SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Holsworthy 1 Wendron United 0

AIDAN Slade’s early goal kept up the Magpies’ fine form as they saw off top four hopefuls Wendron United 1-0 at Upcott Field.

It extends the Devonians’ recent record to just one defeat in eight games, seven of which have seen them keep clean sheets.

Boss Ryan Hall lined up in a 3-5-2 formation although he chose to rest wing-back Callum Martyn with Gavin Carter taking his place.

The Dron made the long trip up from West Cornwall looking to try and close the gap to Penzance in fourth, while Holsworthy knew a victory would keep them in with a shout of catching seventh-placed Wadebridge Town.

On a rock hard pitch and with a strong wind, free-flowing football was never going to be the order of the day, as shown by the opening goal.

Goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick’s long ball forward eventually found the feet of striker Sam Jago whose cute through ball found the onrushing Slade who slotted home past Zach Telling from inside the box.

Slade saw a shot deflected over by a defender as Holsworthy went for a second, before Wendron’s first real chance saw Dan Greet curl wide from 20 yards.

Teenage striker Elis Aldrich did likewise as the Magpies ended the half on top, before the prolific Ryan Reeve failed to hit the target on 44 minutes after a swift counter-attack.

The second half saw both sides fail to seriously test either keeper which suited the Magpies fine as they soaked up any pressure to move to within three points of Wadebridge who were beaten 3-1 by Callington.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jedd Peschke (capt), Sam Hill, Ollie Moores; Gavin Carter, Aidan Slade, Craig Penberthy, Jay Thomas, Kieran Jollow; Sam Jago, Elis Aldrich. Subs: Callum Martyn, Toby Martyn, Todd Peschke, Dean Hutchings, Max McDonald.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Aidan Slade.