Penryn Athletic 2, Truro 1

Penryn Athletic are through to the final of the Jolly’s Combination League Cup after a gutsy 2-1 win over league leaders Truro City.

This was one of the most open semi-finals for some seasons and it will remain a mystery why the score stayed at 2-1 when so many clear-cut chances were created.

City took the game by the scruff of the neck in the opening 20 minutes and looked as if they would canter home to a place in the Easter Sunday final, such was their dominance.

But it was not to be as Penryn, gritting their teeth and displaying great character as well as sheer effort, managed to get a foothold in the game to stem the tide.

City buzzed around Penryn’s goal in the opening stages and although it came as no surprise when they scored in the fourth minute it was a poor goal to concede.

Gary Wignall swung over the ball and Chris Symons only succeeded in knocking the ball down for Martin Luscombe to poke into the net.

City had a vice-like grip on the game but Athletic were back on terms after 31 minutes when Jerry Cornish overhit a pass from Andy Stivey, but Colin Binny did not give up the cause and with goalkeeper Bobby Wignall failing to make the ball his, Binny won the race and battle for the ball when he slammed it into the net.

Four minutes into the second half Penryn stunned Truro with a second goal. Cornish swung over a corner, which Rob Riley headed on and Steve Warr pounced to power his shot into the net.

City enjoyed a strong spell of pressure as they went in search of an equaliser, but their hopes of a league and cup double were shattered by a Penryn side who celebrated a fine victory when in the early stages defeat appeared to be their only fate.