MAGPIES LEAVE IT LATE TO CLINCH RUNNERS-UP SPOT

Wednesday April 28th 2010: Cornwall League Division 1 - Penzance 2-0 St.Agnes
(Britten 80, Lavertu 86)

Penzance Ladies finally secured the Cornwall League runners-up spot, as they defeated St.Agnes 2-0 on Wednesday. But it was another game of missed chances, that meant the Magpies had to wait until the last 10 minutes to overcome a brave effort by winless Aggie.
Grace Rudlin was forced into a sharp save after the home defence failed to clear but Penzance soon took command, as Candice Britten went close three times, denied by a goal-line clearance, a tip over the bar and the outside of the post. When Sorcha Dean went clear the keeper made a good block and Dean later volleyed over Britten's high ball. Britten threatened again, cutting inside but shooting wide, then finding the side netting. Katy Whittaker saw her strong drive well parried and the half-time whistle went as she played a fine cross into the box.
Following a good move, Alix Lavertu shot just wide of the far post and it appeared it was going to be one of those games, as Lavertu's drive was parried well, Kat Redd hit the bar with the follow-up and Britten then shot over the top. Dawn Bateman also cleared the bar from a corner and with St.Agnes making some chances of their own, Rudlin made a brave block at a forward's feet and Tyler Matthews cleared several threats.
It was then the turn of the St.Agnes keeper to make an impressive claim from Lavertu, who also gathered a half-volley from Nicki Ellis. But the breakthrough finally came on 80 minutes, Redd playing the ball into the box and Britten sliding it home. Lavertu whipped one into the side netting, before she was played in by Whittaker to blast home the second goal. The keeper got behind a close-range powerful effort from Britten, the last chance saw Redd meet a great ball and turn it just over the bar.
Having taken second place at the first attempt, the Magpies now complete their Division 1 fixtures at Marazion on Thursday May 6th, kick-off 6.45pm. But there are more honours to be fought for on successive Sundays; the Shoe Boy Cup final on May 9th at St.Agnes FC (3pm) against Charlestown and the St.Austell Trophies League Cup final against St.Agnes on May 16th at Hayle FC (2.30pm).
Meanwhile, Penzance will be entering a team into the UKSEVENS over the weekend of May 22-23, which is being played at The Paddock, Trencreek Road, Trencreek, Newquay.
Penzance: Rudlin; C.Fitzgerald, Matthews, Redd; Whittaker, N.Ellis. A.Ellis, Harvey (Bateman), Lavertu; Dean (Rudge), Britten.