A dominant display failed to bring any rewards for St Newlyn East who went down to a 2-0 away defeat at St Teath on Saturday. Wasteful finishing proved to be Newlyn's downfall in the East Cornwall Premier League clash much to the frustration of manager Martin Grigg.

He said: “It was a day of what ifs. It was nearly but not quite. We played the much better football and created the better chances – especially in the first half but lost 2-0 to a deflected free-kick and a soft goal where the referee missed a clear trip on Josh Dingle in the build-up.

“It’s very simple that whatever level of the football you play at – whether it’s the Premier League or Sunday football – you have to take your chances when they come. We didn’t today and ultimately that’s what has cost us”.

St Newlyn East had gone into the match looking to secure their first points of the season following an opening day defeat against much fancied Foxhole Stars and started brightly. The Saints created several chances in the opening 20 minutes and looked secure in defence with new signings Benjamin Hawken and Connor Jamison making impressive debuts.

Newlyn always looked the livelier side and created good chances with Owen London going close when he raced clear only to see his shot well saved and Dan Woodgate saw a shot flash just over the crossbar.

Rough tackles from the home side saw tempers flare – notably after a late scything challenge on Jamison from behind and a horror foul in the second half on Woodgate that saw the St Teath player only booked when it seemed certain he would be dismissed.

A soft foul on 70 minutes gave St. Teath a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Oliver Edwards subsequent shot was sailing high and wide until it deflected off the jumping Woodgate in the Saints’ wall and looped into the opposite far corner of the net giving Zef Counter in Newlyn’s goal no chance.

16-year-old Logan Capeling made his debut for Newlyn, and he had the opportunity to cap his first appearance in men’s’ football with a goal but he saw his curling effort flash just over the crossbar.

As Newlyn continued to push for an equaliser, St. Teath were able to exploit the gaps and Edwards added their second with five minutes remaining despite appearing to foul Dingle by tripping him as the cross fell to him before his shot into the goal.

The result left Newlyn feeling very frustrated as it was not what their overall play and effort deserved. However, with a changed squad following a disrupted pre-season – both on and off the pitch - they are still very much a work in progress, but the signs are there that the team is once again coming back together.

The Pheasant Inn Man-of-the-Match: Dan Woodgate