PENZANCE 2, SALTASH UNITED 0

Two extra-time goals propelled Penzance through to a first Senior Cup final in 45 years at the end of a hard fought last four tie at St Blazey on Tuesday night writes James Wright. At Bodmin back in 1981, Saltash United fell to a single Udo Eno strike as the Magpies notched the last of their ten triumphs in the competition. And the Ashes were again the victims as Penzance battled through to a second Cup final of Mark Vercesi’s short, but increasingly storied, tenure.

Attacking the Blaise Park clubhouse end, Saltash threatened after just three minutes, Will Trenoweth having to be at his most alert to keep out a glanced header from Reece Thompson. At the other end, Tyler Tonkin – pushed up for a set-piece – had an excellent chance for Penzance, but miscued his shot. Thereafter, openings were at a premium during a very cagey first half.

Saltash lost Jack Jefford to injury just before the interval, but came close immediately afterwards, Deacon Thomson heading just over from a cross by substitute Rhys Connew. Penzance had a great opportunity just after the hour mark when Wade Brown pounced on a weak clearance. He lobbed stranded keeper Tyler Coombes, but the effort plopped wide of the gaping goal.

Lewis Caspall fired a free-kick straight at the keeper shortly afterwards, but it was the Western League side who finished the ninety on top. Trenoweth was called into action twice in quick succession – to push aside a stinging free-kick by Finlay Wilkes, then dive low to his left to deny Reece Thomson. Deacon Thomson threatened twice more in the closing stages but Penzance’s defensive line - superbly marshalled by Tonkin, Vercesi and the imperious Ben Palmer – on his return to the side – held solid to take the game into extra-time.

And fourteen minutes therein, they struck. A fine move, started by Charlie Willis, saw the ball worked wide to Josh Turner on the right. The substitute played in Ewan Trevains who cut a pass back from the goal-line into the path of Ollie Butler who made no mistake. “You’d never have guessed he’d been away in India for three weeks and missed everything we’ve done – he’s come back a better player,” quipped Vercesi of the scorer. “Saturday he was brilliant, and tonight there wasn’t a better midfielder on the pitch.

”With Ashes pushed up in search of a leveller, they were vulnerable to a counter, and three minutes from time they were carved open by an incisive Caspall pass. Teenage substitute Hayden Waters, though pushed wide by a defender, drew Coombes before tucking a composed left-foot shot just inside the keeper’s far post. “Hayden has been knocking on the door for weeks now. He’s turned up every week with a great attitude, and not moaned about being on the bench. He came on, and what a great finish – to keep his head in that mad situation where we just needed it to go in the net, and he’s done it with aplomb.”

“It is a really proud moment for all of our supporters, all of our players and me as well. I love everything about this club – it means a lot,” concluded the victorious boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GihoICt3Q-A

Watch the goals and the full interview with the Magpies boss, Mark Vercesi.

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Mark Vercesi, Ben Palmer, Ewan Trevains, Silas Sullivan, Tonkin (captain), George Molcher (Josh Turner 80), Charlie Willis (Luke Carroll 119), Wade Brown (Hayden Waters 94), Ollie Butler, Lewis Caspall.

Unused subs: Sam Young, James Butler

Saltash United: Tyler Coombes, Max Everall, Alfie Wotton (captain), Ben Goulty, Charlie Elkington, Finlay Wilkes, Deacon Thomson, Reece Thomson, Jack Jefford, Cole Fisher, Hayden Greening.

Subs: Tyler Yendle, Kieran O’Melia, Joe Preece, Freddie Tolcher, Rhys Connew

Referee: Max Davies

Assistants: Martin Ruffin, Graham Rickard

Attendance: 211

Cover photo courtesy of Cornwall FA