Penryn Athletic Captain Russell May put his sides 3-1 defeat to Liskeard Athletic down to a poor 15-minute spell at the end of the first half which saw them concede three goals.

It was Athletic's third defeat in a row since the departure of former gaffer Harry Pope. Senior members, of the squad, including May, have since taken charge and will manage til the end of the league season.

Speaking to the Packet the Penryn Captain said: "It was nice to have a good squad of 15, with players leaving it has been hard to get new players in at this time of year. Saturday was torrential conditions as I suppose all pitches were in Cornwall. We had a good enough squad, I feel in the first half-hour we were more than in it. We went 1-0 up early doors, then we conceded around 35 minutes in, I felt against the run of play and then by half time we were 3-1 down.

"We had a poor 15 minute period which three mistakes cost us. In the last few weeks the mistakes are costing us results, last week we lost 7-0 to Callington and that was just a poor day. But in recent games, we have been more than in it but small mistakes are costing us."

Penryn managed to nullify Liskeard after the break as the weather conditions as well as the pitch began to deteriorate: "At half time we were confident." May continued.

"The pitch was awful but it is the same for both teams. We went out in the second half looking lively but the rain got heavier and heavier both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball. The second half was a stalemate, there was not a lot in it. It was just a question of who could stay on their feet it was that muddy.

"The ball wasn't rolling properly. If the game had kicked off an hour later it wouldn't have been on there was that much standing water. Both teams battled well in both halves it just was a poor 15 minutes from us in the first half which killed it for us."

Following the game, it was announced on Monday afternoon that midfielder Morgan Vallejo had become the latest player to depart the Kernick Road side joining fifth placed St Blazey.

Vallejo had travelled with the Blazey squad to their game against Falmouth Town but due to transfer regulations was unable to play in the match. He follows Bradley Leivers, Adam Williams and Adam Robathon in leaving the club following the departure of Pope.

Penryn's next match is the first of three away games in a row as they travel to Wadebridge Town who lost 4-3 to Wendron United in their last game.