SWPL PREMIER WEST

Wendron United 5 Launceston 1

LAUNCESTON’S tough season continued on Saturday as a side with more teenagers than not were eventually beaten 5-1 at top-four hopefuls Wendron United.

The Clarets made the long trip down to Underlane six points behind both second bottom Millbrook and Bodmin Town, and took a deserved early lead.

Teenager Matt Gilmour, on his first start for the club, and Ben Harrison combined well to set up the returning Kian Berry for a neat finish.

Launceston controlled the early stages of a contest played in difficult, windy conditions, but the game turned after 36 minutes when the home side were awarded a hotly-disputed penalty for what the visitors felt was a minor push.

Keeper Liam Hill did well to block Ryan Reeve’s spot-kick but the rebound fell perfectly for the striker to register his 23rdgoal of another prolific season. In the aftermath, Launceston’s Jaden Wood was shown to the sin-bin.

While the Clarets were short-handed, Wendron took advantage and what had looked likely to be a half-time lead, became a 2-1 deficit.

With Wood restored to the line-up, the Clarets remained in control until around the hour mark, at which point Wendron stepped up the pressure and scored again.

Substitute Lucas Preston replaced Berry for the final 20 minutes but the hosts added two goals in the final half-hour to complete a somewhat flattering victory.

The Clarets worked hard throughout, with Ben Harrison putting in a noteworthy shift in midfield, but ultimately Wendron proved too strong for Price’s young side.

Launceston return to action on Tuesday, April 8 when they welcome out of form Bude Town to Pennygillam (7.30pm).

LAUNCESTON: Liam Hill; Ryan Dawe, Jordan Stidson, Alex Parnell, Ollie Northam; Matt Gilmour, Jaden Wood, Ben Harrison, Jake Ham, Tom Bullock; Kian Berry. Subs: Lucas Preston, Mike Steele.

Clarets’ man-of-the-match: Ben Harrison.