Boxing Day sees the first league meeting of the season between Falmouth Town and Penryn Athletic as the sides go head-to-head at Bickland Park on Sunday with kick off at an earlier time of 11:00am.

The teams:

Both teams go into this match having won their last fixture. Falmouth extended their league winning run to 22 games by beating Launceston 3-0.

A result which broke the sides club record for number of league wins in a row. They are top of the South West Peninsula League with 51 points, 14 ahead of second-placed Camelford.

Falmouth Town Manager Andrew Westgarth confirmed that winger Tim Nixon will be available for selection after missing recent fixtures through injury.

Penryn Athletic, in their first season in the league, beat Bodmin Town 2-1 last time out.

Goals from Ryan Reeve and Nick Boase sealed the win for Ryn, who were denied a clean sheet after a late goal from Dan Jennings. The three points strengthened their grip on 11th place and reduced the gap to tenth-placed Launceston to just one point.

A win for Falmouth will extend their lead at the top of the lead with Camelford not having a fixture. Penryn could go as high as ninth if they take three points depending on the outcome of the St Austell vs St Blazey fixture.

The rivals clashed earlier in the season when Falmouth Town prevailed 4-1 winners in the Walter C Parson Cup. A Luke Brabyn brace plus goals from David Broglino and Tim Nixon saw Penryn off on the day, although the visitors did grab a late consolation on the counter attack through a well taken finish from substitute Jak Davies.

The Managers:

Ahead of the match, Falmouth Town Manager Andrew Westgarth insisted his side are preparing the fixture just like any other league game, he said; "We just have to treat it as another game, that record (the consecutive league wins record) is done now, that has been put to bed and it is important that we focus on the next game and not get too carried away with it being a local derby.

"For us it is just another game that we have to focus on." The Falmouth Manager added.

After his sides 2-1 home victory against Bodmin Town, Penryn Athletic Manager Harry Pope said: “I think going out and getting the result we did on Saturday, we were short on players we had injuries and illness so for them to go and get the result we did on Saturday the belief is sky-high. We all understand the task in front of us but what an opportunity.

“The fact we have been there before this season and played in front of a big crowd in that cup match that experience will help us.

“It is a massive task but that is why we are here, these are the games we want to be involved in.”

Form guide (all competitions):

Falmouth Town: LWWWW

Penryn Athletic: DLLLW

The game:

As aforementioned kick off at Bickland Park is at an earlier time of 11:00. A bumper crowd is expected at the game so fans are advised to arrive early. Singer Joe Grimshaw is also set to perform a display of Nessum Dorma on the centre spot at 10:45.