By Kevin Marriott and David Sillifant

WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION ROUND-UP

MANAGERLESS St Blazey produced one of the best results in their recent history on Saturday as they shocked high-flying Buckland Athletic 1-0 at Blaise Park.

Blazey, who are second bottom still with 12 points, sacked managers Brad Richardson and Andrew Moon earlier this month, but those still at the club produced a performance to send the majority of the 125-strong crowd home happy.

The all-important goal came in the 17th minute when George Newton broke clear and beat former Bideford stopper Adam Seedhouse-Evans.

Left-back BenRowe was so impressive for the hosts he was voted man of the match while 16-year-old Tom Hensman made a hard-working contribution on his first senior start.

ST BLAZEY: Shaun Semmens, Will Tinsley (capt), Ben Rowe, Charlie Hambly, Jayden Gilbert, Scott Sanders, George Newton (Harry Hambly 81), Sam Clifton, Jacob Rowe (Preston Russon 72), Tom Strike, Tom Hensman (Eli Evans 62). Subs not used: Ashton Cantell, Aidan Jeffreys.

JUST down the A390 at St Austell, the hosts continued their massive turnaround in form as they saw off mid-tableBrislington 2-1 at Poltair Park.

The Lillywhites had won on penalties at Torpoint Athletic in midweek to progress in the Les Phillips Cup, and took that momentum into a clash against their Bristol-based visitors who arrived in South Cornwall in mid-table following promotion.

After a goalless first half, the game came to life as the Saints scored within 60 seconds of the restart through Ryan Downing which was added to on 62 minutes by the in-form Liam Eddy.

Liam Eddy celebrates after putting St Austell 2-0 up on Saturday. Picture: Paul Williams
Liam Eddy celebrates after putting St Austell 2-0 up on Saturday. Picture: Paul Williams (Paul Williams)

Brislington set up a nervous finale 11 minutes from time, but St Austell held on for a fourth league win in five matches ahead of a ten-day break.

Reflecting on the afternoon, Knight said: “I think Saturday shows how much we are learning about this league, having been absolutely hammered up there.

“For us to beat a very good side at home gives us real encouragement going into the second half of the season.

“We knew we were going into a 10-day break now which the squad need, and so we wanted to make it six unbeaten to go into that break with a great feeling about the place and we did just that.

“My back four deserve special credit as their front three are lethal, we dealt with everything they had and scored at good times and showed real fight at the end to see the game out.

“Special mention to my two holding midfielders who’ve been great on this run. Henry (Wilson) and Cal (Watson) shield us so well and gives us a base to play.

“The spirit of the team was typified by Tom Whipp, who had to leave the field with a nasty cut and that’s him and us , he’s willing to put his body on the line and he did just that.”

Knight added: “A little skirmish at the final whistle also made me happy. Nobody wants to see it, obviously, but the fact the whole team were in there for each other makes me a very happy manager.

“Three months ago that would never have been the case. We aren’t the finished article by a million miles and there will be loads of bumps in the road but we are in for the scrap together literally and metaphorically and that’s a good sign for me.”

ST AUSTELL: Andy Collings, Jake Shaw, Martyn Duff, Tom Whipp (Jamie Gilbert), Ollie Brokenshire, Callum Watson, Neil Slateford (capt), Henry Wilson, Liam Eddy, Ryan Downing (George Marris), Matt Searle. Subs not used: Kaden Stephens, Damon Mulready, Jason Rogers.