ST IVES TOWN 0

PORTHLEVEN 7

THERE are many superlatives to describe this performance, but brilliant would not go amiss as a start as Porthleven hammered St Ives Town 7-0 in the Jolly's Combination League.

It also would also be difficult to pick out one player, but for Jason Robertson epitomised the way that a player with his all-round performance can raise his team mates to play to along side him at a high level for the whole 90 minutes.

With his other midfied players Dean Bray and Jordan Adlard he took the game by the scruff of the neck and made a team, who had nearly beaten the title favourites Truro City the previous week, look very ordinary.

The opening exchanges were pretty even with both teams having half chances, but it was Port who made the better start and began to take charge and on 16 minutes they took the lead when an exquisite ball from Robertson fell into the path of Matt Fox who tormented the St Ives defenders all the match. He tore down the right wing and crossed to Mike Davis who rammed it into the net from 10 yards.

The continuous movement and pace of Davis, Cook and Fox never allowed the defenders to get to grips with them and the chances started to increase and it was all hands to the pump led by ex-Port player Mark Hope.

Up front for St Ives, Darren Steadman, their in-form striker, was given no space by skipper Clayton Reynolds and Stu Yates, and he incurred the wrath of the referee on numerous occasions.

On 37 minutes St Ives should have drawn level but the forward rushed his shot when well placed and it sailed harmlessly wide.

Port made them pay for that error when five minutes later Bray's pass split the defence and the quick cross from Davis saw Cook neatly tuck away his chance under the 'keeper. As the half came to an end three more good chances failed to hit the target from Davis, Adlard and Fox.

Port continued where they left off as the second half got under way and when Fox ghosted pass four players he was up-ended in the box. Ashley Stidwell, on for the injured Stu Robinson, calmly dispatched the penalty with ease.

Back came St Ives who should have scored, but it was not to be their day. On 57 minutes Steadman bought down Stidwell from behind and he was sent off for his second yellow card of the match.

Now with their backs firmly against the wall, St Ives tried to get into the game, but it wasn't long before Port's fourth goal hit the net when quick passing saw Fox blast his shot past an over-worked goalkeeper.

The 'keeper kept the score down to single figures following a string of saves, but again on 70 minutes Stidwell scored his second penalty when Davis was scythed down as he went to shoot.

With St Ives tiring Port refused to ease off and Robertson kept the momentum going with some stirring tackling and astute passing. With six minutes to go Bray scored the sixth when his 25-yard shot flew pass the hand of the 'keeper into the bottom corner.

With Danny Williams on for Cook his clever play found Fox who sored his second and the seventh of the match as the game ended.

On Saturday Porthleven will entertain Illogan (kick off 3 pm).

Porthleven: Stu Williams, Reynolds, Yates, Strike, Robinson, Robertson, Adlard, Bray, Cook, Fox, Davis. Subs used: Stidwell, Gardner, Williams. Not used : Nick Perry PERRANPORTH 1 PORTHLEVEN 5 It was frantic stuff from the onset and both teams had half chances in the first few minutes, but Port were the more direct and a brilliant ball from Cook in the 15th minute found Matt Fox who out stripped the defence to score.

Perran showed plenty of resistance and made Port pay for squandering chances by breaking out in numbers and equalising just before the break.

Early inthe second half a Davis free-kick was fumbled by the 'keeper and Perry was on hand to tap the ball into into the net.

This led to a personal attacking performance by Davis and when Chris Strike found Cook and he worked some space and crossed to Davis whose half-volley from 12 yards gave the 'eeper no chance.

Port were making many good moves and it wasn't long before a cross from Davis found Fox who took advantage from a mix up by the 'keeper and his defence and he slotted it away for his secon goal.

As Perranporth tired Port still looked for more goals and the fifth came when Davis carved his way past six defenders and hit a terrific 18 yard left foot shot into the top corner.