LAUNCESTON 4 PENRYN ATHLETIC 3

SCORING three goals away from home would normally secure victory, but that wasn't the case for Penryn Athletic who went down 4-3 at Launceston in the Carlsberg SWL.

Fortunately for Athletic only Callington Town of the teams in the re-election zone managed to get something from their game.

On a gluepot of a pitch Launceston were almost gifted the opening goal after just two minutes, but fortunately for Athletic Liam Tilley's shot was tipped round the post by Andy Avery.

Neil Kennedy, making his first-team debut, showed up well in the opening stages and went close with a header and then a shot after good work by Darren Burchell.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when Steve Proctor picked up Burchell's pass and crossed into the box where the waiting Dave Wilkinson was brought down. Justin Miles made no mistake with the spotkick.

Dan Tilley saw his shot tipped over the bar and as the Clarets increased the pressure Hutchinson saw his shot palmed to safety by Andy Avery.

On the half-hour the home side eventually equalised when the referee, despite the assistant referee flagging for offside, allowed Mike Roberts' 30-yard free kick that flew into the net, to stand.

Sean Turner put a great chance over the bar from just five yards and Liam Tilley missed another good chance when he blazed over when in a good position.

Athletic were guilty of trying to play too much football from the back in cloying conditions and as a result were caught in possession far too often and just before half time the home side took the lead when missed tackles enabled Robbie Blake to score with a shot under Avery from 15 yards.

Athletic made a much better start to the second half with Lee Olfield getting forward well and Burchell making a great run before being brought down.

Five minutes into the half Athletic drew level when a great ball by Burchell found Dave Wilkinson who scored from close range.

Tilley for Launceston and Wilkinson for Athletic both shot wide from good positions, but the home side regained the lead when Jewell slipped on the quagmire surface. It provided Hutchings with the opportunity to fire home from 10 yards.

Athletic showed they had plenty of spirit and again levelled the scores when Damon Mulready found Proctor who cut inside and slipped the ball to Burchell to score with a rasping shot.

A mistake by Pook almost let in Hutchings who shot over the top, but eight minutes from time Launceston scored the crucial goal when Athletic failed to get the ball away to leave Liam Tilley with the chance to score with a tremendous shot from an acute angle that gave Avery no chance.

Dan Tilley and Wilkinson had late chances, but in a game that rained goals neither could make their opportunity pay.

On Saturday Atheltic are home to Saltash United.

Athletic: A Avery, L Oldfield, D Mulready, S Jewell, J Miles, A Pook, D Burchell, S Proctor, D Wilkinson, A Trudgian, N Kennedy. Subs: M Ward, C Davis.