Penzance Reserves are now winless in eight games, but pushed their counterparts from St Day hard on a drizzly afternoon at Vogue Park.
The Magpies made the early running with both Kizzy Snowden and Bernado Braga forcing smart saves from Mikey Palmer, but fell behind in the ninth minute against the run of play. Matt Stephens wriggled clear down the right flank and drilled across a low centre which Dan Richards smashed home from close range.
The goal triggered a purple patch for the home team. Adrian Murley did well to tip over a delightfully curled shot from full-back Ben West, then denied Dan Richards a second by blocking the striker’s angled drive. A good link up between Stephens and Dan Richards set up a presentable opening for Bailey Packenas, but the latter’s shot fizzed just over the bar.
The introduction of Jordan Rimmington, freshly re-signed from St Just, gave Penzance new impetus and they finished the half on top with both Snowden and Will Symons close to nabbing an equaliser. However, St Day were back in the ascendancy after the turnaround. Murley sprawled low to his right to palm away a fierce shot from Jordan Richards. But the reprieve was temporary, Craig Young pushing up from centre-back to attack a testing Stephens free-kick, and muscling the ball over the line in the 68th minute for the home side’s second.
Still Penzance refused to lie down. Ewan Trevains picked out substitute Fin Sharp with a perceptive pass but, racing off his line, Palmer snuffed out the danger. Ryan Townson saw an effort deflected wide, then Rimmington pulled a shot into to the side-netting before Ben Murphy raced clear at the other end to put the match to bed three minutes into stoppage time.
“It was another game where the scoreline didn't match the performance,” rued joint Penzance manager Lee Major at the final whistle. “But we will take the positives and build again at training. It was great to see all the substitutes come on and make a difference.”
Penzance: Adrian Murley, Ashley Mead, Lewis Hitchens, Steve Miller, Jake Heale (Jordan Rimmington 34), Ewan Trevains, Will Symons (Harvey Richings 54), Ryan Townson, Bernardo Braga (Corey Angwin 73), Joe Gordon (Fin Sharp 68), Kizzy Snowden (Connor Thomas 74)
St Day: Mikey Palmer, Ben West, Luke Fairful, Cayden Tiddy, Craig Young, Ben Murphy, Jordan Richards, Jack Murphy, Dan Richards, Bailey Packenas, Matt Stephens. Subs: Harry Holcombe, John Wharton, Joe Crossman Kuek, Nick Troon, Mark Leah
Referee: David Dodson
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