The Magpies were never able to recover from an early concession, and slipped to a third home defeat inside ten days as Godolphin Atlantic continued an impressive start to the season under manager Harry Pope.
Missing eight players, including influential performers such as Tyler Tonkin, Kevin Lawrence, Cam McCabe, Jacob Trudgeon and Robertas Samnauskas, Penzance found themselves under the cosh in the first half hour against an in-form team that has racked up eleven goals in its opening two games. Eli Evans signalled early intent, cutting in from the right to fire just over before “the G” deservedly took the lead on the quarter hour mark. The home defence was slow to react to a Matt Walker free-kick and Matt Sanders muscled his way into the perfect position to head home at the far post.
A much improved conclusion to the half for Penzance saw Darryl Richards fire straight at keeper Adam Robathan after being released by Rocco Hill. A key moment immediately followed when Hill was tripped, to the eyes of most observers, just inside the box. Jonothan Green, however, awarded a free-kick and teenager Tyler Dayus saw his blasted effort charged down.
Two excellent chances followed at the start of the second period. Against his former club, Kizzy Snowden made a surging run forward before picking out Haidar Fadli’s intelligent run with an accurate chip. Sadly the youngster’s glancing header just missed its target. Dayus, who had another hugely impressive game, then located Silas Sullivan from a free-kick, but the captain-for-the-day was unable make a clean connection and Rothathan saved easily.
Thereafter, frustration started to increase and the chances dried up as Godolphin eased their way to a third win in four games. “It is difficult at the moment, obviously we are not getting results,” said joint manager John MacCallum afterwards. “It’s a game we’ve competed well in - we don’t deserve defeat, but that is what we are getting. One moment, a free header from a set-piece, has cost us. We haven’t been outplayed in any of the games we’ve had this season, so that is positive. Rome wasn’t built in a day – results will come, for sure.”
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Tyler Dayus, Ryan Andrew, Silas Sullivan (captain), Jordan Daniell, Rocco Hill (Max Everard 60), Haidar Fadli, Kizzy Snowden, Obinna Abuka (Anthony Nicholas 75), Darryl Richards. Unused subs: Alfie Turner, Glory Olunowo, Will Trenoweth
Godolphin: Adam Robathan, Harry Pawsey, Adam Paterson, Matt Sanders, Marshall Chapman, Harvey Thomas, Matt Walker, Jay Davis, Ben Colquhoun, Eli Evans, Coen Briggs. Subs: Will Garner, Leland Bertrand, Tiernan Bertrand, Harry Pope
Referee: Jonothan Green