MOUSEHOLE 4, PENZANCE 0

Penzance made the short journey up Chywoone Hill for the inaugural Tony Claypole Cup on Tuesday night writes James Wright. The match – perpetuating the memory of a loyal and sadly missed servant of both clubs – will be played annually henceforth with the venue alternating. The Seagulls are the first winners after a comprehensive win in miserable weather at Trungle.

The home side, including five trialists in a sixteen man squad, took just four minutes to break the deadlock, Tim Nixon polishing off a tidy move down the right with a header past Harry Salmon. The Magpies debutant keeper conceded a very similar second just five minutes later. This time he got a strong hand to a header from Liam Prynn – but not quite strong enough to prevent Mousehole’s new signing from Tavistock getting on the scoresheet.

Just before the half-hour mark, Wade Brown thought he had put the Magpies back in the contest with a smart finish from a Ewan Trevains through-ball. An amazing reflex save by Salmon then denied Prynn his second goal of the night, but the reprieve was only temporary. Shortly before the break Oscar Massey slotted home a low shot from close range after a tidy move down the left to effectively put the game beyond the reach of his former club.

Mousehole continued to dominate after the interval as both sides made changes, as is the nature of pre-season. A home trialist substitute increased the lead with a fine looping strike from just outside the penalty area, then Jack Symons was just over with a shot that skimmed the cross-bar at the end of a penetrating move down the right. The midfielder was also denied by a fine block by Penzance substitute Kam Collins, as was Ed Harrison, on his home debut for Mousehole, by Magpies 2024-25 top scorer Charlie Young, deputising in central defence due to absences.

George Molcher, again impressing as a half-time substitute, came closest for Penzance after the break. But the ex-Mullion midfielder’s late shot fizzed just wide of Ollie Chenoweth’s right-hand post as the Magpies were beaten by a Southern League side for the second time in five days. 

“It was another good run out against strong opposition,” reflected Penzance manager Mark Vercesi. “I was really pleased with how we played first half, but we need to tighten up in those cutting edge moments that ultimately cost us. But nonetheless, it was more fitness in those legs.”

 Photos courtesy of Jessie Neilson.

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Archie Reynolds (George Molcher 46), James Butler (Rohan Bennetts 46), Charlie Young, Silas Sullivan, Sam Young (Kam Collins 60), Charlie Willis (Hayden Waters 60), Ewan Trevains, Josh Magin (Adam Lewis 63), Wade Brown (Brook Williams 46), Lewis Caspall.

Unused sub: Will Trenoweth

Mousehole: Ollie Chenoweth, Jacob Kevern, Trialist, James Ward, Ed Harrison, Hayden Turner, Jack Calver, Liam Prynn, Trialist, Tim Nixon, Oscar Massey.

Subs: Jack Symons, Hayden Black, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist