Despite monopolising possession (74% over the 90 minutes) and having an astounding 24 efforts at goal, Penzance somehow slipped to a frustrating defeat at the hands of Launceston in Mark Vercesi’s first League match in charge.
The difference between two sides was experienced Launceston star Andy Watkins. The ex-Truro City, Bideford, Bath City and Mousehole forward headed home Mike Steele’s early free-kick, then set up strike partner Denham Guild to turn home the second early in the second-half, a killer blow that secured for the Clarets a fourth consecutive victory at Penlee Park – a run that now stretches back to October 2019.
But, scoreline aside, there much to please the new boss and the home faithful. The Magpies created chances at will with plenty of creative, positive passing. Young striker Curtis Smith was just unable to convert an early James Butler cross. Tyler Tonkin and Darryl Richards were both denied by smart Lewis Slade saves, and Archie Reynolds and Charlie Young (on numerous occasions) also went close before the break. Straight after the restart, Charlie Willis nearly turned home a Reynolds centre. Four changes didn’t break Penzance’s stride. Jacob Trudgeon picked out fellow substitute Jude Tripconey, but the latter saw his shot blocked by Slade as Launceston held firm until the final whistle.
“It was certainly not the result we wanted, but a great team performance on the whole,” reflected Vercesi. “A couple of slack moments cost us defensively, and the squandering of a hatful of chances was ultimately the reason we didn’t get the three points. Big moments are what win football matches and we lost those big moments today.”
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, James Butler, Sam Young (Adam Lewis 82), Liam Andrew, Tyler Tonkin, Silas Sullivan (Jude Tripconey 73), Curtis Smith (Rolandos Samnauskas 46), Charlie Young, Darryl Richards (Jacob Trudgeon 73), Charlie Willis. Unused sub: Jasper Turner
Launceston: Lewis Slade, Josh Harris, Carl Aldridge, George Beardsmore, Archie Wall, Ollie Northam, Denham Guild, Jacob Ham, Andy Watkins, Mike Steele, Dan Clifton. Subs: Ismail Badjie-Heath, Isaac Varga, Aaron Hughes, Morgan Jones
Referee: Tim Burley
Assistants: Alan Hoon, Francis Hood
Attendance: 146
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