LISKEARD ATHLETIC 3, PENZANCE 1

Penzance slipped a second defeat of 2025, and only a fifth of the entire season, when beaten at league leaders Liskeard Athletic.

The Magpies made a very bright start, and had an excellent chance when home keeper Luke Gwillam had to be at his most alert to deny Curtis Smith, set up by Ollie Butler. However, they were rocked by a tenth minute Blues goal, Max Gilbert beating Mikey Flores with a superb swivel and shot. Almost immediately the ex-Mousehole midfielder doubled his tally with another fine finish, tucked low to the keeper's right, and Penzance had a mountain to climb.

Butler saw a shot diverted wide for a corner as Penzance threatened a riposte. But, with some great football as the interval approached, Liskeard demonstrated why they are pushing Newquay all the way for the title. After a lung-busting burst down the left, Dan Jennings smashed a shot against the far post. Matt Outtram then pushed a deflected free-kick just over the bar.

The visitors steadied themselves after the break and came close to clawing themselves back into contention when Gwillam saved well low to his right from Charlie Willis and Silas Sullivan fired just over from the follow-up. However, the game was effectively killed on  the hour mark when Dan Jennings made another trademark surge down the left, beating Archie Reynolds before drilling a shot just inside the near post.

Penzance refused to lie down and Charlie Young fizzed a shot just over the bar against his former club. The highlight of the game for Penzance arrived nine minutes from time when 16 year old Brook Williams, on for Butler, drilled home his first goal for the club from a tight angle. The striker was denied a second by a fine Gwillam save, and fellow subs Sam Young and Kameron Collins also went close as the Magpies finished strongly but came up just short.

Photo courtesy of Jessie Neilson.

Liskeard: Luke Gwillam, Elliot Crawford, Ben Collins, Matt Outtram, Scott Sanders, Matt Andrew, Will Gilbert, James Lorenz, Luke Cloke, Dan Jennings, Max Gilbert.

Subs: Macauley Thorp, Cory Harvey, Curtis Damerell, Cameron Patterson, Ryan Richards

Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Curtis Smith (Sam Young 60), Josh Storey, Chris Wormington, Ewan Trevains (Kameron Collins 60), Jacob Trudgeon, Ollie Butler (Brook Williams 67), Charlie Willis, Charlie Young, Silas Sullivan (captain).

Unused subs: Mark Vercesi, Will Trenoweth

Referee: Lee Dudman

Assistants: Alan Shaw, Tom Roper

Attendance: 141