JOSH Colwill’s final appearance in a Camels shirt before emigrating to Australia ended in defeat as promotion-chasing Elburton Villa left Trefrew Park with a 2-1 victory.

The Camels had welcomed league leaders Liskeard Athletic on Tuesday night, going down 2-1, and hosted a Villa side who had averaged over four goals a game from their 11 outings before Saturday.

They arrived having pushed Southern League side Tiverton Town all the way to extra-time in the Devon St Luke’s Bowl in midweek, and started the brighter of the two sides in the opening 10 minutes, but couldn’t find a way past Colwill in the Camels net.

Camelford, who were without boss Bobby Hopkinson who was on holiday, had made two changes from the Liskeard game. Josh Caddy came in on the left-wing with Ryan Downing moving into the middle to replace Mark Gusterson, while at the back, Tom Crowe returned from suspension as the unavailable Adam Sleep made way.

With a strange cross-wind which meant it wasn’t easy for either side, Camelford gradually worked their way back into the contest with key man Downing the main threat.

He struck a shot narrowly wide as firing a well-hit effort straight at Jamie Dudley.

But just as it looked like the game would reach half-time goalless, the Villa struck on 41 minutes as targetman Sam Hughes scuffed a finish through Colwill’s legs from 12 yards.

Whatever was said in the home dressing room at the break had the desired effect as they were level within a minute of the restart.

A fine move saw Kenley Dyson send Downing clear and he made no mistake.

The Camels then got on top, but couldn’t get the goal they needed.

Then, with 20 minutes to play, disaster struck at the other end as Camelford thrice failed to clear their lines and a clearance struck James Hamson and went in.

Camelford emptied the bench, including attacker Shae Cardiff, and were within inches of levelling with the last play of the game.

Downing’s cross was met by the head of Crowe, but his effort brushed the crossbar.

For Camelford they will play worse and win, but they need to learn take advantage of key moments, a fact not lost on assistant boss Dan Balsdon.

He said: “They probably shaded the first half and we were probably the better side in the second, but it was a disappointing result.

“They’re a good experienced team and we more than matched them, but we need to learn to be more clinical in the final third.

“We’re probably not quite making the right decisions, but it’s something we’re working on in training.”

Balsdon also had praise for Colwill, a man he has played hundreds of games with.

He concluded: “Josh has been a great servant to the club for a number of years and has made plenty of superb saves for us down the years.

“We’re going to miss him, but he deserves all the praise he’s going to get.”

Camelford visit Falmouth Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm).

CAMELFORD: Josh Colwill; Sam Watts, Dan Hocking, Tom Crowe, Cam Bidgood; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare, Jacob Ham; Joseph Parr, Ryan Downing, Josh Caddy. Subs (all used): Olly Taylor, Bailee Deignan, Josh Harris, Shae Cardiff.

Camels’ man-of-the-match: Ryan Downing.