Foxhole 1 Penryn 1

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole 1 Penryn 1

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Liam Nicholls' injury-time equaliser enabled the Foxes to grab the point their spirited second-half display warranted against a mediocre visiting outfit who had led from the tenth minute but had barely created another serious chance. Maclean's opener came after the home defence, missing the imposing presence of Adam Holland, had failed to deal with Raven's wind-assisted punt, and soon Wheeler's inviting centre was blazed over by Blizzard, but otherwise goalmouth excitement at either end was at a premium until the home team eventually settled down, and Nicholls struck a post ten minutes before the break before Pinhammer showed great skill to control Grose's cross, but Raven was equal to his drive. Davey was fortunate not to concede a penalty for hand-ball, Pinhammer's protestations at half-time earning him the first of a series of bookings that would culminate in Hazeldine's ludicrously harsh dismissal.

Foxhole knew their performance had not been up to scratch and determined to show greater composure and energy on the restart. Rowe fired a free-kick just past the post while Pinhammer twice tried his luck from distance before over-running the ball when clean through and then nodding wide Kenny's left wing cross as Penryn were pinned back, although Raven was generally well-protected by Howlett and Davey despite the best efforts of the bustling Rowe. Although Pryor was cautioned for fouling Nicholls, Mr Stevens was not endearing himself to the home team with some controversial decisions, both McKellar and Rowe being booked for dissent before Hazeldine's red card for ill-judged comments following a caution for what appeared to be a perfectly fair challenge on Warr on eighty minutes. Nevertheless, the Foxes contined to press and Nicholls levelled from a tight angle after Raven had smothered his initial effort. At the death, Heard's header from Scoley's corner crept just past the post, but a draw was the least Foxhole deserved as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Foxhole (3-5-2): Ryan Holland; Dexter Lawrence, Daniel Meens, Tony McKellar; Sam Kenny, Chris Grose, Lee Hazeldine, Liam Nicholls, Scott Ansell; Mark Rowe, Ross Pinhammer.

Penryn (4-4-2): Steve Raven; Darren Edwards, Will Scoley, Pete Davey, Hugh Howlett; Dave Blizzard, Peter Maclean (sub. Martin Day), Adam Pryor (sub. Steve Warr), Dale Band; Bryn Wheeler (sub. Andrew Heard), Mark Goldsworthy.

Referee: Mr Chris Stevens (Fowey).