Porthleven manager Dennis Annear says he has no qualms about putting his faith in youngsters again this season.

Annear, who watched his side struggle in this month’s Dave Gardner Memorial Cup, believes the club’s current crop of youngsters will come good, and said individual errors were to blame for recent results rather than a lack of ability.

“On the whole I’ve looked over, not just those three games, but our previous friendlies, and the youngsters have done well.

“We work with them week in week out and we know what they’re capable of, and because of that we’ve got 110 per cent faith in them.”

Annear says the prospect of losing talented players to other clubs weighs more heavily on his mind than a lack of players.

Noisy neighbours Helston Athletic have enjoyed success of late, and the Blues have already raided Gala Parc for dynamic midfielder Kegan McPhilbin.

Porthleven also lost the impressive Ben Gadson, and utility player Dominic Batchelor, to Penzance during the off-season.

But with youngsters Chris Wormington, Reece Allen, and Luke Hunter already showing signs that they are far from out of their depth in the Peninsula League’s division one west, Annear may indeed have a task on his hands keeping hold of them.

“They’ll be good players no doubt, but they’ve all got to learn,” said the Port boss. “They will come good though.

“Losing players like Kegan, Ben, and Batchy will hurt you, but you’ve got to take the knocks. I think if we can finish mid-table this season it would be ideal.

“Eighth would be great for us, like finishing top of the league, but we’ve got to be realistic about things. The goal of promotion isn’t a short term one, it’s a few seasons down the line.

"The people here appreciate that. You can’t just jump back up to the top of the league. These things take time, but we’ll get there. I’m sure of that.”