PENRYN ATHLETIC 1 - ST AUSTELL 0

Penryn are into the semi-final of the Cornwall Senior Cup for the second year running after they beat holders St Austell in a quarter-final match at Kernick on Saturday. It was Penryn's third game against St Austell in a row after they drew 1-1 in the league at Poltair Park two weeks ago and then lost 3-1 to them in the Durning Lawrence Charity Cup.

However, there can be little doubting this is the match both sides wanted to win the most and Penryn have now been rewarded with a semi-final tie against Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division champions Bodmin at St Blazey on 9 March.

Both sides came into the match with injury problems as St Austell were without their influential player-manager Gary Penhaligon, while Penryn were forced to put two of their best players on the bench in Dale Band and Pat Shaughnessy. Added to that Jamie Thirkle, Matt McIlroy and Will Scoley and Hal Davis all of whom were unable to play. Adam Pryor came in from the reserves while Marvin Brooks also made himself available for only his third appearance for the club.

Greg Hobbs got the first shot on target of the match for Penryn but the very business like visitors soon had the home side on the back foot as Chris Phillips and Mike Body put good chances wide of either post. Steve Raven was then called upon to push out a 25 yard shot from Phillips as the early pressure from the division one leaders continued. Penryn were being forced to dig in against their strong opponents which saw Hugh Howlett and Peter Maclean both booked for challenges.

Penryn then put together a fine six man passing move but Sean Johnston's shot was too tame to trouble Stone in the St Austell goal. However, the home side were glad to get to the break at 0-0 as some last ditch defending kept them well in the game. The home side cam more into the match in the second half as Tommy Popperton sent a header goalwards from a Johnston cross. Johnston was now becoming a big threat down the left-flank, but it was Hobbs who set up the winner on 67 minutes.

He put Brooks, breaking through from the midfield, in on the left. He cut inside and into the box and, as Stone came to narrow the angle, Brooks hit an accurate shot across the goal and just inside the far corner of the net from 16 yards out. With 20 minutew left St Austell were still very dangerous but the young trio of David Blizzard, Howlett and Ben Oliver performed excellently, timing tackles well to frustrate their opponents.

Brooks was also a good match for the visitors midfield and as St Austell began to run out of ideas Alan Bromley was booked for a late challenge on Darren Edwards who also had a good game for the home side. The physical approach from the visitors continued as Bradley Rolfe and Martin Giles became the third and fourth players to be booked for St Austell. However, despite the Penryn trainer having to come onto the pitch on numerous occasions to treat players there was only 3 minutes of injury time, allowing the home side to hang on for victory and take the well-deserved applause from the home crowd at the final whistle.`