PENZANCE 3, CAMELFORD 0

Penzance secured a hat-trick of trophy wins under Mark Vercesi's management, and Andreas Calleja-Stayne a hat-trick of Senior Cups following triumphs with Falmouth in 2024 and 2025, as the Magpies soared to new heights in the St Blazey sun writes James Wright. In fact, Calleja-Stayne has now bagged four in five years, and put Penzance on the way in the second minute, arrowing a low shot just inside Cory Harvey's far post following a Charlie Willis corner.

Unsurprisingly, Vercesi went with the same eleven that started Monday's League Cup final. But he tweaked the shape. Josh Turner, centre-forward at Bodieve Park, was moved back to right-back where he did a sterling job containing Liam Higgins until the Camelford danger man had to be withdrawn injured just before the interval. “JT is the man for all occasions,” eulogised Vercesi. “He doesn’t grumble – I change his position every week. He started the season as a centre-half. He's played on the wing, he’s played up front, he’s played right back. And today he was the one to do the job on one of their outstanding wingers.”

The match may have taken an adverse turn for Penzance when Vercesi had to come off with a hamstring pull in the 24th minute. However, it transpired to be a blessing in disguise as on came Jacob Trudgeon who has history for dramatically influencing Cup ties from the bench. True to form, the supersub got on the end of a pinpoint Ewan Trevains centre to squeeze the ball just over the line at the far post. Then, after fine work in the centre of the park by Calleja-Stayne – later selected as Man of the Match - Trudgeon drilled in a fierce shot that Harvey fumbled at his near post. Three up at the break, the near 400-strong Penzance support could start to believe. “Trudgie has come on for me and he’s done exactly what we asked – get some shots away, get in the box and get on the end of things. Not a complicated instruction, but he’s done it today and he’s a hero”, said the boss.

Camelford hit back hard after the turnaround. Andy Boxall had a free-kick saved by Will Trenoweth before being replaced by Cam Bidgood. However, the substitute was unable to match his stunning contribution from the bench of the semi-final win over Mousehole. He, and prolific strike partners Ryan Downing and Mark Gusterson, were competently contained by the Penzance defence and limited to one clear chance that Downing fired over twelve minutes from time. “The back four today were so good – so solid and the leadership that they showed was magnificent – I take my hat off to them,” praised the manager.

As spaces opened, Penzance had chances to widen the margin. Lewis Caspall had a strong penalty claim turned down, Ben Palmer headed wide from a corner then, when well placed, George Molcher selflessly passed to Trudgeon, but the latter was just unable to complete his hat-trick.

But it mattered not, and Tyler Tonkin soon had his hands on his second trophy of the week, becoming the first Penzance captain to lift the Senior Cup since the late Dick Stanley in 1981. Needless to say the celebrations back at Penlee Park went on late into the night. 

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Ben Palmer, Ewan Trevains, Mark Vercesi (Jacob Trudgeon 24), Tyler Tonkin (captain), Andreas Calleja-Stayne (James Butler 87), Lewis Caspall (Wade Brown 87), Charlie Willis (Ollie Butler 74), Charlie Young (George Molcher 80), Josh Turner, Silas Sullivan

Camelford: Cory Harvey, Sam Watts, Andy Boxall (Cam Bidgood 62), Ross Beare (Josh Harris 76), Tom Crowe, Tom Cowling (captain), Kenley Dyson, Jacob Ham, Joe Parr (Dan Hocking 75), Ryan Downing, Liam Higgins (Mark Gusterson 43).

Unused sub: Olly Taylor

Referee: James Long

Assistants: Peter Wroe, Joseph Chapman

Match Report courtesy of James Wright

Cover photo courtesy of Emz Smith