ST IVES TOWN 0 MULLION 3

AFTER threatening to pull off a good result, Mullion finally came good at The Saltings in the Jolly's Combination League with a comprehensive 3-0 win against St Ives Town.

The result, a very welcome one for the Clifden Park outfit, now puts them within a couple of wins of reaching a mid-table position.

"We have not been getting the rub of the green in our matches," said manager Terry Stidwell, "and I wouldn't say that we had it at St Ives, but we fully deserved our victory.

"The result was long overdue and it confirmed what I always thought about the team. They are in the right league, but are in the wrong position, but hopefully this result will help us climb back up the table.

"We had young Ben Tremaine making his senior debut and after an expected quiet start he thought he did very well. He impressed me.

"Everyone is very happy with the victory and it was nice to keep a clean sheet."

Mullion needed to make a good start and they did just that as they moved the ball around and looked threatening in attack.

Town handled the pressure quite competently, but needed a good save by goalkeeper Tony Symons to prevent David Cheetham from scoring with a well-struck free kick.

Tom Wadsworth and Gary Richards worked well together up front and Ben O'Hara twice denied Richards a goal with clearances off the line.

A goal was always on the cards and on the half hour it duly arrived when good work on the flank by Chris Lawrence saw him hit a superb 20-yard dipping shot that sailed over Symons head into the far corner of the net.

Town had a chance to get on the score sheet, but O'Hara's header from a cross hit the wrong side of the upright.

It was a rare sight of the goal for Town who made few openings against a defence that for most of the game looked a tight combination.

Five minutes from half time Mullion tightened their grip on the game with a second goal. Matt Fox spotted the 'keeper off his line and from outside the box hit a delightful shot over Symons for a fine goal.

The visitors could have added a third right on the half time whistle, but Jason Robertson's powerful shot was straight at the 'keeper.

There was little to choose between the sides during the opening stages of the second half with Mullion consolidating their position. They gradually began to take control midway through the half when Richards won possession and slipped the ball into the path of Wadsworth who scored from close range.

Mullion regularly got in behind the home defence to set up chances with Robertson having a cracking shot tipped over the bar by Symons and Richards going close from Ben Stidwell's cross.

Mullion were denied what looked a clear-cut penalty when Robertson broke into the box and was taken down from behind by a defender, but the referee waved for play to continue.

On Saturday Mullion visit neighbours RNAS Culdrose in another crucial league fixture.

Mullion: G Williams, B Tremaine, M Buchanan, D Cheetham, B Stidwell, C Lawrence, M Fox, G Harris, J Robertson, G Richards, T Wadsworth. Sub: T Stidwell.