ALTHOUGH their opponents started the day two places from bottom in the league table, Penryn Athletic knew Penzance would be a tough test for them.

It proved to be this way on Saturday in the South West Peninsula League West match at Kernick Road as the hosts were forced to come from a goal down to win 3-1.

All the scoring was done in the second half of a game which saw Athletic forced to switch to a flat back four as first team regular Dave Blizzard was sidelined through illness.

This alteration was targeted by Penzance as they closed down their opposition whenever the ball was in the home side’s final third.

Gavin Boon was looking in dangerous form for the visitors and nearly opened the scoring during the first half, but sent a shot wide of goal.

Once Penryn did settle into proceedings they create a few chances with Kevin Lawrence, David Broglino and Ollie Moody all seeing shots miss the target.

Scott Palmer also had a good opportunity for the hosts just before the break, but the striker could only steer a header well over the bar.

Falmouth Packet:

Ryan Reeve is congratulated after scoring. Picture: SAM BARNES/CARTEL

With seven minutes gone in the second half, the deadlock was broken by the Magpies when Boon caught Ryan Martt in possession at the back and ran into the box before hitting the ball past Chris Symons.

If the visitors thought it was their day to cause an upset, they would soon be proved wrong as almost straight from the restart an equaliser came.

The ball found its way to Jake Andrew, but Palmer leapt in to nick it off him before slotting the ball past Dexter King.

Athletic still needed a spark to really ignite their game and this came in the 72nd minute when Ryan Reeve came on to replace Moody.

The substitute teamed up with Broglino and caused problems for the Magpies’ defence, which made Athletic look in control of the clash for the first time in the afternoon.

This helped create their second goal in the 79th minute when Russell May broke down the left wing before finding Reeve with his cross, who proceeded to flash home a shot.

There was no doubt now who was going to pick up the three points and Broglino finished the scoring off in the 82nd minute as he chipped a free kick from 22 yards out home.

On Saturday, Athletic travel to Gala Parc to face Porthleven.

When the sides met earlier in the season, the Fishermen held Penryn to a 1-1 draw.

PENRYN: Symons, Johnson, May, Burton (Harding 85), Oliver (c), Martt, Brabyn, Moody (Reeve 72), Palmer (Cooke 60), Broglino, Lawrence.