By David Sillifant at Mount Wise

SWPL PREMIER WEST (THURSDAY)

Newquay 5 Wendron United 0

LOUIS Price was the hero as Newquay secured promotion as SWPL Premier West champions with a 5-0 victory over top-four hopefuls Wendron United on Thursday night.

A league record crowd of 1,864 piled into Mount Wise as the Peppermints reached Step Five for the first time.

After the Dron started well, Newquay took an 18th minute lead via Price’s tap-in before his superb left-footed howitzer sparked wild scenes.

The third arrived on 64 minutes when Price tapped in from close range, before fine finishes late on from subs Callam McOnie and Alex Cole rounded off a remarkable night.

Newquay knew that heading into their last game a draw would ensure the title ahead of Liskeard Athletic due to their vastly superior goal difference, and with a fully-fit squad to choose from, boss Shaun Middleton decided to recall striker Jack Bray-Evans as a number of fine attacking threats were left on the bench.

However, it was Wendron who started the better and midfielder Joe Chapman had a shot from 25 yards tipped over by Brodie Cole. They fashioned a huge chance on 13 minutes as the influential Ryan Reeve played in Joe Souch down the right, but Cole was out smartly to block.

Newquay finally going on the quarter-hour when Harry Downing saw his header blocked close to the line from Cam Turner’s corner.

The Peppermints were starting to ramp up the pressure and soon took the lead. After Phil Lowry’s header from Turner’s corner was superbly saved, Price was at the far post to knock in the rebound.

Price and Lowry couldn’t hit the target when well-placed before Price’s moment of magic on 31 minutes illuminated the contest.

After taking a pass from Aaron Dilley 20 yards from goal on the angle of the box, he cut inside on to his left foot before sending a shot into the far corner via the underside of the crossbar.

Cole had to be alert before the break as Louis Taylor’s curler nearly snuck into the top corner, but Newquay were almost there.

The second half was fairly low-key up to the hour although visiting right-back Jacob Kevern had to be at his best to cover, while Price brought out a decent save from Telling low down.

The third arrived on 64 minutes as another superb Turner corner hit a defender and appeared to go over the line, but Price made sure.

Both teams made plenty of changes as Newquay could enjoy their moment.

It was 4-0 on 82 minutes as sub Callam McOnie headed home Tom Moxham’s superb cross from the left, before Alex Cole added the fifth in injury-time when his acrobatic shot went under Telling.

The final whistle soon went as Newquay could finally say they are a Western League club as the players and supporters celebrated in style.

NEWQUAY: Brodie Cole; Jamie Edlin, Harry Downing (capt), Cam Turner, Tom Moxham; Ross Fallens, Aaron Dilley; Louis Price, Phil Lowry, Tom Shepherd; Jack Bray-Evans. Subs (all used): Lucas Potts, Dan Carne, Jacob Grange, Alex Cole, Callam McOnie.

WENDRON UNITED: Zach Telling; Jacob Kevern, Max Roberts, Russell May (capt), Reece Carroll; Joe Chapman, Louis Taylor; Joe Souch, Ryan Reeve, Josh Wood; Charlie Muller. Subs: Charlie Edney, Sam Fisher, Billy Stone, Dan Greet, Jude Warr.

Man-of-the-match: Louis Price.