WENDRON UNITED 3, PENZANCE 3

Following the surrender of a three goal lead at Underlane, Penzance hopes of a third place finish are no longer in their own hands writes James Wright. Even if the Magpies win their final League fixture on Saturday at closest challengers Callington Town, they will be reliant on Dean Southcott’s side dropping further points over their remaining two games.

With the wind at their backs, Mark Vercesi’s side made a storming start. From a James Butler free-kick, the Player-Manager headed over early on. Ben Palmer and Charlie Young linked up down the left to set up George Molcher, but the midfielder’s shot was off target. It was only a matter of time before the dominant Magpies made the break-through, and Josh Turner fired them ahead with an emphatic, angled drive after haring clear down the right.

From a Vercesi pass, James Butler doubled the lead with his second goal in as many games. Against his former club, top scorer Charlie Young then arrowed home his seventeenth of the season to put the visitors seemingly in complete control.

With an excellently struck scissor kick, Ben Fletcher hauled Wendron back into the contest shortly before the break. Silas Sullivan hit the woodwork soon after the turnaround but, with the strengthening gale at their backs, the home side bossed the second half. With an audacious curling shot into the far corner from way out on the left flank, Ollie Tomlinson further reduced the arrears in the 66th minute. 

Penzance continued to have chances, but lacked their first half composure. Sullivan set up Molcher, but the latter scooped his shot wide and, seemingly inevitably, the Dron levelled. Tomlinson again tried his luck with a curler from way out. This time Salmon got a touch, but not a strong enough one and the ball dropped under his cross-bar rather than over it, and into the net.

With the momentum, Wendron threatened a sensational come-back win. Captain Russell May was just off target with a rasping volley, then Salmon did well to pouch a vicious drive by Ryan Reeve. But, despite these let-offs, Penzance trudged off dejectedly at the end whilst their hosts celebrated.   

“Well that’s how to throw a victory away,” rued Vercesi.”Cruising, and then sloppy moments allowed Wendron to get their tails up, and credit to them, they never gave up and showed a lot of character.”

Wendron: Harry Hill, Chris Shadforth, Ollie Tomlinson, Max Roberts, Russell May (captain), Sam Fisher, Ryan Reeve, Rocco Hill, Ben Fletcher, Josh Wood, Billy Stone.

Subs: Dom Scoffin, Jake Nancarrow, Marvellous Joseph, Harvey Hutchings, Joe Paterson

Penzance: Harry Salmon, James Butler (Archie Reynolds 52), Silas Sullivan, Mark Vercesi (Ewan Trevain 31), Ben Palmer, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Sam Young (Ollie Butler 69), George Molcher, Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Josh Turner (Jacob Trudgeon 46), Charlie Young, Silas Sullivan.

Unused sub: Will Trenoweth

Referee: Dale England

Assistants: Alex Curnow, Ryan Wilce

Match Report courtesy of James Wright

Cover photo courtesy of Wendron United (wendronunitedafc.co.uk)