Penzance failed to win at home for only the second time this season, Henry Bunning’s brace rescuing a point for visiting Callington Town in atrocious playing conditions at Penlee Park.
The Magpies made light of the absences of young starlets James Butler and Charlie Willis, both so impressive in recent weeks. With Simon Fisher making a home debut at left back, and Rolandos Samnauskas restored to the starting line-up, they raced into a two goal lead. Mark Vercesi bagged the first, bundling home a Jacob Trudgeon corner. Then, after wriggling clear of his marker wide on the left, Silas Sullivan burst into the Callington box before pulling the ball back to Tyler Tonkin to double the margin.
Two brilliant saves from Jamie Montgomery kept the visitors in the match. The keeper finger-tipped a right-footed curler from Trudgeon on to the cross-bar, then repelled a pile-driver from Kam Collins. Ollie Butler went very close with a speculative effort as the home side dominated but could not put the game to bed.
Bunning’s first, a close range effort at the end of a move down the right, hauled Cally back in contention as biblical rain hit Penlee Park with half-time approaching. On the resumption, the playing surface was sodden and abandonment a very real possibility. Penzance’s normal slick passing game was compromised. The visitors adapted better and levelled ten minutes from time, Bunning tapping the ball over the line from just inches out.
Right at the death, Penzance might have pinched it, Archie Reynolds putting a shot just over after excellent work down the right by Trudgeon, but Ashley Waters was content with the draw. “In was a fantastic performance in horrendous conditions,” opined the manager. “We had chances at the end to win it but we are happy with a point. Credit to the boys for the work rate and energy all over the pitch today.”
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Sam Fisher (Michael Fitchett 46), Ollie Butler, Mark Vercesi, Liam Andrew, Jacob Trudgeon, Kam Collins, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Rolandos Samnauskas, Silas Sullivan. Unused subs: Ashley Mead, Lewis Hitchens, Dylan Walter, Freddie Neaum
Callington: Jamie Montgomery, Adam Patterson, Joe Wakenshaw (Lee Dare 75), Huck Enticknap (Jordan Williams 57), Harry Southcott, Ben Langton (captain), Henry Bunning, Frazer Ferris, Kevin McCallion, Kieran Prescott, Finley Skews (Kane Thomas 35). Unused sub: Dean Southcott
Referee: David Bartlam
Assistants: Alan Smith, Ian Pattison
Attendance: 112
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