Report

SWPL Div 1 West – Penryn Athletic 3-6 Newquay AFC

Report by Tom Howe & Pics by Mark Charles-Rowe

Peninsula Division One West Champions Newquay AFC swept aside on-form Penryn Athletic at Kernick Road, taking revenge following the 5-3 (AET) defeat in the Charity Cup semi-final earlier in the month. What’s more is, with this win, the Peppermints completed the 2011-12 season with an 100% away record which at any level is highly commended.

Glyn Hooper and his successful team comprising of Phil Lafferty, Kelvin Hunkin and Ross McConie were able to hand club captain Shaun Middleton his first start since October 29 at Vospers Oak Villa.

The management team knew not to underestimate their opponents who were on a nine match unbeaten streak – winning seven in a row. The memory of the semi-final defeat still featured strongly in the minds of all Peppermints and this was a fantastic chance to put it to bed once and for all by completing the league double over Andy Parry and Alan Rundle’s side. 

On the day, talisman Luke Weldhen got himself on the score sheet four times while Glen Squires and substitute Paul Robertson added to the tally. Newquay conceded three soft goals that were finished by Greg Hobbs (2) and Rob Wearne.

In chilly conditions it was the champions, who have led the charge from gun to tape, that came out of the blocks the quickest. Scotsman Paul Hampshire saw his free-kick punched away under pressure by Jason Peters while Weldhen capitalised on Justin Miles’ missed clearance but could only shoot wide. As we found out later, this shot was only a ‘sighter’.

Kayne Trevaskis led Penryn’s first attack, the forward took aim but missed the target and that was as good as it got for the home side in the first ten minutes. In general they were flat, failing to move the ball with their usual fluidity that has seen them into third position.

Weldhen reacted fastest to a long ball, from young goalkeeper Sam Trudgian, which bounced over the Penryn back line. However, David Blizzard did well to poke the ball away as Weldhen was set to let it rip. From the resulting corner the ball flew from wing to wing with no one being able to get a decent touch before Weldhen turned provider and sent it in to the melee. Defender Lee Bradd got the ball stuck between his feet and couldn’t jab it home, but his blushes were spared when Glen Squires ran in at the back post to score the opening goal of the afternoon and his fifth in three matches.

Penryn tried to respond with Greg Hobbs heading over without causing any danger - Trudgian had it covered. Home captain Kirk Davies blasted the ball over the crossbar before lapse defending allowed Newquay to double their lead.

Johnny Ludlum whipped the ball in and Middleton headed against the post, the ball fell to Weldhen whose first shot was parried well by Peters before smashing in at the second attempt for two nil. A minute later Lewis Hilton fed the ball into the danger area and Weldhen was allowed to slot home too easily for three nil before the twenty minute mark.

Trevaskis placed the ball on Hobbs’ forehead only for the diving header to fall wide, while Travaskis himself fashioned a cheeky effort which was caught by Trudgian. Penryn were desperately looking to get back into the match - Dan Richardson and Trevaskis were denied by Trudgian while Will Scoley fired wide. Richardson watched on as his free-kick inched over the bar, but again Trudgian should have averted any danger had the effort been on target.

On the break Hilton’s pace set him free but he dragged his shot wide, Peters’ resulting goal kick gave Hobbs his best chance of the first half. The forward ran onto the ball while Trudgian sprinted out of his area, it was Hobbs who got to the ball first but lifted it high and wide and two minutes later shot over when it was probably easier to score. It was relentless Penryn attack as Newquay allowed them to come onto them and Richardson once again saw a free-kick saved, this time in the top right hand corner.

Shortly before half-time Squires shot wide from 20 yards, while Josh Burton had a deflected shot saved by reserve goal keeper Trudgian who has taken the step up in his stride.

Penryn came out after the break a different team and Hobbs pulled one back at the far post. For all their attacking intent it was Newquay who put the result further out of Penryn’s reach. Hilton’s cross was smashed in by Weldhen for his hat-trick and, in an almost mirror image to the first-half, three minutes later the same thing happened again as the striker scored his 30 goal of the season in 32 appearances.

The Peppermints made a change with Chris Reski coming on in place of Middleton who lasted an hour on his first team come back, Penryn made a change of their own with Wearne replacing Trevaskis.

Almost instantly, Reski let a bullet fly from 35 yards which had curl but Peters managed to gather the ball at the second attempt. Hobbs grabbed his second goal of the match by bundling it in for 2-5 and it could have been three soon after had Blizzard been able to keep his shot down and not get the ball stuck in the trees high behind the goal.

Newquay showed their class yet again as first Squires headed the ball wide and then Ludlum’s ball in was glanced wide by Weldhen and hit over the bar by Hilton sliding in. Andy Westgarth and Paul Robertson were introduced in place of Ludlum and Hilton. The other Scotsman Robertson turned his man with his first touch and moved into space, playing a one-two with Weldhen, before cheekily lifting the ball over Peters for Newquay’s sixth. Danny Brook’s free-kick came close to making it 128 Peppermint goals for the season but it flew narrowly over the bar.

Penryn’s jewel Richardson personified his side’s afternoon by spending more time sitting on his backside after seeing his ball land at a Newquay boot once again. He did have one more attempt, a free-kick from 25 yards which bounced of the crossbar onto the line, no goal. Substitute Jason Robert took the ball down neatly only to shoot wide before Wearne was allowed to make his way towards goal, shooting into the bottom corner from 25 yards for 3-6.

The full-time whistle was blown by referee Liam Mankee and Newquay signed of their season in style. `The Peppermint fans, including two that had travelled all the way over from Zurich, applauded their team – who applauded back - as they came off the pitch. The spotlight now focuses on the other Newquay sides in competition during May before resting on the Peninsula Premier Division for the 2012-13 season. The Peppermints can go into it with a lot of confidence after a dominant season; however the quality of opposition will no doubt improve in a higher league.

Flybe Man of the Match: Luke Weldhen