LEWIS Caspall scored two stunning second half goals to help holders Penzance through to their second successive league cup final after a pulsating semi-final at Pennygillam on Tuesday night.

The 126 supporters who braved the elements – a gale force wind and driving rain – were treated to an action-packed tie which swung from end to end.

Two goals in four minutes midway through the first half from Josh Turner and Ben Palmer appeared to put Mark Vercesi’s side in control but they then threw Cullompton a lifeline with a defensive mix-up allowing Fin Newell to reduce the arrears before half-time.

Penzance again opened up a two-goal advantage with Caspall’s first excellent finish in the 65th minute but Callum Chivers’ superb volley pegged them back to 3-2 in the 77th minute to set up a tense finale.

There were half chances at both ends before Caspall banished all nerves right at the end with a stunning half-volley from 20 yards which sparked mad celebrations on and off the pitch.

The Magpies can now look forward to two cup finals in a week having already booked their place in the Cornwall Senior Cup final against Camelford at St Blazey on Saturday May 9.

They will face Bovey Tracey or Callington Town in the league cup final on Monday May 4 at a venue to be decided.

Vercesi said: “It was frantic, it was end to end, there was wind and rain, it was like a monsoon out there – really difficult conditions to play in.

“It could have gone either way in the first half but overall I think we edged it and deserved the win in the end.”

Asked about his preference for a team to face in the final, he said: “I don’t mind who it is to be honest – I don’t think they’ll relish playing us.

“It’s our cup and we’re not going to let it go easily.

“You don’t want to look back in 10 years’ time and say you got to a cup final – you want to be able to say you won it, so we’ll be doing everything we can to win it again.”

Unlike the sterile encounter between these two evenly matched sides in last season’s final – which had to be decided on penalties after 120 goalless minutes – Tuesday’s thriller oozed incident.

In the continued absence of Charlie Young, Turner again started up front for Penzance and broke the deadlock with a goal almost identical to his opener against Dobwalls in the preceding game.

Benefitting from a slide-rule centre from the left by Silas Sullivan, he bundling the ball home at the far post to set the Magpies on their way.

Twelve months ago, having just joined the club, cup-tied Palmer watched Penzance defeat his former team Honiton Town in last season’s semi-final. Returning to the side after injury, the experienced centre-back notched his first goal in black and white to put the Magpies two up after a Charlie Willis free-kick from the right had been only partially cleared.

The cushion was soon deflated, though, after Tyler Tonkin’s overhit pass back left keeper Will Trenoweth stretching to prevent an own goal and the loose ball fell invitingly for Newell who finished confidently.

Cullompton started the second half with a man disadvantage, Lloyd White having been sin-binned as the teams came off after the first 45 minutes.

Penzance were unable to capitalise and, once numerical parity had been restored, Cullompton began to press hard.

In the 65th minute, Trenoweth pulled off a stunning save to deny substitute Shay Corrick. Penzance countered immediately and Caspall cracked home a fine goal from wide on the left to put them two up for a second time.

Still the Premier East side were not done. With a lovely angled volley, cushioned just inside Trenoweth’s far post, Chivers hauled Rangers back in to the contest again.

Penzance nerves were jangling until Caspall wrapped up the tie with its best goal – a dipping left-foot half-volley over keeper McAndrews from 20 yards.

A wonderful strike to end a wonderful tie.

Penzance: Will Trenoweth, Mark Vercesi, Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Ewan Trevains, Ben Palmer, Tyler Tonkin, Ollie Butler (George Molcher 62), Charlie Willis, Josh Turner (Jacob Trudgeon 85), Lewis Caspall (James Butler 90+4), Silas Sullivan.

Subs not used: Wade Brown, Sam Young.

Goals: Josh Turner (22), Ben Palmer (26), Lewis Caspall 2 (65, 90+1).

Cullompton Rangers: Jack McAndrews, Callum Chivers, Luke Horne, Alfie Down, Craig Woodman, Lloyd White, Adam Bilcock, Lucas White, Josh Coles, Fin Newell, Lucas Coveney.

Subs: Louis Stephens, Freddie Ansley, Aidan Whitfield, Shay Corrick, Jayden Snow.

Goals: Fin Newell (33), Callum Chivers (77).

Sin bin: Lloyd White (half-time).

Yellow cards: Callum Chivers (56), Aidan Horne (63).

Referee: Andrew Barnett.

Assistants: Bryan Holden, Richard Butter.

Attendance: 126.

Men of the Match. Cullompton – Fin Newell; Penzance – Ben Palmer.