Devizes Town 1, Penzance 0 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes Town 1, Penzance 0

A POWERFUL 25-yard free-kick from Nick Mooney was enough to give Devizes the spoils over their Cornish opponents on Saturday.

Devizes have struggled to score in the league but Mooney, in his second appearance of the season, made no mistake after the referee gave a controversial free-kick on the edge of the area.

Penzance, who play two levels below Devizes in the football pyramid, started brightly and had the lion's share of possession.

They quickly shrugged of the affects of their five hour trip to Wiltshire but could not convert possession into chances.

Devizes manager Nathan Sheridan said: "Penzance looked very dangerous in the first 15 minutes but we were comfortable when defending and we passed the ball well today.

"Our physical nature in important tackles turned the match in our favour."

After 15 minutes Devizes found their composure and it seemed to be only a matter of time before they would score. But with last week's goal-less draw still fresh in some supporters' minds, doubt began to seep in as Devizes squandered four good chances in the first-half.

The first two fell to right wing back Jack Cook who looked lively all game. Twice he got into good positions at the back post but could not finish the two chances, both supplied by Marcus Wallen.

Newly appointed captain Rob Hannah was influential at the back and made four or five brilliant and crucial interceptions and tackles.

His industry and leadership earnt him the manager's man of the match award.

The second-half started slowly as both teams seemed reluctant to commit too much forward.

But the breakthrough Devizes had been praying for finally came in the 61st minute. Wild celebrations greeted Mooney's cracking drive into the top corner.

The game turned on its head in the 73rd minute as Devizes were reduced to ten men when midfielder Gary Campbell handled the ball on the line as the ball headed goalwards.

At first Penzance thought they had levelled but the referee had already signaled for a penalty. The former Newcastle pro Wayne Quinn stepped up to take the kick as Devizes keeper Scott Windle danced on his line. His antics did the trick when Quinn scuffed the kick wide.

It was a vital first victory of the campaign for Devizes manager Sheridan and he was delighted.

He said: "I could sense something different between the boys today and it showed on the pitch. The two strikers did well and Rob Hannah was brilliant. He set a real captain's example.

"I relieved Gary Campbell of the captaincy to let him concentrate on his own game. When it was 11 versus 11 we where very comfortable but we had to hold on for the last 15 minutes."

Penzance manager Nick George was disappointed not to get something out of the match. He said: "With seven first team players missing I was pleased with the performance but not the result as our goalkeeper did not have a save to make. But Devizes defended brilliantly today and that was the real difference."