Helston Athletic's Carlsberg SW Peninsula League division one west title bid took an early set back on Saturday as they were beaten 5-1 away at Godolphin.

Godolphin are expected to be one of Helston's main rivals for promotion this season and have now already opened up a five point gap at the top of the table.

Godolphin, who were reduced to ten men midway through the half, took the lead in the opening minute when Lee Paxton picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

However, Helston were level ten minutes later when Jordan Adlard curled a free-kick home.

Then came the sending off as Mark Goldsworthy was hacked down on the half-way line by Ollie Pinell. Referee Jon Harris waived play-on to allow Helston's Laim Eddy through on goal, but he was also upended by Godolphin keeper Nathan Prentice on the edge of the area.

In the aftermath of both incidents, Prentice avoided a red card, as did Pinnell. But to Godolphin's amazement referee Harris showed a red card to Scott Flannigan in what could only be assumed as a case of mistaken identity.

The decision seemed to rally the home side though as former Foxhole player Richard Griffin rounded Jason Robertson and fired home to give Godolphin a 2-1 lead at the break.

Godolphin made it 3-1 on 49 minutes as Kyle Brown crossed for Luke Rigby to slot home.

Paxton added a fourth when he tapped the ball into the empty net, following Robertson save from Aaron Dilley.

The scoring was completed by Griffin midway through the half, to leave Godolphin setting the pace at the top of the table with six wins from six.

Helston Athletic: Jason Robertson, Aaron Collick, Dan Stidwell (Nigel Thwaites 68), Jamie Thomson, Hugh Howlett, Fraser Cumming, Jordan Adlard (Shaun Parker 72), Charlie Young, Liam Eddy (James Miller 71), Mark Godlsworthy, Tom Russell: Subs not used: Martyn Webster, Chris Strike.