Jolly’s Cornwall Combination League

Wendron v St Just

One of the weekend’s biggest games at the top of the table sees second placed Wendron host St Just, who are trailing just three points behind.

Wendron have been in scintillating form of late, winning seven league matches on the bounce and scoring an impressive 41 goals in the process, including seven at Kernick Road on Saturday.
Despite their blistering form and their goal-fest last week, ‘Dron manager Paul Murray wasn’t getting carried away with things.

“The score was slightly flattering for us last week. There are still a few things we can do better all over the park.”

He went on to outline the importance of the upcoming games.

“We have a tough month coming up starting this week with at home game to St Just. They are a tough, compromising side and we really need to get three points out of the game.”

That may be easier said than done, with injuries and illnesses hampering Murray’s team selection – a common theme around this time of year.

Tight hamstrings and the common cold have seen a number of first team regulars declare themselves doubtful for Saturday’s game, leading Murray to sign on some cover for this week at least.

Chacewater’s Jake Harvey has signed for the Under Lane side, while another reinforcement comes in the shape of Josh Sims. The former Truro City Reserves forward is currently signed on with Peninsula Premier side St Blazey, and publicly expressed his disappointment at not being picked in Bobby Oaten’s side this week.

Having Sims in the squad will definitely be a boost, even if it is for this week alone. 
The league’s second top-scorer Luke Wort will be looking to add to his 22-goal tally, as he comes up against a St Just defence that have conceded 10 goals in their last six games.

Prediction Wendron 2 – 1 St Just


Porthleven v Illogan RBL

Struggling Porthleven host an Illogan side who will be full of confidence following their eventful 2-1 win over title-rivals St Day last week. 

The race for the league is now back in the hands of Mikey Pascoe’s side, who can go top of the Jolly’s Combination League if they win their two games in hand. Illogan currently sit in fourth place, just three points behind top of the table St Day, and one point behind Wendron and Ludgvan respectively.

In stark contrast, The Fisherman are off the bottom only on goal difference and have won just once in their last 11 attempts.

Whereas last season Illogan had Dominic Pullen to turn to for goals, this season has seen them finding the net from all over the park, predominantly midfield.

Six goals apiece from Luke Abbott-Smith and summer recruit Dan Richards, as well as a handful of goals from ever-reliant skipper Simon Ellis have been a key factor in Illogan’s success.

Despite not scoring half as many goals as rivals Ludgvan or St Day, their league-best defence which has conceded just 13 goals in 12 games, has allowed them to edge out games by a goal or two on a regular basis and rack up the points.

The departure of ‘keeper Barry Wyatt to Truro City Reserves has not affected them, with reserve goalkeeper Shaun Carter stepping up and playing a big part in their win over St Day.

Porthleven will have to start picking up points soon if they are to claw their way out of the relegation zone, however this weekend’s game against genuine title contenders, may not be the time to start.

Illogan will expect to win, but as for Porthleven these are not the games that will define their season.

Prediction: Porthleven 0 – 3 Illogan RBL


Hayle v Mullion

Hayle welcome Mulllion to Trevassack Park this Saturday as they look to close the gap on the travellers and move away from the bottom of the table.

With no win in their last nine games, a below-par Hayle side are facing a mid-table Mullion side who have won three of their last four.

An unexpected win over high-flying Ludgvan earlier in the month has had the Helston-based side high in confidence and they are consolidating their mid-table status, not looking to cause waves at either end of the table.

For Hayle, simply staying in the league and retaining their combination status will be regarded a success following the end of season turmoil that followed Anthony Reynolds departure, which almost saw the club fold.

In terms of game winners, Alan Thomas has carried Mullions main threat this season scoring 10 goals, with Rob Carey managing seven.

Hayle will look to young Ben Hocking to continue his goal-scoring form which has seen him notch 11 already this season. Although many will question why Barnaby Dagger, Hayle Reserves striker, is not playing with the first team as he has already found the net 20 times in Trelawny Division 2 and could surely play a part with the combination side.

Prediction: Hayle 0 – 1 Mullion


Newquay v Penryn Athletic

Newquay host Penryn Athletic at Mount Wise Stadium on Saturday, in what promises to be an evenly fought contest.

The teams are separated by just two points, and The Peppermints sit one place below this weekend’s visitors in 13th place.

Having lost their last three league games and falling down the league, Penryn will be looking to capitalise on Newquay’s poor form and get their first win in six.

The Borough are struggling themselves and have slipped down the table in recent weeks, but will be looking to this game against a team around them in the table to get back to winning ways.

They will be wary of the in-form Newquay striker Dean Vince who has found the net 11 times in all competitions this season.

Prediction: Newquay 1 – 2 Penryn

 

Perranwell v Falmouth Athletic

Falmouth Athletic pay a visit to the King George V Playing Field this Saturday afternoon as they visit face an 11th placed Perranwell.

Relegation-threatened Athletic are sitting 16th in the league, having won just three of their 14 games in the 2013-14 season.

With only one win in six, they haven’t been picking up the points, although the stats may lie as those six games include three ties against Ludgvan and Wendron.

Perranwell meanwhile have won two of their last three games in the league scored eight in two convincing 4-0 wins away from home. 

Perranwell would consider themselves the favourites for this weekend’s fixture and look set to pile the misery on Falmouth Athletic as they strive to pull away from the relegation zone

Prediction: Perranwell 2 – 0 Falmouth Athletic

 

RNAS Culdrose v Falmouth Town

Falmouth Town will be looking to chase down the pack at the top of the table and get a win away at RNAS Culdrose.

Six places and ten points is the difference between these two teams half way through the season, ad while Town are pushing to finish in amongst the elite group, Culdrose are looking to steer clear of the fight at the bottom – three points on Saturday would go a long way to achieving that.

Falmouth Town, much like Athletic, have been struggling for form of late failing to win in any of their last five league games.

Goals haven’t been a problem, with Tom Richards scoring 11 of their 44 league goals this campaign. It’s their vulnerable defence that has been the issue; they are the only team in the top half to have a negative goal difference. Shipping a staggering 49 goals in just 19 games is the worst record for anyone in the league not in the bottom three.

Prediction: RNAS Culdrose: 2 – 4 Falmouth Town