By David Harrison at Pennygillam

SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Launceston 1 Truro City Reserves 3

THE Clarets failed to build on their recent mini-revival as mid-table Truro City Reserves took all three points.

Pennygillam avoided the worst of Friday night’s weather, meaning the game went ahead as scheduled.

The Clarets were missing skipper Mike Steele, along with regulars Andy Watkins, Josh Harris and Archie Wall. However Mark Elvidge and Ollie Northam returned to the starting 11 with youngsters Alex Parnell and George Plumb given another first team opportunity.

Both sides struggled early on in difficult conditions, but the Clarets forced an early corner on the left, with Denham Guild’s flag-kick being deflected home by Plumb.

The visitors equalised almost immediately. Mikey Davies saw his well-struck effort beat Launceston keeper Liam Hill but goals continued to flow and within the opening quarter-hour Truro were 2-1 ahead, as striker Ben Shaw poked a shot home.

Impressive Clarets midfielder Jake Ham had a good effort saved by visiting keeper Morgan Jones as Launceston belatedly showed signs of settling.

However Shaw and skipper Alfie Flack posed a constant threat, with the former forcing a sharp stop from Hill before Flack carelessly blazed over.

Guild was sin-binned for disputing a decision by referee Michael Lazarus, but it was the referee who was next to blot his copybook when incorrectly awarding a penalty against Launceston. Reason prevailed and after consulting his assistant, the decision was reversed.

Chances were at a premium as the driving rain increased, but Flack ensured the points would go to the capital when running clear and finishing emphatically.

Guild collected a second yellow card and was duly dismissed as a rather unsatisfactory game drew to a conclusion.

LAUNCESTON: Liam Hill; Ryan Dawe, Ollie Northam, Denham Guild, Jordan Stidson, Alex Parnell, George Plumb, Jake Ham, Kian Berry, Mark Elvidge, Lucas Preston. Subs: Lucas Jackson, Louie Elliott, Morgan Jones, Morgan Parsonage

Clarets’ man of the match: Jake Ham.

Millbrook 2 Holsworthy 1

FORMER Magpies frontman Ben Waters scored twice on his debut as Holsworthy were beaten by the league’s bottom side at Jenkins Park.

The Devonians were without skipper Jedd Peschke and Gavin Carter, but those who did make the trip to South East Cornwall put in a performance which left plenty to be desired despite dominating the ball for long spells.

The opening ten minutes saw chances at a premium, but on 12 minutes the well-travelled Waters who made less than a handful of appearances for the Upcott Field club last season, fired past keeper Ryan Chadwick from eight yards after a ball in from the right.

Waters was causing plenty of problems for the Magpies and he went close to a second on 15 minutes when he hit the post from 20 yards.

Then, within 60 seconds Holsworthy equalised with a superb team goal.

A ball into Blake Shapland’s feet saw him find striker Sam Jago on the left side of the box and he curled a perfect finish into Tom Burstow’s far corner from 16 yards.

But midway through the half Waters added a second from close range to put the Brook back ahead.

They had Ronnie sent off. He received a yellow card for a poor tackle before the red was delivered moments later for dissent.

But despite Holsworthy having plenty of possession after the break, the only real chance of note saw Shapland fall over when well placed in the box.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick (capt); Callum Martyn, Sam Hill, Ollie Moores, Mark Horn; Aiden Slade, Toby Martyn, Jay Thomas; Dean Hutchings, Sam Jago, Blake Shapland. Subs: Max McDonald, Jacob Nosworthy, Jonny Lang.

Holsworthy man of the match: Toby Martyn.