PENZANCE 4, CULLOMPTON RANGERS 2

In Tuesday’s last four head-to-head, Cullompton Rangers were unable to avenge their defeat in last season’s Peninsula League Cup final writes James Wright. Returning to the same venue – Launceston’s Pennygillam ground - the Magpies blew away their opponents with a fine attacking display ensuring the defence of the crown continues right through to the final on the early May Bank Holiday Monday.

Unlike the sterile 2025 encounter between these two evenly matched sides – which had to be decided on penalties after 120 goalless minutes – this thriller oozed incident. In the continued absence of Charlie Young, Josh Turner again started up front and broke the deadlock with a goal almost identical to his opener against Dobwalls in the preceding game. Benefitting from a slide rule centre from the left by Silas Sullivan, he bundling the ball home at the far post to set the Magpies on their way.

Twelve months ago, having just joined the club, cup-tied Ben Palmer watched Penzance defeat his former team Honiton Town in last season's semi-final. Returning to the side after injury, the experienced centre-back notched his first goal in black and white to put the Magpies two up after a Charlie Willis free-kick from the right had been only partially cleared. The cushion was soon deflated though when Fin Newell pounced on a defensive mix-up to put Cullompton back in the contest.

The Devonians started the second half with a man disadvantage, Lloyd White having been sin-binned as the teams came off after the first 45 minutes. Penzance were unable to capitalise and, once numerical parity had been restored, Cullompton began to press hard. In the 65th minute, Will Trenoweth pulled off a stunning save to deny substitute Shay Corrick. Penzance countered immediately and Lewis Caspall cracked home a fine goal from wide on the left to put them two up for a second time.

Still the Premier East side were not done though. With a lovely angled volley, cushioned just inside Trenoweth’s far post, Callum Chivers hauled Rangers back in to the contest again. Penzance nerved were jangling until, two minutes from the end of regulation time, Caspall wrapped up the tie with its best goal – a dipping left-foot half-volley over keeper Jack McAndrews from over twenty yards out. A wonderful strike to conclude a wonderful tie. MarK Vercesi’s side can now look forward to two Cup finals in a week having already won through to play Camelford in the Cornwall Senior Cup final on the second Saturday in May.

A brace from Lewis Caspall secures the Magpies’ progression to their second cup final of the season.

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Mark Vercesi, Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Ewan Trevains, Ben Palmer, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Ollie Butler (George Molcher 62), Charlie Willis, Josh Turner (Jacob Trudgeon 85), Lewis Caspall (James Butler 90), Silas Sullivan.

Unused subs: Wade Brown, Sam Young

Cullompton Rangers: Jack McAndrews, Callum Chivers, Luke Horne, Alfie Down, Craig Woodman, Lloyd White, Adam Bilcock, Lucas White, Josh Coles, Fin Newell, Lucas Coveney.

Subs: Louis Stephens, Freddie Ansley, Aidan Whitfield, Shay Corrick, Jayden Snow

Referee: Andrew Barnett

Assistants: Bryan Holden, Richard Butter 

Attendance: 126

Photos and Match Report courtesy of James Wright