PENRYN ATHLETIC 0 ST AUSTELL 3

ST Austell finally defeated Penryn Athletic at the third time of asking after they won 3-0 in the Carlsberg SWL at Kernick Road on Saturday.

Along with every other football ground in the county, the pitch needed a couple of inspections before the decision to play was finally taken, but at midday the ground was ruled playable.

In their previous two meetings Athletic had drawn and won, but in a match played in galeforce conditions St Austell took the honours and three important points.

Having conceded five goals on his last visit, player/manager Gary Penhaligon was in determined mood not to let it happen again and despite good efforts by Matt Drummond and Jamie Thirkle, that's how it panned out.

The opening goal came six minutes before half-time when James Miller was dispossessed. Tom Saundercombe swiftly delivered a pass to Mike Body, making his SWL debut, who gave Andy Avery no chance from 12 yards.

Two minutes later the game had definitely swung St Austell's way when they snapped up a second, again through Body. The striker, who had stepped in from Foxhole's East Cornwall Premier League side to help out, ran on to a long clearance by Penhaligon and drew Avery before striking his angled drive just inside the upright.

Athletic looked as if they would pull a goal back before half-time when Jamie Thirke's shot from Drummond's cross was heading for the top corner, but somehow Penhaligon pulled off a stunning fingertip save.

Full story in this week's issue.