Match Report

[cornishteddyboy]

Cornwall Combination League

Tuesday 25th August 2009

Hayle Reserves 2-3 Penzance Reserves

For the second week running Penzance nearly threw away a 3-1 lead in the last few minutes of the match. This time they held out to beat a lively Hayle team on their own ground.

A near full strength Magpies had Gerran James up front and he got a brace of fine goals after Tom Hosking had put them in the lead. Matt Thomas scored a couple for Hayle.

For long periods of the first half the teams cancel each other out but just after quarter of an hour Penzance go in front. Breaking from defence, the ball is knocked cross pitch to the right. A cross is knocked and the Hayle keeper spills the ball, knocking it out where it is once again crossed to Tom Hosking who has a simple tap in from 3yds at the back post. 0-1 after 18mins.

Once again Penzance break with numbers coming forward. A header comes in, is knocked out and Ryan Holland tries a looping header that just goes over with the keepr back peddaling.

A long range shot from Charlie Penny is grabbed by the keeper at the second attempt.

Hayle only had one real chance during the half near the end. They break left to goaline. The ball is knocked in and rolls along line before being cleared.

H-T

Hayle come out for the second half posing much more of a threat. A long range shot is grabbed by Craig Nicholls, Penzance’s keeper. A through ball to Christian Letts in the box sees him fire low only for Nicholls to get down low to push the ball away for a corner.

On 62mins Hayle equalise when a long cross pitch ball from halfway towards the right sees a brilliantly curled header go around the back of the Penzance defence for Matt Thomas to knock in.

Hayle now are having a good 15mins with Penzance defending in depth. From a throw, Letts runs to the goal line, turns, knocks one along the line that hits the bottom of the post and away.

After soaking up the pressure Penzance break twice and score both times. On 72mins Gerran James puts them in front when Ashley Thomas feeds a through ball into his path and he knocks the ball low past the keeper. Three minutes later Penzance go further in front when a route one ball from the back sees James run into the box and fire in with a cross goal shot. 1-3 after 75mins.

Not to outdone Hayle come back. Adam Northolt tries a long range shot that Nicholls can only push away onto the upright and away. A couple of minutes before full time a long cross pitch ball drops over the head of a Penzance defender and Thomas nips in to put it past Nicholls.

Once more Hayle break but shot wide.

After a couple of minutes for injuries the ref calls a halt and the Magpies get their first league win of the season.

Penzance – Craig Nicholls, Ashley Thomas, James Street, Tom Hosking, Andre Otto, Liam Devine, Ryan Holland, Charlie Penny, Gerran James, Steve Hancock, Max Davies

Subs – Chris Bullock (Hosking 69), Kieran Brownfield, Jimmy England, Wayne Edwards, Mike Burt

Corners – Hayle 7-3 Penzance (2-2 1st half)

Crowd - 46