PENRYN ATHLETIC 3

FOXHOLE STARS 2

PENRYN Athletic retained fourth spot in the Carlsberg SW Peninsula League, but they needed a couple of penalties to help them to a 3-2 win against Foxhole Stars.

That might appear a little harsh on Foxhole, but their aggressive style of play was always likely to lead to their downfall as much as it might have brought them a result.

Not at full strength, Athletic took the decision for defender Dean Harris to partner Ashley Bradshaw up front, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the fourth minute when Adam Holland's long throw reached Richard Griffin who allowed the ball to bounce in the box before hooking it over his head and into the net.

Makeshift strike Harris had a goal disallowed for offside, but Band tried to inject some life into his side with some good approach work and a fine shot that Ryan Holland did well to hold on to.

Foxhole's tactic of long throws into the penalty area was a constant source of worry for Athletic and as the game progressed it became a regular feature in the visitors' armoury.

Athletic got back on level terms in the 28th minute when Band put Harris away on the flank. His cross fell to Chris Davey, but before he could get his shot away he was taken down for a clear penalty, which Damon Mulready converted.

Before Athletic could settle Foxhole had regained the lead within a couple of minutes after Jason Warne drove a pass inside Paul Baldwin for Scott Hill to hit a first-time shot that flew in from 18 yards.

Adam Holland and Griffin were both booked for Foxhole and Dean Harris and Stars' Mark Rowe also managed to get their names into the referee's notebook.

However, sandwiched in between was an equaliser from Athletic on the stroke of half time when Band held the ball up from Harris's pass and waited for Chris Davey to arrive at the far post before crossing for the midfielder to head past Holland.

Athletic made a conservative start to the second half and allowed Foxhole to regain the initiative, but with neither side looking threatening Athletic brought on Luke Appleton for David Thompson.

Andy Butcher made a string of fine saves and denied Griffin with a fine diving save to turn his thunderous shot round the post.

Band had a fleeting chance to put Athletic in front when he got through, but his shot hit the diving Holland and although it could have gone anywhere it looped up and away from the empty goal.

Warne had a cracking free kick well saved by Butcher, but with 15 minutes to go Athletic began to take control of the game.

However, it wasn't until three minutes from time that the home side grabbed the winner when Scott Hill was ruled to have handled the ball on the line.

Having conceded the penalty he was then sent off for comments made to referee Chris Stevens, but the coolest man on the field, Mulready, remained focused to slam the ball into the net for the winner.

This Saturday Athletic are away to Porthleven, kick off 2.45 pm.

Athletic: A Butcher, A Trudgian, P Baldwin, C Davey, D Mulready, P Davey, D Harris, S Eglinton, D Thompson, D Band, A Bradshaw. Subs: W Scoley, L Appleton, J Marles, S Jewell.