Penrith’s first win last night under new manager Chris Humphrey lifted the Bonnyblues off the bottom of the Northern League’s First Division.
A 2-1 victory over fourth-in-the-table Thornaby was thoroughly deserved and acted as a tonic for Humphrey’s young side.
Indeed Thornaby officials indicated afterwards that they had been second best on the night to a hard-working home side and the best team had won.
The visitors couldn’t have asked for a better start when they took the lead in the second minute when Joe Pickett finished off with a low shot under Arran Taylor.
The visitors still held the advantage at half-time, although Penrith had been on top for lengthy spells without being able to find the breakthrough.
It could have been all square on 64 minutes but Connor Shields fired high over the bar from the penalty spot.
Three minutes later, however, Penrith’s persistent pressure was rewarded with the equaliser. From a free kick on the edge of the box Jamie Armstrong fired a great shot into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Taylor made a fine save to keep Penrith on terms and then on 77 minutes, after building up another head of steam, the hosts got what proved to be the winner.
Not as spectacular as his first, but they all count, Armstrong finished off from close range after a scramble in the Thornaby box.
Delighted chairman Billy Williams said: “To be fair this result has been coming. We’ve only had a couple of draws since Chris and his assistant Shaun Gardner took over but they have made a big difference.
“The whole club is alive and responding to them. Chris has really bought in to what we are trying to do and is enjoying working with a young team.
“We’ve had a tough run of fixtures to be fair but getting his first win is an important step, and against one of the better teams in the League.
“It was thoroughly deserved and now we want to keep moving upwards and out of trouble.”
On Saturday Penrith travel to Guisborough who are six points better off and five places higher in the table.
