LEWIS Prince’s hat-trick handed Sticker a 4-2 win at Gala Parc on Saturday as a poor opening 12 minutes ruined Porthleven’s chances.

The Fishermen, who gave debuts to new signings Reece Allan, signed from Penzance, and Ben Allan-Bassett, from Falmouth Town, could have avoided the two opening goals which set the visitors on their way to overtaking St Dennis at the top of the South West Peninsula League West table.

Jack Bowyer went close early on but Benji Bryant managed to pull off a fine point blank save.

However, the home goalkeeper then fumbled a cross sent in moments later by Jason Rogers, with Prince on hand to smack the ball home to give Sticker the lead after two minutes.

Things got doubly worse for Port ten minutes later when a pass back, involving Bryant and Tom Annear, resulted in an indirect free kick for the away side inside the hosts’ box.

Bowyer rolled the ball to Prince who made the most of the gaps left in Port’s wall.

After this shaky start, the Fishermen started working their way back into the match with Liam Hunter forcing a good save to be made.

Dan Tarrant should have made it 2-1 just before half time, but he sent a shot wide from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Jordan Annear did pull one back for Port though 18 minutes into the second half when he curled a free kick into the top corner.

But despite creating an avenue back into the game, the hosts let it slip almost immediately when a loose ball was picked up by Sticker for Bowyer to slot it home.

Prince then completed his hat-trick when he got in front of his marker at a corner and headed the ball into the net.

Port were able to grab another goal back when a brilliant ball from Hunter found Annear who then beat two defenders and rifled a shot in with six minutes left.

Both teams ended the match with ten men as Sticker’s player-manager Andrew Avery was sent off for a second bookable offence after slapping Dan Greet in the 85th minute.

Numbers would soon be levelled up as 120 seconds later, Port debutant Allan was shown red for a two footed tackle.

PORTHLEVEN: Bryant, Wormington, Hunter, Orchard (Allan-Bassett 75), Tarrant, Allan, Best, D Greet, T Annear (c), J Annear, Williams.

RED CARD: Reece Allan (87).