Penzance v Culdrose LC Q-F

[cornishteddyboy]

Cornwall Combination League Cup

Quarter – Final

6th March 2010

Penzance Reserves 1-2 RNAS Culdrose

This was a case of Penzance going for it in the last few minutes and being exposed and caught on the break. Culdrose just about deserved to win because if it wasn’t for some good saves by Man of the Match and birthday boy Craig Nicholls the score could have been worse.

Culdrose were much stronger than the team that lost to the Magpies on their own turf a couple of weeks earlier whilst Penzance had a couple of players out.

Penzance kick off facing towards the entrance and get a corner in the first minute. The ball is knocked over from the left, bounces out to Steve Hancock who fires in a strong volley only to see the ball cleared over the bar from a defender standing on the goal line. Another break with Ashley Thomas down the right sees him cross square to Jowan May who scuffs his shot wide when clear from 15yds.

Two minutes later Penzance get their early goal. Breaking right the ball is passed forward to Max Davies who runs into the box and places a low shot into the net from 12yds out. Four minutes on the clock and the Magpies are 1-0 up.

Then Culdrose have quite a long period of possession putting the Penzance defence under pressure but without threatening a goal until Rob Owens manages to turn a defender on the edge of the box but his strong shot is grabbed by Nicholls.

More Culdrose pressure towards the end of the half sees a shot from Matt Thirckle deflected and Nicholls makes an instinctive save at the post.

H-T

A Penzance corner on the right by Thomas sees a clever flick on by Davies to James Street at the back post but his touch goes just wide.

Nicholls then makes a great double save following a Culdrose corner. The first a flying leap to clear a strong header followed by a grab on the ground following a low volley in.

Penzance bring on Liam Bennett and Lewis Caspell for Steve Hancock and Chris Bullock.

On the hour Culdrose get their deserved equaliser. They get a free kick 30yds out on their left. The ball is knocked long to Martin McBeath who fires in cross goal from 15yds. 60mins gone 1-1.

From the kick-off Penzance break with the ball reaching May who fires over from 12yds.

Culdrose again break and Nicholls has to get down sharpish to grab a low shot

Penzance replace May with Jack wing.

Nicholls makes another great double save. A through ball turn and shot sees him palm the ball away then have to get down to force away the rebound.

Culdrose’s keeper makes a good block from a Thomas shot.

Penzance are pushing forward looking to break the deadlock and are being caught at the back. Culdrose break, a shot comes in, Nicholls palms away, the ball is knocked up to the other end but the resultant shot is saved.

Then Culdrose break and Street makes a last ditch tackle which the referee reckons is last man and he receives his marching orders. The free kick is taken, centre near the edge of the box. The ball is deflected away for a corner. Has the ref’s watch stopped, 95mins played. The corner comes in, bounces from player to player around the box until Luke Elston runs forward, one-on-one, a low shot from 8yds out into the net. 1-2, 90+5mins, gutted.

Penzance restart, 15 seconds later full time. Was we robbed? No Culdrose had the best chances and deserved to scrape a win in the end. Perhaps Penzance should have settled for a draw, but wanted to win without a replay.

Penzance – Craig Nicholls, Liam Devine, Jowan May, Chris Bullock, James Street, Ryan Andrew, Adam Fletcher, Ashley Thomas, Max Davies, Steve Hancock, Alan Spencer-Smith

Subs – Liam Bennett (Hancock 55), Lewis Caspell (Bullock 55), Jack Wing (May 63), Joel McWilliams

Corners – Penzance 5-5 Culdrose (4-3 1st half)

Fouls – Penzance 10-10 Culdrose

Crowd - 42

There was talk (was it from me) that the First team should have a run-out at Ludgvan this Saturday to get them back into winning ways but there again we don't want to gift Ludgvan 3 points do we. :lol: