WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (SATURDAY)

Street 2 St Austell 1

Manager Chris Knight said he was proud of his St Austell players despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Western League Premier Division leaders Street on Saturday, writes Kevin Marriott.

That result followed a 2-0 setback at Brixham in midweek and leaves the Lillywhites struggling third from bottom after seven defeats in their opening nine games. 

Knight said: “I was disappointed on Tuesday up at Brixham when we somehow contrived to dominate a game of football for 90 minutes and lose.

“That was a long drive home but on Saturday I drove home proud to be the manager of a group of players that gave everything they had for our club.

“We totally frustrated the unbeaten league leaders and deserved a point in the end.

“Obviously people will read that and say that means nothing and I’m not stupid, I know that, but if you look at the teamsheet and the bench on Saturday, to perform how we did and stick to the gameplan was really pleasing for me.

“We haven’t done that this season and so there are signs we are starting to work it out, especially away from home.”

Knight had special praise for one of the club’s youngsters, Jamie Gilbert.

He said: “The lads that came into the team worked their socks off and in Jamie, just 18, we had the best player on the pitch, it was his first start and he was brilliant.”

Knight went on: “I’m not naive, we need to get results when you play well and we have done that twice in a week and got nothing.

“It’s hard to take really but that’s this league, it’s unforgiving.

“I’m really hoping that’s it for the holidays and absences now and we can get everyone there and try to move forward.

“It’s very difficult working with constant changes and I’m pretty sure we haven’t picked the same team twice yet; it kills us.

“Adam Carter has torn his calf which obviously has had a huge affect on the team. He's a leader in the dressing room and our focal point on the pitch so we have to learn to adapt somehow, he is out for a while so we have to accept it.

“There is no time for complaining though and I must say the group we have are a positive bunch, we will stay together and give everything we have to move forward.”

Street took an eighth minute lead on Saturday but it took them until the 65th minute to add to their lead, a penalty by Harry Foster.

Max Gilbert reduced the arrears with his own spot-kick 10 minutes from time.

By David Sillifant

ELSEWHERE in the division for the Cornish clubs, St Austell’s local rivals St Blazey also fell to defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by visiting Bridgwater United.

Blazey were looking to bounce back from a midweek loss to Ivybridge Town, and despite being camped in the Somerset side’s half for much of the game, were undone by goals from Jack Taylor and Josh Wadham.

Saltash United took the lead at home to high-flying Portishead 13 minutes in through Jack Jefford, but were behind within ten minutes.

Portishead who scored through Ethan Feltham, Ben Bemant (2) and Callum Eastwood, added two more after the break for another three points.

Torpoint Athletic’s tough run of results continued as they were beaten in injury-time by fellow strugglers Wellington.

Harry Jeffery twice put the Point in front at The Mill, but Phil Mendonca’s double won it for the Tangerines.