By David Harrison at Burngullow Park

SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Sticker 3 Launceston 2

THE Clarets visited Sticker on Saturday, looking to get their season back on track following the disappointing midweek defeat at Camelford.

Launceston manager Neil Price made wholesale changes following Tuesday’s game. Skipper Mike Steele was back into the squad following his leg injury, while influential midfielder Jaden Wood was also fit to take a place on the bench. Nick Salop returned to the side, having missed the Camelford game, Lucas Preston and Mark Elvidge both stepped up from the bench, while young Aaron Hughes returned to the matchday squad.

Finally, Price gave a starting place to experienced former Claret Jordan Stidson who slotted into the defensive line, alongside Jude Jago and Archie Wall. The manager was still missing the likes of James Close, George Beardsmore and Ryan Dawe, but his side looked to have a better balance than of late.

The Clarets started brightly and the first opportunity fell to Andy Watkins. However the top scorer snatched at a good chance, allowing home keeper Ethan Elwell to get down sharply and save.

Price’s side had an early edge in terms of midfield possession, but struggled to seriously trouble the home defence.

Preston and Salop both settled comfortably into their respective roles, while Stidson provided stability at the back. Elvidge was showing up particularly well and was brought down on the edge of the box when closing in on goal. Mr England charitably issued the relieved miscreant with just a yellow card.

As the half ran to a close, Sol Wilson was pushed 20 yards from goal. Tom Guest extracted full punishment by finding the top corner of Lewis Slade’s goal with a superb free-kick, to give his side a flattering half-time lead.

The Clarets were not thrown off track, however, and equalised seven minutes after the break. Elvidge and Stidson combined to set up Watkins who spun and finished well from 15 yards.

Watkins then hit a cross-shot just beyond the far post as the Clarets settled to play some of their best football of recent weeks.

After 65 minutes, Price replaced Josh Harris and Jake Ham with the returning midfield pair of Steele and Wood.

Steele’s free-kick was flicked on by Watkins but Elwell reacted sharply to save. There was real tension in the game by this stage, with both sides pushing for what would represent an important victory.

The Clarets lost the impressive Salop to a late injury, with Hughes his replacement.

The game looked likely to finish level, but a deflected cross found Fin Nancarrow on the back post and the Sticker man, making his club debut, turned the ball home from close range on 89 minutes. The Launceston defenders and bench were incensed at what looked a clear handball in the build-up, but after a lengthy consultation, the goal was given.

In the aftermath, Archie Wall was shown a yellow card for dissent which meant the visitors finished the game with ten men.

With the defence disrupted, Haiden Chapman soon made it 3-1, but still the game continued and the Clarets poured forwards. Deep into injury-time Hughes scored what proved to be a consolation.

This was a vastly-improved Launceston display that should have delivered a positive result. However the wait goes on and Price’s squad now head to Bude on Wednesday evening (7.30pm), where they are overdue a change of fortune.

LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade (capt); Lucas Preston, Ollie Northam, Jordan Stidson, Jude Jago, Archie Wall, Josh Harris, Jake Ham, Andy Watkins, Nick Salop, Mark Elvidge. Subs: Jaden Wood, Mike Steele, Aaron Hughes.

Launceston man of the match: Mark Elvidge.