(SATURDAY)                                                                                                           SWPL PREMIER WEST                                                            Wadebridge Town 1 Launceston 3

The steadily improving Clarets backed up their stunning victory over Bodmin Town by producing a season’s best result, winning 3-1 at top four hopefuls Wadebridge Town on Saturday, writes David Harrison.

However Launceston manager Neil Price had to reshuffle his squad from the 6-0 Bodmin success, with regular starters Mark Elvidge, Archie Wall, Denham Guild and Josh Harris all unavailable. George Beardsmore moved from midfield to replace Wall in the back four, while Price again opted to start with Liam Raglan, Dan Clifton and Jacob Ham in more advanced positions. They provided valuable support to the more experienced Andy Watkins and Lewis Young.

Wadebridge came into the game in fourth position, having won at Pennygillam on the opening day. In their last two games, the Bridgers had beaten both Camelford and Wendron. On a heavy surface, the home side made the brighter start. Big striker Matt Lloyd, who invariably causes problems for the Clarets, had the first serious effort on goal but his flicked header went just wide of the far post.

Skipper Sam Gerken then fired a decent effort over the bar before Jacob Ham shot straight at keeper Rob Rosevear in Launceston’s first real attack. Lewis Young sent a 20-yard free-kick over the bar as the game settled into a rather scrappy midfield battle. 

Gerken picked up a cheap booking, while many of Wadebridge’s better moments involved tidy midfielder Greg Eastman.

Big home defender Rhys Hooper tested the patience of referee Matt Arthur with a series of niggly fouls as the Clarets began to control possession.

Towards the end of the half, the busy Watkins looked to be pushed over inside the penalty area but Mr Arthur waved away the protests.

As the game moved into added time, Launceston created their best chance of the half. The lively Clifton put Young through on goal but he could only drag his shot wide of the far post.

The half ended scoreless, but that all changed within four minutes of the restart as the Clarets stepped up the intensity. 

Young, involved in many of Launceston’s more dangerous attacks, made progress down the right before playing his cross into a dangerous area. He found the well-positioned Clifton who calmly steered his shot inside the far post to break the deadlock and give the Clarets a lead they just about deserved. Within two minutes that lead had been doubled. Ham found Raglan who comfortably beat Rosevear.

As anticipated, Wadebridge threw everything at the Clarets but the defence, in particular the teenage central pairing of Jude Jago and Beardsmore, stood up to a serious examination and they came through with flying colours.

They did need the help of an eagle-eyed official who spotted that Lloyd had punched in a deep cross from the right before claiming the goal in wide-eyed innocence. Initially the goal was given but Slade and his fellow defenders insisted the referee consult his linesman. Credit to Mr Arthur who not only disallowed the goal but rightly booked Lloyd for the offence.

Ham picked up a booking for a foul on Sam Wickins but, with Wadebridge pushing up, chances began to come for Launceston on the break. Clifton ran clear only to be denied by Rosevear while, at the other end, skipper Mike Steele was forced into a tremendous overhead clearance to help preserve the two-goal advantage.

After 83 minutes Watkins was pulled back as he prepared to shoot, for as clear a penalty as you could wish to see. Steele, developing into a fine penalty taker, crashed his shot past Rosevear to extend the lead to 3-0.

Morgan Vallejo grabbed a very late, and somewhat offside-looking, consolation goal for the Bridgers but the damage had long been done and Price’s side played out time with no serious alarms.

This was an outstanding win, against an experienced, competitive side. The teenage players, particularly the central defenders, deserve great credit but the vastly experienced Watkins put in a tremendous shift and offers so much to the side, both through his playing contribution but also helping guide the youngsters.

The Clarets visit local rivals Callington on Boxing Day (2.30pm), before welcoming Dobwalls to Pennygillam on Saturday December, 30 (2.15pm). 

Now 11 points off the foot of the table, the Clarets can look forward to a happier New Year.

LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade; Mark Wilson, Jude Jago, George Beardsmore, Declan Woodgate; Liam Raglan, Jacob Ham, Mike Steele (capt); Lewis Young, Andy Watkins, Dan Clifton. Subs: Morgan Jones, Mason Tape, Ben Harrison.

Launceston man of the match: Jude Jago.