Magpies return to winning ways at battling Millbrook

FIRST half goals from Brad Ausden and Gabe Rutter gave Holsworthy a first win in six league games at Millbrook on Tuesday night.

The Magpies have faced several of the better teams recently in the division, and managed draws against both Penzance and Camelford, but had fallen away from the top five.

Boss Kevin Squire was without top-scorer Ben Sharpe and Jay Thomas is now in Australia until Christmas, but he was able to welcome back frontman Brad Ausden and handed George Plumb a new role in the middle of the park.

Despite the long midweek trip, the Devonians dominated the opening half hour and racked up nearly a dozen corners in the process as they raced into a two-goal lead.

The first arrived just before the 15-minute mark as following good work in defence by Jeff Anglia and skipper Jedd Peschke, the latter sent a long pass up to Ausden with the former Okehampton Argyle striker firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The second arrived within 10 minutes of the first as good play down the left by left-back George King and Rory Simmons saw Gabe Rutter played in one-on-one and he made no mistake despite appeals from the hosts for offside.

Ausden’s return after several weeks out turned slightly sour soon after he was sin-binned for complaining to the referee, and Millbrook gradually worked their way back into the contest, culminating in Oliver Small beating Ryan Chadwick to find the top corner. Holsworthy’s cause wasn’t helped by Peschke slipping at the crucial moment.

Millbrook were buoyed by the goal and had the lion’s share of territory in the second half, and were a real threat from long-throws and set-pieces.

The visitors had excellent chances to add a third as both sub Josh Pearce and Carter blazed over from inside the box, but they held on.

On the victory, Squire said: “Beforehand I told the players that we’d drawn four of the last six games in all competitions which goes to show we’ve not been playing too badly, but it was just really nice to get three points on the board which sets us up nicely for a couple of cup games in the next few days.

“It was also really good reward for the boys’ commitment as Millbrook away on a Tuesday night is a long old trip. It was all about getting the win last night, and that’s what we’ve done.”

The Magpies are back on the road on Saturday in the Walter C Parson League Cup as they visit Premier East leaders Cullompton Rangers who have won 10 and drawn one of their 11 league outings.

Squire continued: ‘It’s obviously not the kindest of draws, but they’ll know we’re a decent team, so it should be a good game.

“We’re not helped that Jedd (Peschke) has his suspension following his red card last weekend, but everyone likes a good cup run, so we’ll see what happens. We know they’re unbeaten in the league, but if we go there with the right attitude and play like we can, there’s no reason why we can’t get a result.”

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jeff Anglia, Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, George King; George Plumb, Rory Simmons, Gabe Rutter; Sam Lynam, Brad Ausden, Gavin Carter. Subs: Josh Pearce, Josh Down, Chris Wildern.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Rory Simmons.