PENRYN ATHLETIC 1

M Drummond

ST BLAZEY 2

S Ovens, N Campbell

Athletic: C Symons, A Trudgian, B Goldring, M Moore,, L Bradd, D Harris, D Band, D Richardson, S Rowson, M Drummond, J Miller. Subs: M Cain, S Jewell, R Young.

St Blazey: G Penhaligon, D Bance, L Reed, A Street, W Riley, J Isbell, M Vercesi, J Harrington, J Hoyles, N Campbell, S Ovens. Subs: M Body, D Richardson, D Lean.

PENRYN Athletic, chasing points to secure a place in the new South West Peninsula League, came close to taking a point from St Blazey in an evenly contested Carlsberg SWL game at Kernick Road.

Athletic were always in the with a chance until the final minute, but St Blazey's overall play and sharpness was just enough to see them through to victory.

The visitors edged the early exchanges, but the first real effort on goal came from Athletic with Matt Moore's raking shot going inches wide of the upright.

St Blazey countered almost immediately and looked certain to score during a goalmouth scramble, but they somehow contrived to miss a great chance with Ben Goldring clearing the danger.

Lee Bradd had a header well saved by Garry Penhaligon from Dean Harris' free kick, but with Athletic's defence all over the place following a swift St Blazey counter attack, Ovens' shot hit the post and the rebound put wide of the target.

Penhaligon, who had an excellent match for the visitors, had to scramble back to tip a Harris free kick to safety from under the bar.

One late challenge too many earned Danny Bance a booking for the visitors, but the score was evened up shortly afterwards when Steve Rowson was cautioned for a foul on Nick Campbell.

Athletic's best chance came on the half hour when Rowson headed the ball to Drummond, but Penhaligon saved superbly from the near-post shot.

Drummond figured prominently in the period up to half time as the visitors struggled to contain him. Wayne Riley was booked for hauling him back and in the 43rd minute it was Drummond's shot from a corner that was knocked wide only for Rowson to return it with interest for Drummond to volley powerfully into the net despite Penhaligon getting a hand to it.

Within a minute St Blazey were back on level terms when Ovens cut in from an acute angle and scored with a shot that went in off the far post.

Athletic still had a chance to regain the lead before the break, but Drummond sidefooted the ball wide from Dale Band's pass.

St Blazey looked the more dangerous of the sides at the start of the second half and they regained the lead in the 54th minute when Nick Campbell got through and hit a stinging shot that proved too powerful for Chris Symons who was unable to prevent the ball from squirming out of his grasp and over the line.

Symons came to his side's rescue with a save by his feet from Mark Vercesi, but Matt Moore (who had been booked for a late challenge) and substitute Richard Young both shot wide as Athletic were still very much in the game.

Campbell received a caution for clipping James Miller's heels as the home side applied a spell of pressure on the visiting defence, but again it was the brilliance of Penhaligon that kept his side in front.

However, as the visitors began to hang on to their slender lead even Penhaligon was booked for time wasting as Athletic were eventually denied the point their performance deserved.

On Saturday Athletic will be hoping to pick up three points from their visit to Penzance.