Harvey inspires 3 more points.
Yesterday we travelled to St Buryan for our return league fixture (writes Reserves joint Manager Daz Smith).
Harvie was in goal, with a back four line up of Lewis, Steve, Sam and Matt. Harvey started on the right wing, George on the left and a central trio of Tjay, Joel, and Fin, was the midfield line up. Kizzy started up top on his own.
With skipper Payno unavailable through injury, the captains armband was handed to the sadly departing Harvey Richings as he prepares to start university.
With a strong wind blowing from one end to the other, Harvey opted to play with the wind in the first half.
Keep the ball on the floor and play to our strengths was the order from management. However with Harvey now wearing the armband he went against orders and whipped a cross into the box perfectly for Kizzy to head home after less than a minute , getting us off to a flying start. We'll let him off as his cross was absolutely spot on.
0-1
With approximately 15 minutes played , St Buryan levelled after we failed to clear our lines in a frantic goal mouth scramble.
1-1
With the wind behind us, it sadly meant a lot of our through balls were over hit and either ran though to the keeper, or merely went out of play. Kizzy , George and Harvey all had good chances but couldn't quite convert them, before Joel broke through and narrowly put his right footed shot just wide of the far post.
Halftime.
Our halftime team talk was pretty straight forward, keep believing and the chances will come. We knew the wind would hold the ball up, so just had to find the right pass at the right time whilst keeping it on the floor. We also needed to be more clinical when the chances arrived.
With the second half under way, it took us just three minutes to regain the lead. A clever through ball from Tjay saw Kizzy race clear and calmly slot his effort into the bottom corner.
1-2
Pretty much straight from kick off, Kizzy again raced clear and grabbed his third of the game and yet another hat-trick, whilst effectively killing the game off.
1-3
With about an hour played, Kizzy was unlucky not to grab himself a fourth, as he pinged a shot against the far post. Luckily the ball rebounded into Harvey's path as he laced home a fully deserved goal sealing another 3 points in the process.
1-4
However ten minutes later, an apparent hit and hope from the St Buryan right back saw a wind guided up and under effort drop into our goal catching us all by surprise.
2-4
Under 18 duo Charlie Reynolds and Adam Lewis were now on for Lewis and Fin respectively. Andy Withers came on for Joel in midfield , whilst kit man and player Connor came on for Kizzy up top.
With the woodwork coming to St Buryan's rescue several times and all one way traffic, another through ball saw Connor race through. His shot was initially saved by the young St Buryan keeper, however it rebounded straight back into Connors path fortunately. Connor wasn't going to miss at the second time of asking and coolly slotted home ensuring three more points were in the bag.
2-5 and full time.
Man of the match yesterday was tough call. Whilst Kizzy would be an easy choice, Sam and Steve also had good games. George and Tjay worked their socks off racking up the miles as well.
However we opted for Harvey. Two assists and a goal, as well as playing with an exemplary attitude and his unselfish style of play means Harvey takes the honour.
Harvey will be sadly missed as he departs for university and we wish him the very best!
Also Jake Hitchens is another who has sadly left for university now , and will also be sadly missed around the club. We wish you the very best, and I'm sure they'll both keep tabs on the Reserves.
Whilst we weren't at our absolute best yesterday especially in the first half, and not quite firing on all cylinders with our usual free flowing style, we'll take the points regardless. The second half was better and we took our chances.
With six under 18s in our travelling squad yesterday, and all subs again getting important minutes , the strength in depth is beginning to shine through, and the youngsters ability coming through is great to see.
Three tough fixtures are now on the horizon. New Inn Titan's, Illogan and St Day 2nds will all be tough tests for our lads as we look to continue our momentum.
Finally , we'd just like to thank the support we received yesterday. It's massively appreciated and doesn't go unnoticed by the players and management!
Ft Result:
St Buryan 2-5 Penzance Reserves
Goal scorers: Kizzy 3 Harvey Connor
Man of the match: Harvey