PENZANCE RESERVES 1, PORTHLEVEN RESERVES 0

After a tough pre-season, Penzance Reserves began their league campaign at Penlee Park against Porthleven writes Connor Thomas. They had high intensity from the start, creating many chances and pushing the Fishermen back with countless attacks and pressing. The only goal of the game came early on - a smart ball from Luke Carroll found overlapping right-back Fin Harry who powered his effort low and hard to give the Magpies a much deserved lead.

Chances kept coming as Jahmali Prowse and Kizzy Snowden came close with chances. The defence held very strong despite being depleted of most of their players due to "other commitments". A makeshift back-line of Coach Henry Ramsay, Mikey Flores, Ollie Page and Fin Harry worked incredibly hard to prevent efforts at Adrian Murley. Porthleven started to grow towards the end of the half but weren't able to threaten much.

The second half was more tightly contested, Port starting to commit more men forward as the game dragged on with Penzance then looked to hit on the counter. Both teams struggled to create any clear-cut chances. That was until the last 10 minutes when Connor Thomas and Carroll had one-on-one opportunities which were wasted, keeping the pressure on.

Fortunately Penzance managed to hold on and secure an opening day win at Penlee Park. A hard fought win and three important points on the board along with a clean sheet - a very impressive feat for all involved which they earned and deserved.Manager Daz Smith said regarding the win: "I was really pleased with today's result. I feel we were definitely good value for the win, although the lads did have to dig in at times. Yes we could have been out of sight but they showed some real character and never stopped trying to play how we asked.

“With a lot of absences for various reasons, I felt the makeshift team battled really well and we created some very good chances. I've got to thank the lads who stepped in today at short notice and played superbly, whilst not forgetting to thank our secretary Charlie Farley who worked tirelessly last night and this morning to get them registered in time."

Penzance: Adrian Murley, Fin Harry, Ollie Page, Mikey Flores, Henry Ramsay, Archie Ward (Rob Appleby 64), Lewis Hitchens, Kizzy Snowden, Luke Carroll, Adam Lewis, Jahmali Prowse (Connor Thomas 64).

Unused subs: Tyler Smith, Ben Carroll

Referee: Antony Bilsland