PENZANCE RESERVES 3, REDRUTH UNITED 4

Just 48 hours after a memorable victory over Porthleven, Penzance Reserves were involved in another high-scoring match at Penlee Park. On this occasion though, they were edged out by Redruth United in a Friday thriller in the rain.

Just one change was made to the starting eleven, Hayden Waters replacing Jahmali Prowse. Nonetheless, the Magpies side looked unrecognisable to that which had excelled against the Fisherman, and were dominated from the first minute when Harvey Parsons rushed off his line to pull off a good save from Bailey Packenas.  

Redruth had two more clear chances before Taylor Packenas, with some nimble footwork, wriggled his was through the centre of the home defence to blast in the opener. Bailey Packenas then hammered a shot against the woodwork before slipping the ball home from close range to give the visitors a two goal interval lead – the very least they deserved.

But it was a very different Penzance that emerged for the second half. From a Waters cross, captain Ryan Wilkinson tested keeper James Isaacs with a header. Waters pulled one goal back in the 49th minute, then drilled home the equaliser in the 57th. Sixty seconds later, benefitting from tenacious work down the right flank by Fin Harry, he completed the turn-around, and an eight minute hat-trick, with another composed finish.

Hayden Waters with a hat-trick in defeat.

It was the young left-footer’s second treble for the Reserves following a similar feat away to Camborne School of Mines during last season’s promotion run-in but, remarkably, all to no avail. After Kizzy Snowden was penalised, Matt Wysocki slotted Redruth level from the spot, then the same man bundled home a cross to pinch the points.

“It is a tough one to take tonight - the first half cost us in the end,” lamented manager Daz Smith. “The second half was much better. For the first half an hour and we looked like a different team. I’m frustrated for the lads. We rallied and then perhaps burnt out slightly. We'll dust ourselves down and go again.”

Penzance: Harvey Parsons, Mark Sands, Fin Harry, Ben Strevens, Elliott Carveth, Ryan Wilkinson (captain), Oakley Clary-Brom, Bernado Braga, Luke Carroll, Kizzy Snowden, Hayden Waters.

Rolling subs: Kitto Berger-Reeve, Lucian Easter, Ashley Mead

Redruth: James Isaacs, Max Medlin, Matt Collins, Nathan Taylor (captain), Jareth Barrington-Smith, Sam Bradley, Regan Barthorpe, Taylor Packenas, Matt Wysocki, Bailey Packenas, Liam Pascoe.

Rolling subs: Ben Medlin, Tom Craze, Dan Horler, Jack Adams

Referee: Ian Roberts

Attendance: 63

Match Report and Photo courtesy of James Wright