By Kevin Marriott at Trefrew Park

SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Camelford 1 Newquay 4

CAMELFORD put in a brave performance but title-chasing Newquay overcame the severe winter elements to open up a six-point lead at the top.

Bitingly cold rain, accompanied by a driving icy wind, arrived just before kick-off and stayed throughout.

There were good opportunities for both sides in the opening minutes with Josh Caddy spurning a great chance for the Camels and Callam Maconie missing for Newquay a minute later.

One of the critical moments of the game came after only 12 minutes when the visitors’ captain Cam Turner stopped Downing going clear with only the goalkeeper to beat.

On another day it might have been a straight red but referee Matt Petherbridge decided to brandish a yellow and Turner went on to have a big influence on the result.

Maconie then had a goal disallowed for offside but he finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, whipping in a vicious inswinging corner from the right as the wind-assisted effort nestled in the far corner of the net.

Newquay then doubled their lead in the last seconds of the half as a Turner free-kick from the halfway line on the left side saw Harry Downing running in from the right to send a bullet header into the net.

Camelford’s determination to get back into the game in the second half led to a quality finish from the dual-registered Ryan Downing with 20 minutes to play.

However, Newquay added two goals late on through Cam Turner’s free-kick and a classy finish from sub Jack Bray-Evans.

CAMELFORD: Josh Colwill; Josh Smith, Sam Wade (capt), Adam Sleep, Bailee Deignan; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare, Andy Boxall; Josh Caddy, Shae Cardiff, Ryan Downing. Subs: Fin Ellacott, Kenan Nicholas, Dan Balsdon, Rylee Deignan (gk).

Camelford man of the match: Ryan Downing.