RNAS CULDROSE 2

J Thompson, M Burrows

MULLION 0

RNAS Culdrose: T Collins, D Moray, I Pattison, D Slesser, S Moulton, C O'Hare, J Thompson, J Dams, L Elston, S Connell, J Marles. Subs: R Potter, M Burrows, D Rowe, N Rudkin.

Mullion: G Williams, B Tremaine, M Buchanan, G Harris, B Stidwell, C Lawrence, J Robertson, D Meagor, M Fox, G Richards, T Wadsworth. Sub: R Carey, K Stidwell, D Robertson, D Higgins.

PLAYING their first game since the Christmas break, RNAS Culdrose came out on top in their crucial Jolly's Combination League local derby clash with Mullion.

The game was dominated by the strong winds and it was the servicemen who coped the better with the conditions to score a goal in each half.

"We showed some signs of rustiness," said assistant manager Neil Rudkin, "but that was only to be expected after our break.

"Once we got into our stride I thought we did quite well considering the conditions. We've now won four successive games, three in the league, and for the last two we've kept a clean sheet.

"On Saturday we have several more players who will come into the reckoning, so selection is going to prove quite a headache.

"Illogan are top of the table, but if we can maintain our current level of form I'm sure we are capabale of getting something from the game."

Mullion boss Terry Stidwell said his side didn't really look like scoring: "I thought we defended well in the first half, but when we conceded the goal you could see the lads were thinking they had worked so hard, but to let in a goal just before half time undid all their good work.

"We had the wind in the second half, but to be honest we didn't really threaten. I think that's where it showed on the pitch. Culdrose had a much more experienced side and used the conditions better whereas we were trying to walk the ball into the net when a few shots from distance might have been a better tactic."

With the wind at their backs Culdrose dominated the first half, but failed to create any worthwhile scoring opportunities.

George Pattison and Luke Elston both drilled good crosses into the box, but no one was there to tuck them away.

It wasn't until the 30th minute that either goalkeeper had a shot to save with Glen Williams saving from Jamie Marles.

Five minutes later Culdrose broke the deadlock after Mullion failed to clear their lines. Pattison won the ball at the far post, but Mullion eventually cleared to Sam Moulton whose cross was also cleared but only as far as Jamie Thompson who beat Williams from the edge of the box.

Sam Connell had a great chance to add a second when he beat the offside trap, but in a one-on-one he showed too much of the ball to Williams who did well to smother the ball with a fine save.

There was little change in pattern in the second half, but Connell had a couple of efforts from which he might have done better. One effort was headed wide and he failed to connect with another cross.

Mullion's best opportunities came from free kicks around the edge of the box, but they were unable to make anything of them as they were blasted over the bar.

Fifteen minutes from time new signing Matt Burrows made a spectacular introduction to the game. Connell hit a fine pass for him to run on to and with his first touch of the ball he knocked it round a defender and his second touch was to send the ball past Williams into the net.

Mullion tried to hit back and put the home side under heavy pressure in the last ten minutes, but despite forcing a series of corners could not find a way through a tight defence.

Culdrose visit league leaders Illogan and Mullion travel to Perranporth on Saturday.