Penzance struck twice late on to turn around an exciting match at windy Wendron and end the host team’s impressive, 100% start, in the Peninsula League.
A visionary substitution proved pivotal. Coaches Matt James and Alfie Turner reeled in their manager Mark Vercesi, who had played his 75 minutes of the campaign, replacing him with Kam Collins. The gutsy midfielder, also on his season’s bow, delivered within seconds, injuring himself knocking on a free-kick from which Silas Sullivan snaffled his third goal of the season. The Magpies had the momentum and secured the win they deserved when, from an Archie Reynolds cut back, Charlie Willis tucked a late shot inside Zach Telling’s far post.
Such an outcome would have seemed improbable earlier the evening. With the unseasonable gale largely behind them, Wendron stormed at Penzance from the start, Joe Chapman rattling the crossbar in the first minute. Mikey Flores denied Ryan Reeve with an excellent fingertip save, then Josh Wood fired just over. The inevitable breakthrough came on the half hour when Brodie Kemp got free down the left, setting up Reeve for a close range finish.
Penzance also suffered the loss of James Butler to a bad hamstring pull, Sullivan having to switch to left-back to deputise. And the key to their ultimate was success was limiting then dominant Wendron to a single goal interval lead. The Magpies signalled their intent with a blistering run and shot from Lewis Caspall, which Telling did well to parry, then re-emerged from the dressing rooms to boss the second half and record a statement win.
“What a performance from the boys, but it has been coming!,” beamed an ecstatic Vercesi. “It had it all really - defending resolutely at times, great passing plays, the creation of chances, extreme hard work, and bravery. The commitment and mentality shown from everybody tonight was spot on. We now need to use this as a springboard to put a run of results together.”
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, James Butler (Rolandos Samnauskas 28), Mark Vercesi (Kam Collins 75), Liam Andrew, Tyler Tonkin (Captain), Silas Sullivan, Jude Tripconey (Curtis Smith 46), Charlie Young, Charlie Willis, Lewis Caspall. Unused subs: Adam Lewis, Will Trenoweth
Wendron: Zach Telling, Joe Souch, Reece Carroll, Max Roberts, Russell May (Captain), Joe Chapman (Tom Martin 52), Ryan Reeve, Dan Greet (Rio Watson 80), Brodie Kemp, Billy Stone (Evan Tresidder 70), Josh Wood. Unused subs: Sam Fisher, Bryan Scoffin
Referee: Darren Gay
Assistants: Alex Curnow, Sam Hadfield
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