Falmouth Town and Helston Athletic are preparing to renew acquaintances once again on Boxing Day when they meet at Kellaway Park in the South West Peninsula League Premier clash (kick-off 11am).

Both sides come into the game off the back of defeats on Saturday, with Town losing 3-0 at home to league leaders Plymouth Argyle while the Blues lost 4-1 at Torpoint Athletic.

Town boss Andrew Westgarth said: “I’d say most of the games against Helston have been good, whether its the local interest and having a big gate or the game’s been quite lively.

“Obviously there’s that local interest of quite a few ex-Falmouth players playing at Helston which always adds a little bit of spice, and they’ve picked up a good bit of form so I’m sure it’s teed up for a nice game.”

Blues boss Steve Massey said: “Football, wherever it is, on Boxing Day is just part of Christmas. I am certainly looking forward to it, really relishing it and it just so happens to be probably our biggest game, when the fixtures come out it’s always the one to look for.

“Certainly Boxing Day at home to Falmouth, they don’t come any bigger for me and I am absolutely so looking forward to it and I know the boys are.”

Town came from two goals down to win 3-2 when the two rivals last met in October’s League Cup second round tie at Bickland Park, with a double from David Broglino cancelling out a Phil Cattran brace before the break, with David Blizzard completing the comeback late on.

Westgarth said:“I’m sure they’ve got a bit of a score to settle with us beating them in the cup and they probably felt hard done by, being 2-0 up and Hughie [Howlett] being sent off.

“I’m sure they feel on their day they can beat us, especially on their own pitch, but likewise with us I feel that we’ve got enough in our locker to get the win.”

Massey said: “It’s still fresh in our memories about the cruel defeat in the League Cup and the boys played really well. I think we’ve certainly improved and come on, and with the momentum we’re building ourselves it’s going to be shaping up for a real crack at them.”

  • You can follow the game live on the Packet website from 10.30am on Boxing Day.

The bigger picture

Helston are in a bit of a league of their own at the moment and will remain 12th regardless of the result on Boxing Day. A win could see them pull to within five points of the top ten but defeat could leave them looking over their shoulders a bit more.

A win for Town could see them move up to fourth in the unlikely event that St Austell do not beat bottom side Sticker. Defeat could see Town slip to seventh should Saltash avoid defeat at home to Tavistock and Cullompton win at Exmouth.

Around the grounds

Wendron United and Porthleven are also in derby action on Boxing Day as the local rivals come to Underlane for their latest tussle in the SWPL Division 1 West (kick-off 11am).

Both sides have reason to be in festive spirits as Wendron's draw at Wadebridge on Saturday ensured that Dron have lost just one of their last eight league games in a run that extends three months.

The Fishermen meanwhile can enjoy the accolade of being Christmas number one in the division, despite defeat at Dobwalls on Saturday.

Port did the double over Dron last season, winning 4-0 at Underlane on Good Friday before running out 5-1 winners at Gala Parc in April after the fixture was rearranged from last Boxing Day.

There are also plenty of local clashes in the Combination League, with leaders Falmouth Town hosting in-form Perranwell among them.

Helston Athletic host Porthleven in a battle of the reserve sides, Penryn Athletic welcome Mullion to Kernick Road and Lizard Argyle host fellow Trelawny League promotees Wendron United.

Elsewhere, Pendeen host St Just, Perranporth visit St Agnes, Hayle host St Ives, Redruth take on Illogan RBL and St Day travel to Carharrack.