Penzance battled to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sticker in a match packed with late drama, a penalty save, and a red card writes James Hall in his first Match Report for Penzance AFC...
The Magpies started brightly, with Jacob Trudgeon going close in the 22nd minute, his effort deflected wide. Sticker matched their intensity, with Dan Hocking forcing a brilliant point-blank save from Mikey Flores. Hocking missed another chance as a scrappy first half ended goalless.
The game came alive after the break. In the 55th minute, Sullivan broke into the final third and delivered a wicked cross to Charlie Young. The striker controlled, turned, and slammed Penzance ahead. Sticker equalized in the 71st minute when Jamie Gilbert's deflected free-kick wrong-footed Flores.
Penzance responded with late substitutions, introducing Curtis Smith and Kam Collins in the 80th minute. In the 84th, Smith broke free and delivered a low cross for Lewis Caspall to calmly slot home the winner. Caspall nearly added another but was denied impressively by Ethan Elwell.
The drama peaked in stoppage time when Sticker earned a penalty after Flores fouled Sol Wilson. Rich Edworthy's spot-kick was superbly saved by Flores, who dived low to his right. Seconds later, Edworthy was shown a straight red for a reckless tackle on Chris Wormington, ending Sticker’s hopes.
Penzance held firm to secure the win, with Flores’ heroics proving crucial. The result showcased the Magpies' resilience, while Sticker rued missed chances and late ill-discipline.
“Very pleased - we needed that, it's nice to get those three points,” reflected Penzance manager Mark Vercesi. "Mikey turned from villain to hero in injury time, he made a needless challenge but he got himself up and made amends with a fantastic save. It was probably quite an even first half, with a new formation we can only do so much in training. Today was a dress rehearsal, if you like, first time we've used it in a game so we were never going to get it totally right."
Penzance: Mikey FLORES (GK), Archie REYNOLDS (Kam COLLINS 80'), Chris WORMINGTON, Tyler TONKIN (c), Ben PALMER, Silas SULLIVAN (Ewan TREVAINS 88'), Sam YOUNG (Curtis SMITH 80'), Charlie WILLIS, Lewis CASPALL, Charlie YOUNG, Jacob TRUDGEON.
Unused subs: Will TRENOWETH (GK), Mark VERCESI.
Sticker: Ethan ELWELL (GK), Connor COOKE, Jake CHAFER, Ewan WARREN-KNIGHT, Harvey HANN, Fin NANCARROW, Sol WILSON, Rich EDWORTHY (c), Tom GUEST, Dan HOCKING, Jamie GILBERT.
Subs: Noah HOLMES, Lewis CLAPHAM, Howie EVANS (GK), Rich NANCARROW
Attendance: 113
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