Porthleven 3 Newquay 2

IT might have been a long time coming, but the wait was certainly worth it for Porthleven who are now off the mark and up and running in the Jolly's Combination League.

Just one victory has already given the Fishermen the incentive to begin their pursuit of the clubs just ahead of them.

With Newquay also chasing their first win, this was always going to be a physical, tough encounter - and so it proved.

Port almost took the lead after 20 minutes when Daniel Stidwell's in swinging corner hit the post and then Huw Gibbon headed just over from another Stidwell corner.

The Fishermen always looked capable of getting a goal and after David Brand's shot from Matt Gendall's pass just flashed the wrong side of the post the home side took the lead. Simon Whear won possession of the ball and found Stidwell who delivered an inch-perfect cross to Rob Hitchens who volleyed home from eight yards.

Five minutes later the Peppermints were back on level terms when South African striker Byron Duncan's shot from the edge of the box hit a divot and bounced over the outstretched arms of the diving Stuart Williams.

Port were denied a penalty when Kyle Harvey was brought down in the goal area and Bartlett's shot shaved the post from Stidwell's free kick.

Full report in this week's issue.