A SUPERB goal from Peter Maclean helped Penryn Athletic to record back-to-back victories at the start the South West Peninsula League campaign.

The 2-0 win over Plymstock United had looked unlikely for most of the first half as a keen Devon side closed down Penryn at every opportunity.

However, a double substitution from manager Andy Parry swung the match in Athletic’s favour as it opened up a mean looking visitors defence for Maclean to smash the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

Missing combative midfielder Hugh Howlett from the starting line-up, Penryn called on the services of Ben Oliver, who performed well amongst some tough challenges in the centre of the park. However, he was one of few Penryn players who coped well with Plymstock’s physical approach in the first half as they snuffed out any approach on their box by the home side.

Kayne Trevaskis was the only Penryn player to go close to breaking the deadlock, but his snap shot on five minutes drifted wide of the visitors’ goal.

Plymstock had the best chance to open the scoring, but a floating cross from the right saw Matt Hill blaze a shot over the crossbar when well placed.

It looked as though the stalemate was going to continue for much of the second half, but then Parry made the changes bringing on striker Stephen Owen, for Will Scoley, and tricky winger David Broglino, for Liam Streat.

On 65 minutes the substitutions paid off as Maclean picked the ball up on the left and made a good run towards the Plymstock box. As players peeled off their markers, looking for the ball, the Penryn captain played a neat one-two with Owen on the edge of the box and then smashed a shot into the roof of the net.

The goal then lifted Penryn, who started to control the match. Plymstock offered little going forward and, when they did get a sight at goal, Jason Peters bravely dived at the feet of Aaron Hulme to deny the striker a shot at goal.

As a result the match was over as a contest when Penryn made it 2-0 with eight minutes to go. They worked the ball well down the left before Kirk Davies swung a cross into the middle, which substitute Broglino hit home from 12 yards out.

The result has kept Penryn Athletic’s 100 per cent start to the season in tact. They will look to build on that tonight (Wednesday) when they face Mousehole away.

For a round up of the CSWPL division one west results, plus table, see column right.