WENDRON 2

E Timmins, M Pope

PLYMSTOCK UNITED 1

S Byrne

Wendron: J Grey, D Blatch, M Newbury, P Weaver, J Barber, P Black, S Gardner, K Davis, J Searle, M Smith, M Pope. Subs: S Hodson, D Thompson.

WENDRON UNITED finally got their Carlsberg SW Peninsula League division one West season under way when they pulled off a narrow 2-1 win over Plymstock United at Underlane.

With time running out United looked as if they were going to have to settle for another draw, but perhaps their luck has started to change as Mark Pope scored a dramatic winner in the final minute.

The three points also puts them within reach of a group of clubs who are just a few points ahead of them.

Manager Symon Winnan included three new signings, Phil Black from Porthleven, Marcus Smith from Illogan, and Loughborough student Paul Weaver, but Wendron did not get the start they had hoped for.

With just three minutes on the clock home defender Mike Newbury got his head to a corner, but the visiting goalkeeper’s attempt to punch the ball clear only succeeded in making accidental contact with Newbury’s face which left him with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone and a visit to the hospital.

Newbury will now be out for around six weeks, a disappointment for Wendron especially after he turned down an approach from Penryn Athletic Steve Hodson came on to replace Newbury in what was his first start of the season and once Wendron had settled down they began to create chances with Black making his presence felt in midfield.

Despite looking the more dangerous side, Wendron found themselves behind after 30 minutes when Sean Byrne hit a cracking shot that gave goalkeeper Jamie Grey no chance.

The goal gave the visitors some added impetus and after playing second fiddle for much of the half began to increase the tempo and enjoy more possession.

It was much the same at the start of the second half with Plymstock enjoying the slightly better possession, but with Wendron defending with plenty of determination and looking to counter attack.

The closest Plymstock came to scoring was from a good shot by Neil Kennedy that Grey did well to save, but the home side still had plenty left in the tank as they began to look more dangerous in attack.

Kirk Davis was often prominent with his runs on the flank as they started to trouble the visiting defence, but unfortunately the crosses just eluded a final touch.

Wendron had their reward in the 61st minute when a shot-come-cross from Davis was parried by the goalkeeper, but it fell at the feet of Ed Timmins who was not going to waste his opportunity from five yards.

Plymstock almost snatched a goal ten minutes from time when they struck the crossbar, but the home side sealed a dramatic victory in the final minute when David Thompson found Mark Pope wide on the right. He cut inside and from an angle drilled his low shot in off the post for the winner and much to the jubilation of the Wendron team.

On Saturday Wendron visit Truro City, kick off 3 pm.