Porthleven manager Dennis Annear said he was proud of the way his side performed against Senior Cup holders Bodmin Town, despite seeing them lose by seven goals.

Darren Gilbert’s side were in imperious form, scoring four times after the break as Port’s youngsters were overrun.

But the Fishermen arguably had the better of the opening 20 minutes, and continued to play some good football in fits and starts throughout the game.

New signing Chris Blango, and manager’s son Jordan Annear caused Bodmin’s vastly experienced back four some nervy moments early on, and forward Freddie Williams headed straight at visiting keeper Kevin Miller from a corner.

But gradually experience and quality told, and once Bodmin scored their second goal through Tom Chambers, last season’s treble winners never looked back.

Annear said: “We knew the task in front of us was a big old ask, but I said to the boys they’re only one league above us - although they’re one of the best sides in the league. Godolphin made the step up, Helston took them to two games in the final last year and probably could have sneaked it.

“But for the yougnsters this was a real big learning curve, hopefully they’ll learn from it.”
Mention is often made of just how young Annear’s side are in relation to other teams playing senior football in the county.

And rightly so. With an average age amongst Port’s outfield players on Saturday of just 24 years-old, in essence  they are a youth team playing in a man’s league.

It’s a fact not lost on the Porthleven boss, who has seen his side struggle in recent weeks as more experience sides have exploited their occasional naivety.

Victory over Dobwalls and Wadebridge, a high-scoring draw with in-form Sticker, and two hard-fought games against runaway league leaders Mousehole confounded critics who had Port down as pre-season relegation favourites.

But recent results  - including an 8-0 thrashing away at Sticker in the return fixture - have brought Annear’s side back down to earth with a bump, and the Port boss admits the winter months could be crucial to how the remainder of the season pans out.

“We had an excellent start to the season,” he said.

“People didn’t expect us to be where where were, but I knew the players could do it. It’s just keeping it going now.

“We’ve got some heavy times with the winter months coming, and some big games - although all games seem to be big for us at the moment.”

First up is an away trip to in-form Truro City in the league this weekend.

But looming large on the horizon is the Boxing Day clash with fierce local rivals Helston Athletic, who themselves have had a topsy turvy season.

Porthleven beat Helston on their own turf last time out, in a result that effectively ended the Blues’ title challenge. And Annear is in no doubt that Sid Taylor’s side will be out for revenge.
“Helston had a bad glitch early on, but they’re still a top side and Sid will rally them around,” said Annear.

“He’s been there, done that and knows what needs to be done. Obviously we beat them up there last year, and they won’t want to get turned over again.”

The Porthleven boss is cautious about making predictions for the rest of the season, and even more cautious when asked what he’ be happy with from the two upcoming games.

“You’re always going to say you want six points,” he said, “but I’m not silly. We’ve got two away games, and Truro are pushing for the top four. What you want and what you get sometimes aren’t the same thing.”