In an amazing game in the rain at Treyew Road, City were denied a vital victory as their National League South play-off hopes suffered a setback.
And their nemesis was Maidenhead's Dave Tarpey, who scored all four of his side's goals in a thrilling contest which, in the end, Truro were grateful to come out of with a share of the spoils after three times enjoying two goal leads.
It had all looked so good for the home side as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 14 minutes, with new Exeter City on loan signing Matty Jay playing a key role on his debut.
The diminiutive 19-year-old first calmly rolled the ball across the area for Dan Green to sidefoot home after eight minutes and then Jay netted himself as he turned and shot past the left hand of Maidenhead keeper Carl Pentney.
City should really have finished the Berkshire side off, but four minutes before half time Tarpey beat the City offside trap and finished calmly past a helpless Martin Rice.
However, in the first minute of stoppage time, Isaac Vassell restored City's two goal advantage
heading home from close range from Ryan Brett's corner.
Maidenhead had the elements in their favour after the break and quickly pulled a goal back when Tarpey put away the rebound after his first effort had hit the post.
But immediately Vassell struck again for City to put them 4-2 up and seemingly on their way to victory as they led by two clear goals for the third time.
However, the visitors continued to push as City got deeper and deeper and 10 minutes from time Tarpey completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, after City substitute Aaron Dawson had been penalised for a trip in a goalmouth scramble.,
City were hanging on as the conditions deteriorated, but could not hold out and a minute from time Tarpey latched on to Joe Gorman's cross from the left to make it 4-4 with his fourth goal
and only a terrific save from Rice denied the visitors a winner.
It meant that City have now lost just once in their last 16 league games and are unbeaten at home in five months, but it still felt like a defeat.
They remain seventh in the table, three points off the play-offs.
CITY: Rice; White, Pugh, Richards, Riley-Lowe; Knowles (Knowles 67); Green, Cooke (Duff 63), Brett, Jay (Afful 73), Vassell
Subs (not used) Gill, Mitchell.
Yellow cards: None
MAIDENHEAD UTD: Pentney; Huggins, Gorman, Upward, Nisbet, Inman, Tarpey, Smith (Wiltshire 63), Reid, Wright (Barratt 60), Mulley
Subs (not used): Olorunfemi, Peters.
Yellow cards: None
Goals: Green (8) 1-0, Jay (14) 2-0, Tarpey (41) 2-1, Vassell (45+1) 3-1, Tarpey (53) 3-2, Vassell (54) 4-2, Tarpey (pen 80) 4-3), Tarpey (89) 4-4.
Referee: Daniel Cook (Hampshire)
Crowd 390.
Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-v-Maidenhead-United/story-28590370-detail/story.html#ixzz3yLCfDyC6
26 January 2016
20 January 2016
Macclesfield Town 2 Truro City 0
Macclesfield Town cruised to a 2-0 victory against Truro City to reach the Last 16 of the FA Trophy thanks to a stunning strike by Danny Whitaker and a penalty for Kristian Dennis.
The Silkmen created their first chance four minutes in when Dennis was played through over the top, however his right footed half-volley headed over Martin Rice’s net.
Just two minutes later and the hosts nearly grabbed the opener, a slick through ball by Jack Sampson saw Dennis played through one-on-one to round the keeper, but just before tapping into the empty net, the referee blew in what was a very tight offside call.
The breakthrough finally came 20 minutes in, Whitaker smartly set himself up on the edge of the area before riffling a shot over Rice’s head and into the top corner to put Macc into a 1-0 lead in style.
Macclesfield’s lead was almost doubled as yet another chance fell to Dennis, quick thinking in the area saw him pull of a snapshot which Rice done well to keep out before the ball was cleared.
Truro’s best chance of the half fell to Ryan Brett 43 minutes in, after breaking through on goal, he smashed an effort towards Ritchie Branagan who produced a fine save to see the Silkmen enter half-time 1-0 up.
Macc didn’t stop the pressure in the second-half, some smart play saw a long-ranged Dennis cross reach Danny Rowe, after breaking towards the area his pullback reached Paul Turmbull who curled the ball over the bar.
To their credit, the impressive Issac Vassell gave Truro some life after his introduction from the bench, and his deflected effort just snuck past the post before Branagan had to make a solid save from the resulting corner.
Whitaker almost found his second of the game just before the hour mark, Danny Whitehead’s deep cross was met by Whitakers powerful volley, but an excellent save by Rice denied Whitaker’s brace.
Macclesfield eventually found their second 77 minutes in, a mazy run by Whitehead saw him fouled in the penalty area, Dennis stepped up and converted the penalty by smashing the ball into the top-right corner making it 2-0.
Vassell squandered another late chance for the visitors but in the end 2-0 was enough for Macc.
The result see’s Macclesfield reach the Last 16 of the competition in which they face an away visit against Torquay.
Macclesfield Town: Branagan, Cowan, Byrne, Diagne, Fitzpatrick, Whiatker, Turnbull, Whitehead, Rowe (Halls 90), Dennis, Sampson
Truro City: Rice, Mitchell, Riley-Lowe, Brett, Richards, Pugh, Knowles, Green, Duff, Gill, Dawson
Attendance: 507
Read more at http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/read-how-the-silkmen-won-their-fa-trophy-replay-against-truro-2911157.aspx#ELDCg4W8IgpjXt5G.99
17 January 2016
Truro City 2 Macclesfield Town 2
- Pictures by Jonathan Jacobs
After taking the lead on the hour mark with a deflected effort from Ollie Knowles - his first for the club - City had quickly found themselves 2-1 down after the visitors hit back with goals from top scorer Kristian Dennis and lively substitute Rhys Turner.
But in a dramatic finish, with goalmouth action at both ends, Vassell pounced on a loose ball to make it 2-2 and the pacy striker was then only denied a winner by a superb save from Macclesfield keeper Ritchie Branagan.
And it means City will have to make the long trip to Cheshire on Tuesday evening for a replay, which means their scheduled National League South game against Hemel Hempstead Town will again be postponed.
It was no less than the home side deserved as, watched by the biggest crowd of the season at Treyew, they matched their higher league opponents who are chasing a return to the Football League.
With Jake Ash unwell and Matt Wright injured, Vassell came into the side with new signing Bayan Fenwick on the bench for the home team
In the opening half there was little between the teams, though City carried the greater goal threat.
Cody Cooke headed just over from a Ryan Brett corner and Vassell was just unable to get his head to a Connor Riley-Lowe cross from the left, while the ball did not run for them kindly on several occasions.
But luck was on their side when they went ahead 15 minutes into the second period, with Knowles letting fly from just outside the area with his shot taking a wicked deflection past a wrong footed Branagan to give City a 1-0 lead.
However, that lead lasted only six minutes as Dennis made it 1-1 when he found himself in space at the far post when the ball ran loose after Martin Rice made a great save to deny substitute Turner.
Buoyed by the goal, the visitors had a terrific spell and went 2-1 up with a fine goal from Turner who finished well after a strong run into the heart of the City area.
Rice then had to maker vital saves to thwart Dennis and substitute Danny Rowe to prevent Macclesfield from scoring a killer third.
City though rode out the storm and their persistence paid off with Vassell's equaliser to set up a thrilling finale, in which either side could have won it.
In the end though a draw was a fair result, even though a midweek 600 mile round trip to a chilly Cheshire for the replay is hardly ideal.
TRURO CITY: Rice; White, Pugh, Richards, Riley-Lowe; Knowles, Green, Cooke (Afful 74), Brett (Gill 79), Duff (Fenwick 65), Vassell. Subs (not used): Dawson, Mitchell.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN: Branagan; Halls, Pilkington (Turner 65), Byrne, Fitzpatrick; Holroyd (Rowe 65),, Diagne, Whitehead, Whitaker (capt), Sampson; Dennis. Subs (not used); Turnbull, Cowan, Lewis.
Goals: Knowles (60) 1-0, Dennis 66 (1-1), Turner (77) 1-2, Vassell (85) 2-2.
Referee: Brett Huxtable (Torrington)
Crowd: 665.
Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-v-Macclesfield-Town/story-28539474-detail/story.html#ixzz3xVZFjlPP
10 January 2016
Ebbsfleet United 0 Truro City 0
There was frustration for National League South leaders Ebbsfleet United on Saturday when they were held to a goalless draw by Truro City.
Fleet dominated in the first half but couldn't find the breakthrough and the visitors had their moments after the break.
Despite late pressure from the home side, Truro held on for a share of the spoils while Ebbsfleet's lead at the top has now been trimmed to six points.
Tom Bonner returned to captain the Fleet after serving a three-match ban and top scorer Matt Godden was also back in the team having missed the 0-0 draw at Concord with a tight hamstring.
There was a recall for winger Danny Haynes as Charlie Sheringham dropped back to the bench, with Matt Fish and Dean Pooley not involved at all.
Truro arrived in Kent having lost just one of their previous 14 matches and manager Steve Tully made just one change, Craig Duff replacing Isaac Vassell up front.
Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence for long-serving Fleet groundsman Peter Norton, who died recently at the age of 80.
Danny Kedwell connected with an early Jordan Parkes corner but saw his goalbound shot blocked by a visiting defender. It was a similar story moments later when Haynes crossed low from the right and Kedwell took aim only for a Truro player to get in the way of his shot.
The next chance fell to Parkes, whose controlled half-volley from just outside the box forced a good low save from goalkeeper Martin Rice.
Kedwell then spotted his strike partner unmarked, picking out Godden with a precise pass. Godden took a touch before shooting low across Rice, turning to see his effort drift narrowly wide of the far post.
Some delightful link-up between Parkes and Anthony Cook created an opening for Godden on the corner of the penalty area although he failed to hit the target with a curling effort.
But the home side, playing without full-backs, were briefly exposed down their right-hand side when Cody Cooke burst into space and delivered a dangerous low cross. The ball fell to Ryan Brett and his shot deflected behind.
But most of the chances were coming at the other end, Godden's volley from a Parkes corner hacked clear and Kedwell snatching a low shot wide from distance.
Cooke turned a shot well wide for Truro when the men in white shirts did break out and Brett was then cautioned for an ugly late tackle on Kenny Clark. Another referee might have sent him off.
After Parkes had tried to find Godden with a whipped free-kick from the Fleet right, the midfielder delivered a deeper ball from near the touchline and Kedwell rose well but was unable to keep his header down.
Cook lashed a powerful shot towards the bottom corner but Rice made another good save and Kedwell, on the stretch, couldn't quite reach Haynes' low cross just before half-time.
Fleet counter-attacked well at the start of the second half and Haynes had a shot blocked after Godden made ground and pulled the ball back into his path.
But sloppiness then begin to creep into the home side's play.
Brandon Hall dropped a Brett cross and although Ebbsfleet survived the scramble which followed, they were on the back foot again when Anthony Acheampong's heavy touch invited Truro forward. They went close from that attack and were only denied by Acheampong's brilliant saving tackle when the men in red gave the ball away again on the corner of their own penalty area.
Truro now looked the more likely scorers and John Paul Kissock was sent on for Stuart Lewis as Fleet boss Daryl McMahon sought to regain control in midfield.
Cook cut in from the left and saw his cross-shot deflect wide of the far post as the home side tried to respond to the encouragement from the terraces. Kedwell's ball then released Godden down the right and his cross reached Haynes, whose header was somehow blocked.
There was another tribute for Peter Norton in the 80th minute when applause broke out all around the ground, just as Ebbsfleet started to turn the screw.
Rice spilled a long-range strike from Rance and Cook then saw his shot deflect just wide of the near post after cutting inside two defenders.
Rance, driving Fleet forward from his deep midfield role, forced another save from Rice, but there was to be no grandstand finish.
Ebbsfleet: Hall, Lewis (Kissock 65mins), Bonner, Haynes, Clark (van den Bogaert 90mins), Acheampong, Rance, Parkes, Kedwell, Godden, Cook. Subs not used: Miles, Sheringham, Osborn.
Truro: Rice, White, Riley-Lowe, Brett (Vassell 65mins), Richards, Pugh, Knowles, Green, Wright (Gill 64mins), Duff (Afful 58mins), Cooke. Subs not used: Dawson, Mitchell.
Attendance: 1,185.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/ebbsfleet-v-truro-48915/
Fleet dominated in the first half but couldn't find the breakthrough and the visitors had their moments after the break.
Despite late pressure from the home side, Truro held on for a share of the spoils while Ebbsfleet's lead at the top has now been trimmed to six points.
Ebbsfleet's players observe a minute's silence for groundsman Peter Norton Picture: Andy Payton
Tom Bonner returned to captain the Fleet after serving a three-match ban and top scorer Matt Godden was also back in the team having missed the 0-0 draw at Concord with a tight hamstring.
There was a recall for winger Danny Haynes as Charlie Sheringham dropped back to the bench, with Matt Fish and Dean Pooley not involved at all.
Truro arrived in Kent having lost just one of their previous 14 matches and manager Steve Tully made just one change, Craig Duff replacing Isaac Vassell up front.
Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence for long-serving Fleet groundsman Peter Norton, who died recently at the age of 80.
Danny Kedwell connected with an early Jordan Parkes corner but saw his goalbound shot blocked by a visiting defender. It was a similar story moments later when Haynes crossed low from the right and Kedwell took aim only for a Truro player to get in the way of his shot.
The next chance fell to Parkes, whose controlled half-volley from just outside the box forced a good low save from goalkeeper Martin Rice.
Kedwell then spotted his strike partner unmarked, picking out Godden with a precise pass. Godden took a touch before shooting low across Rice, turning to see his effort drift narrowly wide of the far post.
Danny Kedwell gets a shot in against Truro as Stuart Lewis looks on Picture: Andy Payton
Some delightful link-up between Parkes and Anthony Cook created an opening for Godden on the corner of the penalty area although he failed to hit the target with a curling effort.
But the home side, playing without full-backs, were briefly exposed down their right-hand side when Cody Cooke burst into space and delivered a dangerous low cross. The ball fell to Ryan Brett and his shot deflected behind.
But most of the chances were coming at the other end, Godden's volley from a Parkes corner hacked clear and Kedwell snatching a low shot wide from distance.
Cooke turned a shot well wide for Truro when the men in white shirts did break out and Brett was then cautioned for an ugly late tackle on Kenny Clark. Another referee might have sent him off.
After Parkes had tried to find Godden with a whipped free-kick from the Fleet right, the midfielder delivered a deeper ball from near the touchline and Kedwell rose well but was unable to keep his header down.
Cook lashed a powerful shot towards the bottom corner but Rice made another good save and Kedwell, on the stretch, couldn't quite reach Haynes' low cross just before half-time.
Fleet counter-attacked well at the start of the second half and Haynes had a shot blocked after Godden made ground and pulled the ball back into his path.
Dean Rance finds himself outnumbered in midfield Picture: Andy Payton
But sloppiness then begin to creep into the home side's play.
Brandon Hall dropped a Brett cross and although Ebbsfleet survived the scramble which followed, they were on the back foot again when Anthony Acheampong's heavy touch invited Truro forward. They went close from that attack and were only denied by Acheampong's brilliant saving tackle when the men in red gave the ball away again on the corner of their own penalty area.
Truro now looked the more likely scorers and John Paul Kissock was sent on for Stuart Lewis as Fleet boss Daryl McMahon sought to regain control in midfield.
Cook cut in from the left and saw his cross-shot deflect wide of the far post as the home side tried to respond to the encouragement from the terraces. Kedwell's ball then released Godden down the right and his cross reached Haynes, whose header was somehow blocked.
There was another tribute for Peter Norton in the 80th minute when applause broke out all around the ground, just as Ebbsfleet started to turn the screw.
Rice spilled a long-range strike from Rance and Cook then saw his shot deflect just wide of the near post after cutting inside two defenders.
Rance, driving Fleet forward from his deep midfield role, forced another save from Rice, but there was to be no grandstand finish.
Ebbsfleet: Hall, Lewis (Kissock 65mins), Bonner, Haynes, Clark (van den Bogaert 90mins), Acheampong, Rance, Parkes, Kedwell, Godden, Cook. Subs not used: Miles, Sheringham, Osborn.
Truro: Rice, White, Riley-Lowe, Brett (Vassell 65mins), Richards, Pugh, Knowles, Green, Wright (Gill 64mins), Duff (Afful 58mins), Cooke. Subs not used: Dawson, Mitchell.
Attendance: 1,185.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/ebbsfleet-v-truro-48915/