Falmouth Town Reserves still searching for first SWPL win

Falmouth Town Reserves are still searching for their first win in the Walter C Parsons South West Peninsula League after slipping to a 3-1 defeat away to Sticker.

Despite travelling with a severely depleted squad, there were still positives to be taken from the game, with both Aaron Ibbetson and Reece Carroll drafted into the first team squad, with Carroll starting and putting in a magnificent performance against Bideford in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Tom Fisher, Taylor Packenas, and Scott Yendle were also missing, and all five were in the starting lineup in Town’s last league match.

Skipper Scott Kellow is out with a long-term injury, Levi Hilling is also injured, Connor Davey is unavailable due to work commitments, and Rio Watson is also unavailable.

Making their first starts for the season were William Perrow, Will Harding, James Henwood, Finn Robinson, and Ryan Townson, and they all acquitted themselves superbly," said manager Jon Perrow.

"With a gale force wind, it was all about taking advantage of the elements in the first half after losing the toss.

"Town began quickly, with Perrow unlucky when his fourth-minute shot-cum-cross came back off the post, but Town were not to be denied, with Henwood delivering a fine ninth-minute cross for Aaron Hicks to tuck away Town’s first goal of the season.

"It was all Town, and Perrow fired in another long-range shot that whistled just over the bar, but Sticker were back on level terms against the run of play in the 16th minute when Dan Carne scored with a well-struck shot from distance.

"Despite the setback, it looked just a matter of time before Town would regain the lead, but frustratingly, the ball just wouldn't drop for Town, and Sticker began to get a foothold in the game.

"This paid off in the 46th minute when Sticker snapped up a second goal by Ovo Ememerurai to edge the home side in front at half time.

"Playing against an incredibly strong wind in the second half, Town’s effort could not be faulted, but as in the first half, the ball just wouldn’t run Town’s way.

"Pushing for an equaliser, Town became stretched, and Sticker grabbed their final goal in the 90th minute when Sam Eccleston scored with a fine finish.

"There were some fine performances from George Evans, skipper Kirk Davies, but the man of the match was Finn Robinson, who was superb in his first match this season."

Despite the defeat, Perrow was still upbeat about the performance: "It’s been a very tough start to the season, and the fixture list has not been kind to us, but that's football.

"I always knew that it would take five or six weeks to adapt to the higher standard of football, and that has proved to be the case.

"Being brutally honest, I only expected to have two points after the first three matches, so in effect, we are only two points behind my target.

"It's a tough league in which to compete with so many players missing, but what a testament to the strength of the squad that they are still going out and competing at this level."

Perrow maintains there is no need to panic: "I would like to get some points on the board sooner rather than later, but it’s so pleasing to get lads into the first team, which is the side’s purpose.

"It comes down to fine margins, and at the moment that is what we are finding, but it will change."

Town’s Reserves play St Day at Bickland Park tonight (Wednesday), kick off 7.30pm.

Added Perrow: "It would be great to see the fans supporting the lads.

"If we can get more than the amazing 170-odd that watched the Penzance match, that would be terrific."

Town: E Fearn, W Perrow, J Henwood (A Autumn 85m), G Evans, W Harding, K Davies, J Davies, F Robinson, E Tresidder, A Hicks (H Hopkins 57m), R Townson (C McCarthy 62m).