Callington Town 0 St Blazey 3

St Blazey stepped up their pursuit of South West Peninsula League leaders Wendron on Friday night with a hard-earned victory against Callington at Marshfield Parc.

The three points lifted the Green & Blacks above Wadebridge Town on goal difference into second place before the Saturday afternoon games.

And Blazey moved to within seven points of Wendron with five games in hand.

Manager Phil Lafferty said: “The Callington surface was in good shape last night but is never an easy place to go. Any time of the year. 

“Due to the sheer nature of the pitch size, you always know you’re in a game there. And we were. 

“But another clean sheet, 13 for the season now, and to keep a clean sheet away to a Callington side with real threat, was very pleasing.

“On to Newquay at home this Wednesday now in another tough encounter as we look to finish the season strongly to achieve our objectives.”

Luke Cloke set Blazey on their way as early as the seventh minute; his initial fierce low shot was brilliantly saved by Callington keeper Jake Mead Crebbin but the ball spilled from his grasp and Cloke finished off from inside the six yard box.

The move had started with a superb long range pass from the centre circle by River Allen who, with Olly Brokenshire, supplied the ammunition for front trio Cloke, Liam Eddy and a slightly deeper Andy Watkins throughout the first half.

Some of the long passing was exquisitely inch perfect and kept the Callington defence on their toes.

But the home side were impressive too and caused plenty of danger, especially along their right with Ogwu Kenechukuru’s pace a constant headache, and a couple of excellent chances to equalise were spurned.

They were made to pay for those missed opportunities as Blazey doubled their lead five minutes before the break with Brokenshire delivering a pinpoint corner from the right to Martin Giles, who rose at the near post to head in.

Callington appeared unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty two minutes before half-time when Kenechukuru seemed to be tripped but referee Lee Roberts immediately waved away the strong home appeals.

Eddy, a constant threat wide on the left, saw a header crash against the bar in the 51st minute but until the last 10 minutes when substitutes brought them a new lease of life, the visitors were happy to manage their lead.

Callington were not as much of an attacking threat in a cagey second half but they did create a couple of good chances. The excellent Sam Rutter produced a delightful cross from wide on the right which just needed a touch to be a goal but there was nobody there to provide it.

And the home side pushed the self destruct button two minutes from time when they tried to play the ball out from the goalkeeper, who was then stranded as possession was lost, and lively Blazey substitute Kyle Marks crossed for Cloke to head in from six yards.

Callington: J Mead Crebbin, S Rutter, M Edwards, K Kendall, J Burton, B McGowan, N Maund, T Hansford, C Talliss, O Kenechukuru, X Ncube.

Subs: M Robinson, B Langton, L Purdy.

St Blazey: S Semmens, W Tinsley (L Russell 88), A Wotton, R Allen (R Ward 84), J Cooper, M Giles, L Vooght, O Brokenshire (S Clifton 74), L Cloke, A Watkins, L Eddy (K Marks 77).

Sub not used: J Smale.

Goals: L Cloke (7 & 86), M Giles (40).

Yellow card: S Semmens (85).

Referee: Lee Roberts.

Attendance: 140.