LAUNCESTON 4 PENRYN ATHLETIC 2 THIS was not the start Penryn Athletic manager Dave Jenkin was hoping for, but Launceston were well worth their 4-2 win in the new season's opening Carlsberg SWL encounter at Pennygillam.

Athletic made the perfect start to their campaign with an early goal, but they were hustled out of their stride by a hardworking Launceston who never gave the visitors time to settle on a bumpy surface.

It was James Miller who gave Athletic the lead in the third minute when picked up a pass and thumped a terrific shot into the only spot that Paul Pethick was unable to reach for a brilliant finish.

The Clarets hit back and enjoyed some good possession with Charlie Blair setting up Tom Barwell to shoot just past the post.

Ben Goldring had a good chance to score with a header, but was unable to take advantage of Miller's short cross.

Miller went close for Athletic with a shot that hit the sidenetting, but in the 36th minute Launceston caught Athletic cold from a disputed free kick. The visitors failed to prepare for the centrally placed ball to be knocked through the middle by John James for Liam Tilley to gain possession and score from 12 yards.

Just before half time Steve Rowson fired in a header that Pethick did well to knock over the bar.

Athletic failed to impress at the start of the second half as James' snap shot went just wide and Blake's shot was tipped round the post by Chris Symons.

Richard Young replaced Matt Drummond in the 56th minute, but Athletic got little change out of Launceston who fought for the ball and tackled very tenaciously with the result that James and Jon Daw were both booked for over zealous challenges.

The home side took the lead in the 70th minute when they broke away from a Penryn free kick. The swift break saw James play the ball inside to Blair, but Matt Moore intercepted only to send the ball fizzing past Symons into his own net.

Three minutes later Athletic were caught trying to push out and Blair broke clear to lob the ball into the net over a stranded Symons.

Symons made a point-blank save to deny Dan Tilley in the 82th minute, but from the resulting corner Liam Tilley was at the far post to force the ball home.

Three minutes later Athletic pulled a goal back when substitute Steve Kellow put Young in to chip the ball over the diving Pethick.

Remarkably, they had further chances to score - all set up by Kellow - but Young and Dan Richardson were unable to make the most of their opportunities.

Tonight Athletic are home to Newquay (7.30), but have no game on Saturday.

Athletic: C Symons, A Trudgian, B Goldring, M Moore, L Bradd, M Cain, D Band, M Salmon, S Rowson, M Drummond, J Miller. Subs: R Young, D Richardson, S Kellow.