CAMELFORD 0, PENZANCE 1

Penzance shrugged off the absence of talismanic front man Charlie Young to record a narrow victory at Camelford in vile weather conditions – incessant rain and a strong cross-field wind. The goal was notched by George Molcher, his first in competitive football since signing for the Magpies in the summer writes James Wright.

Starting up front in place of Young, Jacob Trudgeon had two early chances but was unable to find the target on either occasion. In a very lively opening the home side also threatened, Penzance keeper Harry Salmon parrying a fierce drive from Cam Bidgood. The half concluded with some excellent defensive work at both ends. Archie Reynolds athletically blocked a thunderous shot from Camelford’s Ross Beare, whilst Josh Colwill pulled off a superb save from visiting captain Silas Sullivan in injury-time.

Penzance were on top after the turnaround. Mark Vercesi curled a 54th minute free-kick over the bar, then started the move that spawned the winner two minutes later. The Player-Manager threaded a pass wide to Ollie Butler who cut in from the right flank to feed Molcher to fire home with authority. Penzance’s seventh goal of the season – from a seventh different scorer.

The strike triggered a purple patch for the Magpies with Colwill brilliantly denying Ollie Butler before Dan Hocking cleared Sullivan’s follow-up off the line. One-on-one with Colwill, James Butler had a glorious chance to wrap it up but the substitute pushed his shot wide. This meant Penzance had to withstand a nervy finish with Vercesi bravely blocking a Beare effort and Salmon tipping over a viciously dipping free-kick from Hocking.

“It is a really tough place to come, and they have started the season really well only losing one game so far, to Liskeard,” said Vercesi. “So we knew it would be a hard match, but again we’ve played really well and created a lot of chances. So I’m really pleased with the performance.”

Camelford: Josh Colwill, Sam Watts, Andy Boxall (captain), Ross Beare, Tom Crowe, Dan Hocking, Kenley Dyson, Josh Harris, Joe Parr, Cam Bidgood, Adam Sleep.

Subs: Josh Caddy, Ryelee Deignan, Olly Taylor, Bailee Deignan, Dan Balsdon

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Archie Reynolds, Mark Vercesi, Sam Young, Josh Turner, Ewan Trevains, Jacon Trudgeon (Adam Lewis 85), Charlie Willis, Ollie Butler, George Molcher (James Butler 79), Silas Sullivan (captain).

Unused subs: Rohan Bennetts, Alfie Turner, Will Trenoweth

Referee: Andrew Hobbs

Assistants: Brooke Lague, David Becker

Cover photo courtesy of James Wright