Penryn Athletic 1, Elburton Villa 3

WILL Harding’s second-half header wasn’t enough for Penryn to follow up their midweek Charity Cup semi-final victory with another win, as they lost 3-1 to Elburton Villa on Saturday.

The visitors dominated for large spells as they beat Penryn for the second time in three weeks, and ended their 10-match unbeaten home run in the process.

Elburton started strongly and took the lead on six minutes. Striker Will Matthews beat the Penryn defence and stroked the ball past Chris Symons for his 24th goal of the season.

The visitors were in complete control and had numerous chances to extend their lead. Matthews, Jacob Smale and Robbie Mann all sent shots narrowly wide.

The home side were restricted to few chances in the first-half, with their best chance coming via a free-kick which David Broglino curled narrowly over the crossbar.

However Paul Murray’s men came out firing after the interval, and they equalised in the 52nd minute when Will Harding headed Jay Davie’s free kick into the far corner.

The goal woke Elburton from their brief slumber, and they regained their lead a few minutes later when Smale headed past Symons from close range.

The visitors had their tails up, and they doubled their advantage five minutes later when Smale tucked away an inviting cross at the far post for his second of the game.

Smale then thought he had completed a seven-minute hat-trick when he struck a seemingly goalbound shot towards the bottom corner, but Davie managed to block the ball on the line.

Ryan Martt and Tyler Cooke missed chances to reduce Penryn’s deficit late on, while Symons did well at the other end to prevent Elburton from extending their lead further.

Packet Pick: C Symons – led the team well from the back, and made a number of good saves throughout.

Penryn: C Symons, D Blizzard, O Moody, R Martt (T Cooke 67), W Harding, D Broglino (H Roberts 76), L Brabyn, J Davie, S Brewer, K Cooke, R Reeve.

Packet Pick: C Symons – led the team well from the back, and made a number of good saves throughout.

Penryn’s next match is at home against Illogan RBL in the SWPL Division One on Good Friday.