WADEBRIDGE TOWN 3 PENRYN ATHLETIC 2

PENRYN Athletic's bid to ease themselves away from the re-election places of the Carlsberg SWL ended with another disappointment at Bodeive Park on Saturday when they were beaten 3-2 by Wadebridge Town.

Although Athletic for the most part were playing catch-up football they were always in with a chance and with a little more luck could have salvaged something from the game.

Athletic made a slow start against a Wadebridge side who, in the heavy conditions, opted for a more direct style of play and it paid off after just five minutes when they took the lead. Jon May whipped in a massive 40-yard free kick from the touchline to the far post where new signing Josh Insley met the ball and volleyed it goalwards. Andy Avery managed to deflect the ball on to the bar, but it rebounded down on the line for Nick Dowling to follow up and make certain.

The Bridgers added a second goal after 17 minutes when Insley found May and picked up a short return pass to score with a shot just inside the post.

Athletic showed plenty of determination and worked hard at establishing a foothold in the game and after 24 minutes got themselves right back into the game with a goal. Darren Burchell's cracking 25-yard right-footed free kick hit the bar and rebounded back to Burchell who thumped the ball past Mark Gears for a superb finish.

Athletic had to make a substitution when Jamie Thirkle was injured, but the introduction of Darren Martin offered the side options.

Five minutes before the break Athletic had a great chance to level the scores, but Phil Willey shot tamely at the 'keeper and Justin Miles shot wide when a half-chance presented itself.

With a minute to half-time Avery kept Athletic in the game when he pulled of a fine save from Nathan Cudmore, tipping the ball round the post for a corner.

The second half saw Athletic enjoy much of the possession, but their inability to cut out the threat of May always left them vulnerable. It was Avery who had to rescue his side again when May's delightful pass almost found Insley who was just beaten to the ball by the outrushing Avery.

Athletic began to push Wadebridge back, but as in previous games the slow build-up and the knack of not reading the offside game deserted them as they were caught out time and again and promising openings wasted.

The Bridgers snapped up a vital third goal 15 minutes from time and it was a goal out of nothing. A throw-in on the top side of the sloping Bodeive Park found Insley who quckly drilled in a cross to the near post where Dowling's first-time shot went in under the bar to give Avery no chance.

In time added on Burchell reduced the arrears with a stinging 25-yard shot that gave the 'keeper no chance, but it was too late for Athletic who had little reward for a workmanlike performance.

On Saurday Athletic are away to Launceston in the Carlsberg SWL, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Atheltic: A Avery, S Jewell, J Thirkle, A Pook, D Mulready, J Miles, D Burchell, P Willey, D Wilkinson, A Trudgian, L Oldfield. Subs: D Martin, M Ward, P Kneebone.