ST IVES MARINERS 2, PENZANCE RESERVES 6

Penzance Reserves smashed half a dozen goals, and Luke Carroll a hat-trick, for the second consecutive weekend as they confidently pulled rank on Division Two West side St Ives Mariners at Nancegollan and moved serenely into the Second Round of the George Evely Cup writes James Wright.

On a sunny but blustery afternoon, the hosts had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when Ethan Grice-Peck pounced on a defensive slip, but saw his shot well saved by Louis Baxter. Thereafter the Magpies, with the winds at their backs, were dominant. A sixth minute link-up down the left between Ewan Trevains and Fin Sharp saw the latter play in Kizzy Snowden to open the scoring. Carroll was twice denied by good saves by Peter Williams, and Hayden Waters saw a shot deflected just wide, as Penzance pushed for a second.

Against the run of play, Douglas Gammon equalised for Mariners just after the half hour mark, hooking a shot just inside Baxter’s far post. However, within two minutes the match had swung decisively back in Penzance’s favour. Snowden bagged his second with a sublime shot curled home from wide on the left, then Trevains capped a forceful surge through the middle with a viciously dipping effort that deceived Williams – two fine strikes. A clinical move saw the visitors extend the lead further before the break. Lewis Hitchens threaded a perceptive pass to Snowden who intelligently trapped the ball leaving it for Carroll - arriving at pace behind him – to welly into the back of the net.

Emphatically firing home from a Trevains cut-back, Carroll bagged his second after 67 minutes. The hat-trick was completed, from the penalty spot, in the closing stages, whilst Mariners notched a late consolation via a daisy-cutting free-kick by Gammon that somehow squirmed its way in.

“We are obviously happy with getting into the next round of the Cup, meaning we’re in the Second Round of both Cups now which is a good start for us this season,” said Head Coach Henry Ramsay. “We played really well in spells - we really look head and shoulders above most opposition when we keep the ball rolling. We were really impressed with lots of individual performances. Lewis Stephens coming off the bench into a midfield role he hasn’t played for years did superb, and Luke Carroll with another hat-trick - things are looking really good!”

Penzance Hat trick hero Luke Carroll with the match ball, and brother Lewis.

St Ives Mariners: Peter Williams, Kieran Abraham, Jason Blight, Ben Deseta, Dave Hastings, Greg Stephens, Douglas Gammon, Ryan Stanley, Stuart Lugg, Ethan Grice-Peck, Kieran Metters.

Subs: Matt George, Kevin Reynolds, Adam Fallows, Martin Williams

Penzance: Louis Baxter, Connor Glanville, Hayden Waters, Ryan Wilkinson, Ollie Page, Lewis Hitchens, Fin Harry, Fin Sharp, Ewan Trevains, Kizzy Snowden, Luke Carroll.

Rolling subs (all used): Connor Thomas, Lewis Carroll, Adam Lewis, Lewis Stephens

Referee: Kenneth Keemer

Cover photo courtesy of James Wright