PORTHLEVEN 1 BODMIN TOWN 5

CARLSBERG South Western League champions Bodmin Town showed the rest of the league that they do not intend to give up their title without a fight after a 5-1 thumping of Porthleven at Gala Parc.

For well over an hour there was little to choose between the two sides, but Port supporters will be chewing the cud over two controversial decisions that they say will have cost them the game.

Town's Darren Gilbert, who appeared to be on borrowed time after he was booked, went through the back of Tom Shaughnessy for what looked a rash challenge, but to everyone's surprise there was no rebuke from referee Jeff Williams.

To compound that, young Mark Holland was sent off after the ball struck his arm from a shot that was so close to him that he had no hope of avoiding it. "We thought it was a poor decision," said team secretary Vidal James. "How on earth could he have avoided the ball. The play was so close to him it was impossible. How on earth could it be deliberate handball when he didn't even move his arm? Ok, you can take the penalty on the chin, but to send the young lad off is too ridiculous for words.

"To play Bodmin with 11 players is difficult enough, but to do it with ten just leaves you with too much to do."

Port should have been in front after just three minutes when Tom Lamborne mishit a corner by Kevin Lawrence from three yards. Play went straight down the other end and when the ball broke loose in the box new signing Glenn Williams had no chance with Huw Morgan's point blank shot to put Town in front.

Ten minutes later Porthleven were back on level terms when a good move between Kevin Lawrence and Jamie Thirkle set up Holland who hit a cracking shot into the net.

Thirkle shot just wide after being put in by Martin Day, but Town threatened when Gilbert's drive from Craig Swiggs' free kick was blazed over the bar.

Gilbert collected his booking for a foul on Tom Shaughnessy and then provided the corner for Danny O'Hagan to head behind.

It was O'Hagan who set up a chance for Town, but Berry headed the cross wide of the upright.

With Dan Stidwell on for the injured Thirkle for the second half, it was Town who made the early running with a couple of good corners by Gilbert. The first was cleared, but the second from Flynn's shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Williams for a corner.

Williams was at his best again minutes later when Berry saw his goalbound effort tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball eventually hit Holland for the penalty and Berry made no mistake with the spotkick.

With Port trying to adjust to ten men, Town took full advantage and Williams was again defying everything thrown at him as he saved from Gilbert and O'Hagan.

Town extended their lead in the 72nd minute when Gilbert's inswinging corner proved difficult and despite Williams getting a hand to it the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Tow minutes later Port failed to clear an attack and Bennetts took his chance well.

It was well and truly all over for Port and nine minutes from time they conceded a fifth goal when they failed to clear Berry's cross and Swiggs hit in the loose ball.

This Saturday Porthleven won't have too far to travel - they visit Falmouth Town, kick off 2.30 pm.

Porthleven: G Williams, M Holland, M Day, S Middleton, D Mulready, J Burr, N Thwaites, T Shaughnessy, T Lamborne, J Thirkle, K Lawrence. Subs: P O'Shaughnessy, D Stidwell, P Ainscough, G Chambers.