Falmouth Town 0, Plymouth Argyle 3

ALEX Fletcher scored twice as Falmouth Town extended their winless run in the South West Peninsula League to five following a three-goal defeat at home to leaders Plymouth Argyle.

Town have not won in the league since a 1-0 win at Bodmin Town on October 24, losing three and drawing two in their five SWPL games since then. 

Fletcher scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season within about seven minutes of each other midway through the first half to give Argyle a deserved two-goal lead at the break.

SWPL Premier top-scorer Alex Battle made it three with a sublime free-kick four minutes into the second half, with the visitors missing numerous chances to extend their margin of victory.

Argyle's team featured a blend of promising youth and fringe first-team players, with eight of the starting line-up having played for the first team, including former Manchester United centre-back Scott Wootton.

The game began with both sides sharing possession in the first 15 minutes but failing to test either goalkeeper.

Argyle soon got on top and went ahead in the 22nd minute when a cross made its way to Fletcher at the penalty spot, who turned and fired low and hard past Falmouth 'keeper Ryan Barnes who was rooted to the spot.

The visitors kept control and doubled their lead seven minutes later, with Town's failure to clear a corner allowing Fletcher to poke the ball in from six yards.

Argyle retained control of the game without ever really testing Barnes again before the break, but bagged a third in superb fashion on 49 minutes, with Battle's 25-yard free-kick flying into the top corner.

There were plenty of chances for a fourth goal but they all passed by the leaders, with Rio Garside seeing his effort blocked while James Ward made a superb headed goalline clearance to deny another.

Town were still trying to fashion chances at the other end, with Josh Richards firing a 20-yard shot at goal before Luke Brabyn's header from Martyn Duff's cross almost found its way into the corner but for the outstretched arm of Argyle custodian Michael Cooper.

But Argyle were in no real danger and missed further chances to add a fourth goal, with Calum Dyson having a one-on-one effort well saved by Barnes before another attempt cleared the crossbar in injury-time.

Falmouth: R Barnes, D Blizzard, J Webber, R Martt, J Cooper, J Ward, L Brabyn, D Broglino (M Duff HT), M Jones, J Richards, L Johnson (S Pickup HT). Subs (unused) A Westgarth, C Davis, J Miller.

Plymouth: M Cooper, O Tomlinson (J Seery HT), R Law, M Peck, S Wootton, P Grant, J Boyd (R Wilson 78), R Garside, C Dyson, A Battle (R Wilson , A Fletcher. Subs: R Collum, I Burden.

  • Town's next game is a Boxing Day derby match at Helston Athletic (kick-off 11am).