The Ashes took the three points in the Boxing Day Derby at a foggy Kimberley Stadium, with the hosts scoring both their goals in the second half from Tom Payne and Joe Preece. The visitors had to play 86 minutes with ten men as Kevin McCallion was shown a straight red for an elbow on home defender Tom Badcott. Just past the quarter hour mark with the visitors matching their hosts despite having a man disadvantage, Elliot Crawford sends his free kick from the edge of the area in to the box, which is put wide after a goal mouth scramble. Ten minutes later the hosts break clear of the visiting defence, with Kieran O’Melia being played in, he races clear and his effort from just inside the area is well saved by visiting keeper Ryan Rickard. With two minutes remaining of the first period, Tom Payne for the hosts is apparently brought down in the box with Rikki Shepherd appealing franticly for a penalty, but is shown to the sin bin by the referee and for ten minutes, both sides are playing with ten men. With the second half only ten minutes old, The Ashes take the lead through Tom Payne, his initial shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Rickard, but the loose ball fell at his feet for him to blast home. On the 69th minute, Crawford for the hosts has a free kick on the edge of the area which he blasts just wide of the left post. Four minutes later as the visitors were trying to find an equaliser, Gary Hird races clear of the home defence, he goes round the home keeper Tyler Coombes and his shot is somehow cleared off the line by home defender Ben Goulty. With eight minutes remaining of the match the hosts double their lead when a long ball finds Joe Preece that splits the visiting defence, Preece races clear and fires home a clinical finish. Late in stoppage time Liam Manchip for Torpoint had a shot from 18 yards which is well saved by Coombes as the visitors never gave up during the match with some very solid performances out on the pitch.

All roads now lead to the Mill on New Year’s Day as the Point host St Blazey in another Western League encounter

The Second team drew 3-3 away to St Blazey at Blaise Park on the 28th, another thrilling piece of St Piran League action.

It’s Sticker up next for the 2’s as they look to go one better and grab the 3 points.