Foul Throw 3

Not in this case Dave. Numerous teams not knowing what league they will be in? You've got teams from ECPL, ECL1, Duchy & P&D with unconfirmed applications to different leagues. Hopefully this week's AGMs for St Pirans and ECPL will clear everything up. I've had a number of replies to friendly requests being along the lines of "we can't confirm because we don't know when we start league fixtures" or "would prefer not to play against same league opposition, but we could be in one of two, which discounts A LOT of possible friendly opposition"

Sizing I can understand. Thanks for the response.

Any particular reason the AGM is at St Dennis Paul? All the other league AGMs seem to be at CCFA in Bodmin?

Well you wouldn't play friendlies against teams in your own league would you We Two? As someone mentioned above, pre-season can be a good opportunity to go to new grounds and make a day of it. It's summer, get a minibus and you've got some game time and bonding for new and existing squad.

Whatever you do don’t slag off St Stephens’ “pitch” they get touchy about that.

Actually Mr Bunt, you’re incorrect. We had 5 subs named, and used 1. Don’t know how you could forget only one sub was used. Three of the four unused players had played for the fourth team in the earlier KO and weren’t required. Better to be safe than sorry and have them available with so many unavailable today. Still one game to play for us on Wednesday so no need to risk injuries with players playing two games back to back!

Torpoint Athletic 3 (B.Robbins3 inc 1pen) - 1 Boscastle (J.Sleep Pen) A low quality game if i'm honest. Both sides low on numbers as is often the case at this time of the season, with Boscastle only travelling with 11, but no surprise given the journey. The long grass didn't help either team either. A field of daisies uncut despite my council tax bill going up again, continually slowed the game down as players on both sides underhit passes, not reading the pitch and control getting stuck under their feet. Torpoint did come out of the blocks quickly, going 2-0 within the first 15mins through a Robbins penalty and then a superb header from a Copp cross. I must add though, that these goals were whilst Boscastle only had 10, with their 11th still en route. For the rest of the half, the game declined as Torpoint probably thought it was a done deal along with the difficult pitch. Torpoint should've had a third as young Hill broke through on goal. With two choices to either square it to Charman for a tap in or shoot himself, he rounded the keeper only to run out of room. Boscastle did pull a goal back, through a Sleep penalty after Torpoint's Lewis was judged to have pulled down a Boscastle attacker during a set piece. The second half showed a little improvement, but no goals til late on, when Robbins shot from 25ish yards and put the ball in the top corner to put the game to bed. It was a return to the side for stalwart Justin Norman, who came on second half in midfield and showed his experience and class. It was a pleasure to have him back in the side for the first time this season after stepping away following his player/management tenure at the end of last season. Three games to play for Torpoint hoping to finish strong, but tough fixtures against Veryan, Foxhole and Godolphin to make the trip to East Cornwall. Additional credit to Boscastle for all coming down to the football club afterwards for a drink. Easy to just pack up and head home with a journey that long, so thanks to all of them. Also, well officiated by Alan Shaw with some jovial smiles from all and no bookings (i think).

Anyone in the semi finals make sure you don’t fall foul of the registration rules! If you win your semi final it’ll mean nothing as they’ll kick you out anyway 🧐

Lostwithiel 0 - 2 Torpoint Athletic (S.Trethewey & C.Westall) A goal in each half for Torpoint gave us the deserved 3points and a nice clean sheet to go with it. Lostwithiel not much of a threat today, even with their usually impressive no.8 in midfield. With not much running ahead of him he had little to aim his long passes at. Nevertheless Torpoint defended well throughout. The first goal was from a Sam Trethewey penalty, which Billy Davies saved well, only for Sam to get first to the rebound to slot home, after young Alex Richardson was brought down in the box. From my viewpoint, it looked like a foul, albeit I was 50yds away. Although I'm not sure it should've been a pen, as the referee waved advantage, we had a shot on goal and Billy made a fine stop. Then it was brought back for a penalty. A second bite of the cherry. Other chances in the first half were thwarted, as per, by the ageless Davies, with shots saved from Charman, Westall among others. Westall in particular should've had a couple more from set pieces or long throws but was unable to hit the target with his headers. One change at HT with Jamie Hill on for Adam Brayson on the right. Less chances in the second half, but the few we did create were again saved. A 1-0 lead is a dangerous scoreline but Rowe and Trethewey in midfield were winning their battles in midfield and the back four defended well. The second came late on with centre half/striker Chris Westall turning inside the box and finding the bottom corner. Overall, happy with the result and the scoreline could possibly have been more but 3points and a clean sheet. Good to give 60, 60 and 45mins to three u18s today again with Hill, Richardson and Charman all doing well. Good luck to Lostwithiel for their remaining fixtures in their fight near the bottom. I must also add, as I whinged about the referee last week, that I should highlight today's referee, Paul Buscombe, was a credit. He controlled the game throughout, had a laugh and some jokes with both sides, no glaring errors, explained some of his decisions that he felt he needed to, but most of all, refereed with a smile on his face. Refreshing and good to see.

Jason I'm aware you have limitations, but it doesn't mean what I said was an insult. It's just my opinion that it's not a nice pitch, you muppet!

If it’s St Mawgan you’d rather go up what do you make of their pitch/facilities? I’m not sure their pitch is good enough. But having said that there are other sides that have been promoted recently with worse pitches, Looe and St Stephens aren’t exactly nice. I heard there were plans afoot to get a new pitch perpendicular behind where the dug outs are? As for Foxhole using Senior players. It’s still 11v11 and on some lesser quality pitches of Duchy football it’s a leveller. Yesterday I found it was a motivator despite the loss, so each to their own.

And to boot, he went off injured with what looked like a hamstring injury, after playing twice this week for Foxhole. I'm sure St Dennis will be ecstatic!

Foxhole 3 - 1 Torpoint Athletic in the Duchy Premier Torpoint started the brighter and were evidently up for this tie gaining the early control of the game. The first goal came from Torpoint with right back Sam White striking a thunderous effort into the corner after a poor clearance from Foxhole. As the half wore on though Foxhole gained some momentum and were quick to get the ball into their No. 9 & 10, Kenny and Bould I think? I've read posts on the forum of calling Foxhole a route one side this season, and the two strikers are certainly an outlet running in behind. But they were just as good at holding the ball up in the first half and laying the ball off, particularly Kenny. The equaliser eventually came from Gilbert with a low left footed drive across M.Westall in the Torpoint goal. Foxhole were buoyed by the goal and scored again from an angled ball over the awful left back of Torpoint and I think it was an Allen goal? At HT Torpoint felt positive they could continue to use Robbins and C.Westall as an outlet and addressed Foxhole's strengths running in behind. Fewer chances in the second half though with M.Westall with some superb goalkeeping to keep Torpoint in it. With Whetter managing to stay out of the referee's book, Torpoint threatened from a few set pieces but Bullen was bullish in goal. Foxhole eventually broke away very late in the game with Bould knicking the ball from Torpoint's last man on the half way, running through and calmly finishing to make the score 3-1. I think Foxhole were worth the 3points and you can see why they're top. With players like Whetter, Bould and Kenny playing below their level in my opinion, they have the experience and ability to win games. It's a shame one man on the pitch today wasn't on anyone's level. Maybe he was better in the second game? I don't think I've seen an official so far away from play at every point in the match, with another game to officiate after. Surely a double header fixture should have a referee appointed under the pension age and fit enough to do TWO games. I understand there is a shortage of officials in the south west but I don't think any consideration was made on who was being appointed 180mins of football today. Shame.

Harlem Globetrotters

Not like you to have a howler Billy. Couldn't you have done that against us (Torpoint) in your 2-1 cup win? If you made one mistake today, your performance against us shouldn't be forgotten by your team mates, among other games I'm sure. 2-1 loss for Torpoint in the KMD Cup today away at Veryan, after reversing the venue. Disappointed to say the least, but credit to Veryan for battling through and simply wanting it more than us for the majority of the game. We scored a late goal to give us a chance, and I thought we'd equalised when a low drive by Worth was superbly stopped by a strong hand from the impressive goalkeeper. Good luck Veryan for the rest of their cup run.

So hard done by Bondy. Boo hoo. Unlike you to blame an official!

Maybe not decades countyman but i would say in this decade. 2005-2008 you'd have seen the Duchy Prem include St Teath, St Dennis, Edgcumbe, Torpoint thirds, Gunnislake, Launceston Reserves, St Stephens Borough, Lamerton, to name a few, all challenging for the league. Although not all sides still exist now, all except Torpoint took promotion, if not more than one. Look how far St Dennis have progressed both on and off the field. But yes this season's league does look strong. I expect Foxhole to be stronger this season with new management, St Mawgan & Sticker played some quality football last season regardless of their league position, as well as two strong sides come up from Div 1 in Godolphin and St Newlyn East.

Dave, The 3 Torpoint goals were courtesy of Brian Stacey, 2 of which were pens.

If The Mill had a game on itself it would result in 4 teams using 2 changing rooms. That opens a whole new debate! I imagine the Wednesday fixture results in using the facilities within HMS Raleigh, which brings up an added security issue, or the away side don't have any facilities at all.

Point taken Asitis. Maybe I misunderstood the tone of your post.

On your first point, you're not wrong on the opportunity. But I doubt it will occur in the coming fixtures more often than the times we've lost players representing the seniors sides when we've had a fixture ourselves. That's the nature of the beast. Secondly, you're right, it wasn't a typo, I love a proof read. Good job I don't have the responsibility of knowing the precise rules! From my squad lists of fixtures I've been at though we're safe and I'm sure we wouldn't have fallen foul of it knowing the people who run the club. I understand your queries though. It's regularly discussed on this forum, and defended every time by the clubs, as I have done. St Dennis have a reserve team in the Duchy league and they have had this topic chucked at them in the past. But who are they to not do everything they can to benefit both their sides? The progress their club has made is evident in their 1st team's rise from Duchy to SWPL and less than obvious in their continuous improvement to the pitch and facilities. But I digress... Once the MOD pitch changing rooms are good to use again we'll be back there, maybe by next season, I do not know? Last season, the midweek fixtures we had to play were mostly away games, due to winter cancellations rather than the pitch being used already, so it's swings and roundabouts for now.

It's unfortunate that Torpoint have lost the use of Spicknell pitches at HMS Raleigh this season, resulting in the luxury of using The Mill. It's the same situation for Torpoint Comrades, now Rame Peninsula in division 4, who for the time being use the 3G at Saltash. Torpoint are lucky to have use of The Mill, whereas Rame using Saltash 3G means they have 22 away fixtures in reality! Hopefully the MOD pitches at HMS Raleigh are available again for next season so we can have more continuity. This situation is in MOD's hands with regards to the changing rooms, not Torpoint's. I may be wrong, but i'm confident the league rules state SWPL and ECPL fixtures take priority, hence our backlog of fixtures. We have a lot of games coming up so hopefully we'll go on a run now where we'll gain the league position I think we deserve. In reference to FootyCrazy15 and Asitis saying we get to rely on senior players from our ECPL and SWPL side, he/she may be unaware of the rule that says Duchy sides can only name 3 players of a higher level per fixture. A few of the regular Duchy players have played for the ECPL on a number of occasions this season to the loss of the Duchy side, that is how our club works and rightly so. We've gone to games with 11-13 players to boost the ECPL/SWPL sides so do you think that benefits us? In last night's squad of 14, only one is from the ECPL side, who played under 5mins. What's "unfair" about that? Our club is superbly run so if we lose a player or two to the higher sides, then so be it. With Spicknell pitch out of bounds this season we're lucky we can utilise The Mill late in the season to complete our season. I'd love to read your reply.

Lostwithiel 2 - 2 Torpoint Athletic Torpoint started the game strongly and had Lostwithiel on the back foot. However, Torpoint conceded a poor corner kick from a swift counter attack. A brilliant delivery resulted in Lostwithiel taking the lead with a strong header near the back post. With 10mins played it was 2-0 following the 2nd corner of the game. Torpoint's head's dropped for a bit but regained control towards the latter part of the half. Robbins' good ball through found Hunt who rounded the keeper for him to hit the post. It fortunately rebounded to Brayson running through from midfield who put it in the net. The second half was a matter of how early Torpoint could score. If it came early, I'm convinced we'd have won the game. The equaliser didn't come until the final few minutes when a long throw was flicked on by the impressive Vigus to an onrushing Knight who side footed into the bottom corner. Lostwithiel defended very well for a lot of the game and were dangerous at times on the break. In the second half they had one chance hit the post and another cleared off the line after rounding the keeper. So they may feel hard done by with conceding so late. A point is the least Torpoint deserved though and will be disappointed not to have been more clinical. We created lots of chances in the second half which on another day will have saw us win the game comfortably, but it wasn't to be. We should have come away with 3pts but we still have lots of games ahead where I'm sure we'll begin to climb the league to show a truer reflection. On a final note, I barely noticed the referee, so well done to him. He let the game flow and didn't have anything too aggressive to deal with but being an unnoticeable referee is a good referee!

No fixture this week as the first team had a SWPL fixture to play at home. We had a fixture called off on Tuesday as well. But we'll get them in soon. Thick and fast where we should rack points up quickly. One game at a time though as you say. Good luck to yourselves too.

New Forest, I've messed my maths up there, but I'm sure you understand what I was getting at. Gained 4pts when could've had 0 basically. I thought we, Torpoint, should've won last week and I imagine Saltash will feel similar on their long drive home now. The drive or result is no excuse for a no show to your social club though. I don't turn down free onion rings! Your goals for is certainly the defining factor and you're right about goals winning games. If we at Torpoint had scored a couple more we'd be a lot better placed overall. But we do usually do look good at the back. We've got a lot of home games coming up at the fortress as we've only had 2 home fixtures. Let's see how close we can run you.