Molcher's late strike gives title-chasing Penzance victory over leaders St Austell

PENZANCE condemned leaders St Austell to their first league defeat of the season with a last-gasp winner from substitute George Molcher at Poltair on Wednesday night.

Molcher came off the bench to notch his first goal of the season, securing all three points and leaving his team as the only undefeated side in Premier West.

With virtually the last kick of the match, Molcher threaded an accurate low shot just inside St Austell keeper Josh Clark’s near post to spark delirious celebrations.

Molcher had been on for only 10 minutes, in place of Steve Burt, and had not scored since February.

The win lifts Penzance up to a place to second ahead of Sticker, but still seven points adrift of St Austell, albeit having played four fewer matches.

Manager Mark Vercesi made one change to the 11 that had started at Sticker four days earlier, benching himself in favour of James Butler.

The visitors made the brighter start, Lewis Caspall having an early shot blocked with Jacob Trudgeon putting the rebound just over the bar. Ben Palmer fed Ewan Trevains who carried the ball forward on his own before curling a shot just too high.

A good link-up between Trevains and Butler then fashioned an opening for Charlie Willis who was just off target.

A very positive, albeit fruitless, first half for the Magpies concluded with home keeper Josh Clark pushing a Caspall shot on to the woodwork.

On a booking and a final warning, Butler was replaced at the interval by teenage striker Jahmali Prowse. The visitors continued to enjoy the better chances and were convinced an Andreas Calleja-Stayne effort had crossed the line. The officials, however, disagreed.

Though Willis headed wide from a fine Prowse cross, St Austell grew in stature and began to assume control.

Set up by some Ryan Richards trickery, Callum McGhee had a glorious chance 10 minutes from time but skewed his shot wide from point blank range.

Captain Neil Slateford saw a goal-bound drive defected behind and his side looked the likelier to nick it until Molcher’s late, late strike.

Vercesi said: “I felt for 60 minutes we were the better team, and it was only a matter of time until we scored.

“But in the last 20 minutes, leading up to the goal, I think we would have taken a point.

“They were piling players forward and changed their formation and at times had four up front, and it was causing us trouble.

“But I always knew that we’ve got some players in our team that can go and be dangerous. An unbelievable finish – last kick of the game George Molcher gets the winner. Hero – absolute hero.”

St Austell joint boss Chris Knight said: “I’ve been in lots of games over the years where we’ve won games with the last kick, but I’m not sure I like the feeling of losing to it!

“It’s a long time since I’ve experienced that and it’s a tough one to take.

“I thought it was a great advert for SWPL football; two great old clubs, 300 at the ground and two teams going at it hammer and tongs.

“They’re a good side with a good manager and you won’t hear me saying anything other than they deserved their win as they scored and we didn’t.”

He went on: “It was a funny old evening for us really, the late withdrawal of Liam Eddy meant we had to change the shape that’s been so good for us all season and I thought playing with one striker we looked blunt.

“It’s one of those things that you don’t expect, but saying all that we’ve still had enough chances to win the game.

“How their keeper’s saved Ryan’s overhead kick I’ll never know, fair play to him.

“It was a game of good quality and strong defences and I thought in James Ward for us and (Ben) Palmer for them you’ve seen two of the best centre halves in Cornwall, superb both of them.

“It’s advantage Penzance, over the two games they’ve just edged it and we have to accept that. But I’ve never seen a league title given out in October, we’ll dust ourselves down and keep going.”

He added: “I must pay tribute again to all the volunteers at the ground, a big crowd and a record night in the tea hut for us is something we’ve all been working so hard for.

“It’s bittersweet really as for the club it was a brilliant night, but for me as a manager I’m gutted.

“One things for sure, I won’t be criticising my players, they are giving everything. Sometimes you win those type of games and sometimes you don’t; we’ll keep going.”

ST AUSTELL: Josh Clark; Jude Tripconey, Freddie Kemp, James Ward, Kieran Powell, Henry Wilson, Neil Slateford (capt), Callum McGhee, Tom Whipp, Martyn Duff, Ryan Richards. Subs: Alfie Flack, Jake Warman, Jayden Gilbert, Cam Patterson, Josh Bragg.

PENZANCE: Harry Salmon; Archie Reynolds, Steve Burt (George Molcher 80), Ben Palmer, Ewan Trevains, Tyler Tonkin (capt), James Butler (Jahmali Prowse 46), Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Charlie Willis, Jacob Trudgeon (Kizzy Snowden, 80), Lewis Caspall. Subs not used: Mark Vercesi, Wade Brown.