PENZANCE 0, FALMOUTH TOWN 2

Penlee Park opened its gates to the public for the first time after an extensive programme of summer improvements for a friendly against Falmouth Town. The punters were able to enjoy the new facilities, splendid weather and an enjoyable encounter in which the home side tested, but were ultimately beaten by, their higher ranked visitors writes James Wright.

With a long list of absences, including all recognised centre-backs, it was a somewhat makeshift Penzance that took to the field for their first pre-season run-out. Unsurprisingly therefore Falmouth, in their second outing, made the early running. Rubin Wilson pulled a shot wide whilst Will Trenoweth saved from stand-in captain Jack Webber and former Magpies Under-16s midfielder Levi Hilling. Falmouth's only clear-cut chance of the half though came when Harrison Jewell connected with an Ollie Evans corner but directed his powerful header just wide.

Penzance enjoyed a very strong finish to the opening period. Driving forcefully through the centre, Charlie Willis set up an opportunity for Hayden Waters. Brook Williams then sprayed a fine pass wide to Josh Magin on the right. The ex-Mousehole man, returning after a protracted break from the game, centred for Ewan Trevains to fire just over. Willis then drew a good save from Morgan Coxhead.

Seconds after regular captain Tom Annear had entered the fray, Falmouth made the breakthrough in the 56th minute, Wilson clipping the ball home from a tight angle after being played in down the right. Cutting in from the same flank, impressive youngster Evans then doubled the damage with a crisp left-foot shot.

The Southern League side thought they had a third when Martyn Duff headed home thirteen minutes from time, but an offside flag intervened. Falmouth's new signing from St Austell then had another chance but fired over when well placed. Penzance's best chance of the night fell to Magin in the dying seconds, but Coxhead pulled off a fine stop.

Alfie Turner was delighted with the performance. “We had eight regulars missing, so two sixteen year-olds, a seventeen year-old and an eighteen year-old got starts,” explains the Penzance coach. “Rohan Bennett, at centre-back, played his first adult match and was outstanding – he didn’t do anything wrong. All the guys put a real shift in and were excellent. They have given Mark Vercesi, Matt James and myself a real headache for when the regulars come back.”

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Archie Reynolds, James Butler, Rohan Bennett, Charlie Young (captain), Charlie Willis, Ewan Trevains (George Molcher 46), Ollie Butler (Steffen van der Blerk 60), Josh Magin, Brook Williams (Wade Brown 60), Hayden Waters (Kam Collins 60). Unused sub: Alfie Turner

Falmouth: Morgan Coxhead, Ned Symons, Reece Carroll, Harrison Jewell, Fred Start-Walter, Levi Hilling, Kian Thomas, Jack Webber (captain), Rubin Wilson, Jared Sims, Ollie Evans. Subs: Tom Annear, Bradley Lievers, Martyn Duff, Luke Brabyn

Referee: Thomas Milburn

Attendance: 212

Cover photo courtesy of Jessie Neilson