Duchy Premier Gunnislake 1 Torpoint 1 AFTER an excellent pre-season under the guidance of managers Garf Ewing and Tim May, together with coach Mark Vernon, Gunnislake went in to this their first competitive match of the new season in good shape. The hosts, wearing their new kit supplied by Crago Contractors, made the perfect start scoring inside two minutes. Stef Kelly?s long throw in found its way to Stuart Wakenshaw who fired home from 12 yards. Gunnislake dominated the opening 20 minutes and having missed a couple of decent opportunities they then got the ball in the net when Nathan Dore superbly lobbed the Torpoint keeper from some 30 yards only for it to be disallowed. As the ball was in mid air the referee blew his whistle having seen his assistant?s flag raised for offside. Instantly the referee noticed a defender playing Dore onside and although he acknowledged the goal was good he restarted the match with a drop ball as he had blown his whistle before Dore?s effort had crossed the line. Torpoint started to get to grips with their hosts and the remainder of the half was an even affair as the match continued at a decent pace and well contested. The visitors started the second half with greater purpose and applied pressure. Gunnislake were assured at the back with the midfield providing good protection and so Torpoint were unable to create any significant openings. But midway through the half a rare error by the Gunnislake rearguard let in a Torpoint attacker who finished well to equalise. The remainder of the match mirrored the latter stages of the first half being keenly fought as each side pressed for a winner but found it difficult to create openings. Torpoint only had one effort on goal and Andy Brenton easily saved this while Gunnislake squandered a couple of good opportunities. l This Saturday Gunnislake are away to St Stephens Borough (kick-off 2.30pm) before they entertain local rivals St Dominick on Tuesday, August 28 (ko 6.30pm). Gunnislake reserves start their league campaign in Duchy four on Saturday entertaining Boscastle reserves. Gunnislake reserves current manager Steve Gaggini has to step down due to work commitments and so the club is searching for a replacement. Anybody interested in the post please call Mark on 01822 834794.
