PENZANCE RESERVES 1, RNAS CULDROSE 2

Two fine goals late in the first half enabled RNAS Culdrose to win at Penlee Park - their first points of the season lifting the Airmen off the bottom of the Division One West table writes James Wright. Penzance remain in second place but have now played two games more than leaders Dropship.

Luke Carroll had an early free-kick blocked, then skimmed the far post with a low shot after a powerful surge down the left as the home side made a decent start. Fin Sharp slipped an incisive pass into the path of Kizzy Snowden, but the Penzance captain’s effort was well saved by Tom Smith.

Culdrose signalled their intent with a volley from Charlie Stokes that dipped just over the bar. Shortly after the half-hour mark though they made the break-through with an excellent strike from Liam Dennington. The lead was doubled almost immediately by a thunderous free-kick by Jack Martin from over twenty yards out.

Penzance halved the deficit just before the break. Ashley Mead located Mark Sands wide on the right and the latter’s centre was neatly slotted home by Ollie Page. The goal gave the home side the momentum to chase the game after the turn-around. Carroll set up Bernardo Braga, but the half-time substitute’s angled drive flashed just over. Carroll came close with another effort of his own then, seconds after coming off the bench, Connor Glanville stretched Smith to another good save.

The Culdrose keeper also did well to keep out a well struck free-kick by Snowden, whilst a Braga shot that went over the bar concluded a disappointing afternoon for the home faithful.

“It was a frustrating day for us today,” said Penzance manager Daz Smith. “ In parts we were really good - some of the build-up play was top drawer. However I do feel that we have dropped points. Credit to Culdrose who came with a plan and executed it. We couldn't quite get things right in the final third and ultimately came up a little short today. There were some positives, but there's also plenty for us to work on at training.”

Penzance: Harvey Parsons, Matt Robinson, Ashley Mead, Lewis Stephens, Charlie Palmer, Lewis Hitchens, Mark Sands, Fin Sharp, Kizzy Snowden (captain), Luke Carroll, Ollie Page. Rolling Subs: Bernardo Braga, Callum Curran, Connor Glanville

Culdrose: Tom Smith, Alfie Andrews, Bailey Trevains, Oscar Imhoff, Charlie Stokes, Leo Upchurch, Connor Ludkin, Liam Dennington, Owen Nicholls, Jack Martin, Malachi Williams. Rolling Subs: Tom Row, Cyen Blackford, Aiden Hunkin

Referee: Gary Lord

Attendance: 46

Cover photo courtesy of James Wright