PORTHLEVEN 3 PENZANCE 3

WITH manager Kevin Richards away, his assistant, John Laity, took charge and would have expected a fairly comfortable victory against Jolly's Combination League opponents Penzance considering the relevant league positions of both teams.

However, Port managed to shoot themselves in the foot as they missed chance after chance and allowed Penzance to equalise three times with some abysmal defending.

A few of the PFishermen's players need to look at their contribution and attitude in this game. Congratulations are earned when they play well, but praise will not be given to appease them when it most certainly is not warranted.

This side has the making of a good competitive team, but unless they unite as a squad, then the splendid start they have made will all be in vain.

It all started well with some good approach play but where a couple of weeks ago the chances were converted, now it seems a lack of confidence has reaed its ugly head.

Football is a confidence game and sometimes players lose it, but their talent will shine through in the end and it will happen for these players.

Port went ahead after ten minutes when Chris Strike hit a neat cross and Tom Wadsworth duly converted.

Penzance equalised nine minutes later with a great drive, but Port put the pressure back on and Jason Robertson hit a sweet 20 yard half volley to put them back in front.

It should have been 3-1 at half time, but the usually reliable Ashley Stidwell missed his penalty kick when Robertson was up-ended in the box.

Normally Port would have gone on to win in a canter but their passing, movement and general play became scrappy and with the young Penzance squad growing in confidence themselves, they equalised with a fine far post header after 55 minutes.

It was now Penzance who looked to go on and win the game, but on the hour Robertson got his second goal with another splendid shot.

Back came Penzance and they scored when Port's 'keeper failed to clear his punch the sub drove in from eight yards.

Port pulled out all the stops now to get the winner with Steve Williams shooting just wide and Wadsworth doing the same. The final chance fell to Robertson but his spectacular overhead attempt just cleared the bar.

Praise must go to the Penzance team that battled well, but Port will need to up the ante as they travel to in-form Holmans this Saturday and the manager will ensure that this is the case.

Porthleven: Stu Williams; Yates; Cook; Chambers; Stidwell; Perry; Robertson; Gardner; Strike; Wadsworth; Fox. Subs: Dan Williams; Adlard; Steve Williams PORTHLEVEN 5

NEWQUAY 2 On a pitch that was a credit to the groundsman these two teams fought out a very entertaining midweek game. The result was certainly a fair one, but even though Port won handsomely, Newquay came out with credit and will give a lot of of teams a difficult contest as the season progresses.

The first ten minutes were fairly even but Port started to get into their stride and scored what at first seemed a good goal which the referee allowed in the 12th minute, but after consulting his assistant the goal was disallowed.

Port continued to put the pressure on and were rewarded on 20 minutes when a free-kick from Chris Strike was fumbled by the keeper and Nick Perry swept in to put Port 1-0 up.

Newquay were only able to make sporadic attacks and the Port defence handled these well as for the next 15 minutes Port attacked from all angles, with chances going the wrong side of the posts and bar.

It was enevitable that the second goal was coming and even though it was a bit fortuitous, Wadsworth's shot after a great four-man move spun over the head of the 'keeper.

For the final ten minutes of the half Newquay battled back hard as Port took it too easy, but they lacked a cutting edge up front to make inroads into the score.

As early as the 47th minute Wadsworth, who is gradually coming back into form after a lay-off, managed to miss an open goal when put through by Strike, but he worked hard all game and deserves credit for that.

Newquay got themselves back into the game in the 57th minute when they punished Port for some slack defending as Hunter hit a fine low shot past Williams, but Port edged away again two minutes later when Gardner glanced in a header from a Strike corner.

The game became quite open as the players tired and Newquay scored a second on 78 minutes with a good header from Adam Weller.

It seemed that Port were looking to give away the advantage they had gained, but even though they had another perfectly good goal disallowed, their good team spirit and will to win saw them score two fine goals, from Fox with a terrific shot and a Robertson shot from a Fox pass.

The match ended with Port still attacking as they keep up their challenge for honours on the heels of Truro and Helston.