For the second consecutive match at Penlee Park there was a dramatic stoppage time equaliser. Having salvaged a last gasp draw against St Day on Boxing Day, Penzance were on the receiving this time end when ten man Bodmin Town snatched an unlikely point with late leveller in the West Cornwall mud.
The home side Penzance were severely depleted by the absences of Charlie Young, Curtis Smith, Lewis Caspall and the suspended Kameron Collins. With no recognised striker available, Tyler Tonkin was pushed up front with manager Mark Vercesi taking his place in central defence. New signing Ben Palmer was forced to debut in the unaccustomed position of left-back, and under-18 players Hayden Waters and Jahmali Prowse, the latter making his first appearance, came on as late substitutes.
Notwithstanding the enforced tinkering, the Magpies made a barn-storming opening. On his first start since the away trip to Bodmin in September, Vercesi headed home an early corner, but the “goal” was disallowed. The breakthrough came after 21 minutes when Sam Young set up Tonkin. The captain’s shot was well saved by Oliver Sidey, but the ball broke kindly to Charlie Willis to snaffle the eighth goal of his outstanding season.
One-on-one with the Sidey, Willis was denied a second by a fine save. Vercesi then smashed a shot against the woodwork before Ewan Trevains was thwarted by another excellent stop by the visiting keeper as Penzance finished the half well on top.
Palmer and Willis were both denied by brave defensive blocks as the onslaught resumed after the break. However, with keeper Mikey Flores stranded off his line, Vercesi effected a fine goal-line clearance of a rare Bodmin attack.
A rash tackle by Joe Munday on Silas Sullivan saw the Ambers reduced to ten men. Tonkin glanced a header just wide as Penzance looked to capitalise on their numeric advantage. Palmer was denied a debut goal by yet another fine save from Sidey, and one began to sense that the home side would pay for not getting the all important second goal.
And so it proved. Three minutes into added time, Bodmin substitute Sonny Donny wriggled clear down the left and drilled across tantalising centre that Ollie Brown converted at the far post to hand Bodmin the point their endurance and tenacity deserved.
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Ben Palmer, Sam Young (Jahmali Prowse 88), Chris Wormington, Mark Vercesi, Jacob Trudgeon (Hayden Waters 82), Charlie Willis, Ewan Trevains (Ryan Townson 71), Tyler Tonkin (captain), Silas Sullivan. Unused subs: Bernado Braga, Freddie Neaum
Bodmin: Oliver Sidey, Ollie Brown, Sam Eccleston, Josh Hambledon, Tom Manuel, James Baker, Sam Cox, Billy Coton, Harry Probyn, Joe Munday, Callum McGhee. Subs: Theo Robinson, Oliver Miller, Tyler Jones, Sonny Dover, Bradley Agar
Referee: Leigh Michael
Assistants: Jack Jeffery, Neil Rudkin
Attendance: 111
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