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U15 Football Players Defy Odds to Reach County Schools Final

Penryn College’s U15 Football players will feature in their first-ever County Cup Final next week, following a 2-1 semi-final victory over Richard Lander School on Thursday.

First-half and extra-time goals from Joe Williams ensured the boys followed in the footsteps of the Year 9 squad, who, in almost identical fashion, defeated Richard Lander last week to book a spot in the Year 9 County Schools final. 

Penryn headed into the game against a Richard Lander side that had made the County Schools final twice in the last three years, but came flying out of the traps and created a number of goalscoring opportunities early on in the encounter.

And with 20 minutes on the clock, Penryn took a deserved lead after Tyreece Galloway’s excellent hold-up play in the penalty area allowed him to square the ball to the unmarked Williams – who showed fantastic composure before producing an excellent finish to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Moments later, Gallaway almost turned from provider to goalscorer when he followed up Finlay Deavin’s shot on goal, but was thwarted following a stunning double save from the Richard Lander goalkeeper.

Richard Lander entered the second period of the game in the same manner that Penryn started the first, as they searched for an equalising goal, but some fantastic defending from the hosts’ back four of Treave Rowe, Taylor Bower, Jon-Jon Wharton, and Baz van Dinther – as well as Logan Cairns’ efforts between the sticks – kept the attackers at bay.

Despite Penryn’s heroic defending, Richard Lander netted an equaliser with ten minutes of normal time remaining, following a stunning strike which flew past Cairns into the top right-hand corner of the net.

The visitors mounted the pressure in the closing moments of the match, but Penryn held on to bring the game into extra time – and it was during that period of the game that the pendulum swung back in hosts’ favour.

Indeed, Penryn took advantage of their ascendency, and a famous victory was secured when Williams found space in the box, showed a cool head, and tucked the ball home – sparking wild celebrations and ensuring Penryn’s progress into the County Schools final. 

The County Schools final will be played at St Blazey AFC on Tuesday 30 April (5.30pm kick-off).