Truro City boss full of praise for team as they make their point (by Rhod Mitchell, West Briton)

Arlesey Town 1 Truro City 1

Steve Massey was full of praise for his City team after they upset the odds to deny the in-form home team a fifth straight Calor League premier division win.

He said: “It was one of our better, if not best performances of the season, and goodness knows how we did not take all three points.

“I was really thrilled with our display and I cannot fault the players.

   

“We played some excellent football and battered them in the second half, but just could not get that second goal.”

Massey made two changes from the team that drew 0-0 at home to Corby Town, with Les Afful recalled in place of Liam Eddy and Neil Slateford in for Cody Cooke, as the City boss took the chance to rotate his squad.

And City began well, despite playing against the strong wind at the Armadillo Stadium, taking the lead after just nine minutes.

Good approach play ended with Jamie Lowry crossing for Les Afful to force the ball home for his third goal of the season.

And City held onto their lead until six minutes before the break when they were caught napping at the back allowing Jonny MacNamara to play in Christian Tavernier for the home equaliser.

After the interval it was virtually all City, though Grant Fisher did have to make one important save, early in the half.

The visitors used the wind well and were desperately unlucky on several occasions not to take the lead.

Paul Kendall hit the bar with a good header and had another effort blocked by the home keeper.

Ben Watson, substitutes Liam Eddy and Cooke and Neil Slateford all came close ,but the home goal bore what Massey described as a “charmed life.”

So in the end City had to settle for a point which was the least they deserved for their efforts.

Massey added: “To give Arlesey credit they defended well and their keeper made a couple of great saves.

“But on another day we would have won the game. But we can take great heart from the performance going into the Boxing Day game at Bideford.”

City: Fisher; Tully, Kendall, Pugh, White; Afful (Cooke 55), Lowry, Broad, Green, Slateford (Eddy 75), Watson.
Subs (Not used): Copp, Brokenshire, Daw.
Crowd: 137.

FORUM COMMENTS:

MOUNTAINEER SAID:
First it has to be a well done for the Arlesey groundstaff who worked their socks off all morning to ensure the game was on,

The heavy clay pitch made things difficult for the players of both sides who besides competing against each other had wind and rain to contend with, this was a fighting performance by both sides and at the end of the day a draw was a fair result, yes we howled Goooaaalll on a few occasions but Arlesey too had their moments, for me the most influential act in the game was a great save diving to his left post of Grant Fisher, made more difficult by the wind - that save alone was worthy of "Man of the match".

This was a great performance by our lads, Arlesey's line up read like a who's who, their goalkeeper on loan from Brentford, two with MK Dons connection, Stevenage for another, Luton too and there were more, possibly our best "team" performance of the season, the only thing missing is the ability to kill teams off, it will come, the team was impressive today, wish we had Hungerford now because then the score would probably be reversed.
Well done City.

PAUL CONDON SAID:

Yes, a similar game to Corby really. Strong wind, rain and a game either side could have won but I think Truro had most possession throughout.

Arlesey attacked well on the break though. the three man midfield of Broad, Lowery & Green was probably the most effective fielded by Truro this season and looked comfortable all game.

Good football played on the ground in poor conditions. Nice relaxed feel in the bar afterwards too. quite a good club really with friendly fans and modern facilities, decent beer and charming barmaids. a great day out.

I look forward to the next away trip with tisa.