HOLDERS Penzance started their defence of the Walter C Parson Peninsula League Cup with a comprehensive win over Truro at Helston Athletic’s Kellaway Park onTuesday night.

Any suspicions that the Magpies might be complacent after a recent 11-1 victory over their opponents in the league were quickly dispelled as they made a storming start.

Lewis Caspall had the ball in the net early on, but it was ruled out for offside. Jacob Trudgeon then made a lung-busting surge down the left flank before cutting inside on to his right foot and cracking a shot just inches off target.

The opening goal was just around the corner, however, Caspall drilling across a low centre that ricocheted off a few legs in the six-yard box before finding its way to Charlie Young on the back post for an easy tap-in.

Caspall and Trudgeon continued to wreak havoc down Truro’s left. A 20th minute link-up between the pair fashioned another opening for Young, but Piran Jones saved well. The keeper, though, was unable to prevent Ollie Butler from doubling the lead shortly afterwards, from another Trudgeon pass.

The Magpies lost Ewan Trevains to an injury seven minutes before the break, George Molcher coming on in his place, but still managed to find a third goal before the turnaround.

Mark Vercesi headed back a deep Josh Magin corner and, after Jones had saved an initial goal-bound effort, Silas Sullivan lashed home the rebound. A 30-yard scorcher from Trudgeon skimmed the top of the bar to conclude a dominant half for Penzance.

And it was a similar story following the resumption. Jones pulled off fantastic saves from Caspall and Sullivan in quick succession, but could not keep out an accurate low shot from Young that crept just inside his far post.

Two minutes later, Molcher set up Magin to sweep home a fifth goal for the visitors.

With the game effectively won, player/manager Vercesi gave valuable minutes to squad members Rohan Bennetts, Luke Carroll and Hayden Waters. The former, replacing his boss, turned in an assured display at centre-back, while the latter pair were both unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Carroll had an effort ruled out for offside whilst Waters was denied by a stunning finger-tip save from Jones.

Truro enjoyed a strong final quarter hour, but a couple of solid saves by Harry Salmon ensured his side kept a clean sheet as they booked a third round trip to Bude on Saturday, December 20.

TRURO CITY: Piran Jones; Toby Burt, Finn Costa, Blake Gordon Dunn, Jackson Penhallurick, Noah Holmes, Ollie Pickup, Toby Griggs, Ethan Jorey, Liam Pascoe, Kai Baxter. Subs: Tyreece Gallaway, Ketan Cooper.

PENZANCE: Harry Salmon; Archie Reynolds, Silas Sullivan (capt) (Hayden Waters, 59), Josh Turner, Mark Vercesi (Rohan Bennetts, 46), Ewan Trevains (George Molcher 38), Ollie Butler, Josh Magin, Jacob Trudgeon, Charlie Young (Luke Carroll, 54), Lewis Caspall.