Taunton Town 2 Truro City 2

Taunton kept their Cup dream alive, coming from two down to force a replay against higher ranked Truro City in a rip-snorting FA Cup thriller at Wordsworth Drive.
The Conference South Cornishmen flew out of the traps and took the lead after nine minutes with a stunning right foot strike by Craig Duff, the ball whizzing over Lloyd Irish’s head and dipping just under the bar. They were all over the bemused homesters at this point, and almost bagged a second when Ryan Brett clipped a shot against the right-hand post.
The lead was duly doubled just after the quarter hour mark when Brett latched on to a poor clearance from keeper Irish and squared it to Matthew Wright who hooked it home at the far post.The tie may have slipped away from Taunton had they not made an immediate response. But they clawed themselves back into contention when Jordan Rogers wriggled clear down the left, drew Martin Rice, and beat the veteran shot-stopper with a delightful clip into the far corner from a narrowing angle.
From that point on, the Peacocks were the better side. They almost equalised on the half hour when a crisp move released Jamie Price on the right, but the captain drilled his powerful shot wide. The domination continued at the start of the second period with the massed ranks on the terrace at the Town End witnessing at close quarters a bizarre sequence of six home corners in barely as many minutes. From them, Owen Irish came closest to netting, his pile-driving shot somehow being beaten out by the Truro defence.
Taunton ramped up the pressure still further as the half progressed. After 66 minutes, Rogers again breached the Cornish back line, but was denied by a great low save from Rice. A minute later Jamie Short and Owen Irish linked up in a clever passing move down the right, the latter teeing up Craig Veal who spun and smashed a ferocious volley that Rice just tipped over. The keeper finally succumbed from Dale Evans’s resultant corner though, the ball finding its way to Rogers at the far post. He got a hand to the striker’s fine shot, but not enough to keep it out.
Both sides had chances in the final stages, the best falling to Truro’s Isaac Vassell who fired wastefully over. The substitute striker further compounded his ignominy by following through high and late on Lloyd Irish a few minutes later to receive a caution. Then, in injury-time, Vassell impeded Irish taking a kick to pick up his second booking and consequent red card. A somewhat silly and surreal end to an otherwise brilliant cup tie.
By James Wright
Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Price (captain), Nuno Felix, Owen Irish, Jak Martin, Dale Evans, Jamie Short (Aidan Chainey 90+1), Ben Carter, Jordan Rogers, Craig Veal (Josh Klein-Davies 77), Josh Searle (Ryan Broom 61). Unused subs: Charlie Hitchings, Michael Meaker
Truro: Martin Rice, Pierce Mitchell, Connor Riley-Lowe, Jake Ash (captain), Jamie Richards, Arran Pugh, Aaron Dawson, Dan Green, Craig Duff (Les Afful 68), Matt Wright, Ryan Brett (Isaac Vassell 67). Unused subs: Shane White, Rob Farkins
Referee: Sam Allison (Trowbridge)
Assistants: Adam Fricker (Bath), Benjamin Williamson (Melksham)
Match Sponsor: Talk of the Devil
Matchball Sponsor: Friends of the late Ray Marks
Attendance: 481

Dartford 0 Truro City 1

City clinched their first away National League South win of the season thanks to a late goal from substitute Isaac Vassell.
Vassell was in the right place at the right time at Princes Park in Kent to tuck away a cross from another substitute Les Afful.
And the win, which lifted City two places up the table to 14th, extended their unbeaten run to four matches since that 6-0 Bank Holiday Monday hammering at home to Oxford City.

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Match photos

And City boss Steve Tully was delighted with his side's performance.
He said: "It was our most complete performance of the season. All over the pitch we were good and could have won by more, but Ricey made a great save at the death to ensure we got the points."
With Rob Farkins and Pierce Mitchell unavailable, there was a recall for Jake Ash who had a great game in front of the back four.
That was the only change from the side that drew 2-2 at Weston-super-Mare in the week, though Truro suffered an early blow when Cody Cooke had to go off with a groin problem to be replaced by Ryan Brett who went onto have an excellent match.
After a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes, with City looking comfortable, the visitors started to create more after the break.
Man of the match Matt Wright, who went close in the first half, headed against the bar and had another cleared off the line.
Truro though were not be denied a famous win as they continue to come to terms with life at a higher level after winning promotion last season.
Truro City: Rice; White, Richards, Pugh, Riley-Lowe; Ash; Green, Cooke (Brett 21), Dawson, Wright (Afful 83), Duff (Vassell 64) . Sub (not used): Yeoman.
Goal: Vassell (86) 0-1.
Man of the match for Truro Matt Wright
Referee: Matthew Buonassisi.
Crowd: 850.

(by Rhod Mitchell, West Briton)

Weston-super-Mare 2 Truro City 2

CITY were denied a second National League South win in four days when Weston scored an equaliser three minutes from time at Winterstoke Park
After falling behind at the start of the second half City to an Ollie Barnes header, the visitors looked to have turned the game round with two quick goals by Arran Pugh and Cody Cooke.
But with time running out, a visibly tiring City side could not see the game out with Scott Wilson firing home a fine equaliser into the top corner of Martin Rice's goal.

It was tough on a Truro side, who gave a debut to new signing Jamie Richards in central defence in place of the suspended Rob Farkins, in the only change from the side that started Saturday's 2-0 home win over St Albans City.
And City boss Steve Tully said: "We just ran out of legs. Of course its disappointing we could not hold out, but I am delighted we kept our run going."

After a pretty uneventful first half, the home side who started the match bottom of the table, took the lead when Barnes headed home from a corner.
Pugh then got City level after 78 minutes, with a good finish from just inside the box following a corner and man of the match Cooke tapped in at the far post two minutes later from substitute Les Afful's cross.
However, City could not hold out and stay 16th in the table with ten points from their opening ten matches.
CITY: Rice; Mitchell, Pugh, Richards, Riley-Lowe; White (Brett); Green, Cooke, Dawson; Wright (Afful 72), Duff (Vassell 64). Subs (not used); Yeoman, Ash.
Yellow cards: Green, Pugh.
Goals: Paull (48) 1-0, Pugh (78), Cook (80) 1-2, Wilson (87) 2-2.
Referee: Dan Cook.


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Late-goal-denies-Truro-City-second-successive/story-27804098-detail/story.html#ixzz3ltS58Bav

Truro City 2 St Albans City 0

Truro City fans went home a lot happier than when they last saw their team in action at Treyew Road after today's National League South win.
Beaten 6-0 at home by Oxford City on Bank Holiday Monday, this was a chance for the home side to help erase the memories of that painful defeat and they were worthy winners against the struggling Hertfordshire side.

It was also a second successive clean sheet for Steve Tully's side after that horrible defeat and the City boss believes his side are starting to come to terms with life at the higher level.
City soon calmed any nerves with an excellent first goal after 12 minutes with left back Connor Riley-Lowe's deft finish as he chipped Joe Welch to finish off a flowing move for his first goal for the club since signing on loan from Exeter City in the summer.
If that goal was sublime then City's second midway through the half had a slice of luck as Matt Wright's shot flashed across the goal from a deflection to the far post where it hit the unknowing Aaron Dawson and rebounded into the net from close range.
It was then a case for City, who gave a debut to 19-year-old new signing, former Bristol Rovers full-back Pierce Mitchell, of seeing the game out against a visiting side lacking any real penetration up front..
The Hertfordshire side had plenty of the ball as City were content to sit back and soak up the pressure, but never tested a confident Martin Rice, who captained the side, in the home goal.
There were a couple of Ade Yusuff headers, while Louie Theophanous shot over, but that was about it as City need a winless run of five home matches with their second victory of the season which lifted them a place up the table to 16th.
Before the game City completed the signing of central defender Jamie Richards from Torquay United and he will make his debut in the place of the suspended Rob Farkins at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening.
TRURO CITY: Rice (capt); Mitchell, Farkins, Pugh, Riley-Lowe, White (Ash 75), Green, Cooke (Afful h-t), Dawson, Wright (Vassell 60), Duff. Subs (unused): Brett, Yeoman.
ST ALBANS CITY: Welch; Sow (Hilliard 54), Chappell (capt), Longe-King, Gayle, Locke, Krans, Comley, Theophanous, Thomas (Green 54), Yusuff.
Subs (not used): Kyriacou, Swales, Jah.
Yellow card: Comley (42)
Half-time: 2-0.
Scorers: Riley-Low (12) 1-0, Dawson (27) 2-0.
Attendance: 413.
Referee: Antony Coggins.
Star man: Aaron Dawson (Truro City)


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-ease-second-league-win-season/story-27785233-detail/story.html#ixzz3ldpUVn3m

Hit for Six again, this time off the Pitch - by Peter Masters

Last Friday we received notification that the Department for Communities and Local Government were unable to complete consideration of the planning proposals by 2nd September 2015 and in exercise of his powers under article 31(1) The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Secretary of State directs the Council not to grant permission on the applications without specific authorisation.

 

This direction was issued to enable the Secretary of State for Communities to have a further period in which to consider the proposals. We as a Club are not aware of any time limits relating to the powers under article 31(1) only that “the matter will be dealt with as quickly as possible”. The decision could take weeks, months or even years and there is no guarantee of a successful outcome. We find this latest setback totally unacceptable and bitterly disappointing.
Both Philip and I feel strongly that we cannot simply standby waiting in the vain hope that someone outside of Cornwall sat in the higher arc of government will understand our position at Truro City Football Club and finally issue the planning permissions that have been passed by local government on 30th July 2015. We need to control our own destiny and success. The Club cannot return to the brink of extinction or get relegated back down to the Southern League or lower through the actions of others with only their self interest in mind.
The position now as we understand it in respect of the planning permissions passed on 30th July 2015 by the Strategic Planning Committee on Treyew Road, Silver Bow, West Langarth and S4C is wide open, nothing is settled and it appears to us that certain individuals are floundering around either trying to better their position and or make political gain, this is simply wrong. The build programme on Silver Bow has already got behind and there is now little chance of getting back on track on what already is a tight schedule.
Given this latest development we will be making our feelings known to the Secretary of State and also resurrecting the ground share option. At least being based in Devon we will be able to concentrate on football matters instead of being distracted in Cornwall by planning issues. The sad thing is that many people, particularly the younger generation will be deprived of National League football here Truro for what we fear will be a very long period of time.

 

We also fear for our friends, the Cornish Pirates, who face a similar dilemma like Truro City, have had their hopes raised in July and now find themselves again back in the hands of the Planning Authority and all of the bureaucracy surrounding it.
It’s a sad indictment on Cornwall’s Sporting facilities.
Peter Masters, Chairman.
September 2015.

Eastbourne Borough 0 Truro City 0

Truro City bounced back from their 6-0 Bank Holiday Monday home defeat against Oxford City to end a run of three successive National League South defeats with a well deserved draw in East Sussex.
It was a much improved performance by Steve Tully's side and the City boss was delighted with how his players had responded after Monday's debacle.
He said: "We were strong, determined and our work rate and spirit was first class and If I am being a bit greedy we could even have nicked it.

"It was just the response we were looking for. It was a little step forward and we have got to keep improving.
"We now need to bring our away form into our home matches."
Tully made three changes from the team humbled by Oxford City for the game at Priory Lane, with Cody Cooke, Dan Green and the suspended Isaac Vassell coming in for Shane Krac, Ryan Brett and Matt Wright.
The 30-plus City fans who had made the long trip must have wondered what sort of performance they were going to see from their team, but they needn't have worried.
From the start, the visitors were up for the challenge. City's best first half chance fell to Cooke but he could only head straight at the keeper, while Isaac Vassell had penalty claim turn down.
In the second half Rob Farkins headed just over from a corner, but Eastbourne had their moments with Nathaniel Pinney rattling the bar, while the excellent Martin Rice denied Gavin McCallum at point blank range.
In the closing minutes, Eastbourne threw men forward in search of a winner but City held firm for a draw which in the context of the season over was more valuable than just a simple point.
And with Tully hoping two bring in a couple more players this week ahead of Saturday's visit of St Albans City, Tigers will be hoping their favourites can build on this performance.
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH: Care; Stone, Beale, Evans, Simpemba (capt), Watts, MCCallum (Lok 71), Collier (Baptista 66), Romain, Pinney, Haysman.
Subs: Not used: Street, Nehemie, Khinda-John.
Yellow cards: Stone
CITY: Rice; White, Farkins, Pugh, Riley-Low; Ash; Green, Cooke (Yeoman 88), Dawson, Vassell (Wright 69), Duff (Afful 78). Subs (not used): Krac, Brett.
Yellow cards: Farkins.
Referee: Gary Parsons.
Crowd: 532.


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/TruroCity-make-point-bounce-6-0-thrashing/story-27742091-detail/story.html#ixzz3kyQ8JloS

Truro City 0 v Oxford City 6

Abject Truro City hit for six as they suffer third successive league defeat (by Rhod Mitchell, West Briton)

         

Ten man Truro City were given a brutal lesson as they slumped to a third successive National League South defeat after being totally outclassed by the impressive visitors.
Trailing 2-0 at half time, they then had defender Rob Farkins sent off and were fortunate to concede only four more goals as Oxford cruised to victory.
The defeat leaves City 17th in the table, just two points off the relegation places.

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Match photos

And after the game, City boss Steve Tully pulled no punches, describing it as his worst day as manager at Treyew Road.
He said: "It's a bad day at the office. The worst game since I taken over as manager. I think we were lucky to finish 6-0 because they were the better team.
"What disappointed me most was that at 3-0 down and down to ten men we gave up, that's the biggest thing that hurt me."
And City fans should expect some coming and goings over the next few days.
Tully said: "There will be movement of players, there are certain players who cannot play this level and we need to get ones who can."
He said both himself and his management team, as well as the players, also needed to look at what they were doing.
City had to endure a chastening first half as they struggled to cope with the movement and pace of the visitors.
It took Oxford only six minutes to take the lead, with Omari Sterling James allowed far too much space in the right hand channel before finding the far corner of Martin Rice's net with a powerful low drive.
And it became 2-0 after 19 minutes when a simple long ball put Bradley Bubb clear and he easily beat a helpless Rice.
City struggled to create chances, with Arran Pugh unable to get a header on Rice free kick and Craig Duff forcing a good save from Laurie Walker their best efforts.
In contrast, an excellent Oxford side posed a constant threat and could easily have had a third before the break.
At half time, Tully brought on Dan Green and Les Afful for Jake Ash and Conor Riley-Low, but any hopes of a revival were soon ended as Farkins saw red five minutes into the half.
Chaisng back after losing the ball Farkins brought down Reece Fleet inside the area and as "last man" had to go.
Substitute Vinny Mukendi converted the spot kick to make it 3-0 and effectively end the game.
Oxford were in total command, as Mukendi struck twice more to complete his hat-trick in a 11 minute spell, with Luke Coluson ending the rout right on time with another penalty, after Shane Krac had brought him down, to end a miserable day for the home club.
It will now be a big test for manager Tully and his players starting with Saturday's trip to ninth-placed Eastbourne Borough, to try and turn the season around and it should make for fascinating viewing.
TRURO CITY: Rice; Farkins, Ash (Green h-t), Pugh; Dawson, White, Krac, Brett, Riley-Low (Afful h-t), Wright (Cooke 57), Duff. Subs (not used): Yeoman, McHale.
Yellow cards: Pugh, White, Wright, Krac.
Red card: Farkins.
OXFORD CITY: Walker; King, Lapoujade, Del Alamo, Arzamendi, Santiago, Coulson, Fleet, Bubb (Mukendi 20), Lafuente, Sterling, James. Subs: Benjamin, Henderson, Pifarre.
Yellow cards: Fleet, Lafuente.
Goals: Sterling James (6) 0-1, Bubb (19) 0-2, Mukendi (52 pen) 0-3, Mukendi (55), 0-4, Mukendi (63) 0-5, Coulson (90 pen) 0-6..
Crowd 541
Referee: Savvas Yianni (Weston-Super-Mare.

Gosport 3 v Truro City 1

A tale of two halves as Borough come from behind to beat Truro City and extend their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.

Before kick-off both sets of players walked out in unison and held a minutes silence for those lost their lives in the Shoreham air show disaster last weekend.

 

Alex Pike had gone with a fairly unchanged team from the one that came away from Dartford last weekend with three points as Ben Harding was the only change from the starting 11 with Mike Carter sitting out.
Once the visitors got the game under way all unison was chucked out of the window as Truro pushed Borough early on with Shane White hooking the ball around the wrong side of the post in the opening few minutes.
Truro continued to dominate the opening 15 minutes of the game with Ashmore once again showing why he is one of the best keepers in the league by getting down low to prevent Isaac Vassell, nephew of premier league legend Darius Vassell, putting the visitors ahead.
Once Boro' settled into the game chances came for Jamie White and Dan Wooden but it was Truro striker Matthew Wright who, against the run of play, put the White Tigers ahead on 24 minutes after Shane krac managed to squeeze past the Boro’ defence and place the ball onto Wright’s head.

 

Going a goal behind seemed to inspire Gosport who pressed the White Tigers defence and quickly found an equaliser eight minutes later.
A Tom Dunford corner found Harding on the edge of the box and his cross was found by captain Brett Poate and he cooly placed the ball in the back of the net.
Both teams continued to push the other for the remainder of the half with shots from both set of strikers but it was Truro who looked more likely to score as they took control.
As Gosport returned from the dressing room for the second half, the words of manager Alex Pike must have still been ringing in their ears. A different team from that of the first half came onto the field and dominated the game.
A goal mouth scramble gave the hosts a scare but Boro' were rewarded for all their hard work when a Ben Harding header put the boys in yellow ahead on the 64th minute.
And whilst the home fans were still celebrating, Dan Wooden turned past two players just inside the box and smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Two goals in two minutes eased the pressure on the home side and added the pressure on Truro to continue their unbeaten run on the road this season.
Alex Pike gave new signing Elliot Wheeler his debut shortly after Boro' took the lead with goal scorer Ben Harding making way.
Gosport saw out the rest of the game and continue their unbeaten start to the season and now sit third in the National League South.
It would be wrong to write a report and not mention the fantastic support from the Truro fans. Travelling almost five hours to Privett Park they were in full spirit throughout the game and after the final whistle.
There is no time for Borough to relax as they take on Hampshire rivals Basingstoke Town on Monday afternoon.