PORTHLEVEN Reserves have secured promotion to the St Piran League for the 2020/21 season.

The Fishermen will make their debut appearance in the division, which was formed at step seven of the English non-league pyramid prior to the 2019/20 season.

Port were second in the Combination League table before the suspension of all football and subsequent voiding of the campaign in March amid the coronavirus.

They won 15 of their 18 league matches, which included doing the double over Helston Athletic thirds and a 3-2 victory at leaders Pendeen Rovers.

Fraser Paterson top-scored for Kyle Woodhouse's side with ten goals, with Wade Brown, Lewis Hemsley and Ash Stidwell all on six goals apiece.

With all local football leagues being declared null and void last season there was to be no promotion or relegation between leagues unless there was an existing vacancy, which is the case in the St Piran League West after both St Just and Ludgvan pulled out during 2019/20.

The Fishermen were one of three teams to apply for the conventional method of promotion during the season, with Pendeen Rovers and Hayle reserves the other two to have applied.

However, Pendeen, who were leading the division, declined the opportunity to take one of two available places, while Hayle's reserves cannot be promoted as their first team were not able to take promotion out of the St Piran League and into the South West Peninsula League.

Port will join Falmouth Town reserves, Hayle, Helston Athletic reserves, Illogan RBL, Mousehole reserves, Mullion, Penryn Athletic, Perranporth, Perranwell, Redruth United, St Agnes, St Day, St Ives Town and Wendron United reserves in the division.

In a brief statement announcing the promotion, the club said: "We are delighted to confirm that we have gained promotion to the St Piran League for the upcoming 2020/21 season.

"It has not been achieved in the way we would have wanted, but it is still a brilliant achievement for everyone involved."

Manager Kyle Woodhouse said on Twitter: "I would like to say a huge thank you to all the players and everyone involved for all their hard work this year. We are delighted to achieve what we set out to at the start of the season.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of the St Piran League."

Porthleven's departure from the Combination League leaves the division running at 13 teams, with member clubs due to vote for the three teams to replace them via the league's postal AGM.

The six applicant teams for the three spaces are Gerrans and St Mawes United, Holman SC, Illogan RBL reserves, Ludgvan, Probus and St Newlyn East. The vote ends on Monday.