SWPL WEST Most exciting title race for seasons?

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Created on Sunday, 15 November 2020 07:25

Last Updated on Monday, 23 November 2020 13:53

Published on Sunday, 15 November 2020 07:25

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT Cornwall football's touchline ace

After an enforced five-month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the South West Peninsula League burst back into action with what turned out to be nine weeks of goals and thrills. 

By the time the second lockdown came on November 5, there had been 120 games played in Premier West and 576 goals at an average of 4.8 goals per game.

In the final five days before the season was brought to an abrupt halt, title hopefuls Mousehole recorded a couple of wins to go top of the table.

But it was some of the less-fancied teams who made a big impression, which has led to a growing belief that this could be the most open title race for many seasons.

Dobwalls have won nine of their 12 games, and they gave Mousehole a tough time at Lantoom Park before succumbing 1-0. The squad Simon Westlake and Ben Washam have put together will give any team a good game this season.

Mousehole manager Jake Ash described it as his side’s toughest test so far.

Reg Hambly’s 30^th year as manager of Camelford has the potential to be his best. The Camels have won nine of their 11 games, a fantastic start, and anybody who has seen them would say it is no fluke.

At the end of September they gave title hopefuls Saltash United a real scare at Kimberley Stadium, fighting back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to level before the hour. They went on to lose 4-2 but the Ashes’ fourth goal only came in injury time, and against the run of play.

Wadebridge are the third surprise package. Paul Rowe has quietly put together not only a competitive squad but one which has been stretching the best teams in the league.

Their massive improvement from last season was underlined by two excellent away performances and results. They battered Liskeard into submission at Lux Park on October 21 and were 4-2 ahead by the 70^th minute before a late goal by the home side gave the scoreline a closer look than merited.

The Bridgers travelled to Mousehole four days later and earned a 2-2 draw with another highly acclaimed performance. They lost at home to Bodmin the following midweek but gave their local rivals a run for their money on a night when Darren Gilbert’s side produced their best performance of the season.

Bodmin have had a mixed start, having been adversely affected by a long injury list, but the addition of players with so much SWPL experience should see them challenging again this season.

Plenty of eyes have been on Saltash since manager Matt Cusack’s summer departure to Plymouth Parkway, along with last season’s top scorer Ryan Richards.

But Dane Bunney, who was Cusack’s assistant, has stepped up to the extra responsibility of being manager with aplomb.

The spine of the team – goalkeeper Ryan Rickard, defender Callum O’Brien, midfield men Sam Farrant and Danny Lewis, and striker Sam Hughes – remains in place, while some youngsters have been given their chance, including Ben Holter, who looks an exciting prospect.

The Ashes sit second in the table, six points behind Mousehole but with two games in hand, and they are the only team to have beaten the leaders.

Falmouth Town have established themselves in the top six with nine wins in 12 games. Under Andrew Westgarth, they have become an attractive team to watch with Dave Broglino and Luke Barner leading the way in the goal stakes.

They have been particularly strong at Bickland Park with big wins against Godolphin (7-0), Launceston (5-0), Penzance (5-1) and St Dennis (7-1).

Liskeard are recognised as one of the best footballing sides in Premier West and they pulled off the most spectacular result of the restart when they beat Helston Athletic 6-1 on September 27.

This was Helston’s first league defeat for more than a year and made everybody sit up and take notice of the boys in blue from Lux Park.

Of course striker James Lorenz has been hogging the headlines with his goals – 23 in 11 games – but it’s not a one man show. Jarrad Woods is Liskeard’s most influential player and when he’s missing, the team don’t function as well.

St Austell announced a shift in policy during the summer break, deciding to give the club’s young players – who were doing so well at second team level – a chance in the SWPL.

They even gave reserve team boss Mark Smith his chance to manage them at the higher level.

It’s fair to say there were plenty of people expecting the Lillywhites to struggle. But anybody who has seen them play knows the new kids on the block are relishing the challenge.

They seemed to take Saltash by surprise on a glorious evening at Kimberley in early September, establishing a deserved 3-0 lead just after half-time with a brand of exciting, uninhibited football.

Their early season naivety at the back meant they ended having to settle for a 4-4 draw – but the fact that they were incredibly disappointed at the final whistle said it all about their display.

Helston, who won 25 of their 26 league games last season, started this campaign strongly but a surprise 3-3 home draw against Newquay seemed to knock them off kilter and the hammering at Liskeard four days later was a concern.

But it has been their only defeat so far and while they haven’t reached the heights of last season yet, they have the squad to be pushing back towards the top when the season resumes.

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