Penzance concluded their home fixture programme with an emphatic victory over Constantine, putting behind them the chastening midweek defeat at the hands of New Inn Titans.
The return of James Payne, side-lined by illness for the match against the league leaders, added much needed steel to the back-line. It was in the opposition penalty box that Payne made his first impact though, powering home a fourth minute header from Fin Sharp’s corner to set the Magpies on the way.
A splendid long pass down the inside left channel by Sharp released Adam Lewis to thump home the second. Constantine briefly threatened a riposte with a fine dipping shot from over twenty yards out by Ethan Jorey. But, with less than a quarter of the match played, Penzance re-established their two goal cushion with an incisive counter-attack. Lewis dribbled the ball out of defence before spraying a fine cross-field pass to Ben Jefferies who played in Connor Thomas to fire home.
Lewis, again set up by Sharp, bagged his second shortly after half-time. A delightful turn and a low shot into the far corner allowed to Thomas to bring up his own brace with a little over a quarter of an hour remaining, before Sharp bagged a fully deserved goal with an exquisite shot barely a minute later. Thomas then completed his hat-trick with a brave finish from a fine Lewis through ball. With a low shot from the left-hand angle of the penalty area, Jefferies completed the scoring with nine minutes left.
“We demanded a response after Wednesday's performance and we got it,” said joint manager Darren Smith. “Right from the warm-up, you could sense the lads were keen to put things right. It was like chalk and cheese compared to Wednesday. The lads moved the ball really well, the press was right, and everyone wanted possession. Our decisions were far better and we were patient when necessary whilst also playing quickly in the right areas.“There were two clear man of the match performances. Firstly, Sharpy who grabbed three assists and a goal to boot. And secondly Connor with a well taken hat-trick whilst working tirelessly up top. Overall, we are very happy with today's response.”
Penzance: Georger Hanner, Matt Robinson, Henry Ramsay, James Payne, Lewis Hitchens, Josh Reeves, Ewan Trevains, Adam Lewis, Kizzy Snowden, Connor Thomas, Fin Sharp. Rolling Subs (all used): Freddie Neaum, Steve Miller, Ben Jefferies
Constantine: Rob Gardner, Lewis Fisher, Owen Kelley, Harrison McGure, Dan Templeton, Kian Laity, Keaton Prynn, Harrison Herman, Tommy Bromley, Ethan Jorey, Mason Taylor. Subs: Ollie Kendall, Alex Lowndes
Referee: Jaden Verrier