A barn-storming second half performance enabled Penzance to inflict upon Dobwalls only a second league defeat of the season – and first on the road – in vile conditions at Penlee Park.
With the strong wind at their backs, the in-form visitors made the early running. A cross being held up by the gale and deceiving the home defence presented an eighth minute opening to Josh Johnson who was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the goal frame.
The Magpies were missing Liam Andrew, so Chris Wormington was shunted inside to partner Tyler Tonkin in the centre with Archie Reynolds restored to right-back. Silas Sullivan was moved back into defence on the other flank, and the line held strong for the remainder of the half limiting their opponents to a couple of charged-down efforts.
The deadlock was broken just three minutes after restart. Sam Young sprayed an excellent pass wide to Charlie Willis on the left flank. The midfielder weaved his way along the goal line before threading a cross into the six yard box where Charlie Young out-muscled the Dobwalls defence to force the ball over the line. “He bullied the defenders and got the final touch,” said manager Mark Vercesi. “We probably haven’t seen the best finishing from Charlie, but we all know he’s got unbelievable ability, so we have got that to come.”
A reckless challenge by Joe Cook on Willis saw the Dobwalls centre-back kop a straight red card, diminishing his side’s prospects of returning to parity. “It was a nasty tackle, but probably conditions played a part,” opined Vercesi. “But I don’t think it changed the game too much. We were in the ascendancy at that point and just continued.”
“Dobwalls are really good side, really well organised,” concluded Vercesi. “But the way we played, I don’t think that there is anyone who would argue that we didn’t deserve to win.”
Willis picked himself up from mud to bag the clinching goal seventeen minutes from time, swivelling to tuck the ball just inside James Morley’s far post after an lung-busting surge down the right, and pinpoint centre from Jacob Trudgeon. Dobwalls continued to press right until the final whistle, but on the few occasions that Penzance’s back line was breached, goalkeeper Mikey Flores saved them, on his way to keeping his eighth clean sheet of the season.
From a corner, Kameron Collins almost added a third goal for the Magpies, who handed a debut to Under-18 team defender Hayden Waters in the closing stages.
Manager, Mark Vercesi reflects on a well deserved 2-0 win over Dobwalls.
Penzance: Mikey Flores, Archie Reynolds, Silas Sullivan, Sam Young (Ewan Trevains 85), Chris Wormington, Tyler Tonkin (captain), Curtis Smith (Ryan Townson 78), Charlie Willis (Hayden Waters 90), Jacob Trudgeon (Bernado Braga 81), Charlie Young (Josh Storey 75), Kameron Collins
Dobwalls: James Morley, Adam Kenyon, Taylor Davey, Dan Tate, Joe Cook, James Forrest (captain), Kai Burrell, Ryan Geach, Josh Johnson, Charlie Castlehouse, Kaycee Ogwu. Subs: Anthony Davey, Liam Blackwell, Oscar Larrieu, Alex Hilton, Ovo Ememerurai
Referee: Steven Annis
Assistants: Barry Raiker, Aimee Green
Attendance: 151
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