Penzance recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season, coming from behind twice to stun hosts Sticker in a match that will live long in the memories of those fortunate enough to witness it.
The Magpies made four changes from Saturday’s WC Parson Cup win over Camelford. In the absence of Darryl Richards, Silas Sullivan and suspended Mark Vercesi, captain Tyler Tonkin returned after injury alongside two debutants – centre-back Liam Andrew, brother of Ryan, signed from Scottish side Vale of Leithen, and experienced Helston Athletic midfielder Josh Storey. Cam McCabe was also restored to the starting eleven with Jordan Daniell reverting to the bench.
As against Camelford, Penzance handed their opponents a head start, falling two behind inside the first quarter hour to a Rich Edworthy penalty and fine strike by lively teenager Haiden Chapman at the end of a swift counter attack down the right.
However, they always posed a significant threat coming forward. Kam Collins hit the bar from one of a succession of Kevin Lawrence corners, so it was no surprise when the deficit was halved after half an hour. Max Everard played in Rolandos Samnauskas to drill home a deflected shot from a very acute angle. A deserved equaliser followed shortly afterwards. Samnauskas was the only player to correctly read the flight of a sliced clearance looping in the strong wind, and was rewarded with an easy close range conversion.
After such a breath-taking come-back, it was perhaps not surprising that the Magpies were a little flat at the start of the second half, and Andy Butler restored Sticker’s lead with a crisp left-foot shot into Will Trenoweth’s far left-hand corner. The final half-hour though was, from Penzance’s perspective, quite sublime.
Teed up by Lawrence, Storey bagged the equaliser with a great strike from the edge of the area then, with just over twenty minutes to go, a slide-rule pass by Everard released Samnauskas down the inside left channel, and the striker surged through to complete his first hat-trick for the club with another ripsnorting strike.
The win was secured six minutes from time with another great team move. Jacob Trudgeon and Lawrence combined to release Archie Reynolds on the right flank. The full-back’s deep cross was cleared only as far as Everard who lashed a ferocious shot into the roof of Will St Pier’s net, and cap a superb night for the visitors.
Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Archie Reynolds, Cam McCabe, Kevin Lawrence, Josh Storey (Jordan Daniell 80), Tyler Tonkin (captain), Jacob Trudgeon (Obinna Abuka 90), Kam Collins, Liam Andrew, Rolandos Samnauskas, Max Everard (Haidar Fadli 90). Unused sub: Ryan Andrew
Sticker: Will St Pier, Jake Nancarrow, Logan Taylor, Andy Butler, Mickey Rowles-Jane, Aaron Marks, Jack Boardman, Rich Edworthy, Dan O’Hagan, Jack Bowyer, Haiden Chapman. Subs: Lewis Clapham, Sam Bray, Sam Bullen, Martyn O’Callaghan, Paul Cox
Referee: Lee Dudman
Watch: The Live Stream from this match is available to watch via our Facebook Page. Links below.
Second Half - https://www.facebook.com/PZAFC/videos/654921876310670