Local football round-up — Saturday, January 4

St Piran League East

LAUNCESTON Reserves moved to within a point of the top two in St Piran League East thanks to a 1-0 victory at fellow high-flyers Saltash United.

Scott Sanders scored the solitary goal as the Clarets, who have seen a number of players move up to the first team in recent weeks, moved onto 31 points from 15 games, one point behind St Mawgan in second.

St Mawgan drew 3-3 at Bude Town, who were grateful for a superb hat-trick from Ruan Tape.

However Bude dropped to eighth following a 3-2 home win for neighbours Morwenstow over Torpoint Athletic Reserves.

The Greens raced into a three-goal lead at the break thanks to Tom Denford’s volley following a corner, Gavin Carter’s long cross that deceived the goalkeeper and Norman Foster’s tap-in five minutes before half-time.

Torpoint played well for long spells and reduced the arrears through Nick Hill and Josh King’s rocket, but despite both sides squandering chances, the hosts held on for a crucial three points.

RRL East Cornwall Premier League

St Minver remain right in the title hunt in the RRL East Cornwall Premier League after a routine 4-0 victory at fellow North Cornwall side Padstow United.

Goals from Rob Green, Steve Wootton, Rob Elliott and Corey Cleave meant they remain four points behind leaders Mount Gould in fourth, who thrashed St Teath 11-0 in Plymouth.

Foxhole Stars are a point ahead of St Minver after a 4-0 success at mid-table North Petherwin.

Cornwall Airport Newquay Duchy League round-up

by Mike Newcombe

PREMIER Division leaders Gunnislake have earned themselves a home tie in the last 16 of the Duchy Knockout Cup despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Foxhole Reserves.

Both goals came in the first-half. Richard James scored for Foxhole with Liam Bryant replying for Gunnislake. As a result, Gunnislake qualify for a home draw in the last 16 knockout stage while Foxhole finish as runners-up and get an away draw as a result.

Altarnun won 3-1 to top Group A with Boscastle having to settle for second place. Adam Porter scored a brace for Altarnun with Stuart Cole getting their other goal. Dan Capstick replied for Boscastle.

Pensilva came from behind to secure second place in Group G at the expense of Tintagel. They trailed at home to Tintagel to a first-half Shaun Keeble penalty. The hosts put in a much better display after half-time with Tim Shearman equalising before a goal from Jack Penhaligon and a brace from Blake Penhaligon gave them a 4-1 victory.

Group E is a real mixed bag as both Gorran and Tregrehan Mills suffered point deductions in previous games. Tregrehan travelled to the leaders Stoke Climsland and won 5-1 to put themselves right back in the hunt to top the group. Andy Spokes grabbed the Stoke consolation. The final group match will decide the final placings, but whatever the result, Stoke will finish either first or second and qualify for a knockout game.

In a dead rubber in Group F, runners-up Saltash United Thirds won 7-0 at St Minver Reserves.

Southgate Seniors strode through their group in the Shoe Boy League Cup with Jake Hobson hitting four goals in a 7-1 win at St Cleer Reserves which took them to their fourth win from the four group games. Liam Cairns added a brace for the visitors with Adam Scott also finding the target.

In Group D, Grampound and Boscastle Reserves fought out a 1-1 draw on a heavy pitch in a bad-tempered and scrappy affair. Grampound went ahead in the second-half, but this sparked Boscastle into action and after a defensive mix up, Corrie Crook nipped in to equalise. Grampound had a couple of chances near the end but couldn’t convert. Both sides will qualify for the knockout stages but with them level on points and Grampound just ahead by one goal difference its all to play for in the return.

Delabole United qualified for a home draw with an unblemished record in Group E after a 5-3 win at Gunnislake Reserves. Sam Turner scored a brace for the visitors with Mac Irwin, Ben French and Churlton Fairman completing their tally. Darren Sambells replied with a brace for Gunnislake with new signing Keiran Lincoln getting their other goal. Gunnislake will qualify providing they don’t lose heavily in their final match with North Hill.

St Columb Major finish top of Group H after Dom Roberts scored five of their goals in an 8-4 defeat of Week St Mary, who replied through Steven Short, Gary Heywood, Cameron Putt and Aled Thomas.

North Petherwin Reserves are Group F winners after their 3-2 win at their St Mawgan counterparts. Mada Lin Boss, player/manager Jay Webber and an own goal did the business for the Badgers.

In the Duchy Premier, St Breward were 3-0 winners at St Merryn aided by two own goals from Neil Reekie and Jordan Carthew. Matt Hamley scored the other St Breward goal as they moved up to second.

In Division Two, Bude Reserves moved second on goal difference after a stunning 8-1 win at Lifton Reserves where Steve Hackett hit four goals. Ryan Leverton, David Hales, Steve Box and Brad Palmer where the other marksmen for the Seasiders. Liam Rich netted the home consolation.

Bude Town Thirds won the only scheduled game in Division Three with a 2-1 success at Queens Rangers. It was the home side that took an 18th minute lead but Bude equalised with a screaming shot from distance from Harry Dymond in the 25th minute and went ahead ten minutes later through Aidan Slade. The second-half saw Rangers search for an equaliser on a heavy pitch, but the visitors held on.

North Devon League

The match of the day in the North Devon League saw the top two in the Senior Division square off as leaders Holsworthy Reserves came from behind to win a thriller at Kilkhampton.

After a goalless first-half, Matt Jones’ header followed by Ryan Thomas’ strike put Kilk two goals up.

However strikes from Max McDonald, Nick Heywood and the prolific Ben Sharpe meant the Magpies go three points clear with a game in-hand.

Bradworthy’s difficult season continues in the North Devon Premier as they lost 4-0 at Boca Seniors.

In Intermediate Two, Morwenstow Reserves remain without a point following a 4-1 defeat at Braunton Fourths.

The Greens levelled in the second-half through Josh Werren’s superb strike into the top corner, but they couldn’t hold on.

Bridgerule Reserves forfeited their clash at promotion-chasing Lynton.

Ashwater were hammered 10-0 at Braunton Fifths in Intermediate Three.

Macron Devon and Exeter League

HALWILL are up to sixth in Division Two after coming from behind to draw 2-2 at third-bottom Honiton Town Reserves.

The hosts led 2-1 at the interval but the West Devon side, whose scorers were Elliot Collins and Charlie Richards, earned a point.

Billy Hopcroft scored five times as Halwill Reserves thrashed their Lyme Regis counterparts 8-3.

Darren Webber, Mitch Cisneros and Harry Hopcroft were also on target as the moved up to seventh with games in hand on a number of clubs above them.