MULLION 1 PENRYN ATHLETIC 2

TWO players were taken to hospital during a match that offered a whole new description to the clich of a "game of two halves" and summed up an eventful Jolly's Combination League game at Clifden Park.

An injury to Penryn goalkeeper Robert Hoare, in which he sustained a broken leg, forced a stoppage in the game. With three minutes remaining the referee took the teams off the pitch for their "half-time" break and when play was able to resume they came back on to play the outstanding three minutes, change ends, and then play the second half.

Despite its unusual make-up, this was a game Mullion should have won and hopefully they will not regret dropping the three points when the final reckoning comes at the end of the season.

Out of harm's way at present, should Mullion continue to toss away points with such gay abandon in the remaining fixtures, they might well be sucked into the relegation places if either Porthleven or Newquay stage a late rally.

Mullion included Rob Kue in goal, but he made a nervous opening and sliced a backpass from Mark Buchanan. Fortunately Alex Sharkey was on hand to deny Athletic from making the most of the slip.

The home side missed a great chance of taking the lead in the sixth minute when Darren Robertson met Sharkey's free kick into the box. He headed the ball back across the face of the goal where Wayne Briggs, from two yards, managed to put the ball over the bar.

Six minutes later Gareth Harris rose to meet another free kick from Sharkey and head the ball back across the face of the goal where Chris Lawrence shot wide from three yards.

Harris was unlucky minutes later when a superbly struck 25 yard shot curled just wide of the post, but seven minutes later the home side deservedly took the lead. Matt Fox was put through by Jason Robertson and although the 'keeper saved at his feet the rebound fell to Wayne Briggs, who chipped his shot over the 'keeper.

Phil James and Darren Robertson worked a one-two with the ball eventually finding its way to Briggs, who turned in the box and curled a 15-yard shot just the wrong side of the upright.

Three minutes before half-time Briggs ran on to a ball over the top by Chris Lawrence and slid in for a 50-50 ball with the 'keeper. Unfortunately Robert Hoare sustained a broken leg and had to be taken to hospital.

Full report in this week's issue.