By Kevin Marriott at Mount Wise

SWPL PREMIER WEST

Newquay 3 Liskeard Athletic 0

NEWQUAY took a big step towards their goal of gaining promotion to the Western League when they swept aside their main title rivals at Mount Wise on Saturday.

The Peppermints opened a nine-point lead on the Blues having played twice more, with an impressive all-round performance, capped by two goals from the league’s leading scorer Louis Price, making his first appearance since December 21.

When the teams meet again at Lux Park on Saturday March 15, the points gap will probably have been reduced, but Shaun Middleton’s side will have this result and performance in the memory bank.

The match had started relatively calmly and it was 19 minutes before the first opportunity with a Dan Jennings effort being scrambled off the line by the hosts.

But Newquay’s first chance after 25 minutes brought a goal. A free-kick wide on the right, delivered expertly by left-back Tom Moxham, caused panic in the six-yard box and Price found space to send his volley into the net.

Liskeard came close to an equaliser just before the break when a free-kick from the right by Max Gilbert landed among a bunch of players at the near post and the ball struck a post before being cleared.

It turned out to be a big moment because six minutes into the second half Newquay doubled their lead. A throw-in from the right caused confusion in the Liskeard defence and Shepherd was able to direct the ball past Luke Gwillam and into the far corner of the net.

Newquay should have been 3-0 up on the hour when Phil Lowry was presented with a relatively easy chance but he didn’t connect with his shot very well and the danger was cleared.

A minute later Liskeard were inches away from reducing the arrears when a Max Gilbert free-kick picked out the unmarked Cam Patterson, but his header flew just past the post.

The Blues were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute when centre-half Darren Hicks was sent to the sin-bin, and while he was off the field Newquay increased their lead.

A through ball in the 72nd minute exposed the visitors’ central defence and Price latched on to it, taking the ball to the edge of the penalty area before lifting it wide of the advancing Gwillam and into the net for 3-0.

Hicks returned in the 77th minute but lasted only a minute before picking up a second yellow card for a late tackle, and a minute later midfielder Matt Andrew saw red after a mistimed challenge.

Shepherd, already subbed, took it upon himself to return to the pitch to join in with the incidents which followed and had to be ‘persuaded’ back into the dugout by several of his own side, though a linesman saw it all and informed referee Will Annear, who brandished his red card for a third time in as many minutes.

Newquay continue their promotion push next Saturday (February 22) when they visit St Day (3pm).

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole; Jamie Edlin, Tom Moxham, Aaron Dilley (Lucas Potts, 11), Harry Downing (capt), Josh Evans, Tom Shepherd (Coen Briggs, 70). Phil Lowry (Ollie Butterworth, 80), Ross Fallens (Owen Johnson, 73), Jacob Grange, Louis Price (Jack Bray-Evans, 85).

Newquay man of the match: Harry Downing.