TORPOINT ATHLETIC 5 PENRYN ATHLETIC 0

STEVE Sims turned in a virtuoso performance for Torpoint in this delayed Cornwall Senior Cup tie to score all five goals against Penryn Athletic who crashed out in spectacular style.

Having chalked up their opening win of the season at The Mill in August, Penryn were strong favourites to progress into the next round and set up a tie with Western League Truro City, but there was never any question that was likely to happen.

Things didn't get off to the best of starts when the Athletic contingent arrived, but having left their kit behind. Mount Edgecumbe came to their rescue and provided a strip for their use.

Athletic looked interested in the opening minutes, but the home side came more into the game and took the lead with a slightly fortunate goal in the 16th minute.

An early ball into the box found Sims trying to bring the ball down, but Dean Harris got in a challenge that saw the ball balloon up and sail back over Chris Symons head and into the net.

Symons came to Athletic's rescue again shortly afterwards when he saved at point blank range from Tony Biddle.

The home side edged further ahead in the 25th minute following another error in the visiting defence. Harris attempted to cut out a cross, but only succeeded in toeing the ball goalwards and into the air over Symons to leave Sims with the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.

Athletic threatened only spasmodically with Joey Syndercombe saving comfortably from Harris's free kick.

Torpoint snapped up a crucial third goal in the 29th minute when Sims was allowed to turn in the box and make room to crack his shot past Symons.

Athletic ended a dismal first half lucky not to find themselves further behind when Paul Partridge hooked his shot wide of the target.

The second half promised better things for Athletic as they began much brighter, but after the first 45 minutes things couldn't really get any worse.

They created a brief opening when James Miller made a chance for Matt Drummond, but his shot was too weak to trouble Syndercombe.

On the hour, Torpoint snapped up a fourth goal when Steve Colwell went past Harris on the flank and cut in on goal to fire a shot, which Symons parried only for man of the match Sims to be on the spot to knock in the loose ball.

Athletic's undisciplined defence made it a day they will want to forget when they conceded a poor fifth goal to complete the rout. Sims broke from inside his own half and outstripped the visiting defence to run in unchallenged and score with ease.

Tonight Athletic have a chance to get their season back on track when they visit Wadebridge Town (7.45) in the Durning Lawrence Cornwall Charity Cup quarter-final. On Saturday they visit Callington Town, kick off 2.30 pm.

Athletic: C Symons, A Trudgian, B Goldring, M Moore, L Bradd, D Harris, D Band, M Salmon, S Rowson, M Drummond, J Miller. Subs: M Davies, R Young, K Trevaskis