Manager Craig Ainslie says Newquay did their talking on the pitch following a week of social media jostling in the build up to Monday’s derby against Godolphin Atlantic, writes Tom Howe.
First-half strikes from Cameron Turner and Scott Flannigan put the Peppermints in control against a flat home side, who mustered a reply eight minutes from time via 16-year-old Coen Briggs.
Tempers typically flared in the dying embers as both sides were reduced to ten men, with Matt Sanders (Godolphin) and Phil Lowry (Newquay) given their marching orders by referee Matthew Redmond.
There remained one final twist in the tail as, with the G pushing for an equaliser, the Peppermints rallied and had Danny Carne on hand to tap home a third and seal a second victory of the season over their local rivals.
“We deserved the win, I don’t think there is any doubt about that and I think that we could have added one or two more goals,” said Ainslie. “We defended well and I thought we played the conditions well, too. We talked a lot before the game about what we wanted to look at tactically, both with and without the ball, and by and large the boys did everything I asked them to do.
“We know [Godolphin] have quick wingers who can cause problems when they are dribbling. Young Matty Walker was doing that in the second-half and we needed to make a few tactical fouls to deal with that. The boys needed to be street smart against the opposition and conditions. There was a disappointing red for Phil at the end but, all in all, it was a good day’s work.
“There is a lot to be said for having some professional dignity. There was a lot of talk before the game although not a lot from our side I must say. We keep our heads down, do our talking on the pitch and will continue to do that. Discipline is something where we want to set an example. It was a really good performance and I am delighted for the boys.
“We have had some turnover in the squad but are starting to put some results together. Consistency was the main buzzword that we wanted to bring in. Players are going to be injured, they might leave and others might come in but the one thing that stays the same is the coaching philosophy and the style of play. That was evident today.”
Newquay’s tenth win of the 2021-22 South West Peninsula Premier West campaign came without the likes of Aaron Dilley, Tom Shepherd and Ollie Dart, an experienced trio well versed in derby day proceedings.
With Jack Bray-Evans and Tom Moxham (both Falmouth Town) followed out the door by Joe Cooper (St Blazey), Orlando Anker (Helston Athletic) and Louis Price (Mousehole), there were question marks over whether Ainslie’s charges could keep up their early season form.
“People know what we are about,” continued the former Peppermints defender, whose side sit just five points behind second placed Camelford. “Anyone that watched this game knows that Newquay are a footballing side that play out from the back, through the thirds and create good opportunities. There are a lot of players out and we had to shuffle the pack. There was some talk about whether we would even put out a squad but I think we put that to bed.
“We had a great start to the season and are still doing well. You have to look at where we were three or four years ago when I was still playing, in and around mid table. We are streets ahead of that now and are still improving. Player turnover will happen and we have to expect that when we are playing well, especially with local sides being in the Western League now.
“The system doesn’t change so the lads that come in know their job. We aren’t panicking or changing. We believe in the players that we have. One thing that we are not short of are characters in the dressing room and we have some lads who I would be happy to go in the trenches with.
“If players don’t want to be here or don’t fancy it when the going gets tough, they can go and find somewhere else to play. We believe in the players we have and are pleased with where we are going. Training is strong. The committee is putting in some fantastic work and we want to do our bit on the pitch in terms of building that culture and community ethos.”