St Newlyn East made the their longest journey of the season to the boarder with Devon to face Kilkhampton and were able to welcome new signing Sean Kinsella into their squad to bolster their ranks for the rest of the season although they were without injured captain Jack Thompson and their previous game's match winner Owen London.
The opening exchanges were fast paced and fairly even - Newlyn working hard to keep the ball whilst the home side tried to press the Saints' defence whenever allowed. On 27 minutes Ross London found himself in space but could not find the contact he wanted and his shot was tame and easily saved. The home side's high press was causing Newlyn concern as the home side constantly gave the ball away on the edge of their penalty area gifting the home side opportunities of their own making.
Kilkhampton forced a good save from Nathan Prentice a minute later that saw the Newlyn goalkeeper palm the ball away for a corner. The resulting kick saw the ball fortunately fall to a home striker who blasted the ball goal wards but it struck the arm of Sam Eglinton who was less than 2 yards away and could do little else with his arms by his sides. The referee immediately blew for a penalty following loud appeals from the home side - a decision he was to admit at half time that on reflection he had been hasty in awarding! The resulting spot kick was dispatched for the opening goal on 29 minutes.
Newlyn reacted well and London again went close with a close shot from Dan Ball's pinpoint pass on 41 minutes but were dealt a further blow minutes later when defender Cam Burt was injured and had to be replaced by Kinsellla for his debut. Two late Jake Watson corners in the half again saw Newlyn threaten to score but the threat was well dealt with.
Newlyn started the second half the better team and had two great opportunities in the opening 10 minutes with Ben Lawrence unable to convert at the far post and Harry Mugford seeing his shot from distance well saved. Watson also saw his shot that appeared to be heading inside the far post well saved before London rose highest to head low into the same corner minutes later only for the home keeper to make the save of the match low to his left.
A Kilkhampton breakaway from the high press that was proving so successful saw the unfortunate Eglinton turn the ball into his own goal past Prentice to double the home side's lead before another defensive mistake again gifted the home side possession on the edge of the penalty area for a simple goal.
Newlyn continued to press but could not find their cutting edge - Martyn Probert shot agonisingly wide before Watson and Mugford were again denied by the goalkeeper. Kilkhampton added a fourth goal late in the half when Newlyn again were the instigators or their own downfall.
The defeat brings an end to Newlyn's recent run of wins and they now must look to put things back on track at home to last season's league champions Foxhole Stars.
Newquay Osteopath's Man of the Match: Jake Watson