PENZANCE 3, ELBURTON VILLA 2

From the moment Penzance bagged a very early lead right through to a stoppage time winner, this was an absolute belter – a splendid advertisement for Cornish football and the Peninsula League writes James Wright.

The Magpies suffered an early blow when Ewan Trevains – a stand-out performer in the opening games – failed a pre-match fitness test on an injury incurred in training. However, they brushed off the disappointment by racing into an early lead with a clinical close-range strike by Charlie Young.

Elburton Villa were level before the game was five minutes old though, through a fine left foot strike by Adam McPherson, and had opportunities to move ahead. James Hamson threaded an incisive pass into the path of Sam Hughes who pulled his shot just beyond the far post. Then Steve Colwell tested Harry Salmon with a dipping effort the young keeper did well to tip over.

The Magpies were back on top by the conclusion of a breath-taking opening half though. Teed up by Lewis Caspall, Jacob Trudgeon was denied by brave goal-line clearance by a Villa defender, then Josh Turner flashed a shot just wide at the end of a lung-busting run down the left.

It took home side just five minutes of the second period to regain their lead. Charlie Young harried Watson into a poor clearance and Caspall pounced to slot the ball into an empty net. Elburton right-back Ollie Newton was sin-binned for asserting too vehemently that Young had fouled his keeper but, even with ten men, his side were able to get back on terms. Turner was adjudged to have tripped Hughes, and McPherson planted the resultant penalty low to Salmon’s left.

From being numerically disadvantaged, Villa found themselves an man to the good when home Player-Manager Mark Vercesi copped his own ten minute exclusion immediately after Newton’s return. And the topsy-turvy nature of this fabulous continued right into injury-time. Hughes looked certain to win it for the Devonians but was thwarted by a wonderful reflex save by Salmon. Penzance countered and Caspall crossed from the right to Willis to hook home a skilful winner and send Penlee Park into delirious celebration.

“Elburton have started the season on fire – we haven’t,” reflected Vercesi. “We needed to put in a performance today. Every man in our squad reacted to what was a poor result last week and put in a shift and make sure we got the three points today.”

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Archie Reynolds, Mark Vercesi (James Butler 72), Sam Young, Josh Turner (Rohan Bennetts 75), Ollie Butler,  Jacob Trudgeon (Adam Lewis 80), Charlie Willis, Charlie Young, Lewis Caspall, Silas Sullivan (captain).

Unused subs: Cameron McCabe, Mikey Flores

Elburton: Tom Watson, Ollie Newton, Sam Leary, Jordan Rundle, George Photiou, Henry Wilson (Mike Lucas 85), Steve Colwell (Blake Colton 78), Connor Rush (Charlie Patrick 54), Sam Hughes, Adam McPherson (Finn Lyle 87), James Hamson (Jack Lee 51)

Referee: Josh Eyre

Assistants: Ross McMenemy, Alan Hoon

Attendance: 159

Cover photo courtesy of James Wright