PENZANCE 1, CAMELFORD 1

Goals are like the proverbial London bus for James Butler. It took him over fifty games to notch his first in black and white writes James Wright. But, just three weeks on from that duck breaker against Dobwalls, Penzance’s Mancunian left-footer swept home a majestic second to pinch a fortuitous point against a very impressive Camelford side.

The Magpies welcomed back captain Tyler Tonkin, but were without forward Lewis Caspall and industrious midfielder Charlie Willis, and were second best for most of the first half against the North Cornwall side who have surged up the table in recent months. From a Liam Higgins cut-back, Camelford’s Jacob Ham pulled a shot just wide in the early stages. The visitors then had a “goal” disallowed for offside, and captain Ryan Downing a shot bravely blocked by Silas Sullivan, before they made a deserved break-though twelve minutes before the interval. England Under-18 international Higgins began a move down the left that was finished off clinically at the far post by Cam Bidgood.

Only a quite brilliant goal-line clearance by Ben Palmer denied Bidgood a second on the stroke of half-time. On the resumption, the live-wire Higgins cut inside his marker from wide on the left to curl a shot inches wide of Will Trenoweth’s far post as the Camels looked to twist the knife. Penzance responded with a good shot by Jacob Trudgeon – looking to score for a fourth consecutive game – that was pushed behind for a corner. Three minutes, later Sullivan saw a low left foot shot well stopped by Cory Harvey.

Trenoweth pulled off another good save from Higgins, but generally the latter stages belonged to Penzance. On as a straight swap for right wing-back Ewan Trevains, and therefore in an unaccustomed position, James Butler timed to perfection his run on to a delicious cross from the left by Sullivan to sweep home a sublime half volley to level the scores. Five minutes later he exchanged passes with younger brother Ollie to play in George Molcher. The latter’s pass presented fellow substitute Kam Collins with a clear chance, but the shot was scooped wide of Harvey’s far post.

The result keeps Penzance in in third place, four points clear of the Camels who they meet again in the Cornwall Senior Cup final at St Blazey on Saturday May 9th.

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Sam Young (George Molcher 63), Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Ben Palmer, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Josh Turner, Jacob Trudgeon (Kam Collins 81), Ollie Butler, Ewan Trevains (James Butler 71), Charlie Young, Silas Sullivan.

Unused subs: Harry Salmon, Mark Vercesi

Camelford: Cory Harvey, Sam Watts, Andy Boxall (Josh Harris 71), Ross Beare, Tom Crowe, Tom Cowling, Kenley Dyson, Jacob Ham, Cam Bidgood, Ryan Downing (captain), Liam Higgins.

Unused subs: Mark Gusterson, Dan Balsdon

Referee: Neil Hunnisett

Assistants: Alan Smith, John Crocker

Attendance: 157

Cover photo and Match Report courtesy of James Wright