RNAS CULDROSE 2, PENZANCE RESERVES 4

Tyler Smith, who had not played since the final game of last season away to St Ives, was press-ganged into the Penzance squad due to absences writes James Wright. The forward, son of manager Daz Smith, came off the bench and wrapped up a gutsy come-back win with a skilful finish in the last minute.

The Magpies made a poor start, conceding very early when a Nathan Collett free-kick squirmed under Harvey Parsons. Things got worse when Asa Donaldson, a stand-out performer in recent matches, had to retire feeling unwell, to be replaced by sixteen year-old midfielder Ben Strevens.

As the interval approached though, the Magpies began to feel their way into the contest. Luke Carroll plopped an almost perfectly executed free-kick on to the cross-bar then, from a majestic cross-field pass by Oakley Clary-Brom, Jahmali Prowse was equally unlucky with an intelligent lob-volley that also hit the woodwork. Ollie Page was denied by a fine tip-over from home keeper Jamie Stuart but, from the resultant corner, Carroll rifled home his 30th goal of the campaign to send Penzance in level at the break.

Stuart was sin-binned early in the second half, and the gloves were temporarily tossed to Tom Smith. The home captain pulled off one breath-taking save from Carroll during his ten minute tenure. Even after numerical parity was restored, Penzance were on top but, twelve minutes from time, they were opened up by a sharp Culdrose counter attack from which Ash Mellows fired home.

But this Penzance side battle to the final whistle. Bravely, Donaldson returned to the fray and smashed home a splendid volley from a Tom Butler free-kick. Two minutes from time, Prowse bundled the Magpies into the lead for the first time. Then, in on goal as Culdrose pushed up in search of an equaliser, Smith clipped a deft shot high to Stuart’s right – as if he had never been away.  

“It was a disappointing performance, but great character was shown,” said head coach Henry Ramsay. “We are buzzing for Tyler Smith to get a goal on his return, and so happy for Luke Carroll to hit 30 for the season. We’ve dug deep and got a result. Good teams always find a way to win games, and that will always impress me with this group!”

Tyler Smith (pictured) wrapped up a great comeback win on his first outing of season.

The other goals came from Carroll, Donaldson and Prowse.

Culdrose: Jamie Stuart, Oscar Imhoff, Luke Barber, Kai Crothers, Henry Tait, Callum McPartlan, Nathan Collett, Liam Dennington, Tom Smith (captain), Owen Nicholls, Max Upchurch.

Subs: Aiden Hunkin, Ash Mellows

Penzance: Harvey Parsons, Mark Sands, Tom Butler, Freddie Sparkes, Ollie Page, Oakley Clary-Brom, Kizzy Snowden (captain), Jahmali Prowse, Asa Donaldson (Ben Strevens 20 (Asa Donalson 75)), Luke Carroll, Victor Mullaly (Tyler Smith 71).

Unused sub: Henry Ramsay

Referee: Tim Burley

Attendance: 27

Photos and Match Report courtesy of James Wright