Truro City 1 v Slough Town 2 (Slough Town Report)

After facing their longest away trip of the season, Slough emerged victorious from Treyew Road after coming from behind, thanks to second half goals from James Dobson and Johnnie Dyer, securing their first ever win against Truro in the process. The Rebels and the White Tigers first met in the Southern League, Division One South & West in season 2008/09, and shared six goals at Holloways Park before Slough lost 2-1 on the road later in the season. This time around, the visitors started the game in the playoff spots, with Slough looking to build on the previous weekend's victory over Bideford. Truro began well and had the better of the general play. Slough worked their way into a couple of good positions, but were unable to test Kyle Moore in the Truro goal. The hosts took the lead on 21 minutes. Striker Craig Duff latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area, and controlled it well before smashing past Jake Somerville emphatically. In response, George Short sent a half volley whistling past the upright, but the hosts looked the more likely to find the next goal and go on to claim all three points. Indeed, Truro wasted a number of opportunities to do so, with Rob Farkins heading just wide, and just before the half time whistle, captain Dan Green lobbed over when well placed. The White Tigers continued to carry out the greater threat in the second half, with Jamie Lowry spurning another chance, as he blazed over at the far post. Truro were made to pay on 59 minutes, when James Dobson lined up to take a free kick on the edge of the area, and drilled the ball under the defensive wall and past the unsighted Moore to level the scores. As the hosts tried to regain their lead, Duff saw an effort come back off the crossbar, but Slough wasted a golden chance of their own, with Scott Harris poking the ball onto the outside of the post and wide after being played onside. But Slough did score again with twelve minutes remaining to turn the game on its head. As Scott Harris tried to get his head to a cross from Tom Moran, the ball deflected off Johnnie Dyer at the back post – and although the striker did not seem to know too much about it, he got sufficient contact on the ball to send it looping over Moore and into the net. Truro were left frustrated by missed chances, and had one final effort through Jamie Lowry, whose free kick clipped the top of the bar – but Slough were able to hold on and claim all three points. Attendance: 391 Truro City: Kyle Moore, Shane White, Chris Long, Jake Ash, Rob Farkins, Arran Pugh, Dan Green (Ryan Brett), Jamie Lowry, Craig Duff, Cody Cooke, Les Afful (Ben Watson). Subs not used: Barry Hayles, Steve Tully, Myles James. http://www.sloughtownfc.net/reports/4933/

Truro City 2 Frome Town 1 (Report from Frome Town)

Playing their seventh away league game in the their first eleven matches, Frome narrowly lost out by two goals to one at Truro City with all the goals coming in the second half. After Saturday’s superb performance, there was just one change from the line up, with Jack Twyford replacing Ricky Hulbert who moved to the subs bench. The match started at a quick tempo with both sides playing good football but failing to create an opening, and the first incident arrived in the 16th as a 25 yarder shot from Truro’s Craig Duff just skidded past Darren Chitty’s post. Frome’s Mark Francis had a chance in the 28th as he was played in by Jack Twyford but his off balance shot was straight at Kyle Moore in the home goal, and when he looked to have a second chance a minute later, this time he was denied by the offside flag. Jack Vallis picked up a head wound on the half hour that required a few minutes of treatment but the only other incident of note occurred in the 45th minute as the dangerous Duff headed a Jamie Lowry corner just wide. The 2nd minute of the second half saw Chitty race off his line to deny Duff with a super save, but five minutes later Truro took the lead as Chitty brought off another excellent save to deny Cody Cooke, but Duff was quickest to react and he smashed the rebound into the empty net. Truro made it 2-0 in the 62nd as a Frome defender was adjudged to have fouled inside the area and Duff strode up to convert the penalty with ease. Chitty again showed his class in the 65th to tip Isaac Vassell’s acrobatic volley away at full stretch, but then Frome went close as a Matt Smith free kick was not dealt with by the home defence and only a deflection took Jack Vallis’s shot past the post. A superb 20 yard shot from Aaaron Rodriguez in the 78th gave Frome a lifeline as it made the score 2-1, but the equaliser was to prove elusive, with Chitty saving from Les Afful and Rodriguez almost equalising in injury time with a cross that very nearly looped over Moore. Darren Chitty was chosen for the “H&B Tyres Man of the Match Award” for an excellent performance in the Frome goal. Frome Scorers: Thompson 78 Truro Scorers: Duff 52, 62p Crowd: 311 Star Man: Darren Chitty Entertainment Value: 4 http://www.frometownfc.co.uk/reports/truro_away.htm

Burnham 2 v Truro 2

In front of a disappointing small crowd fans from both sides were treated to a fast and furious and very entertaining fixture. Burnham, had some new players on show, whilst Truro had players returning from injury. The game flowed well from a delayed kick off, the match officials arriving late. The early part of the first half was dominated by Truro who were clearly determined to get an early goal from the start. However they will have been disappointed. The Blues quickly got the measure of their opponents when, in the16th minute Nicke Kabamba was put through by a fine looping through ball to unleash a corker from 20 yards out to give the statuesque Kyle Moore no chance. A memorable goal. More followed, when Tom O’Regan side footed in from 15 yards to give the Blues a deserved 2 – 0 half lead. Truro re-grouped in the 2nd. period and unleashed a sustained attack on the Blues goal. The defence creaked but held its shape and dealt with the pressure well. Sadly Truro’s Isaac Vassel managed to stab the ball in at 53 minutes, which just evaded the diving fingertips of Alex Lynch to give cause for hope for Truro. At 63 minutes Truro were awarded a corner which found the head of Rob Farkins whose diving header from the far post was enough to bring the equaliser. The final period was very cut and thrust. The best chance fell to Tom O’Regan , just before the end fired over with only the keeper in his way. The Blues had a good day today but still seeking that elusive home win. With Canvey Island coming up next Saturday they will be very confident of a win in that game. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/burnhamfc/s/match-centre-100689/1-1016711

Truro City 0 v Larkhall 2 (Report from Larkhall Athletic)

The Larks pulled off another sensational FA Cup victory away from home today, this time against higher-level opponents in Truro City of the Southern League Premier. It was a somewhat depleted squad who made the long trip down to Cornwall. Luke Bryan and Brad Norris were ruled out through injury and in their absence Tyler Sibbick took on a lone striker role. Alex Shaftoe continued in goal and notched up a second clean sheet in a week. Absences notwithstanding, the Larks took the game to the home side, who began as favourites. From the start our defence looked very assured, and Ollie Price won every header he went up for as well as a fair number of tackles. The game was played at a slower pace than others we've experienced of late and for a while it didn't have the competitive edge you'd expect from a cup tie. Although there wasn't all that much venom in our attacks early on, Tyler was doing a great job of holding the ball up and there was plenty of decent possession on show. We were winning lots of throw-ins in the early stages and thanks to some neat play from Scott Lye and Jamie Lyons in midfield we looked fairly comfortable in the first 10 minutes or so. With ex-Premier League and Jamaican international striker Barry Hayles heading up their attack Truro started to build some momentum after a while and it took an excellent clearance from Jake Gardner to deny them when they were through on goal. For our part, real chances were infrequent although Jamie had a punt on a loose ball that went wide. A better opportunity offered itself shortly afterwards when a good run by Gards down the right led to a corner from a save from the Truro keeper; Tyler's header off the corner went just wide. After 20 minutes of play it was the home keeper who had had the most to do, but then Truro kicked up a gear. A fantastic tackle from Luke Scott and some great tracking back from Ben Horan dealt with the threat and luckily for us Truro's first shot on goal was fired beyond the far post. They kept attacking and Alex pulled off a good save from a corner. At the other end, Scott and Ross Lye held the ball up for a corner following some great play from Gards and Tyler. On the whole, though, Truro were edging the middle period of the half: we had to work hard to keep them out and when we did get forward we met the offside trap. Just when we thought the first half would end 0-0 we won a free kick near the Truro area. Jamie fired into the box, Tyler's attempt hit the post and the Truro keeper spilled the ball. It was anyone's guess who would get to it first but unexpectedly it was centre-half Dan Jones who clipped it in to give us the lead just on the half-time whistle. The second half was played at a higher pace than the first and despite some nice possession football from the Larks in and around the Truro area the attacking momentum was more with the home side early on. Alex punched clear a Truro strike and then we broke clear, with Tyler showing excellent strength on the ball to feed Ross, whose shot didn't unduly trouble Kyle Moore in the Truro goal. Tyler was a constant menace, however, and Scotty too showed great determination in holding the ball up near the goal for another corner. The game was really starting to come alive at this stage and Alex did well to throw himself in the path of a strike from Truro, which was quickly followed by a shot that hit the side netting. Man of the match Ollie made some decisive interventions to keep them at bay, and once again they were denied by a lack of accuracy when one of their forwards found space enough for a strike. The Larks were in a fantastic rhythm by now, and robust work in midfield gave Ross and Tyler the time to keep the ball out of danger. The last real chance from the home side was a fierce strike that thumped off the bar, followed by another save from Alex. The finale was yet to come. After a scramble in our goalmouth that Truro somehow failed to exploit, Tyler picked up the ball and ran strongly with it towards the home goal. Rob Hobbs collected the ball just outside the area, found some space and blasted it home to double our lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Truro did their best to pull one back but Ollie and Ben were resolute in defence and Alex made a good catch under pressure to preserve the 2-0 lead. For the final stages of the game sub Joe Tumelty again displayed sufficient skill and strength to hold the ball up and we kept the advantage till the very end. This was another fine team performance. The Larks looked well-organised and as confident as you'd expect for a side that had just won the last 7 out of 8 league and cup fixtures. With the current form we look forward to the 2nd Qualifying Round draw on Monday with eager anticipation. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/larkhallathleticfc/s/match-centre-55279/0-2630853

Dorchester Town 1 Truro City 2 (R.I.P. Alex Legge)

Dorchester Town are without a win in six games after an emotional night at the Avenue Stadium. It was announced before Tuesday night’s game against Truro City that Magpies kit man Alex Legge had passed away suddenly at the age of 38. The news had obviously put the Magpies’ struggles into perspective as the club and Alex’s family come to terms with what has happened. A minute’s silence was impeccably respected before the game, while fans chanted Alex’s name throughout the contest and at the final whistle. “It was devastating for us” explained Magpies caretaker manager Stuart Heath. “Our thoughts at the moment are really only with Alex’s family. He wasn’t just our kit man – he was a friend to a lot of us. He was one of those rare human beings that everyone who came into contact with him had good things to say about him. “When things like that happen to someone as popular and as honest as Alex, life doesn’t seem fair. It certainly puts football in perspective. I asked the players to play well for Alex and I think they did that the best they could.” In an uneventful first half, Ben Watson went closest for the visitors as his low drive rebounded back off the post. Dorchester started the second half well and were unlucky not to score when Sam Lanahan’s drilled shot was tipped over the bar by Kyle Moore after the Truro defence failed to deal with Dan Cann’s long throw. But Truro did break the deadlock on 71 minutes when Craig Duff headed home Barry Hayles’ cross – taking the wind out of Dorchester’s sails. It got worse for the Magpies 11 minutes later when Jake Smeeton was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Cody Cooke. Moments later, Hayles should have put the result beyond doubt when he lofted the ball over Alan Walker-Harris – but Callum Buckley’s brave goal-line clearance denied the former Fulham striker. Truro secured victory six minutes from time when Cooke’s bobbled volley was out of Walker-Harris’ reach and rolled into the corner of the net. Dorchester did pull a goal back in stoppage time when Moore failed to keep hold of Magpies substitute Nick Crittenden’s cross and the ball bounced off his foot and into the net. Heath admitted that several players returning to the Magpies squad from injury were not fully fit, but he was delighted that Ben Joyce was able to last 90 minutes. “The squad is not fully fit at the moment and I think that shows” he said. “The players tried their best and that’s all I asked of them. “We’ve got to go to Yate on Saturday and we’ve got to do Alex proud. We want the players to get their heads together over the next couple of days and get some decent rest and go to Yate and put in a performance and get a result that Alex really would be proud of.” Read more at http://www.blackmorevale.co.uk/Dorchester-Town-caretaker-boss-pays-tribute/story-22903418-detail/story.html#R6UuvcDdCGhacvl9.99

Truro City 3 Hitchin Town 0

There were few redeeming features in Hitchin's 3-0 loss to Truro. It was undoubtedly their worst performance of the season and the scoreline in no way flattered Truro as Hitchin failed to produce one save from keeper Kyle Moore. The whole performance lacked the usual energy and commitment and it seemed the whole side had an off day to make the 615 mile round trip seem even longer. Hitchin played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Garry Jones and Sam Barker the holding midfielders behing Jonny McNamara, Matt Lench and Gary Wharton with Brett Donnelly the lone striker. But they never really got going as Truro dominated the early proceedings. Michael Johnson had already made a good save from Cody Cooke before Truro took the lead after 13 minutes when Shane White scored from close range. Veteran Barry Hayles was proving a handful as he used his experience to good effect and the Hitchin defence did not look comfortable. Rob Farkins added a second after 24 minutes with an unchallenged header from a corner while Cooke was always dangerous and seemed to win most headers and came close on another couple of occasions. A Donnelly effort that went wide was Hitchin's only response. Wharton was replaced by Michael King due to injury before half time and in the closing stages of the half Hitchin improved but in the second half a revival never really seemed likely despite Charlie Smith and Robbie Burns being introduced. Ben Watson hit the post after 76 minutes and Donnelly headed just wide soon after. Truro were comfortable and finished things off in injury time when Isaac Vassell completed the scoring from close range. While Hitchin had more of the play in the second half they were never threatening and this performance will have to be quickly forgotten and improved upon with Chesham and the F A Cup on the horizon. This was just not the Hitchin that had started the season so well and manager Mark Burke made no excuses. Let us hope this was just a temporary blip. Teams Hitchin Johnson, Rolfe, Walster, Ann, Corran, Jones, McNamara Barker, Donnelly, Lench, Wharton Subs Smith for Jones 73, Chabata, King for Wharton 34, Burns for McNamara 73, Webb Truro Moore, White, Long, Duff, Farkins, Pugh, Green, Lowry, Hayles, Cooke, Vassell Subs Watson for Hayles 57, Afful, Tully, James for Long 81, Brett for Duff 71 Bookings Hitchin Lench and Ann Truro None Attendance 448 Roy Izzard http://www.hitchintownfc.co.uk/reports/2014_15/TruroCityASLP.shtml

Corby Town 1 Truro City 0

The Steelmen proved that they were capable of digging in and grinding out a result with this hard fought victory over a resolute Truro City side. This was not a game for the purists but the most important thing for Corby was to return to winning ways after Monday’s disappointing result. Corby, however, did create the majority of the first half goalscoring opportunities. Paul Malone headed over the bar, Spencer Weir-Daley blasted a shot high after the Truro defence had failed to clear a Greg Mills free kick, Mills had another set-piece comfortably saved by Mike Searle in the visiting goal and Kalern Thomas also hit an effort off target after finding himself free in the penalty area. The best chance, however, fell to Truro after a Corby attack had broken down on the edge of the penalty area. The visitors launched a swift counter attack and Isaac Vassell raced clear with only Paul Walker to beat – but fired his shot wide of the post. This was the general pattern of the first half with Truro being content to soak up pressure and attack on the break. Their main defensive tactic appeared to be to dive at the ball and head it away. The linesman’s flag brought an end to most of their counter attacks while Walker twice had to race out of his box to head the ball clear. The only goal of the game came in the 42nd minute. Cleveland Taylor – providing the right-sided width in the absence of the suspended Wilson Carvalho – dribbled his way along the bye-line and fired a shot at goal. Searle did well to block his effort but Shane Byrne turned the ball into the net at the far post. Taylor almost repeated the move seconds later but this time Searle held onto the cross with Weir-Daley lurking behind him. Truro lost central defender Arran Pugh with a split lip midway through the half and Corby were dealt a blow seconds before the interval when Mills limped off to be replaced by Harry May. May did prove to be a useful addition to the Corby attack in the second half, however, heading one effort just wide and forcing Searle into action with a high, looping shot from distance. Weir-Daley had a shot deflected out for a corner while at the other end Walker made a good save from Craig Duff. Lewis Jackson caused the Truro defence problems with a couple of inswinging corners but no team mates were able to get on the end of them. Truro introduced Barry Hayles to the fray as a substitute but the vastly experienced striker’s most notable contribution to proceedings was to earn a stern telling off from referee Robbie Dadley. Corby were able to play out the final few minutes without any further scares and picked up the three points which lifted them up to third place in the Southern League Premier Division table. CORBY TOWN:- Paul Walker; Kalern Thomas, Lewis Jackson (substitute Curtis Hartley); Paul Malone, Edi Appleton, Akin Daramola; Greg Mills (substitute Harry May), Shane Byrne, Ben Milnes, Spencer Weir-Daley (substitute Tommy Wright), Cleveland Taylor. Unused substitutes:- Connor Kennedy, David Clarke (GK). TRURO CITY:- Mike Searle; Steve Tully, Chris Long; Jake Ash, Rob Farkins, Arran Pugh (substitute Jamie Lowry); Dan Green ©, Craig Duff, Les Afful (substitute Barry Hayles), Cody Cooke, Isaac Vassell (substitute Myles James). Unused substitutes:- Kyle Moore, Wayne Carlisle. REFEREE:- Mr Robbie Dadley (Bedworth). ATTENDANCE:- 436. CORBY TOWN SUPPORTERS TRUST MAN OF THE MATCH:- Shane Byrne By David Tilley