The poor league form for West Allotment continued on Saturday afternoon as Allotment slumped to their third consecutive defeat of the campaign.
Prior to kick off, West Allotment captain Michael Scott presented the Penrith mascot of 17 years, Bradley, with a commemorative shirt before the mascot retires this season. A lovely moment before the game got underway.
The opening 20 minutes were scrappy to say the least. Neither side really taking control of the game and dominating the ball. The first clear opportunity fell to the feet of Penrith striker Connor Shields. Matthew Monyan's well-time through-ball fell to Shields who then drove his effort straight at Finn Hodgson who was able to keep the game level.
Moments later, Allotment found themselves on the counterattack which has been a real weapon so far this season. Paterson used his pace down the left and pulled a pass back to Dean Walker who just couldn't keep his effort down as it went over the bar.
Allotment went close again on 30 minutes. Mikel Thompson somehow danced his way through a crowded box and was able to fire away an effort on goal which again, went just over the bar. Thompson came close again on 41 minutes as his low-driven shot which was heading for the bottom corner was saved by gloves of Luke Miller in the Penrith goal.
The half time whistle blew with the deadlock yet to be broken. That may have been a fair reflection as well.
10 minutes after the half time interval, Allotment arguably should have went 0-1 up. A corner was swung into the box and Graham Williams got his head on the end of it. His header went straight into the gloves of Miller but what an opportunity it was for Allotment.
After 67 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken as the hosts took the lead. Connor Shields was there at the back post to get on the end of a cross and net the game's opener. The goal was much deserved.
Just when you thought you had seen it all, on 72 minutes Jake Forster provided us with a lifeline in spectacular fashion. Forster was able to control the ball in the box and then overhead kick the ball into the bottom corner. A goal that will be a goal of the season contender and it also brought Allotment level at 1-1.
Unfortunately for the boys in green, it was late heartache again courtesy of Connor Shields. Similarly to his first, he got on the end of a cross at the back post and fired home a goal to put Penrith 2-1 up in the 87th minute.
Very quickly, two goals became three goals as Connor Shields grabbed his hat trick. A mix up at the back allowed Shields in on goal and he was able to keep his composure and wrap up the game at 3-1 for the hosts.
Penrith: Miller, Monyan, Henderson, Davidson (c), Johnson, Story, Brown, Main, Grandison, Shields, Dean-Norman.
Goals: Shields (67', 87', 90+1')
Allotment: Hodgson, Higgins, Parkinson, Forster, Scott, Williams, Paterson, Errington, Walker, Thompson, Martins
Goal: Forster (72')
Attendance: 116
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