A SECOND-HALF strike from Newquay’s James Middleton was enough to settle this evenly contested match in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League division one.

The goal in the 53rd minute came at a crucial time for the home side as Penryn were on top at this stage and looked as though they were going to get at least a point from the game.

It is the third time the side’s have met this season but the closest contest they have fought out. Previous games this season have seen Newquay thrash Athletic 4-1 away only for Penryn to return the favour by knocking them out of the Throgmorton Cup by the same scoreline.

Surprisingly this match was one of five games that was given the go-ahead in the division as other leagues saw their fixtures list wiped out due to the frost.

It was a classic end-to-end encounter, between two strong teams, which was going to reward the side more clinical infront of goal.

Penryn started the better and as early as the second minute influential striker Dominic Pullen put Dale Band in on the right but his shot from a narrow angle went just wide. On a surprisingly soft Mount Wise pitch it was Dave Blizzard who was next to send in a shot at goal but his effort dipped past the far post while moments later an effort from Band was deflected over the bar for a corner.

At the other end Newquay’s robusk forward Scott Palmer broke clear but he rolled his shot wide as the home side started to threaten.

However, Newquay were giving away needless free-kicks in and around the box for some late challenges. One of these deadballs caused confusion in the box as Pat Shaughnessy fired in an effort at goal which ‘keeper Matt Armstrong-Ford could only fumble forcing the home side into a last-ditch clearance.

On 35 minutes the deadlock was broken. The home side had the Penryn defence outnumbered after they stole possession in the bottom corner of the visitors’ box. Paul Hampshire then played a neat one-two with the impressive Luke Rigby before cutting in on goal and clipping a shot to the far post which cannoned off the upright and into the back of the net.

Penryn, who were growing frustrated by some of the offside decisions, finally got a clear sight of goal when Shaughnessy capitalised on a defensive error to take possession. However as the midfielder honed in on the ‘keeper he fired the guilt-edged chance wide.

In the second-half Penryn had Newquay penned back on many occasions but couldn’t find the finish that would have drawn them level. Band looked certain to have scored on 48 minutes but his goal-bound lob was cleared off the line by a covering defender.

So it was like a hammer blow to Penryn when Newquay grabbed their second of the match.

With Athletic pressing down the left Rigby picked up possession cheaply. He took full advantage and ran at the opposition to slide a through-ball to Scott Parker. Parker then, instead of shooting, played an intelligent ball to set up Jake Heartigan who ran onto the pass and fired home from ten yards out.

Although this looked as though it might be curtains for Athletic they kept on battling and were back in the match three minutes later. Substitute Gregg Hobbs picked up a ball from Shaughnessy inside the box and from ten yards out he smashed an effort off the underside of the crossbar and in.

The goal gave the visitors renewed hope and Shaughnessy then went close to equalising when he cut in from the by-line and shot across the face of goal but to the dismay of the travelling support the effort went just wide of the post.

Steve Raven was then forced into an excellent two-handed save to tip Shaun Middleton’s effort round the post before band went close again as he hooked a shot in from distance which bobbled off target.

Raven then had to be alert once more when Penryn were caught on the counter. He was sharp enough to dive at the toes of Jake Heartigan, as he raced in on goal, to prevent the home side from going further infront.