Penzance v Upton Park, Tonight 7pm

[James_Wright]

Penzance will revive a long-standing tradition when welcoming Upton Park for the first home friendly of the new campaign tonight (7pm kick-off). The touring side join an impressive list of clubs from the capital to drop in. In the past Tottenham Hotspur, Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Clapton, West Ham United, Barnet, Corinthian Casuals and Walthamstow Avenue have all graced the Penlee Park turf.

Fittingly, Upton Park’s own existence is a nod to history. The team was formed to revive the legacy of two previous clubs of the same name that were operational over one hundred years ago. The original Upton Park staged one of the first four FA Cup ties, losing 0-3 to Clapham Rovers at West Ham Park in 1871.

The current incarnation has been making history of its own. It contested the last ever game staged at West Ham’s old Boleyn Ground, a friendly against The Royal Engineers in May 2016 and, more recently, reached the final of the Generation Cup playing Crystal Palace at St George’s Park.

“We are a representative team combining young talent from the East London area plus good local players,” explains club chairman Jon Hunter. “In the 1890s, Upton Park toured the West Country and the Channel Islands, so we are retracing their steps. We have played Guernsey and Jersey, and last summer we toured Naples playing Serie D team Agropili and a rep team from Versuvius.”

The visitors travelled down over the weekend, trained at Penlee Park last night and also take on Mousehole. Manager Billy Jenkins will choose from a squad comprising of Junior Ysumblie, Matt Kenny, Zak Moss, Matt Rutherford, Exauce Buanga, Cian Connolly, Dhilan Kullar, Henry Langley, Jake Moss, Joffe Bradley, Lewis McGillicuddy, Joseph Akinsanmi, Samba Madjana, Tao Felstead (captain), Finlay Dorrell, Troy Walters, Tyrese Okello, and Peter McGillicuddy

Penzance, meanwhile, will be looking to build on a promising 3-1 victory in the opening friendly away to Helston ten days ago. For his first home match in charge, manager Ashley Waters names new signings Gary Matthews, Michael Fitchett, Ollie Butler and Oscar Massey in a squad that also includes Will Trenoweth, Mikey Flores, Frazer Cadman, Alfie Turner, Mark Vercesi, Alfie Hicks, Archie Reynolds, Silas Sullivan, Tyler Tonkin, Kam Collins, Rolandos Samnauskas, Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Daniell, Obinna Abuka, Jacob Trudgeon, Dylan Walter and Kai Baxter.

Admission is just £5 (£3 for concessions) and drinks and refreshments will be available from the Black & White Cafe inside the ground, and the Jewson Bar and. A 12 page matchday programme will be available.

[Ian Pethick]

Is that the ex Argyle Youth striker Oscar Massey? Ex Swindon, featured for Parkway and Tavi on loan last season.

[Tavi Fan]

1 hour ago, Way Of The Park said:

Is that the ex Argyle Youth striker Oscar Massey? Ex Swindon, featured for Parkway and Tavi on loan last season.

Was about to ask the same 🤔 

[James_Wright]

Yes. Released by Swindon Town. Apparently Salford City showed an interest, but he has opted to return to his native Cornwall. 

[James_Wright]

PENZANCE 0 UPTON PARK 4
New manager Ashley Waters gave twenty players useful minutes in Penzance’s second pre-season run-out, but touring side Upton Park, who included in their ranks former Magpie Harry Lampier, cruised to victory thanks to a hat-trick by striker Finlay Dorrell.
For much of the first half it looked like Dorrell had left his shooting boots back in East London. The Romford forward missed two clear chances and was also denied by some fine Mikey Flores saves and a brave Tyler Tonkin block. But he eventually broke the deadlock four minutes before the turn-around, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to stab the ball home.
It was the least the tourists deserved having also gone close with a dipping shot by midfielder Jake Moss. The Magpies threatened just once, a tidy break down the left that culminated with Silas Sullivan skimming a shot just over.
Penzance made the first four of their nine substitutions at the interval, but were soon further in arrears when Upton Park captain Tao Felstead stroked home a penalty. Finlay then beat keeper Will Trenoweth, one of the changes, to a through ball to dink home the third and effectively seal the result.
The home side then enjoyed their best spell of the match. Frazer Cadman released Oscar Massey with a perceptive through ball, but the debutant striker, recently released by Swindon Town, was denied by the legs of keeper Junior Ysumblie. Moments after coming off the bench, young midfielder Dylan Walter looked to have bagged his first goal for the first team when he snaffled up the rebound after a Massey free-kick was saved, but an offside flag curtailed the celebration.
Upton Park finished the game back on the front foot. However a string of brilliant saves by Trenoweth, the most eye-catching of which denied Aaron Browne, limited the damage to a single hat-trick completing low strike from Dorrell four minutes from time.
Penzance: Mikey Flores (Will Trenoweth 46), Archie Reynolds (Kai Baxter 84), Mark Vercesi, Tyler Tonkin (Jordan Daniell 46), Silas Sullivan, Ollie Butler (Dylan Walter 68), Frazer Cadman (Kevin Lawrence 75), Alfie Hicks (Kam Collins 46), Alfie Turner (Rolandos Samnauskas 46), Oscar Massey (Obinna Abuka 84), Jacob Trudgeon (Michael Fitchett 68)
Upton Park: Junior Ysumblie. Joseph Akinsanmi, Finlay Dorrell, Jake Moss, Harry Lampier, Joffe Bradley, Aaron Browne, Henry Langley, Lewis McGillicuddy, Tao Felstead, Cian Connolly. Subs: Billy Jenkins, Peter McGillicuddy, Matt Kenny, Matt Rutherford
Referee: Tim Burley
Assistants: Max Davies, Neil Rudkin

[Yourhavingalaugh]

3 hours ago, Keith B said:

Great report sir, thank you.

Totally agree.

[RAPPO]

Cheers James, top report mate 👍👏🏼⚽️

[Ian Pethick]

How many consecutive seasons is that now for Mark Vercesi in the SWL/SWPL?  Must be at least 20.

[THEMAGPIE]

Good game to watch, as said Massey looked good and will undoubtedly be picked up by higher league competitors.