HOLSWORTHY 1, PENZANCE 3

Penzance flew highest the battle of the Magpies at Upcott Field on Saturday. A hugely impressive performance – acknowledged by manager Mark Vercesi as their best of the season – saw the Cornish flock scale the heady heights of third in the table writes James Wright.

They were given a lift by the return of Tyler Tonkin. The captain, who has undergone two shoulder operations in 2025, made his first start of the season following the previous week's tentative late foray from the bench against Launceston. There was an early scare when Harry Salmon fumbled a mishit shot from Holsworthy’s Rob Pearce. The Penzance keeper safely gathered the ball at the second attempt, and thereafter his side never looked back.

Charlie Willis pulled his shot just wide at the end of an easy-on-the-eye move, but the midfielder made no mistake in the 21st minute. Charlie Young pierced the home back line with a precise pass from which George Molcher hit a post with Willis coolly stroking home the rebound.

From a fine Toby Martyn centre, Ben Sharpe had a great opportunity to equalise. But he was unable to find the target and it proved costly as, by the interval, the visitors were two clear. Ewan Trevains tenaciously won the ball in the centre of the park and sprayed it wide to Josh Magin on the right. The latter’s drilled cross was instinctively nodded home from point blank range by Young.

Salmon saved well at the start of the second half before Penzance resumed their onslaught. Ryan Chadwick pulled off three fine saves inside a minute thwarting Magin twice and Willis. Then, with a stunning 25 yard drive, only the crossbar denied Tonkin a goal on his return. The richly deserved third finally arrived in the 74th minute. Silas Sullivan met a deep Willis corner at the far post and, via a deflection or two, the ball squirmed its way to Young to hook home his second of the afternoon, and tenth of the season.

With a fine angled near post header from a corner from the right, substitute Josh Down pulled one back for Holsworthy. But it was not enough to prevent Penzance from registering a sixth victory in the seven League games since their last Peninsula defeat, against Wendron United back in August.

Holsworthy: Ryan Chadwick, Callum Martyn, William Harris (Todd Peschke 65), Sam Hill, George Plumb, Toby Martyn, Rob Pearce (Josh Down 60), Jay Thomas (captain), Joe Barker (Sam Jago 53), Ben Sharpe (Jonathan Lang 78), Gavin Carter.

Unused sub: Chris Wildern

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Archie Reynolds, George Molcher (Jacob Trudgeon 75), Rohan Bennetts, Silas Sullivan, Tyler Tonkin (captain) (Josh Turner 65), Ewan Trevains (Kam Collins 90), Josh Magin (Waters 88), Charlie Willis, Charlie Young, Lewis Caspall.

Unused sub: Alfie Turner

Referee: Edwin Bradshaw

Assistants: Chris Sillifant, Liam Bray

Cover photo courtesy of James Wright