Despite having only a bare eleven players available at kick off, Penzance delivered a battling performance to take a point off a Sticker team tipped to make a big impact this season.
The Magpies took the lead after 17 minutes with a good counter attack. After Sticker's Jack Boardman released Haiden Chapman, Mikey Flores raced off his line to block, then executed a quick clearance. The ball was worked out to Jacob Trudgeon, returning to the team after holiday. He cut in from the right and tucked and accurate low shot just inside Dom Richards's far post.
On a warm afternoon, Penzance clung on to their advantage until just after the hour mark when a penalty was awarded against Flores for clattering visiting substitute Alfie Flack. Tom Tallis tucked his spot kick to the keeper's right.
The Magpies regained the lead sixteen minutes from time when Trudgeon delivered a fine cross from wide on the right that the Sticker defence allowed to bounce right in the heart of their box. Arriving at the far post, Haidar Fadli ignored the peril of his market's boot to stoop bravely and cushion a precise header into the far corner of the net for his first goal for the first team.
Sadly the lead lasted only two minutes this time. Flores pulled off a brilliant reflex to keep out a glanced header following a corner, but Connor Cooke reacted quickest to stab the ball home at the far post.
Penzance had one glorious chance to win the day. Fed by Rolandos Samnauskas, Darryl Richards, who had earlier replaced Obinnna Abuka up front after being rushed to the ground by Craig Nicholls at the conclusion of his work shift, released Cam McCabe. The youngster, reinstated into the team in an unfamiliar midfield berth, Tyler Dayus having become a fixture at left-back, bore down on goal and looked odds-on to score. Unfortunately his finish just missed its target, but Penzance will be very satisfied with a first home point of the season against redoubtable opponents.
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Tyler Dayus, Silas Sullivan (captain), Jordan Daniell, Cam McCabe, Jacob Trudgeon, Kizzy Snowden, Haidar Fadli, Rolandos Samnuaskas, Obinna Abuka (Darryl Richards 60).
Sticker: Dom Richards, Martyn O’Callaghan, Tom Tallis, Will Snapes, Connor Cooke, Aaron Taylor, Jack Boardman, Rich Edworthy (captain), Sam Bullen, Haiden Chapman, Logan Taylor. Subs: Alfie Flack, Dan O’Hara, Sam Bray, Lewis Clapham, Jake Nancarrow
Referee: Darren Gay
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