A topsy turvy match at Penlee Park hinged on a controversial disallowed second half “goal” that would have put the home team 2-1 ahead at a point in the match when they were very much in the ascendancy. Ten minutes later, Penzance were 1-3 down and facing a disappointing defeat.
The Magpies managerial team made five changes to the side which had performed creditably at St Blazey, most of them due to player unavailability. Mikey Flores passed a late fitness test to reclaim the keeper’s gloves from Will Trenoweth whilst Tyler Dayus, son of former Reserve team manager Darren, made his senior debut. First starts of the season were also handed to Kevin Lawrence, Kameron Collins and Kizzy Snowden.
Such upheaval doubtless explained a somewhat disjointed first half in which, shortly after Tyler Tonkin had heroically cleared a Harry Roberts shot off the line, Phil Cattran collected a George Molcher pass and tickled the ball past Flores to put the Seagulls ahead.
Penzance started to find their rhythm as the half progressed, and would have gone in level but for an amazing fingertip save by Paul Williams from a stinging Lawrence drive.
The former Penlee Park favourite again defied his years with another fine block from Snowden immediately after the restart, but was finally beaten by a delightfully curled finish by Darryl Richards, cutting in from the left.
At this point, the home side were rampant, and they thought they had the lead when a drilled Kameron Collins centre was bundled home in ungainly style by Snowden. Dave Bartlam initially seemed inclined to give the goal but, after consulting his assistant Ian Pattison, chalked it off for handball.
And the match turned on that incident. Within minutes, Roberts had waltzed around Flores to fire home Mullion’s second and, despite the Penzance keeper temporarily limiting the margin to one with a couple of stunning saves, Cattran effectively sealed the result with his second of the night, and third of the fledgling season, with a towering back post header from sub Dan Stidwell’s cross.
After play had resumed following a floodlight failure, the closing stages saw a couple more youngsters handed first team debuts. Rocco Hill, a product of the Helston Athletic liaison, and Haider Fadli, so impressive for the Reserves last season and this summer, both displayed some promising touches, but were ultimately unable to derail newly promoted Mullion’s storming start to life at Step Six.
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Ryan Andrew, Kevin Lawrence (Rocco Hill 71), Jordan Daniell, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Jacob Trudgeon, Kameron Collins, Tyler Dayus (Max Everard 79), Darryl Richards, Kizzy Snowden (Haier Fadli 75). Unused sub: Sam Payne
Mullion: Paul Williams, Ryan Tonkin, Jack Sherlock, Luke Hunter, Jack Green, Chris Blee (captain), George Molcher, Phil Cattran, Josh Sims, Harry Roberts, Jack Casley. subs: Chris Wormington, Harry Dark, Stuart Reynolds, Dan Stidwell
Referee: Dave Bartlam