Sticker 1 Penryn Athletic 1

Sticker's title contender credentials were well and truly put to the test as they huffed and puffed at home against a lively Penryn Athletic side.

The conditions suited Steve Jewell's boys, played as it was on a well-prepared Burngullow ground on a crisp winter's afternoon in piercing sunlight.

Dale Band had Penryn's first chance in the first minute of the first half, but his shot beat the keeper only to see a lack of power cause it to dribble towards the Sticker goal line, allowing a home defender the time to hack it clear.

Despie Penryn's promising start Sticker's early ball tactics were catching the visitors square at the back.

A ball over the top saw Andrew Butler go clear, but he collided with Penryn goalie Chris Symons, who might consider himself lucky not to have been given his marching orders - a shaky moment for Penryn.

Then in the 11th minute, Jack Walker - a new signing for Sticker from premier division club St Austell - appeared to help the ball on with his hand, and from his lightning cross Andrew Butler came across his marker to fire home a first time shot on the run.

It was an excellent finish, but Penryn players protested at the suggestion of handball in the build up.

Butler then hit the bar and Symons tipped over an awkward droppping ball as Penryn continued to look uncharacteristically nervous.

But gradually Jewell's side hit their high-energy passing game and started to take over.

Band had another great chance, but stroked it weakly wide, while Kevin Lawrence had a shot palmed away by Sticker keeper Ryan Holland, before the ball was cleared off the line.

Penryn coninuted to dominate in the second half, and just three minutes after the restart Band played a ball through to Sean Johnston, who drove it across the Sticker box for Greg Hobbs to hammer the ball high into the back of the net for the equaliser.

With defender David Blizzard reverting to sweeper, Penryn were looking less vulnerable to counter attacks, but even so were guilty of trying to play too much football in their build ups, and one all it remained.

Despite lacking sharpness in front of goal, Penryn were the better side in every other department. Jewell will hope his side can put in another performance of the same calibre when they travel to Callington next week in the Senior Cup.

PENRYN: C Symons, D Blizzard, R May, R Chinn, B Oliver (c), J Hoon, S Jonhston, D Band (K Faulkner 85), G Hobbs, D Broglino, K Lawrence. SUBS (not used): P Baldwin, S Jewell.