25 YEARS ON: Town battle to halt slide

Falmouth Town put their recent disappointments behind them to chalk up a welcome win, their first this year, in the Jewson SWL.

Tavistock proved more than a match for a Town side who were made to battle throughout the 90 minutes. In fact, it wasn't until the dying minutes that Town actually put the result beyond reasonable doubt.

Town took the lead after five minutes when referee Paul Lee pointed to the spot following a handball. Ian Gosling, who had spent the week on trial at Port Vale, saw his spot kick beaten out by goalkeeper Andy Meeds but followed up to knock in the rebound.

Tavistock fashioned an equaliser in the second half with a scrappy goal. Shaun Sullian eventually won the ball to cross for Nigel Lapthorne to drive his shot into an unguarded goal.

Town needed a quick reply and five minutes later it came in the shape of a fine goal by Glyn Hooper who curled the ball in after Thwaites had teased the defence.

In the dying minutes Town made the points secure when Chris Long battled for the ball in midfield and sent a pass scuttling through the heart of Tavistock's defence for Thwaites to win the race and clinch a much-needed result.

Falmouth: D Philp, S Jewell, P Scrace, D Northcott, C Long, T Matthews, I Gosling, G Hooper, J Babb, M Rowe, N Thwaites. Sub: D Powell.

Falmouth 43, Illogan Park 3

Falmouth scored seven tries as they saw off the challenge of Illogan Park in their Cornwall League Division I game at the Recreation Ground.

Falmouth took the lead with a try from flanker Stephen C Wills which full-back Lee Varney converted.

Richard Chong then sent David Roberts over for an unconverted try, before Chong scored the third with Varney this time adding the extras.

Park replied just before the break with Andrew Hawkey kicking a penalty goal.

Skipper Kevin Hughes landed try number four in the second which was converted by Varney before Wills bagged his second and Falmouth's fifth of the day, again converted.

Flanks Roberts scored two further tries to complete a memorable hat-trick and complete the scoring, meaning all seven tries had been scored by forwards.

Falmouth: L Varney, S Wills, J Sweeney, J Allsopp, J Nunn, D Holland, A Laity, M Cocking, C Grunwell, K Nancholas, R Chong, K Hughes, S C Wills, D Roberts, K Whitfield. Rep: C Rundle.

Ludgvan 0, Penryn Athletic 2

A goal in each half enabled Penryn Athletic to record their sixth double of the season in the Jolly's Combination League.

Ludgvan provided the tittle challengers the sternest of tests, but gradually the visitors matched the home side's keenness and in the 30th minute Andy Parry dug out a diagonal crossfield pass to Jerry Cornish in plenty of room on the left, but as he swung over a deep cross he caught goalkeeper Paul Williams off his line which passed inside the far post.

In the 66th minute Athletic snapped up their second goal as Dale Band came on to exchange passes with Cornish, but as his goalbound shot lost pace Andy Stivey followed up to run the ball over the line to strengthen Penryn's position behind the leading trio of clubs.