MAGPIES OFF TO A WINNING START

Sunday August 23rd 2009:
Friendly - Penzance 4-1 Truro City
(Britten 65,70, Jacka 12, Redd 43)

Penzance kicked off their pre-season friendlies with a 4-1 win over Cornwall Division 2 newcomers, Truro City. The visitors could field only ten players on the day and a stand-in keeper did well with early blocks on shots by Candice Britten and Leanne Harvey, plus a rare long-range effort by Carly Fitzgerald. Magpies' keeper Grace Rudlin made a good stop at the near post and after 12 minutes Penzance took the lead. Britten's corner was met by a flick header from Carly Jacka, which went in off a defender's head. Britten could only find the side-netting from a clear chance and Truro were level on 17 minutes, with a good finish just beating the dive of Grace Rudlin.
Harvey's 20-yard drive came crashing down off the bar, further efforts from herself, Ellis and Britten were all repelled, while Jacka's shot dropped narrowly over.
Rudlin leapt to keep the scores level, before the Magpies regained the lead 2 minutes before the interval, with a Kat Redd volley at the far post from Harvey's fine cross.
In the second-half, Jacka's shot on the turn was right at the keeper but Britten made it 3-1 on 65 minutes, after her first shot was parried and both Harvey and Ellis struck the woodwork with follow-up efforts. On 70 minutes, Britten completed the scoring from the edge of the box, finding the far top corner. Ellis pulled her shot wide of the far post to miss a great chance, and from her pull-back, Britten blasted over. Rudlin made a smart diving stop from LB Reeks, to stop Truro adding a second goal and although Penzance may well have had more, the new young Truro side can expect to do well this season.
Penzance are due to host Sheffield & Hallamshire League side, Doncaster Parklands Rovers, 2pm this Sunday at Penlee Park. Meanwhile, the team continue pre-season training at Penzance FC, 7pm on Thursdays, and all new players aged 16 and over are welcome.
Penzance squad: Rudlin, C.Fitzgerald, Denley, Meyers, B.Lawrence, Bateman, Redd, Ellis, G.Fitzgerald, Jacka, Harvey, Britten.