PLYMSTOCK 2 PENRYN 0 PENRYN Athletic have moved to within two points of the lead in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League division one west table with a fifth straight victory over Plymstock United.

A month ago it looked like Penryn could only hope for a fifth place finish at best, but their recent good run has seen them moved into the mix at the top of the table.

Plymstock is not an easy place to go and get a result either, as they have a good record at their Dean Cross ground and came into the Penryn game on the back of a good result against title-chasing Hayle at the weekend.

However, it was Penryn who had the lion’s share of the possession in the first half as Pat Shaughnessy and Pete MacLean got the visitors off to a lively start, firing two long range efforts just wide.

James Yates had Plymstock’s first glimpse at the Penryn goal, but he was also off target with his effort.

A fine Penryn move then ended with Ben Hardy doing well to push stand-in striker Dale Band’s header round the post.

Shaughnessy was becoming Penryn’s main threat and he created the opening goal by finding space on the right before sending over a dangerous cross, which left back Ben Williams looped a header over Hardy and into the back of the net from 12 yards.

Shaughnessy was also the provider of Penryn’s second goal on 41 minutes as he was hauled down in the box by the highly vocal Plymstock skipper Stuart Berry. At first the referee didn’t point to the spot, but the young home assistant referee flagged for the foul and Hal Davis converted the penalty by rolling the ball into the opposite corner from the keeper’s dive.

An irate Berry was then booked on his way to the dressing room at half time a he vented his anger at a disappointing first half showing from his side.

Plymstock were better in the second half as Jamie Bass sent a couple of hopeful headers wide.

But it was the performances of Ben Oliver, David Blizzard and Davis that stood out for Penryn as they worked hard to restrict the Devon side’s chances.

Penryn then lost the adaptable MacLean to a worrying eye injury as he appeared to be caught by a high boot.

However, it did not hamper the Penryn’s grip on the game as Hugh Howlett got forward to clip a shot across an empty goalmouth before pulling another effort just wide.

Band then had a lob that was cleared off the line before Shaughnessy had a good chance to grab a goal, but steered his effort wide of the post.

Penryn 2 Foxhole 0 Two second half goals, in quick succession, from Greg Hobbs and Sean Johnson were enough to give Penryn victory over a battling Foxhole side at Kernick last Wednesday.

The opening goal came on 50 minutes as Jamie Thirkle broke down the left before finding Hobbs unmarked on the edge of the box and he fired past the visiting keeper for 1-0. The home side doubled their lead almost straight away as Hugh Howlett’s shot was well saved only for Johnson to follow up and convert the rebound.

Foxhole tried to get back into the game and had their best chance when a Josh Pinhammer corner rattled Steve Raven’s woodwork. However, Penryn were also dangerous on the counter and could have wrapped the game up on two occasions when player-manager Dale Band was through on goal.

Penryn: Steve Raven; Sean Johnson, Dave Blizzard, Ben Oliver, Hal Davis; Hugh Howlett (substitute Ben Williams), Jamie Thirkle (substitute Will Scoley), Dale Band, Pete MacLean (sustitute Darren Edwards); Greg Hobbs, Pat Shaughnessy.