Porthleven under 18s Manager Jamie Webb admitted he was proud of his 'special' squad of players despite the Fishermen losing 4-0 to Truro City under 18s in the final of the Rathbone Cup on Sunday, May 8.

All four of the White Tigers' strikes came in the first half with Teddy Horton, George Newton, Finn Harrison and Greg Eastman delivering the goods for the Truro side on afternoon at Enys Park, St Agnes.

Speaking to the Packet, Webb said: "It's never good to lose a final, not at all. I have to say well done to Truro and good luck to them with what they are doing in the future. They deserved to win.

"On our side, we worked very hard the effort my lads put in was fantastic. They didn't stop running. We had a really good team talk at half time, going in at 4-0 down you can quite easily see the other team run away with the game without thinking about it. We had a good team talk, a good get together.

"I think in football you need a little bit of luck, I know everyone says that but I felt yesterday the ball just didn't bounce our way. It was one of those games where things didn't work for us.

"The effort, the attitude and the heart in that game cements what I think about this team. They are special, they work for each other, they work for me I love it."

Webb was full of praise for his young side, many of who have played on several occasions for the first team who are in the St Piran League Cup final this Tuesday night, this match may well be one of their last as an outfit: "The club was in a bad place, it wasn't where anyone wanted it to be. But these lads I'd probably say are one of the reasons the club is where it is now and what it's doing." He raved. "They have played a lot of games for the old second team, now this first team, they've played all my games. I am super proud to call them my team, my players, my lads. There is nothing prouder than that.

"I am going to miss it so much, I know I am going to be involved with the adults but it was quite emotional yesterday. I felt quite drained because I was still smiling at the end even though we were losing 4-0. It was the last minute of the game and they were still running their hearts out, putting tackles in, I'm choked up now!"

Porthleven have one more match to play of the league season which is scheduled to be at home to Perranporth on Sunday, May 22. Regardless of the result, the young Port side will finish at least third in the Kernow Under Premiership table although a win over the league leaders will see them overtake St Blazey into the second spot, furthermore securing a successful season for the bright prospects.