St Newlyn East won their second league fixture on a balmy Tuesday evening in front of a bumper crowd just in excess of seventy.

There were some changes to the starting XI from Saturday’s hard-fought win away at Nanpean - Sturgess, Mugford and Summers-Evans starting ahead of Thompson, Brooker and the absent Owen London - and Newlyn were in a confident mood to repeat their performance.

The home side started brightly and in the opening 10 minutes could and probably should have scored 3 goals. Mugford saw his header saved inside the first minute, Ross London saw his shot go close and Watson had a shot blocked. However it was the visitors who opened the scoring when a defensive error saw the home side punished on 9 minutes with literally their first attack and shot of intent.

St Stephens followed this goal with a spell of indiscipline for the rest of the half resulting in 3 yellow cards by halftime. The Saints continues to dominate possession and 15 minutes a great run by Jake Watson was stopped with an outstretched leg of the defender that was adjudged a penalty by the official. Ross London calmly tucked away the spot kick high to the goalkeeper’s right to level things up. Failing to consolidate, the Saints then conceded again very softly three minutes later when the home defenders positioned themselves the wrong side of an attacker who met a cross from the left to finish into the near post.

Again Newlyn rebuilt without any sign of panic and chances began to come thick and fast – London securing a brace with 10 minutes left in the half with an intelligent run from Bradshaw’s defence splitting pass that saw him draw the keeper out and London rounded him to slot home. The Saints had more chances as the half closed out – but Newlyn felt that the visitors should have been down to 10 men after a reckless off the ball incident was missed by the official as the clock run down.

Changes at half time saw a renewed Saints much refreshed by the break and some good link up play took advantage of the tiring visitors who were struggling to contain Newlyn’s movement. London bagged his hat-trick after a great four man passing move saw Russell Brooker play him in and London turned his marker and struck home to almost burst the net.

Newlyn saw Watson burst clear only for Julian to save when the Newlyn player seemed certain to score and Newlyn substitute Baulch couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to shoot when just inside the six yard area.

Tense closing minutes as the 6 minutes of injury time saw both teams make several attacks and the last-minute conceded corner was well saved by Nathan Prentice to calm the home fans’ fraying nerves.

A better start for the home side points wise this season than at the same stage last season with 6 points won but their next game at home against local rivals Newquay Reserves will prove to be a testing one.

Newquay Osteopaths Man of the Match: Jake Watson

Referee: Sam Doble