Middleton admits Newquay struggled in home defeat

NEWQUAY suffered their first home defeat of the season on Saturday as Buckland Athletic scored twice in the last half an hour to claim all three points.

After a goalless first half the Peppermints had taken a 59th minute lead with a Jack Bray-Evans penalty, but within two minutes a lack of concentration led to Sam Stayt equalising.

The home side, who were without influential striker Louis Price, seemed to lose their rhythm and the Devonians took advantage with Toby Pullman scoring their 74th minute winner.

Newquay boss Shaun Middleton said: “It was a very frustrating game. We didn’t play anywhere near our potential; we have been playing extremely well and looked very good after our pre-season.

“It is a game I didn’t feel in any major trouble defensively but, as all who have been involved in football for a long time know, unfortunately mistakes happen and we made two costly ones yesterday.

“So, yes, a very frustrating afternoon from our point of view. We didn’t play the free-flowing attacking football that we’ve been used to so far this season.

“It’s back to the drawing board and hopefully we can put things right against a strong Sidmouth team next week. We want to go up there and hopefully take away the three points.”

NEWQUAY: Shaun Semmens, James Edlin, Harry Downing (capt), Jacob Kevern, Tom Moxham; Connor Paine, Ross Fallens (Matt Searle, 55), Al Ahmed, Jack Bray-Evans, Callam McOnie (Alex Cole, 80), Tom Shepherd (Tim Nixon, 63). Subs not used: Phil Lowry, Sam Fearon.

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC: Mike Searle; Rafael Beadman, Ashton Sowerby (Coby White, 81), Isaac McCue, Jordan Pearce, Jack Baxter (Baga Mariko, 76), Ben Carter, Josiah McKayle, Sam Stayt, James Simmonds (Finley Herbert, 33), Toby Pullman. Subs not used: George Russell, Dan Harrison.

Attendance: 365.

Newquay man-of-the-match: Connor Paine.