HAYLE 2 WENDRON UNITED 2

A POINT gained rather than two dropped will definitely be the view of Wendron after their understrength side pulled off a very creditable 2-2 draw against Hayle in the SW Peninsula League.

Without seven regular squad members, Wendron dug deep to earn their point and to the extent that Hayle's frustration got the better of them and they finished the match with ten men.

"If somebody had offered me half a point before the game I would have taken it," said manager Steve Webber. "Hayle had a lot of possession, but I don't think they created too much in the way of clear-cut chances.

"In fact, we knew that if we defended and didn't commit too many forward we wouldn't be exposed in defence, but on occasions we did just that and that is where their second goal came from.

"Overall I was delighted with the performance of the side, especially those who don't command a regular first team place."

Wendron made a solid start and coped well at the back with the early pressure and it was the visitors who had the best chance of taking the lead when Brett Andrew ran on to David Toy's pass but shot straight at the 'keeper from six yards.

Within a minute Hayle broke away from an identical move with Matt Shiels running on to Gary Matthews' pass and cutting in to slip the ball past the advancing Bryan Scoffin.

Hayle's delight at taking the lead was shortlived. Two minutes later Tony Harris was taken down in the box by Andy James for referee Simon Harris to award a penalty. Harris scored from the spotkick for his 100th goal in 411 games for the club.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, but the home side regained the lead in the 56th minute when they punished Wendron for committing too many players forward. Shiels made the break and delivered an inviting cross for Matt Thomas to sidefoot the ball into the net.

Wendron showed plenty of character to hit back for a second time when Harris ran on to a ball over the top of the defence. He beat the 'keeper to the ball and held it up only for Cheal to bundle him over for a needless penalty. David Toy hit the perfect spotkick as he sent the 'keeper the wrong way.

Hayle tried to impose themselves in the closing stages, but a resilient defence restricted the home side to long range efforts with Liam Quinn rattling the crossbar with a fierce shot.

With time running out Town were reduced to ten men when Shiels kicked out at Munro who was shepherding the ball out of play and was shown the red card.

This Saturday United visit Foxhole Stars in the first round of the Throgmorton Cup.

Wendron: B Scoffin, S Hodson, J Till, A Munro, P Maclean, G Pascoe, D Toy, B Andrew, S Whitney, T Harris and M McIlroy. Sub: A Collins.