PORTHLEVEN 1 PENZANCE 2

[James_Wright]

A quite sublime team goal seven minutes from time edged Penzance to a third consecutive friendly victory in their final run-out before the South West Peninsula League season commences. Ollie Bulter picked out his older brother James wide on the left. The latter found Rolandos Samnauskas who cut the ball back into the path of teenage midfielder Adam Lewis who emphatically slammed home his second goal in as many matches.

The winner came just when the Magpies appeared to have lost their way in an encounter the first hour of which they had dominated. It was just a minute old when Darryl Richards converted an Archie Reynolds centre from the right, and the goal triggered an avalanche of chances for the visitors. From a James Butler cross, Charlie Young was denied by a flying save. Reynolds fired wide when well placed, and Tyler Tonkin sent a shot just over. Tripconey and Sam Young both also shots saved.

The second half started in the same vein with both Reynolds and Curtis Smith testing the home keeper. Port found their feet though, and notched a fine equaliser – Dexter Bainbridge lashing the ball home from a tight angle – and looked set record at least a draw until Penzance’s late strike.

“I was delighted with how we played in the first half,” reflected Penzance boss Mark Vercesi. “To a man we were brilliant and on another day could have been five up. Credit to Port who really tested us second half, but I was pleased we were able to react after their goal to find another final push. The boys have worked their socks off pre-season, and now we cannot wait for the campaign to start next weekend at Penlee Park.”

Penzance: Mikey Flores (Will Trenoweth 70), Archie Reynolds, James Butler, Jasper Turner, Tyler Tonkin (Ewan Trevains 70), Sam Young, Silas Sullivan, Curtis Smith, Darryl Richards (Rolandos Samnauskas 70), Charlie Young, Jude Tripconey (Ollie Butler 56). Unused sub: Jacob Trudgeon

Referee: Alan Hoon
Attendance: 100