Falmouth recorded their first home win against Torpoint in the Peninsula League and in doing so completed an 8 – 3 double over their east Cornwall opponents. This win has put Falmouth level on points with second placed Bodmin who have four games in hand, and also kept league leaders Launceston within striking distance.
Torpoint goalkeeper Matt England was called into action after five minutes when he made a point blank save to stop Ian Hodges close range shot following a Karl Turner pass. Falmouth then forced a couple of corners which were ably dealt with by the visitors keeper, who, after catching the ball whilst under pressure from Shane White, set up a Torpoint attack which saw Mike Roberts, in a central midfield role , feed the ball up to Dan Johns who hit a low shot which Jason Chapman gathered cleanly.
Falmouth finally took the lead after 24 minutes when Ian Hodges played the ball out to Jamie Devine on the left and he hit a cross-come-shot that flew over the keeper and into the far corner of the net. A few minutes later, Mark Vercesi hit a curling shot just wide of the post from the edge of the area and then, following a corner, England’s attempted clearance fell to Lee Rundle who tried a shot, but it was blocked by the sheer number of players in the 6 yard bow and Josh Fenwick managed to clear the ball away.
At the other end, Jason Chapman had to race out of the area to kick the ball away to safety as Chris Maskell raced through after a neat Mike Roberts pass.
Falmouth doubled their lead after 35 minutes. Matt Drummond fed the ball across to Mark Vercesi who took it ona few paces into the left-hand side of the penalty are before blasting the ball past the bemused Matt England and into the corner o the net from 15 yards.
Five minutes later Town went three goals clear when the hard working Turner played a high ball in from the right for Matt Drummond to head home from 8 yards after slipping away from Warren Daw’s attentions.
Torpoint had a breakaway just before the interval with Lewis Kershaw playing the ball through to Daw, who had raced through the middle, but he rushed his shot from just inside the area and it flew wide of the post.
The visitors started the second half with a much more positive approach and following a free-kick, Chris Maskell saw his header rebound back off the cross bar. Falmouth pushed forward again and following a free-kick, Shane White’s close range header saw Matt England make a great finger-tip save as he forced the ball over the bar. Following this, Dan Magee came on in place of the injured Matt Drummond and he added some width to Town’s attack that was lacking the final touch needed to add to the score-line.
Karl Turner sent a header just wide of the far post following a Dan Magee cross and then Dan Green’s cross from the right saw Ian Hodges and Matt England get to the ball together and it somehow ended up bouncing just wide of the goal.
Falmouth brought on Joe Lugg and new signing from Willand Rovers, Aiden Way during the half; Way taking the right back position and Lugg playing up front where he brought a superb one-handed save out of England following a fierce shot.
Torpoint managed a late flourish, but Town’s solid defence held firm with Lee Rundle and Chris Menhenick combining well in the middle.