Witheridge 3, Falmouth Town 0

FALMOUTH missed out on a top ten finish after defeat in the last game of their SWPL Premier season on Saturday.

On a bright, breezy day in Devon, the first real chance fell to the visitors when Ed Timmons made a good break down the right and crossed for Mike Vanes, whose fierce low shot flew just wide of Joe Moore’s post.

Jordan Charran, who came on as a tenth minute substitute, then saw his effort cleared off the line by Adam Williams with Town keeper Ryan Barnes beaten.

Rob Wearne then flicked the ball on to Andrew Westgarth, but his shot from a tight angle fizzed just over the crossbar.

Witheridge took the lead ten minutes before the break when Dave Rowe’s long ball over the top caused confusion in the visitors’ defence, who appealed for offside.

Charran reacted quickest to burst through and as the onrushing Barnes tried to close him down, he lobbed the ball into the empty net.

Luke Tripconey was forced off the field just before the break after the ball was hammered into his face from close range. He was replaced by Steve Retchford.

The hosts doubled their lead after 49 minutes when Charran crossed for Chris Ibbeson to prod home from six yards.

Just before the hour Town’s hopes of a final day victory were ended when Charran’s corner made its way through a crowd of bodies to Jamie Dirrane, who converted from close range.

Town’s best chance of the game came eight minutes from time when Wearne broke through but unlike Charran’s earlier effort, his lob over the stranded Moore fell just the wrong side of the post.

Last Saturday Falmouth held their annual presentation evening at the Greenbank Hotel. Ryan Barnes won the Manager’s Player of the Year award, with Ross Pope picking up the Players’ Player accolade. Top scorer was Glenn Squires.

Witheridge: J Moore, S Avery, J Tucker, C Ibbeson, D Tapp, J Dirrane (capt),W Pinnick, L Cole (M Leech 72m), B Kelly (J Charron 10m), K Bassett, D Rowe. Unused Sub: M Humphreys.

Falmouth: R Barnes A Williams (A Frier 70m), E Timmons, T Whipp, J Cooper (capt), R Pope, D Greet, M Vanes, R Wearne, A Westgarth, L Tripconey (S Retchford 40m).

Referee: Cameron Mann (Exeter)