Falmouth v Penzance

[cornishteddyboy]

Cornwall Combination League

18th April 2009

Falmouth Town Reserves 3-3 Penzance Reserves

Penzance let a 3-1 half-time lead slip at a sunny Bickland Park on Saturday in a really enjoyable game that kept the sparse crowd entertained for the whole 90mins. After 45 minutes they were coasting to a comfortable victory when they let in two simple goals to allow Falmouth a share of the spoils. Mind you Bryn Wheeler the Falmouth player/manager, in goal for game was their man of the match and he was the one player who earned them their point as he deigned Penzance time and again with great saves.

After getting the first goal of the game Falmouth had been reduced to shooting at goal from 30yds or more whilst Penzance looked a real threat every time they went forward, but for some reason the Magpies sat back at the start of the second half and allowed Falmouth to get in close again during a 20min spell and conceded two goals.

Falmouth kick-off the match, with Penzance wearing their red strip playing towards the town end.

After 4mins Falmouth work the ball along the middle of the park, knock a through ball into the box where Simon O’Neil turns his marker to fire low past the advancing keeper. 1-0 after 4mins.

Once again Penzance do what they have been doing all season, either conceding or getting back on level terms within a couple of minutes. Penzance have a throw on the right, the ball is floated into the back post where Gary Matthews knocks the ball back high to the far post where Ross Badcock knocks the ball high into the net from 6yds out. 1-1 after 6mins.

Within moments Penzance break left, cross to the right where Ashley Thomas runs into the box. He flicks a high cross goal bound lob over the keeper but the ball bounces off the upright and away to safety.

Then Wheeler makes the first of his great saves. Penzance fire in a long ball to Badcock who breaks through the Falmouth defence. The keeper comes out, Badcock shoots and the ball is saved by Wheeler, instinctively sticking out a leg to clear.

A few minutes later Penzance get their second goal. They break left with Badcock who runs into the box volleying from 15yds out. Wheeler makes a diving save to parry the ball away but unfortunately for him it rebounds to Thomas who has a simple 10yd shot into an open net. 1-2 after 20mins.

Falmouth work the ball around the middle resulting in a long range shot from 35yds which goes well wide. Then they get on target forcing a good save from Craig Nicholls in the Penzance goal. Falmouth get a free kick on the left. They float the ball in and Nicholls has to make a diving save to parry away a header.

Just after the half hour Penzance make a substitution bringing on Charlie Penny for Liam Devine and within sixty seconds get their third goal. They break right, cross into the box where Badcock fires in low. The keeper clears but the rebound falls to the feet Badcock who makes no mistake with his second attempt firing it low past the keeper. 1-3 after 33mins.

Falmouth have another couple of long range shots both well wide or high of the goal, whilst Penzance go close when a cross goal shot by Thomas takes some paint off the Falmouth upright.

The half finishes with Penzance having one more chance when Badcock heads high following a cross from the right by Thomas.

H-T

Falmouth must have had a good talking too during half time and within minutes have the ball in the net. They break left into the box. A cross goal ball hits the post, rebounds and James Parkinson volleys low from 10yds out. 2-3 after 50mins.

Then Penzance get a couple of chances to regain their two goal cushion. A long ball from the right into the box sees a Steve Hancock header just go wide of the back post with the keeper stranded. Then Hancock hits a shot that just goes over the bar. Penzance then make a substitution with Jimmy England coming off for Tom Withecombe.

Falmouth then get on level terms following a break on the left. The ball is crossed in, flicked on to Chris Peck who volleys low to the keepers left. 3-3 after 64mins.

The rest of the game is almost all one way as Penzance look to get a winner. They break right into the box where Hancock turns his man, shoots but into the side netting.

Then Wheeler really earns the point for Falmouth making three saves within 20seconds. Penzance break into the box and shoot towards goal. The keeper parries the ball with a diving save, the rebound is then fired in and he punches clear, then a shot from the right results in him managing to hold onto the ball much to his defenders relief.

Penzance pushing forward and playing a good passing game get another couple of chance before the final whistle. A free kick on the left is taken quickly with the ball knocked long into the box. Tom Hosking jumps but his headed flick goes just past the post. Another free kick on the right near the goal line is knocked in by Thomas but Hosking just heads over the bar.

Referee George Pattison, who had a good game calls a halt after playing a couple of minutes of injury time.

Penzance Man of the Match chosen by other Penzance supporters goes to two players who linked up well the whole game controlling the right mid-field, Ryan Andrew and Steve Burt (they were my choice as well).

Penzance – Craig Nicholls, Darren Holsey, Steve Burt, Ross Badcock, Ashley Thomas, Gary Matthews, Liam Devine, Ryan Andrew, Tom Hosking, Jimmy England, Steve Hancock.

Subs – Charlie Penny (Devine 32), Tom Withecombe ((England 60)

Corners – Falmouth 0-2 Penzance (0-0 1st half)

Crowd – 34 (11 from Penzance)