LAUNCESTON boss Neil Price admits he was ‘very pleased despite the result’ after the struggling Clarets pushed title-chasing Liskeard Athletic for much of their 3-0 defeat at Lux Park.

The Blues are competing with Newquay and Dobwalls for the SWPL Premier West crown, but were made to work hard for their victory.

Price told the Post: “We competed throughout against a very strong and experienced team that had been brought together at great expense, and it took a dubious offside goal to break the deadlock on 45 minutes which was difficult to take as we had probably the best chance up to then earlier in the game. We also kept a good shape and worked hard with a young side.

“Second half obviously they were on the front foot and again we defended well and were very much in the game.

“But on the hour we conceded from a set-play which disappointed me as you don’t need to give good teams anything, and they hadn’t really opened us up.

“That said, we kept battling and could have nicked one back, but then late on with us pushing forward, they broke through and scored a third which was very harsh on us as they knew they had been pushed hard.

“All in all I was pleased with everything except no positive result, but there were some outstanding potential showed by some of the younger lads.

“Everybody played well, including another impressive performance from 16-year-old Alex Parnell and two 17-year-olds in Jacob Ham and Ollie Northam, the future is bright!”

The Clarets, who are two points above bottom side Millbrook, welcome mid-table Sticker on Saturday (3pm).

Price said: “They are on an impressive run having lost one in 10, so it’s a difficult game, but hopefully we can get a good positive result at home to go on a nice little run!”