PENZANCE LADIES RES 3

WENDRON 2

PENZANCE Reserves bagged three crucial points to move out of the Cornwall Women's League relegation zone, but did it the hard way against Wendron.

The Magpies dominated the first-half and with the wind at their backs, pinned the visitors back. But it took 18 minutes before Sammy Richards received a good through ball to coolly finish.

Katy Whittaker hit the target with a good effort from a shot on a very sharp turn, before she set up the second goal with a 24th minute free-kick. Rachel Bennett's touch was blocked, but Richards was on hand to knock in the rebound.

A Whittaker corner led to an amazing goalmouth scramble, the danger only being cleared after a handball appeal was turned down. Whittaker went close from 35 yards, but the hosts had to settle for a 2-0 half-time advantage.

Wendron were right back in the game four minutes after the restart, Joanne Stinton going clear from a free-kick and had a simple finish after Sue West committed herself too soon.

Whittaker fired over the top after a good effort from Richards, whilst Clare Todd made an important interception at the other end to halt Wendron's attempt at an equaliser. Gemma Fitzgerald broke from the back to fire right across the goalmouth and as Richards hooked home from Whittaker's corner, the referee blew for a penalty.

Fitzgerald's spot kick was straight at the 'keeper and Nicole Elkin blasted the rebound over, as Penzance failed to kill off the game.

But from a long diagonal ball by Whittaker, Carly Fitzgerald fought off the 'keeper to make it 3-1. Rachel Bennett went close from 20 yards and after a good pass from Sam Parker found Bennett, Richards had an effort blocked.

It was straight after another Richards strike was caught that Wendron went upfield and made it 3-2 with two minutes left through Kim Cook, but Penzance comfortably held out.