Penzance v St Agnes Match Report

[cornishteddyboy]

Cornwall Combination League

6th December 2008

Penzance Reserves 0-0 St Agnes

Even though this game had long periods of end to end play you could tell from about twenty minutes on that it was going to be tight with either a 0-0 draw or someone making a mistake and the game finishing 1-0. Both sets of forwards found their opposing defences tough nuts to crack.

The game starts with St Agnes having the early chances. A high volley dips and Craig Nicholls in the Penzance goal has to scramble back and finger tip it away for a corner.

After 5mins Penzance have to make a forced substitution. Steve Hancock playing his first game of the season runs down the wing but pulls up with a strain. He is replaced by debutant James England, just 16 a few days ago.

St Agnes continue to pressure. The Penzance keeper makes a great grab off the feet of an attacker when clear through. Then St Agnes get a throw on the right, lob the ball goalward from 30yds but it just dips over the bar.

A Penzance free kick by Ryan Holland, 25yds out skims just wide of the upright. By now Gary Matthews, playing a defensive role and England are linking up well on the left for Penzance. England is put through and gets to the line, fires one over the keeper but the ball is headed off the line for a corner.

Then they link up for what is Penzance’s best chance of the game. Darren Holsey forward to Ross Badcock who runs down the edge of the box. He crosses and Wade Brown on the 6yd line heads the ball but strait at the grateful keeper who manages to keep hold of it.

Another break on the left this time from England sees Brown head just wide.

St Agnes’s Scott Jones is booked for dissent.

H-T

If chances were few and far between in the first half there was even less in the second.

Penzance started the half by upping their pace, trying a few passes, turning the St Agnes defence, but soon (much to the frustration of their management) went back to lobbing long balls forward which were either wayward or easily dealt with by the St Agnes back line.

Penzance break through but Brown shoots wide under pressure.

St Agnes’s Dan O’Toole is booked for a blocking tackle. Then they get a through ball to Tom Benny on the edge of the box. He turns and fires a low volley but Nicholls gets down to grab it.

After about 20mins St Agnes start pushing Penzance back as the Magpies youngsters start to tire. There are three substitutions, one for Penzance and two for St Agnes.

Ashley Gray of Penzance is booked for dissent.

The final goalmouth action of a quiet second half sees St Agnes managing to thread a through past the defence. The keeper is 1-on-1 but manages to make a great save with his legs.

Wade brown of Penzance is booked for a tackle.

Full time.

On the whole a match with little goalmouth action and in the end both teams worried that one mistake rather than one good move would allow the winning goal.

Penzance Man of the Match has to be Ryan Holland. Great saving tackle to prevent a goal two weeks in a row plus worked hard in the second half to get the team going. A player who is getting better and better. Also special mention to sixteen year old James England, who was thrown in the deep end with no warning. He was brilliant in the first half causing St Agnes problems.

Penzance – Craig Nicholls, Charlie Penny, Darren Holsey, Ryan Holland, Gary Matthews, Steve Burt, Wade Brown, Steve Hancock, Ross Badcock, Tom Withecombe, Ashley Gray.

Subs – James England (Hancock 5), Tom Hosking (Withecombe 73), Anthony Hosking

Corner Count – Penzance 5-7 St Agnes (4-4 1st half)

Crowd – 43 including a few from St Agnes