Despite missing key players Charlie Young and Charlie Willis, Penzance extended their unbeaten run to twelve games with a battling victory at Jenkins Park. Furthermore, it means they have now gone a full year undefeated away from Penlee Park, a streak that not only embraces the tenure of current manager Mark Vercesi but also that of his predecessor Ashley Waters.
This was the first match between Millbrook and Penzance since the passing of Dick Stanley, a much loved character who served both clubs. Stanley was remembered during a minute of applause before kick-off. Barely had the tribute finished than club he captained to victory in the 1981 Cornwall Senior Cup final were ahead. Visiting captain Tyler Tonkin located Jacob Trudgeon wide on the right with a visionary long pass, the latter rounding Millbrook keeper Thomas Burston to open the scoring.
Burston kept his side in touch with a splendid double save from Jude Tripconey. Thereafter, Penzance lost their way somewhat. The were pegged back to level terms by a towering back-post header from Jay Boyle, then lost Chris Wormington to badly gashed forehead. The former Mullion defender was whisked off to Treliske by supporters Lorna, Wayne and Neil Trudgeon to be stitched up, and was replaced on the field by James Butler.
Millbrook made the brighter start to the second half, Samuel Pearson just missing the target with their best opening. A triple substitution on the hour mark injected renewed vigour into the visitors. Kam Collins came on for a typically energetic half-hour of tigerish tackling, Josh Storey made his first appearance for the club since a one-off outing at Sticker two years ago, and teenager Curtis Smith arrived to further enhance his impressive season with its fifth goal.
But it was a more experienced campaigner, Lewis Caspall, who restored Penzance’s lead with a fine individual goal just after all the changes. Millbrook hit back strongly and Mikey Flores was called into action to save shots from Boyle and recent signing Lee Robinson. At the other end, Burston denied Storey before Smith wrapped up the victory with a heavily deflected shot.
“It was a difficult pitch to come and play on, and Millbrook set up in a way that was tough to break down,” said Vercesi. “They were a real threat going forward with a lot of very tall players. So I am really pleased with the 3-1.”
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Chris Wormington (James Butler 26), Liam Andrew, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Sam Young, Jude Tripconey (Josh Storey 60), Silas Sullivan (Ollie Butler 76), Jacob Trudgeon (Curtis Smith 60), Lewis Caspall, Ryan Townson (Kam Collins 60)
Millbrook: Thomas Burston, Ronnie Reynold (Evan Barnes 65), Theo Roberts, Jason Richards (captain), Ben Smith (Adrian Iacoban 85), Jay Boyle (Kacper Gorecki 65), Ben Dodds (Charlie Menear 46), Luis Hewings, Adam Beardsmore (Charlie Brown 75), Lee Robinson, Samuel Pearson
Referee: Dillon Gascoigne
Assistants: Steve Nute, Lewis Cook
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