PORTHLEVEN face a busy few days ahead as they go into two games in the space four days, which could go along way to deciding what silverware they pick up this season.

The Fishermen, who currently sit four points clear at the top of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One (west), are at home to fourth-placed St Austell on Saturday and victory then would see Port take a big step towards winning the title.

The match with the Saints also has extra-significance as it is a chance for Port to get revenge on their opponents who knocked them out of the Cornwall Senior Cup at the quarter-final stage.

However before they face St Austell, Port have a more pressing engagement when they play Godolphin Atlantic in the semi-final of the Cornwall Charity Cup at Truro City’s Treyew Road ground tonight.

It is a massive game for the club and one manager Gary Marks feels could be crucial.

“From a manager’s point of view it will be twice as important because if we can get a win on Wednesday (tonight) the players won’t take a lot of lifting for Saturday but if we lose it could be difficult.”

“It is a massive week for us. I’m not saying our whole season depends on it but it is the biggest week of the season so far.”

However, despite desperately wanting a win against Goldolphin tonight Marks preparations have been hit by injuries to Steve Warr, Jamie Thirkle and Wayne Brown. He is also without Stuart Reynolds who is cup tied for the match.

“All my players are a big loss when they are out,” said Marks. “And while I don’t like to single anyone out Thirkle has been in good form of late and we will miss him but I’m fortunate that we have good strength in the squad and players like Chris Strike and Paul Ainscough can come in and they won’t let the side down.”

Speaking about tonight’s opposition Marks, added: “Goldolphin were one of the best footballing sides when they came to us earlier this season. We ended up turning them over 5-2 but they came and had a go. I don’t think they deserved a point but the scoreline certainly flattered us.

Speaking about Saturday’s game with St Austell Marks, said: “It is a big game as is our next match against Penzance. The next couple of fixtures aren’t going to win us the league but if we can do well it will give us that push we need going into the final few games.”

PORTHLEVEN 1 FOXHOLE STARS 2 WHILE Porthleven face a big week ahead their preparations for their crunch matches haven’t been good after they lost to midtable Foxhole Stars in their last outing.

Port missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League division one (west) with the disappointing loss.

The Fishermen started the game the better and could have been ahead early on when Jamie Burr picked up the ball and lobbed the keeper only for a covering defender to head off the line.

Darren Burchell then went close to putting the home side in front but when his inswinging corner was flicked goalwards it was scrambled clear from under the crossbar.

Foxhole came more into the match as the half went on and Andrew Butler forced a good save from Richard Pennington with a shot from just outside the area. Kyle Friendship then shot narrowly wide before their were appeals for a penalty from the visitors as Richard Griffin went tumbling under challenge from Matt Laity.

However, the Stars didn’t have to wait much longer for the breakthorugh as Griffin picked up a corner to fire home on 37 minutes.

Pennington then kept the home side in the match as he dived at the feet of Friendship as he went racing through just before the half-time whistle.

The second half saw the visitors continue to dominate with Adam Holland going to close to a second with a speculative over-head kick as the Port defence hesitated in trying to get the ball clear.

Porthleven began to liven up and could have levelled when Matt Young hit a left foot shot which rattled the woodwork and Stuart Reynolds volleyed goalwards from the edge of the area.

However, Burchell was more accurate with his volley later in the half which flew past visiting keeper Ryan Holland to put them back on level terms. However, it was not to be Matt Laity’s day, having already conceded a penalty he then diverted a cross from Nicholls past his on keeper to give Foxhole the points.