Wendron Utd 2, Penryn Ath 1

THIS was a derby that kept spectators guessing until the final whistle, at which point Wendron exacted revenge on their local rivals for an earlier season defeat in Division 1 West.

Those expecting blood and thunder need only have noted both teams’ exemplary disciplinary records to know that it wasn’t going to be a spit and bile encounter.

Instead it was a match full of chances – it could have finished 4-4 – with the home side dominant in the first period and Penryn prodding and probing throughout the second.

Wendron took the lead after only six minutes when Ryan Tresidder sprayed the ball out to the left to Jack Noy. He composed himself and curled a delicious right footed shot past Chris Symons into the top left hand corner.

Ten minutes later Jack Stocker won a tackle just inside his own half then switched play towards the left once again. This time Tresidder was on hand, in acres of space, to slot the ball past Symons to leave Penryn reeling.

Ben Mitchell then made a fine save at the feet of Luke Brabyn to keep the scoresheet blank at the other end, before Stocker’s volley went like a missile past the right hand post of Symons.

Tom Langford was the next home player to enjoy the freedom of Penryn’s left hand side but as he homed in on goal with only Symons to beat, he skewed his shot horribly wide.

An under-hit back pass from Jack Burtenshaw then left David Broglino in the clear at the other end, but Mitchell saved the first effort only to see the ball fall to Brabyn, who shot wide under pressure from James Moseley.

James Rowberry then made a last ditch tackle to deny Ryan Reeve and Brabyn’s protestations that his team mate had been fouled earned him a yellow card from referee Steve Annis.

With Wendron seemingly content to preserve their lead in the second half, the pattern was set for a Penryn onslaught.

Mitchell had to be alert to keep out a sliced clearance and from the rebound he made an incredible one-handed save from point blank range.

On the hour mark the tall keeper was grateful to see former team mate Steve Brewer’s effort come straight at him after good work by Brabyn, before Rowberry made a tremendous block to deny a certain goal as Penryn stepped up a gear.

Mitchell then denied Brabyn again before a Reeve corner was headed just wide by Brewer.

Finally the hosts’ defence was breached five minutes from time. Brabyn was fouled 20 yards out and Broglino dinked a delightful free kick into Mitchell’s top right hand corner.

There was still time for the Wendron number one to produce another stop to deny Reeve, before Scott Palmer headed over in a frenetic finish, but Wendron’s first half performance had proved enough to earn them all three points.

Wendron: B Mitchell, J Burtenshaw, J Moseley, A Peters, J Rowberry, C Mulroy, J Stocker, J Noy, J Searle, T Langford, R Tresidder. Subs: B Andrew, B Stone, B Allen, M Pereira, B Scoffin.

Penryn: C Symons, B Oliver, S Palmer, O Moody, P Maclean, S Johnston, S Brewer, R Martt, D Broglino, R Reeve, L Brabyn. Subs: M Moralee, W Harding, J Davie, D Halford.