Penzance’s failure to takes chances when on top in the first half hour cost them very dearly as, once they edged ahead, hosts Wadebridge Town ran away with the match to emphatically avenge their Cornwall Senior defeat at Penlee Park back in September.
The Penzance captain’s armband was handed to Silas Sullivan for the day with Tyler Tonkin missing due to the shoulder injury sustained in midweek. Michael Fitchett and James Butler were restored to the starting line-up with the latter particularly impressive in the opening stages as Penzance dominated. The ex-Curzon Ashton youngster freed Charlie Willis after just nine minutes with a brilliant pass. But Willis, who featured for Wadebridge in this fixture last season whilst on loan from Mousehole, saw his shot rebound to safety off the base of the near post.
The younger Butler brother, Ollie, then set up Fitchett, but the striker could only find the side netting. Just before the half hour mark, James Butler had an angled drive well saved by Rob Rosevear, and Jacob Trudgeon put the rebound over the bar.
The profligacy proved very expensive as the home side scored with their first real chance, captain Sam Gerken tucking away a tidy right foot shot after a good move down the left. The Bridgers brushed off the loss of defender Brad Rowe to an injury, and bossed the closing stages of the half. They were twice denied a healthier lead by the woodwork, and Jacob Smale pulled a shot just wide when in on goal.
Penzance threatened sporadically after the turnaround, but the result was effectively sealed on the hour when Jacob Rowe tucked away an excellent pass from the left by Haiden Chapman. The visitors gambled bringing Rolandos Samnauskas and Mark Vercesi off the bench to play attacking roles. But it was to no avail, and Rowe fired in his second goal of the match, from a Sam Wickins corner, with fourteen minutes remaining to conclude the scoring.
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, James Butler, Ollie Butler, Liam Andrew, Frazer Cadman, Charlie Willis, Jacob Trudgeon (Rolanndos Samnauskas 62), Kam Collins (Freddie Neaum 90), Michael Fitchett (Mark Vercesi 54), Silas Sullivan (captain) (Dylan Walter 77). Unused sub: Ryan Andrew
Wadebridge: Rob Rosevear, Tom Harris, Sam Hepworth, Brad Rowe (Chris Reski 40), Jacob Smale, Jacob Rowe, Rhys Hooper, Jude Tripconey (Matt Lloyd 76), Haiden Chapman, Sam Gerken (captain), Sam Wickins. Unused subs: Steve Simmonds, Tom Jeal
Referee: Darren Gay
Assistants: Duncan Stevenson, Graham Rickard
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