Three on trot for Port

ONE goal was enough to secure all three points for Porthleven against Millbrook in the Carlsberg SWL at Gala Park, but more importantly it was nine points from their last three games.

As a match it did not have too much to commend it, but in Port's defence they could point to at least six players being unavailable.

Steve Taylor was unable to take his place in goal, Martin Day, Damon Mulready, and Fraser Cadman were missing in defence, and Nigel Thwaites was also unavailable. Paul Ainscough, although far from fit, sat on the bench.

This was a game where there were chances, but no one was good enough to make anything of them.

Port made an early attack on the visitors' goal with Andy Westgarth's header finding Hugh Howlett, but his first-time shot was just wide.

A corner by Jon Harris spelled danger for Port, but Jamie Burr was on hand to relieve the danger.

Harris was a tricky customer with his set-piece crosses and it needed a punch by Nigel Mee and a clearance by Burr to keep the visitors in check.

Kevin Lawrence was his usual busy self and from one of his crosses Westgarth's header was saved by the 'keeper at the second attempt.

Pat Shaughnessy's crosses were always likely to cause problems for the visitors, but Westgarth got on the end of one only to put the ball behind for a goalkick.

One of the best moves of the half saw Shaughnessy, Mike Davies, and Lawrence open up Millbrook's defence, but in attempting a header Mark Holland was ruled to have fouled the 'keeper.

Two minutes before half-time came the most crucial point in the game. Shaughnessy delivered another cross into the box and Howlett headed it on for Westgarth to head home.

The quality of the second half was no better than the first and Port were forced into making an early substitution when Shane Richards replaced Matt Thirkle who had sustained a dead leg.

A first-time drive by Davies went over the bar and Tom Lamborn mishit his half volley wide of the goal from Shaughnessy's cross .

Millbrook had one of their best chances of the game in the 62nd minute when Tony Hendy headed over the bar from five yards following a corner by Harris.

Port had a let off when Mee fumbled a cross by Gary Bridgman, but Jamie Burr was in the right place to clear the ball off the line.

Westgarth had a chance to wrap it up for Port when he broke through the middle, but he hit his shot straight at the 'keeper.

A needless stamping on a Millbrook player by Shaughnessy who, not surprisingly, was red carded, did not help the Fishermen's cause.

Millbrook's best spell came in the closing five minutes when they had Port under sustained pressure. Chris Yateman drove over from Darren Polston's free kick and Lee Algar had a free kick pushed away by Mee with time almost up.

Port's next game is on Saturday when they visit Mount Wise for a Carlsberg SWL match.

Porthleven: N Mee, M Holland, B Medlin, P Shaughnessy, T Lamborn, J Burr, H Howlett, M Davies, A Westgarth, M Thirkle, K Lawrence. Subs: S Richards, P Ainscough, D Howe, G Marks.