PENZANCE 3, FALMOUTH TOWN RESERVES 3

Falmouth pulled off a rousing come-back, clawing back a two goal deficit in the last eight minutes to salvage a 3-3 draw at Penzance and stay a point ahead of their hosts in fourth place writes James Wright.

The Magpies flew into an early lead. Mark Vercesi opened the scoring after eleven minutes, heading home a cross from the right by Charlie Willis. The player-manager was denied his second of the night, from another Willis cross, almost immediately afterwards by an excellent goal-line clearance. But by the twenty minute mark it was 2-0, Charlie Young smashing the ball home at the far post after great work down the left by home captain Silas Sullivan.

Falmouth hit back straight away with a stunning strike from Aaron Hicks from 25 yards out, but Penzance finished the half back on top. George Molcher had a shot saved by Ethan Fearn before Willis headed home an excellent cross from the right by Archie Reynolds to restore his side’s two goal lead just before the interval.

With an angled drive that just missed the target, Willis had Penzance’s first clear chance of the second half. Set up by Ewan Trevains, Jacob Trudgeon – an interval replacement for Molcher – then skimmed the crossbar with a powerful shot. Trevains then made a forceful burst through the Falmouth defence, but also fired over.

The home side’s failure to secure a fourth goal proved costly. With a tricky bit of skill, and a finish to match, Town substitute Kian Thomas hauled his side back into the contest in the 82nd minute – a sublime solo effort tucked just inside Harry Salmon’s left-hand post. Then, with the clock having just ticked past the ninety, Falmouth were awarded a free-kick just outside the home penalty area. With the defence expecting a delivery lofted to the far post, Reece Carroll spotted a gap and picked it out perfectly to secure the point his side deserved on the balance of play.

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Archie Reynolds, Josh Turner, Mark Vercesi, Ollie Butler, Ewan Trevains, George Molcher (Jacob Trudgeon 46), Charlie Willis (Luke Carroll 85), Charlie Young (Hayden Waters 79), Lewis Caspall, Silas Sullivan (captain).

Unused subs: James Butler, Bernardo Braga

Falmouth: Ethan Fearn, Aaron Ibbotson, Will Harding, Finn Robinson, Reece Carroll (captain), Tom Fisher, Jak Davies, Ryan Townson, Evan Tresidder, Aaron Hicks, Sam Buckley. Subs: Kian Thomas, Harry Hopkins, Oliver Perrow, Darren Davey, Harrison Jewell

Referee: Tim Burley

Assistants: Alan Hoon, Simon Taylor

Attendance: 176