PENZANCE 1, CALLINGTON TOWN 1

Third placed Penzance held out against a very strong second half onslaught to cling on to a point against Callington Town and maintain a three gap over their opponents writes James Wright.

After the two hour Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final epic four days previously, manager Mark Vercesi rested himself and fellow veteran Wade Brown. Seventeen year old Hayden Waters, a midweek scorer at Blaise Park, got to make his first start at Penlee Park, in Brown’s centre-forward berth. Josh Turner came in for the Gaffer at the back with Sam Young making only his second start of the season, in place of Ollie Butler.

And it was the midfielder who had the first shot at goal after a cagey opening, though his drive was comfortably saved by Jake Mead-Crebbin. After 26 minutes, Penzance lost experienced centre-back Ben Palmer to a recurring groin injury and, before they could fully settle, a penalty was conceded. Will Trenoweth raced off his line to foul Kieran Prescott as the striker arrowed into the box from the left flank, but made amends with a brilliant save low to his right from Fin Harrison. And the Magpies immediately capitalised, Sam Young finishing a slick move with a low shot tucked inside Mead-Crebbin’s far post – his first goal of an injury-time hit season contributing towards his Man of the Match accolade awarded at the end of the contest by main sponsor Jewson.

James Butler, Palmer’s replacement, threatened a second but saw his shot charged down - the last action of a very impressive first half for the home side. After the break though, the Cup exertions started to take their toll. Penzance began to look leggy and Callington dominated from get-go. From a pinpoint cross from the right, Harrison headed just over. Soper then came agonisingly close to scoring himself, with a viciously curling shot that passed dangerously close to Trenoweth’s far post. Callum Courts then had a powerful shot charged down. Substitute Alex Jacob wreaked havoc with numerous threatening raids down the right flank, and it was one such foray that yielded the equaliser eleven minutes from time, Harrison finishing the move by nodding the ball home from close range to secure a share of the points.

A massive thank you to Jewson and their continued support to Penzance AFC.

Todays MOM kindly presented by Gareth May was Sam Young after a great display in midfield and a well taken goal for The Magpies.

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Josh Turner (Jacob Trudgeon 83), Ben Palmer (James Butler 26), Ewan Trevains, Silas Sullivan, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Sam Young, Charlie Willis (Ollie Butler 83), Hayden Waters (Charlie Young 70), Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Lewis Caspall.

Unused sub: Rohan Bennetts

Callington: Jake Mead-Crebbin, George Soper, Elliott Haxell, Harvey Barrett, Harry Southcott (captain), Callum Brown, Kieran Ryall, Callum Courts, Kieran Prescott, Fin Harrison, Huck Enticknap.

Subs: Alex Jacob, Fin Skews, Ed Harrison, Jamie Martin, Dean Southcott

Referee: Leigh Michael

Assistants: Tim Reeks, Alex Dunster

Attendance: 188