With the Division One title and League Cup already in the cabinet, New Inn Titans remain on course for a Trelawny treble courtesy of braces from Johnny Jones and Connor Arthur, but were pushed all the way by an industrious Penzance side at sun-drenched Illogan Park.
Against a team seeking to extend a run of sixteen consecutive wins, the visitors had the temerity to take an early lead. A raking pass out of defence by Tyler Dayus was dummied by Joel Steel into the path of Kizzy Snowden who drew home keeper Ian Chatfield before tucking the ball low into the corner of the net.
Sadly Steel's contribution was his last as he was withdrawn injured, but substitute Haidar Fadli almost doubled the damage just after coming on with a commanding back post header from a Harvey Richings corner. Captain James Payne's follow up skimmed just over the bar, and Penzance's failure to go two up when on top proved costly.
With a shot on the turn following a free-kick, striker Jones hauled the Titans back to parity before the break, and a strong start to the second half put them in charge. First, Jones turned provider cutting the ball back to Arthur to drill past Adrian Murley. Then, after good work down the right by Jack Pacy, Jones set up the irrepressible midfielder for his second in an uncannily similar move.
A spat between Fadli and home midfielder Nico Penfold then saw both players red carded. With Sam Payne already in the sin bin, this temporarily reduced Penzance to nine men, but the nonet defied the disadvantage by notching the goal of the game. From wide on the left, Richings fed Tyler Smith who in turn cushioned the ball into the path of James Payne to rip a scorcher high into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
Penzance's momentum was broken within a minute, Jones cleverly lifting the ball over Murley for his second goal of the game. The Magpies toiled enthusiastically and imaginatively in the final twenty minutes, but the closest they came to another goal was an injury time cross from Dayus that hit the bar.
New Inn Titans may face the only side to have beaten them this season, Dropship, in the final. The nomadic Division Three champions will be looking to avenge Falmouth DC for their Cornwall Junior Cup final defeat in the other semi. Penzance, meanwhile, can look back with pride on a great Cup run and a creditworthy showing in this stonking tie.
New Inn: Ian Chatfield, Ben Penna, Barry Penfold, Robert Penfold, Jareth Smith, Ryan Baber, Nico Penfold, Connor Arthur, Johnny Jones, Jack Pacy, Chris Ward. Rolling subs: Shaun Jacks, Michael Catterall, Ralph Pascoe, Kaylum Philp
Penzance: Adrian Murley, Josh Whitburn, James Payne (captain), Tyler Dayus, Josh Reeves, Harvey Richings (Dylan Walter 90), Tyler Smith, Robertas Samnauskas, Sam Payne, Joel Steel (Haidar Fadli 24), Kizzy Snowden (Joey Lamb 80). Unused sub: Connor Thomas
Referee: Nigel Colwill
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