Pensilva FC

Saturday 15th July 2023

Pre Season Friendly

PENSILVA 6 LOOE TOWN 0

Pensilva are a St Pirans League Division 2 East club

Time was tight but I dashed up to Pensilva following the Liskeard v Huddersfield game before the wet and windy weather got any worse.

The Recreation Field ground is directly behind the Millennium House Community Centre which I believe is open for ale and various hot drinks & snacks. It's just off the Main Road through the hill top village. 

The splendid atmospheric Cornish countryside of the Caradon Hill area is only a short trek away. Best go when it's dry though.

I managed to get some snaps, some of which are featured here.

There appears to be a new drive and enthusiasm at the Pensilva Club and its pleasing to see they are active on social media this season. They certainly had a positive afternoon against their not too distant neighbours Looe Town, a side from the ECPL (East Cornwall Premier League), a league which I now believe has been put under the St Pirans League umbrella (must admit, not many know whats going on at the moment with the league transition stuff affecting various levels of Cornwall Football, me included, I'm sure it will all become clear over the next few weeks).

There is a great little stand up at this Pensilva Ground, it's not very big but it has that certain character which makes Non League so great.

I didn't catch the whole game, I got there late and already a bit wet and bedraggled. I will certainly try and catch Pensilva on a more planned out day, hopefully when its a bit better weather wise.

Looks like the village could have a good football side and a productive season based upon what I managed to see. 

The Liskeard v Huddersfield Friendly

Saturday 15th July 2023

LISKEARD ATHLETIC: LUX PARK

Liskeard Athletic 1 Huddersfield Town 13

Attendance: 503

Admission: £5 Concession 

Weather: Frequent blustery showers

Fixture 

Liskeard play in The South West Peninsula League. They have a list of extremely testing friendlies this pre season. The new Management line up is made up of 3 of the most respected Non League football brains on the South West scene: Darren Gilbert, Lee Mann & Bobby Hopkinson. 

They obviously want to evaluate the squad battling it out against demanding opposition rather than half hearted low key leg stretchers. They don't come much more full-on than taking on Neil Warnock's resurgent Huddersfield Town. 

Mr Warnock is a regular visitor to this part of Cornwall with a history of bringing his latest-project sides for local friendlies. Apparently big things are back on the cards for the West Yorkshire club this season.

Location

Liskeard is surprisingly well hidden beside the A38 between Plymouth and Bodmin. The South Coastal holiday resort of Looe is around 10 miles away, north of the town there is lovely countryside. Quiet sedate villages rest below the charismatic rise of Caradon Hill, The Cheesewring, Kilmar Tor & Bodmin Moor. 

The town is on the Penzance to London main railway line with additional plentiful connections to the Midlands & the North from Plymouth 20 miles down the track.

Crowd

Over 500 turned out on what could easily be labelled a dodgy weather day. We got some dry spells, even a bit of sunshine, however, when the grey mass loomed, the blustery breeze strengthened and the horizontal rain began, it wasn't pretty, certainly for some of the punters in flimsy tops and shorts.

Liskeard have a growing reputation for good football so plenty of locals from the town and further afield welcomed this opportunity, especially against a Football League club that has such a renowned history. An established footballing profile that undoubtedly persuaded a large number of Huddersfield supporters to also make the journey. 

Ground

Ground staff, volunteers and I believe members of Management & Officials had given lovely Lux Park a spruce up over the close season. The place looked a treat. 

Considering this is a humble Non League level you can get everything here, a seat in the stand, a place in the covered paddock area, even ale from the adjoining Sports Bar. 

There's also some really nice pasties & hot drinks from the Tea Hut. 

Last but not least, a new introduction for this campaign a Pop Up Burger unit under the gazebo next to the main entrance. 

A great little place for a day out at the Football.

Match

Considering quite a few of the Liskeard side were involved in a Cornwall County team playing in a CONIFA World Cup game the next day it was probable that quite a few changes selection and tactics wise would be evident. 

The first half was quite competitive and included an absolute screamer of a wonder goal from Liskeard midfield general Max Gilbert. As expected, Huddersfield looked good from the start and finally found their finishing skills after being held goalless at Tavistock in the week.

Liskeard made multiple changes at half time and Huddersfield inevitably found more space, time and opportunity to expand their lead. They finished worthy winners and sent their travelling support homeward bound with a bit more confidence than was evident midweek.

I have enjoyed seeing Huddersfield at Tavistock and Liskeard, I wish them well for their season in The Championship. I believe their opening game is up the A38 at Plymouth Argyle. 

As for Liskeard Athletic I will doubtless be seeing them again during the South West Non League season, might even buy a burger.

Tavistock 0 Huddersfield Town 0

Pre Season Friendly

Wednesday 12th July 2023

Langsford Park 7.00pm kick off

Attendance: 512

Admission: £10 & £6 concessions

Fixture Profile: Not too often we get quality sides down the South West for the Pre Season Friendly pantomime these days, when it occurs most the visitors are managed by Neil Warnock. So was the case for Huddersfield Town of The Championship taking centre stage, Neils latest work in progress. The Terriers had already won 9 nil earlier in the week at Bodmin Town & have another tour game this coming Saturday at Liskeard Athletics Lux Park ground. 

On paper, Tavistock, who play in the Southern League Division 1 South, should be the toughest opponents for Huddersfield. Going off what went off in this game, Tavistock can be very proud of their performance.

Location: Tavistock is an attractive South Devon market town, it nestles amidst lovely countryside between the bustle of Plymouth and the glory of wildest Dartmoor. Langsford Park is along a tree lined lane, Crowndale Road, it's adjacent to the large local college: PL19 8JR.

Weather: A dry mild evening for the most part, perfect for football, all complimented by an excellent looking playing surface. The only blip was getting wet-through after the game as I made my way back to the town centre.

The Crowd: A good turnout locally, plus, considering the excessive distance and the fact it was a pre season friendly, a significant percentage of the crowd were in Huddersfield Town shirts (the classic blue & white stripe ones, not the slightly contentious new away kit number which seems to be a mix of electric yellow and sour lime colour). It was a laid back friendly atmosphere with plenty of punters enjoying pitch side ale and good humour.

Ground Features: Accessible on three sides, one end with countryside beyond is no-entry. The main red brick clubhouse looms over the pitch with a couple of flat pack seated stands either side of the tunnel. Along the same touchline reside snack bar facilities and a club shop. Toilets are at the far end of the red brick clubhouse.

 

The opposite touchline has shallow grass banking and a small shelter type structure by the half way line, its named The Les Symons Memorial Stand. 

Entry is by turnstile at the bus garage end of the ground. Again, there is a shallow grass bank here. There is a bar in the small parking area at this end of the ground.

Match Summary: Personally I found the first half a little scrappy, the usual early pre-season hustle, bustle and leg stretching. Perhaps the most interesting part was watching Neil Warnock & his Assistant Manager Ronnie Jepson take up their positions across the pitch. Neither side created much.

Second half witnessed a much more dominant Huddersfield lay siege to the Tavistock end. There was plenty of classy approach play but little end product finishing wise. Yes, the numerous chances went begging as the pressure grew but it has to be mentioned, Tavistock defended superbly, they endlessly found the spirit and determination to snuff out everything Mr Warnocks side threw at them. 

No wonder Tavistock looked pleased with themselves at the final whistle. A tremendous result for them and a real confidence booster for the campaign ahead. Be interesting to see how Neil has this Huddersfield squad geared up for Liskeard on Saturday, he certainly won't want another debatable result this early in proceedings.

Coming Soon

Should be properly up and running by Mid August 2023.

Hope to get a few friendlies in before then.