The opening game of the 2022/23 season saw reigning St Piran league champions Saltash Borough visit The Mill. With a number of last years squad moving onto new challenges with SWPL clubs, long term injuries and unavailability due holidays. A new look Torpoint squad led by Neil Mansfield was ready for the challenges ahead.

With Owen Haslam (Match day captain), Byron Robins (Team captain) and Charlie Stearnes (vice captain) all named in the strong looking starting line up. Joined by 3rd team regulars Jay Hussey at left back and Ryan Easterbrook in what on paper looks a very dangerous front line.

Torpoint started the game well, moving the ball with speed and precision.
Debutantes Sol Sinclair and recent signing from St Austell, Cameron Ladlow looked to have settled in well in the defensive unit led by the ever impressive Jack Bouch. Saltash Borough finding it difficult to break the home side down. With the play going through the midfield duo of Ryan Coutts and Bryon Robins.
It was Saltash Borough who missed the first golden opportunity of the match. with the last seasons leading scorer, Henry Bunning failed to hit the target from 6 yards. That missed certainly gave the home side a reality check as to the danger of dropping standards. Until that moment they had comfortably managed the first 25 minutes.
The following attack saw Point forward Josh Payn, take the ball out of the sky with a death touch. Turn his man inside out and sending the next the wrong way with great foot work before hitting a 30 yard curling shot destined for the top corner. The visiting keeper, diving full stretch managed to turn the shot around the post with a fingertip save.

After the cooling break, Torpoint continued the boss the game but with Borough looking dangerous on the counterattack and beginning to create a few half chances, with the fire power that the visitors had on display it wasn’t going to be long before that one half chance was taken.
A failure to play until the whistle and a referee decision which went the way of Saltash Borough. On the stroke of half time, this break in play in favor of the visitors saw them break the home defensive unit and this time Henry Bunning wasn't going to fail to hit the target. Turning inside one defender and finishing well into the far corner past a diving Rob Brown.
The half time whistle definitely came at the right time for the home side. The game plan was reinforced during the break, the players able to reset themselves and prepare themselves for what was going to be a really good second half performance.

The second half started as the first half did, Torpoint on top and attacking the preferred clubhouse end. An early corner was to be the trial run for the first goal for Torpoint. Jay Hussey sending a great ball in from the right hand side and Sol Sinclair headed just wide of the goal.
Within 60 seconds the scene was set again, Jay Hussey over the ball from the right. In-swinging delivery but this time the commanding defender hit the target with a powerful header, which left the Borough keeper with no chance. A perfect way to celebrate not only his debut but also his Birthday.
From that moment the result was only going to go one way and with the options to bring on both quality and energy from the bench. The introduction of 17 year old debutantes Jimi Taylor, Stan Roberts and Haydon Shepherd really put the sword to the visitors. Added with the impact made from strength and power of Dan place, the technical ability of Brennan Martindale. Torpoint really began to dominate possession.
With time running out, it was down to 17 year old Jimi Taylor. He picked the ball up and from 30 yards with the aid of a slight deflection the ball flew straight into the top right hand corner. Unbelievable scenes at the Mill. Jimi Taylor had made his impact on the game with maximum effect.
Now the hard work started. 5 minutes of the 90 left and with 6 teenagers on the pitch, it required wise heads and that was what the players delivered.

Opening game of the season, in tough conditions with the heat and against the current reigning league champions. The aim was 3 points, target achieved. The players delivered what was asked of them as individuals and as a group.

Up the point!