Porthleven are facing a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their  rearranged Cornwall Senior Cup clash with holders Bodmin on December 14.

The Fishermen finished Saturday’s game against Vospers Oak Villa without a recognised goalkeeper for the second time in as many weeks after stand-in stopper Matt Quick, deputising for the injured Dennis Annear, suffered a nasty hand injury following a challenge with Villa striker Robbie Almond.

Quick played on for ten minutes, but during half time the youngster was taken to Derriford hospital for x-rays and defender Tom Annear found himself back in familiar territory between the posts.

Dennis Annear, who tweaked his hip flexor muscle against Dobwalls, hopes to be fit to play when Darren Gilbert’s side visit Gala Parc, but if not he may be forced to go to the Cornwall FA and ask for special dispensation to play veteran keeper Symon Winnan.

Winnan, who is also on the books of local rivals Wendron United, has not featured for Port this season, and as such the 43 year-old is not eligible to play for them in cup competitions.
Ordinarily the problem would be resolved by him making a cameo appearance for the first team between now and the 14th.

But with most sides in cup action this weekend, Port have no game.

“I spoke to poor old Matt on Monday and he’s got to go back down to Penzance to have them check his thumb again,” said the Port boss.

“They’ve x-rayed it and scanned it and it’s not broken, but there’s still swelling and they don’t know why. It’s looking like we’ll have to get on to the Cornwall FA and ask them if we can play Symon Winnan.”

Annear, a regular in goal for Port this season, still holds out hope that he himself will be fit for the Bodmin game, but the hip injury is proving troublesome, and the 43 year-old admitted that playing week in, week out, was taking its toll on his body.

“I tweaked my hip flexor against Sticker, and that’s on top of tearing my rotator cuff the week before against Dobwalls when I could hardly throw the ball out.

“It’s getting there and it does feel better, but I don’t know if I’m going to be ready for the cup game.  I’ll probably train next week and see how it goes.

“What we really want to do is get someone in permanently. We’re looking to sign a goalkeeper - if not now, then definitely after Christmas.”

Annear was cautious not to reveal his target, but said he was hopeful of making an addition to his squad in the coming weeks.

“There’s sopmeone who may be available that we’re interested in, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

“What I do know is that my body is telling me to stop and let someone a bit younger take over, so that’s the plan.”

Porthleven face Bodmin Town in the Cornwall Senior Cup on December 14.