled out by the official’s flag that was raised for offside.

Newlyn were deserved winners on the day, playing with enthusiasm and composure on a heavy pitch that held up excellently and after a run of defeats were able to celebrate a much needed three points.

Newquay Health Man of the Match – Jake Watson