Saints pay penalty as Wendron are spot on

THIS was Wendron's fifth successive win in the Jolly's Combination League and consolidated their top half position.

Bryan Scoffin was called into action early in the game when he pulled off a fine save from Stuart Reynolds, but the contrasting styles of play made it an intriguing encounter.

Wendron created a chance in the 18th minute when Justin Searle made a good run and cross to find David Toy and laid the ball into the path of Glyn Hobbs who saw his shot headed over the bar by a defender.

From the near post corner Scott Whitney headed over, but a minute later Wendron took the lead when Mike O'Neill was pushed following a throw-in from Searle. The referee awarded a penalty and Hobbs made no mistake with the spotkick.

Midway through the half Wendron's Jeff Till was struck in the face by the ball from a fierce clearance. It was hit with such force that Till was knockout for around two minutes and had to be substituted by Steve Hodson.

Scoffin pulled off a fine save from Brian Hawk, but in the 57th minute Wendron extended their lead when Hobbs cut in on the left and delivered a cross that was handled in the box. A second penalty and a second goal soon followed from Hobbs.

Three minutes later Wendron added a third goal when O'Neill picked up a pass from Hodson and cut in on a diagonal and unleashed a great shot into the opposite corner after changing direction.

St Day gave themselves hope when they pulled a goal back. Matt Witts whipped in a free kick and although Scoffin got a hand to it he was unable to prevent Gareth Jones from sidefooting the ball into the net.

Wendron were awarded a remarkable third penalty by referee Colin Dengler when Hobbs got on to the end of a great ball by Whitney, but as he broke clear the defender hauled him over. Hobbs was on course for a rare penalty hat-trick, but Paul Hoskin guessed right and denied him a third goal.

Wendron continued to create chances and three minutes from time a clearance to the edge of the box only succeeded in finding Sean Johnston who struck a good shot into the corner of the net.

"I wish I had this squad week in and week out," said manager Steve Webber. "Top six looks out of it for us, but to finish even eighth or ninth after the start we had is really excellent."

Wendron: B Scoffin, M Newberry, J Till, J Cooper, J Wilkes, D Toy, A Toy, S Whitney, J Searle, G Hobbs, M O'Neill. Subs: G Pascoe, S Hodson, S Johnston, C James.