Western League
Premier Division
Saltash United 3 Shepton Mallet 0
Saltash got it right at both ends of the pitch at the Waterways Stadium on Tuesday night as they continued their strong finish to what has been a difficult season.
Striker Joe Preece, fresh from his hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Street, scored twice in the opening half hour to give the Ashes a perfect start.
Goalkeeper Jordan Duffey then emerged as man of the match with a string of excellent saves before substitute Tom Huyton wrapped up the points with a goal 10 minutes from time.
Saltash manager Macca Brown said: “It was superb win. A real squad effort once again and we kicked on from our display on Saturday really.
“It was tough to call where the game was going to go in the early exchanges, there were similarities to our game versus Illfracombe last week and there wasn’t much between the sides.
“It was bordering on being a bit flat and whoever got the first goal would probably kick into life, and thankfully it was us.”
Of striker Preece, Brown said: “He’s is in good form, he scored two great goals, his second was an absolute stunner and he’s capable of scoring so many different kinds of goals.
“I’m delighted for Tom Huyton as well, he’s been in and out of the team recently but it can’t be forgotten that he’s been one of our players of the season and for him to get his goal in the end was a nice moment for him.
“But at the other end Jordan Duffey was outstanding, a man of the match display. He wasn’t peppered by any means but he made three or four exceptional saves at key moments which has a huge impact on the end result.
“He’s been brilliant since coming back to the club and last night he showed his worth.”
The Saltash manager also paid tribute to Helston Athletic, who clinched the premier division title on the same evening just along the road at Torpoint.
He said: “I’d like to congratulate Matt, Dan and the Helston players on winning the title, in particular two of my former players and two close friends Rikki (Shepherd) and Tom (Payne).
“I’m sure they would have enjoyed wrapping it up at the Mill being ex-Millbrook lads.
“I’ve said a few times this season that our team at Saltash have been ‘young and naive’, but I remember managing a young and naive Rikki when he was sent off down the Mill as a teenager for some handbags with Gary Williams.
“So to head back there 10 years or so later and win a Western League title shows how good he’s become and I’m certain a few of our lads are on a similar path.
“You can’t dismiss the challenge Falmouth provided them either, clawing back that huge lead, a week or so ago it was nip and tuck so full credit to them as well, and I wish Westy (Andy Westgarth) all the very best in the play-offs.
“For us, its been an excellent couple of months. We set some targets back in February and since then we’re fourth in the form table and are averaging just under two points per game, so it seems like one or two things are starting to click.
“It’s important we finish on a high, we’ve got our final home game on Saturday and the Waterways have been fantastic towards us all season, so it’s important to send them off into the summer with a win before final game on Wednesday.”
Saltash: J Duffey, B Goulty, E Wright, E Goodman, T Yendle (N Salop 81), T Badcott, T Love-Holmes, J Kelsey (T Huyton 70), J Jefford (J Curtis 77), A Goulty, J Preece (J Ewing 77).
Goals: J Preece (23 & 32), T Huyton (80).
Referee: A Hobbs.
Man of the Match: Jordan Duffey.
KJM SPORTS 