PENZANCE RESERVES 1, ST AGNES 1

Having played Perranwell in their opener, Penzance Reserves again tested themselves against a side from the division above, welcoming St Agnes for a home friendly played on the 3G pitch at Mounts Bay Academy writes James Wright.

The Magpies flew into an early lead. A raking cross-field pass located Luke Carroll wide on the right and the new signing from Praze centred to Fin Sharp to turn the ball home. St Agnes keeper Archie Walter pulled off good saves from Kizzy Snowden, Adam Lewis and Carroll before Penzance’s dominance was broken by an injury to experienced defender Steve Miller. Aggie were unlucky not to equalise when a fine free-kick from Bailey Stephens slapped the cross-bar, but got their leveller right on the stroke of half-time when Adrian Murley parried another Stephens effort into the path of Jayden Roberts who converted.

Injury also deprived Penzance of the services of new centre-back Ryan Wilkinson for the second half, but they bossed proceedings. A clever link-up between subs Victor Mullaly and Sid Wilson set up an opening for Josh Turner whose drive was blocked. Walter pulled off further saves from Connor Thomas and Snowden before capping a superb performance with the save of the match eleven minutes from time. Mullaly found himself in on goal, but Walter hared off his line to deny the ex-Mousehole man and ensure the honours were shared.

“It was a tough work out for the lads today in stiflingly hot conditions on an unforgiving pitch,” said Penzance manager Daz Smith. “I felt we could have been out of sight at times but, with a lot of new faces, it'll take a little time for us to gel. We are moving in the right direction that's for sure, and at times played some fantastic football. The only real downside today was the fact we picked up a few injuries, but we have a good sized squad so rotation will definitely play a part.”

Penzance: Adrian Murley, Ollie Page, Steve Miller, Ryan Wilkinson, Lewis Hitchens, Josh Turner, Logan Trevains,  Fin Sharp, Kizzy Snowden, Adam Lewis, Luke Carroll.

Rolling Subs: Victor Mullaly, Sid Wilson, Connor Thomas, Ewan Trevains

Referee: Francis Hood