HOLSWORTHY 2

PORTHLEVEN 1

After playing out a superb 3-3 draw with league leaders Sticker during the week, Porthleven were brought back down to earth on Saturday when they lost 2-1 away at Holsworthy.

Manager Dennis Annear was without Jed McCardie and Freddie Williams in midfield, and their absence told on Port who struggled for rhythm on what was a poor playing surface.

Aaron Orchard started up front, and Jowan Shainberg, playing his last game for the Fishermen before moving to Exeter to study, was made captain for the day. Port will certainly miss his industry and energy down the left.

But on Saturday Port never really got started. Holsworthy came out of the blocks quicker and were allowed to dictate the pace of the game.

An early shot by Jordan Annear aside, it was Holsworthy who pressed for an opener in the opening stages, and they got it in the tenth minute when Jason Cordice pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire a low shot through a crowd of players and into the back of the net.

Cordice had spurned two earlier opportunities, but almost added to his tally soon after when he forced a good save out of Dennis Annear in the Porthleven goal.

But Port weren't behind for long. A superb cross-field ball from Dan Greet saw Jordan Annear use his pace to get in behind the Holsworthy defence, and from 15 yards out the youngster smashed an unstoppable drive past Holsworthy keeper Jack Dixon.

After the break Port went downhill - in more ways than one. Shooting down the bank at Upcott Field, Annear's side seemed to go off the boil, allowing Holsworthy to get hold of the game.

Jordan Annear missed a good chance when he was one on one with Dixon, but it was the home side who were crafting the better opportunities.

Substitute Liam Hunter almost put Port ahead, but his shot was saved at the second attempt by Dixon, and Dean Shipley forced Dennis Annear into another good save at the other end.

Tom Annear had to be sharp to clear the danger from a Holsworthy corner with Jack Heyman challenging for the ball, before Jordan Annear saw his delicate chip over Dixon tipped away by the keeper.

But in the 80th minute, as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Holsworthy centre back Mike Cornew went on a run from the half way line, skipped to tackle and unleashed a powerful effort from 18 yards out that beat Dennis Annear and sealed the win.

Port had a late claim for a penalty turned down by referee Simon Robins when Sam Kay looked to have been fouled in the box, but it wasn't to be for Annear's side, who slip to seventh in division one west.