AFTER losing their Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final last Wednesday evening, Penryn Athletic got back to winning ways in the league with victory over Plymstock United.

It was their first ever visit to Dean Cross and despite a 3-0 scoreline the visitors found it difficult with the wind swept conditions and an uneven pitch not helping their normal passing game.

Penryn had to be had to be content with trying to pick up on loose balls as they put their foot in to try and help the ball forward. The home side, used to the conditions, started the better and could have gone ahead early on as Steve Raven failed to gather a cross into his box forcing the reliable Hal Davis to head away. However, Gavin West then sent in a shot that Raven had to tip around his top right hand corner.

At this point the Devon side looked as though they had an even shout for the points but Sean Johnston, Pat Shaughnessy and Matt McIlroy all made openings before Gregg Hobbs put the visitors in front just before half time.

He was sent clean through on 41 minutes but he had difficulty getting the ball to run for him allowing Chris Stoffell to catch up and get his foot to the ball to play it out for a corner.

McIlroy, took over from the usual dead ball specialist Shaughnessy, in taking the corner and found Gregg Hobbs in the centre who powerfully headed home from eight yards out.

In the second half Shaughnessy then lost possession whilst going forward but McIlory showing good determination stopped the ball from going out on the left before he sent in a fine cross-field ball to Sean Johnston, who headed home in at the back post to put Athletic 2-0 up.

Plymtsock had their moments with Gary Harding sending in some awkward crosses into the box that Davis and Pete McLean had to be alert at the back to deal with.

Sean Bryn, the only player to be cautioned in the match, also got the better of the last defender midway through the half but, as he closed in on goal, the sharp Raven was off his line quickly to dive at his feet and snuff out any shooting chance.

Athletic then put the result beyond doubt when the mobile McIlroy was fouled by Ben Fisher 30 yards from goal. Davis stepped up to take the kick and fired a low drive which went inside Ben Elphick’s far post to give the visitors the victory that cements their place of fifth in the table.

Penryn 0 Saltash 3 (Cornwall Senior Cup) PENRYN Athletic's first ever appearance in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final ended in defeat as they were beaten 3-0 by Saltash United.

It was always going to be a tall order for the Carlsberg South West Peninsula Division One (west) team who were playing a side a league above them who had won their last ten matches on the trot.

On a greasy surface at Wadebridge the Ashes were looking for a quick result and started brightly sending in plenty of low shots to test Steve Raven in Athletic's goal.

Penryn thought they had done in enough to clear the danger on six minutes but the ball game to Gavin Coulton who fired in for a well-taken goal.

The pressure continued as Saltash had more all round power. Coulton could have put them 2-0 ahead but his shot struck the Athletic upright.

The second goal game for Saltash on 22 minutes went they broke in numbers down the left. Raven had a good chance to gather the ball but elected to kickclear allowing Paul Madden to close down and hit the rebound home after it had cannoned off his body.

It took until 44 minutes for Penryn to get their first shot on goal but Pat Shaughnessy saw his effort saved and Gregg Hobbs' strike at the near post was turned round the post just before half time.

In the second half the game spread out as Athletic found some room in the midfield.

However, their good approach work was stopped by Ashes skipper Toby Clarke on numerous occasions. David Blizzard had Athletic’s best chance but he fired over when well placed in the centre.

It was determined second half performance from Pernyn but their resilience was broken four minutes from time when Lee Doyle played the ball to Carlton Farnham who was able to tap the ball in from five yards out - putting the Ashes into the final against St Austell on Easter Monday.