South West Peninsula League preview 30/11

Falmouth Town v Witheridge

Falmouth Town will be looking for their first win in almost two months this Saturday as they come up against a Witheridge side who sit just four points off the top.

Chris Vinnicombe’s men extended their unbeaten run to six after a 2-0 victory away to struggling Newquay. Town meanwhile, will be coming into the game refreshed and raring to go following a week off.

The Amber and Blacks sit second bottom of the South West Peninsula Premier, having taken maximum points just twice in 17 attempts this season.

But manager John Dent's side will be buoyed by the recapture of Rob Wearne from Newquay. He could line up alongside another new signing, Kayne Trevaskis in a new look Falmouth attack.

Witheridge, meanwhile, will hope to continue their fine form and keep the pressure on in the title race.

A big game this weekend sees Exmouth face Ivybridge in a crunch clash between second and third, meaning there will be an opening for Witheridge to gain an advantage and climb the table. 

In contrast, Falmouth Town are in need of a win to pick up some much-needed points and get themselves away from the foot of the table.

Having mustered an average of just a goal a game this season, Dent will hope that Trevaskis and Wearne can help improve their form in front of goal and fire them up the table.

Prediction: Falmouth Town 1 – 3 Witheridge

South West Peninsula League Div 1 West (kick off 2.15pm)

Vospers Oak Villa v Porthleven

An important game this week sees tenth-placed Porthleven travel up to Devon to face a team one place below them in Vospers Oak Villa.

Just one point will seperate these two teams come kick-off on Saturday and The Fishermen will be wary that they need a win, as Vospers have three games in hand on them.

After a good start to the season, a poor run of late has seen Porthleven go five games without a win, but manager Dennis Annear remains in high spirits.

“We’ve played well recently but just haven’t got the points; the confidence is still good with the boys.”

He went on to outline the importance of tomorrow’s match.

“When you’re playing sides around you it’s imperative that you pick up points when you can. Three points is a big must for us this Saturday.”

Annear expressed disappointment in his side’s inability to keep a clean sheet since the second week of the season, but was excited at the prospect of unleashing new signing Christian Blango on the Villa.

After looking sharp when coming off the bench against Dobwalls last week, it is probable that he will get a first start for his new club at Weston Mill.

The Fishermen have no new injury worries and will travel with a full strength squad.

Meanwhile Villa will want to get back to winning ways in the league with their last win coming three weeks ago when they edged-out Truro City 3-2.

Prediction: Vospers Oak Villa 1 – 1 Porthleven

Callington Town v Helston Athletic

Helston Athletic travel to Callington on Saturday in a clash that could prove pivotal in the promotion race.

Level on points going into the game and with the same amount of wins, it looks sure to be one of the most evenly contested fixtures of the weekend. 

Both teams will be hoping to bounce back from defeats last week in which neither side managed to score.

The Blues go into the game on the back of a controversial 1-0 home defeat to Wadebridge, while Callington fell away to Mousehole as The Seagulls continued their record-setting 100 percent start to the season.   

Athletic will pose the greater goal threat as their 40-goal haul this season will testify, and manager Sid Taylor will be banking on Mark Goldsworthy to continue his good form and add to his 12 goal-tally.

Callington haven’t had a great deal of league action over the last few weeks, playing only twice in the previous five rounds of fixtures.

As a result they have three games in hand over fifth-placed Helston, putting them firmly in the driving seat should they manage to get a result on Saturday.

Even though both teams go into the game level on points, Helston will be the in need of the win as they look to shake Callington off their tails and begin look up the table rather than over their shoulders.

The Callington manager Adam McPherson will be the happier man should these two play out for a draw, as it would leave the ball firmly in the Cally court.

Prediction: Helston Athletic 1 – 1 Callington Town

Sticker v Penryn Athletic

In a weekend of season-defining games, they come no bigger and no better than second against third.

Mousehole look to be running away with the league as we approach the mid-way point, but no trophies are handed out in November, and this game featuring two of the favourites to challnege Wayne Quinn's side for promotion promises to be a cracker.

Six points is the difference after sixteen games, and Athletic can’t afford to slip up if they are to maintain their promotion aspirations, as nine points would surely be too much of a gap to claw back.

Athletic manager Steve Jewell will also be aware that his side need to keep the form going. If results go their against them and teams below them win their games in hand, they could potentially slip as low as seventh.

This Saturday will also see them play their first league game since the departure of striker Kayne Trevaskis, who signed for rivals Falmouth Town last week - their last league match saw them draw away at Porthleven two weeks ago.

Sticker meanwhile have lost one and drew one over the last fortnight, these results coming after their season-high 8-0 win over Porthleven. They will be confident that they can get a result at home, especially if strikers Jack Bowyer and Andy Butler are on form; they have scored 14 and 11 goals respectively.

Prediction: Sticker 2 – 2 Penryn Athletic 

Holsworthy v Truro City

Truro City are the favourites for this weekend’s clash against Holsworthy, who are precariously placed three points off the bottom.

With four of the six teams above them playing each other, this is a brilliant opportunity for City to pile the pressure on. If results go their way, and the two games at the top finish all square then they could see themselves up to joint-third and really put the cat amongst the pigeons, so to speak.  

After their second win in as many weeks, a convincing 2-0 result against Bude Town has given Anthony Reynolds’ men some momentum and they will be expected to carry it on against a Holsworthy team who have been found wanting this season.

Winning just three of their ten league games so far, The Magpies need to pick up some points to avoid slipping further into the relegation scrap. One element that is favouring the Devon side is their games in hand over teams around them, which could see them up to twelfth if they can capitalise.

Neither side have a striker in the goal scoring charts, which is to be expected for Holsworthy as they have a division-low total of just ten goals; while the white tigers recently surpassed the 30-goal mark.

The Magpies lack of goals will prove a problem once again this weekend and Truro should have no more of a problem than they did dismissing Bude last week.

Prediction: Holworthy 0 – 2 Truro City