There was a good crowd to watch the final of the Walter Parsons South West Peninsular League Cup final.
Before the kick off, Cullompton’s Lewis Hill was presented with the golden boot award as the league’s leading goal scorer with 28 goals.
From the kick off, Cullompton nearly took the lead, when Cameron Webb’s early strike was well saved by the Penzance keeper.
The game became very cagey with both sides battling for supremacy. However, after 18 minutes, Penzance created their first chance when a shot from the edge of Cullompton’s penalty area cannoned off the frame of the goal.
With both defences able to deal with any dangerous attacks, the first half was coming to an end, with no score.
Cullompton were dealt a blow just minutes before half time, when Calum Hutchins was stretchered off following a heavy challenge.
Kicking off the second half, Penzance looked to up their game, pressing the Cullompton defence back, although not troubling Jimmy Weeks in the Cullompton goal.
Both sides looked to play on the break, and it was from such a move that Penzance had a great chance to take the lead, when they were awarded a penalty. Up stepped the Penzance captain, only to see his shot saved by keeper Jimmy Weeks.
That save stirred Cullompton into action, and with the manager making several substitutions, they were well on top.
After 85 minutes, Cullompton had the ball in the net, when Aiden Horne bundled it over the line, only to see the linesman raise his flag for offside. A very close call. Cullompton were still probing for the winner when the referee blew for the end of normal time, meaning 30 minutes of extra time for both sides to find a winner before the dreaded penalty shoot out.
The first period of extra time saw Cullompton carrying on where they left off in normal time.
After 8 minutes, Lewis Hill thought he had scored, only to see his shot rebound off the inside of the post.
The second period of extra time saw Penzance pressing more. They had the best chance of the whole game, when a weak clearance from keeper Jimmy, was pounced on a Penzance forward, who contrived to miss the target when faced with the goal gaping.
Minutes later the referee brought the game to an end.
Now both sides were faced with the dreaded penalties. Not to go into details, but for the second time Cullompton were to lose a league cup final on penalties. Overall Cullompton should be proud of their performance, and to lose this way is very disappointing.
Congratulations to the manager and players after finishing 4th in the league this season. They can be pleased with their performances, especially as they had beaten the 3 teams who finished above them in the league.
Have a great summer, look forward to seeing you next season.
Rev the roving reporter
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