Truro City v Staines Town video and comments summary

Truro City slump to a demoralising home defeat by Rhod Mitchell LINK
Truro City 0 Staines Town 3

CITY'S hopes of winning two Blue Square Bet South games in a row for the first time this season were blown away by the struggling visitors.

It was a lacklustre performance by the home side who could have had few complaints as they slumped to a demoralising defeat against the Middlesex outfit.

Goals by Tyrone Marsh, debutant Doug Bergqvist and fellow defender Sam Page eased Staines to a vital three points in their battle to escape relegation.

And to make matters worse for bottom club City, they lost talismanic skipper Jake Ash to a first half groin injury which looks likely to rule him out of Tuesday's home with Dorchester Town (7.45pm).

His place was taken by new signing Paul Kendall, who has joined from Tiverton Town.

And after the game a demoralised looking City boss Lee Hodges apologised for his team's performance.

He said: "It was just not good enough but we can't mope around and have got to go again on Tuesday. I can only apologise to our fans."

City never really got into the game on a perfect afternoon at Treyew Road and had several narrow escapes before going behind ten minutes before half time when Tyrone Marsh scored from close range after the home defence had been caught napping.

And any hopes of a second half fight back were ended after only 90 seconds when Bergqvist forced the ball home after Paul Hider had parried David Wheeler's shot.

Poor marking from a corner allowed Sam Page to head home the third for the Staines side who comfortably saw out the game without too many problems, leaving bottom club City to contemplate a painful end to a traumatic season if this is to be their level of performance.

Truro City: Hider; Hall, Gerring, Ash (Kendall), Watts (Williams 71); Cooke, Broad, Martin, Afful; Watkins, Hayles (Wright 71). Subs (not used): Hodges.
Staines Town: Turner; Ferrell (Erivaldo), Bergqvist , Page, Worsfold; Wheeler, Ferguson, Ifil, Beadle (Mills 61), Lodge, Marsh (Garrod 87). Subs (not used): Merson, Bor.
Half time: 0-1
Goals: Marsh (35) 0-1, Bergqvist (47) 0-2, Page (65) 0-3.
Referee: John O'Brien (London).
Crowd: 478.



Video highlights by Mark Huckle, Piran Films.



Tiger Talk forum comments:

Puddy:

A lacklustre, lethargic performance against an average but lively team who simply seemed to want it more. No penetration up front, ( their keeper was virtually redundant ), the midfield was slow and unimaginative, the defence was jittery and often sliced open ( was Jake even fit in the first place?).

Too many players seemed off the pace and only Andy and Calron showed any real fight and determined spirit.

Overall a poor display in front of a decent crowd-470ish. One to forget and get out of the system asap!!

Gorran Blade:

Got to agree with you Puddy. We were letting them get round our full backs; Martin Watts is not match fit and it showed by the number of times their winger and right back got to the byline.
Jake was also off the pace and it looked like he may have pulled a stomach muscle or even a hernia. Anybody know his problem?
Towards the end Ben Gerring was having trouble and it wouldn't surprise me if he was out of tuesday's game.
Anyway it looks like Southern League next season but I for one will look forward to it.