SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE PREMIER WEST

Holsworthy 2 Launceston 3

FAST-improving Launceston travelled up to Holsworthy last night and returned with three welcome points following a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

Owen Davies put the visitors ahead after six minutes with a thunderous 25-yard drive that left Magpies keeper Ryan Chadwick motionless.

Lee Robinson saw a drive deflected inches wide, but the Clarets were dealt a blow when George Bills had to be substituted inside the first ten minutes. Bills was replaced by frontman Kian Berry.

The Magpies equalised after 23 minutes when Owen Lauderdale converted a deep cross, but Berry put the Clarets back in front after 35 minutes when he ran clear and beat Chadwick with a neat finish.

The lively Ben Sharpe was causing problems for Launceston, but they reached the interval clinging to their 2-1 lead.

The home team pressed hard after the break and won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. The initial shot was blocked, but Callum Martyn reacted first and rammed the loose ball past Howie Evans.

Referee Adam Leigh was kept busy, issuing a series of yellow cards to players from both sides, but a well-contested, entertaining game never boiled over.

Former Clarets George Plumb and Gabe Rutter stood out in the Holsworthy midfield but as the game entered the closing stages, it was the visitors who made the decisive breakthrough.

Launceston top scorer Lee Robinson played a clever reverse pass that put Berry in the clear. The substitute kept his head and finished precisely past Chadwick.

There was still time for the hard-working Robinson to blaze a good opportunity over the bar but the game ended with Clarets keeper Evans having to dive full-length to keep his goal intact.

Launceston closed the game out to clinch their first away win of the season and move further up the league table.

Mike Steele, part of the interim coaching staff at Pennygillam, said: “Last night’s victory was another top result for the lads. We knew it would be a tough place to go against a very good side who know how to play their pitch to their advantage.

“The character, determination and togetherness shown by every player was outstanding. We scored three excellent goals, but what impressed me most was the work-rate, resilience and desire to battle for each other and get those three points over the line.”

The win followed their 2-0 success over Millbrook eight days earlier, and Steele continued: “We’re really starting to understand our strengths as a group and how to get the best out of each other. There’s a real belief building within the squad, and results like last night show the progress we’re making. But we know this is only the beginning. The challenge now is to maintain these standards and deliver performances like that week in, week out.”

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jeff Anglia, Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, George King; George Plumb, Josh Down, Gabe Rutter; Sam Lynam, Ben Sharpe, Owen Lauderdale. Subs: Chris Wildern, Josh Pearce, Kian Burns, Aaron Hart.

LAUNCESTON: Howie Evans; Alex Parnell, Ryan Dawe, Tom Manuel, Jude Jago, Harry Eaton, Tom Bullock, Kaiet Rasche, Lee Robinson (capt), Owen Davies, George Bills. Subs: Mike Steele, George Davey, Kian Berry, Sam Tattersall, Dylan Rangecroft.

Men-of-the-match: Holsworthy – George Plumb; Launceston – Kian Berry.