HOLSWORTHY boss Kevin Squire admitted he was ‘pretty disappointed’ as the Magpies were comfortably beaten 3-0 by league leaders Liskeard Athletic at Upcott Field on Saturday in the South West Peninsula League Premier West.

The Magpies went into the game third in the table following a fine start to the season which continued with a 3-2 victory over Falmouth Town Reserves a week earlier thanks to Ben Sharpe’s late header.

However, the Devonians were once again without suspended duo Jedd Peschke and Gavin Carter, while the likes of Jay Thomas and Rob Pearce were both also absent.

Squire made one change from Falmouth as veteran striker Craig Duff was brought in for midfielder Josh Down who joined Chris Wildern and Joe Barker on the bench.

Liskeard arrived off the back of victories at Bude Town (3-0) and Camelford (2-1) in the previous week and with Elburton Villa breathing down their neck, knew they could ill-afford to take the hosts lightly, particularly after Holsworthy won the corresponding fixture 2-0 last season.

However, there never looked like being a repeat of that as Liskeard started like a train and swept into a 2-0 lead by the 20-minute mark.

First, man-of-the-match George Newton put the Blues in front on 11 minutes before strike partner Ryan Richards added a second.

Holsworthy were given a chance late in the first half as referee Max Davies decided to send off debutant Lance Bailey following an off-the-ball clash with Duff.

Holsworthy started the second half a bit better but failed to seriously test Luke Gwillam, and the game was wrapped up on 78 minutes when Richards added his second from the edge of the box, helped by a hefty deflection which left keeper Ryan Chadwick with no chance.

Squire admitted absentees didn’t help, but felt his side could have produced a better showing.

He said: “To be honest I was pretty disappointed. Twice in the last couple of weeks against Barnstaple (Torridge Cup) and then on Saturday against Liskeard we’ve come up against good teams and we’ve not really got close.

“I have a lot of trust and confidence in my players and in the majority of games this season we’ve done really well, but on Saturday we didn’t really compete.

“We didn’t do enough to get anything from the game which on one hand is disappointing, but it’s a learning curve for the players, many of whom are pretty inexperienced.

“Hopefully they can use that to their advantage and when we play them again in a month or so’s time, we’ll apply ourselves a bit better.”

While the defeat was a setback, they will hope to bounce back at mid-table Wadebridge Town on Saturday, a side they beat 3-0 earlier in the season.Squire continued: “Since we last played Wadebridge back in August there’s been a big change with a new manager and some new players.

“I’ve watched them a couple of times and they’re a decent side who compete hard.

“But we should have a couple of players back on Saturday which will strengthen us, and we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways.”

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Sam Hill, Callum Martyn, Ollie Moores, Will Harris; Todd Peschke, Craig Penberthy, Elis Aldrich, Ben Grech; Craig Duff, Ben Sharpe. Subs: Josh Down, Joe Barker, Chris Wildern.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Elis Aldrich.