Josh Wood came off the bench to propel Wendron United into the semi-finals of the Cornwall Senior Cup with a brace of goals during the first period of extra-time at the end of an enthralling cup tie at Penlee Park.
With captain Tyler Tonkin and Darryl Richards restored to the starting line-up, Penzance were back to nearly full strength and matched their high-flying visitors during the regulation ninety minutes. With Kizzy Snowden dropping to the bench to accommodate Richards, Rolandos Samnauskas was pushed into the central striker role and he came closest to scoring for the hosts, twice stretching Ethan Fearn to good saves in the closing stages of the first half.
Top scorer Jacob Trudgeon also went close for the Magpies, but the best chance before the break fell to Wendron top scorer Charlie Young whose far post header was blocked by Will Trenoweth.
The Penzance glove man was also in the thick of the action immediately after the restart, producing a superb double save to deny Cam Wheat. The league leaders were indeed on the front foot for most of the second half, but Penzance’s disciplined defending and exceptional work rate took them through the ninety minutes intact – a noteworthy achievement against a team on a twelve match winning streak.
The resilience was finally broken three minutes into the additional half hour. A hard low shot by Young was blocked, as was a follow-up effort from Lucas Potts, but the ball broke to Wood, an earlier replacement for Ryan Reeve, who bundled it over the line. Penzance argued there had been a push in the build-up, Trenoweth so vehemently that he was sin-binned for ten minutes.
The temporary dismissal of the custodian effectively sealed the home side’s fate. Though midfielder Kam Collins deputised ably in goal, by the time he returned the gloves to Trenoweth, Wendron were two up and out of sight. A low drive by former Magpie Jacob Cleverly was blocked but the rebound was nodded on by Wheat to set up Wood for another close range finish.
Last year’s runners-up therefore progress again to the last four again where they will play one of Liskeard, Helston or Saltash at a neutral venue in mid-March. For their part, Penzance can look back with pride on an valiant effort as they return to league action.
Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Archie Reynolds, Cam McCabe, Mark Vercesi, Liam Andrew, Tyler Tonkin (captain) (Jordan Daniell 99), Kameron Collins, Jacob Trudgeon, Rolandos Samnauskas (Alfie Hicks 99), Silas Sullivan (Max Everard 105), Darryl Richards (Kizzy Snowden 70). Unused sub: Mikey Flores
Wendron: Ethan Fearn, Joe Souch (Luke Rundle 105), Reece Carroll, Scott Palmer (captain), Russell May, Jacob Cleverly, Ryan Reeve (Josh Wood 70), Lucas Potts, Charlie Young, Jack Stocker (Joe Chapman 70), Cam Wheat. Unused subs: Luke Rundle, Brian Scoffin
Referee: Paul Kempen
Watch: The stream from this match (kindly sponsored by Antony Handyman and Ashley Waters - Painter & Decorator) is available to watch via our Facebook Page.