26 September 2016

Wealdstone 1 – 2 Truro City

Truro City stole victory at Grosvenor Vale after Niall Thompson and substitute Andrew Neal’s second-half efforts cancelled out Elliot Benyon’s eleventh competitive goal of the season.
Defeat for the Stones dropped them down to ninth position and was definitely a missed opportunity as a victory could have moved them up in to the play-off places.
Captain Wes Parker returned to the starting line-up in place of Tom Hamblin. Omar Koroma and Elliott Godfrey were also in for Sahr Kabba and David Hunt. Jonny Wright returned to the bench.
The White Tigers had a great chance six minutes in when debutant Louis Rooney volleyed just over the bar from the edge of the area.
But it was Benyon who opened the scoring after a tight opening phase of the game when Matthew Whichelow played a ball over the top for the striker to easily slot past Tom McHale.
Wealdstone then went into the ascendency and struck the post when Koroma put a 25-yard free-kick over the wall.
Koroma then had a chance to double the Stones lead on the 48th minute but his shot trickled wide as the home side’s dominance continued unabated.
The Stones spent most of the second half camped on the edge of Truro’s penalty area but couldn’t create that killer chance that would put the game to bed.
And they were punished for that on 72 minutes when City hit the home side on a counter attack. Thompson evaded Ciaron Brown’s challenge and struck a venomous effort into the top corner.
Substitute Neal almost put the visitors ahead latching on to a long ball from the keeper McHale but his lobbed effort went narrowly over the crossbar.
The Stones now inexplicably looked a shadow of the side that had controlled the game so well. From similar circumstances to his earlier effort, the tricky striker Neal nipped onto another long ball before rounding Jonathan North in goal and taking three snatched points back to Cornwall.

WEALD STONE: North; Cox, Brown, McLeod-Urquhart, Parker (capt), Wellard, Godfrey, Green, Benton, Whichelow, Koroma.
Subs: Wright, Williams, Kabba, Hutchinson, McGleish.
CITY: McHale; Bentley, Pugh, Smith, Richards; Knowles, Brett, Allen, Thompson, Rooney. Fallon. Subs: White, Adelsbury, Afful, Neal, Basso (GK).
Referee: I Rathbone.

http://www.wealdstone-fc.com/2016/posts/wealdstone-1-2-truro-city/

18 September 2016

Winchester City 4 Truro City 0 (lucky to get nil)

WINCHESTER City’s 4-0 outclassing of National League South outfit Truro might have come as a major shock to the outside world.
But after watching his lowly Southern One South & West charges storm through to the FA Cup third qualifying round with a combination of defensive composure and irresistible attacking play, contented boss Ian Saunders smiled: “We’re capable of that.
“I’ve thought that for a couple of weeks, but this is the first time we’ve had almost everyone available and it’s no coincidence that this was the day it all fell into place.
“We thoroughly deserved the win.
“We defended stoutly and got into dangerous areas.
“Being a bit critical, we could have had one or two more goals.”
Although Truro’s improved second-half performance (it could hardly have been worse) meant Saunders stopped short of calling it a "comfortable" win, there was rarely a moment's doubt that the Citizens would be going through.
Here was a side that, by rights, should have been drained of confidence, labouring third to bottom of the South & West with just one league win to their name.
Yet Winchester took the tie to Truro in scintillating fashion and, come the half-time whistle, were three goals up.
Midfield warrior Jamie Brown had already had a header cleared off the line when Howard Neighbour set up Craig Feeney to arrow a shot into the far corner after 21 minutes.
Seven minutes later, ex-AFC Totton striker Feeney turned menacingly onto the ball some 25 yards out and drove at the Truro defence. His strike proved too hot for Truro keeper Tom McHale and Joe Briggs was handily placed to slot in the rebound.
Feeney was on fire and when Taz Roberts, another star of Winchester’s attacking show, played him through on 37 minutes, the nimble No9 cleverly flicked the ball past the advancing McHale and it crossed the line despite the best efforts of Truro’s on-loan Eastleigh defender Jack Smith.
The second half was a far more even contest with Wincheste r'keeper Lewis Noice forced into a couple of smart saves and sub Matt Evans clearing Rory Fallon’s header off the line.
But the hosts still had their chances and Neighbour made one of them count on 72 minutes, finding the bottom corner with a measured 18-yard strike.
“I wouldn’t say it was a comfortable win,” said a somewhat modest Saunders afterwards. "I felt it was a high-energy, high tempo game between two equally matched sides.
“Lewis Noice had to make a couple of good saves, but you’d expect that against a side who’ve had wins and draws in the Conference South this season.
“But we’d had a real good week’s training and we carried out the game plan to the letter of the law.
“I wouldn’t want to pick a man-of-the-match because everyone played their part.”
Big defender Ross Bottomley caught the eye with a towering performance and he smiled: “We’re there as a team now and I’m pleased for Ian.
“I really like him, I think all the lads do too, and it’s been a bit of a disappointing start to the season where we've lost a few games poorly.

“That wasn’t a reflection on Ian and what he’s doing here and I’m glad we’ve got this result for him.
“His reaction when he came into the dressing room was nice to see. His mouth was very close to his ears on both sides!”

Winchester City: Lewis Noice, Joe Hayward (Matt Evans, 46), Jamie Ford, Jamie Brown, Ross Bottomley, Dan King, Joe Briggs (Sam Wilson, 81), Stuart Green, Craig Feeney, Howard Neighbour, Adam Roberts (Jason Silver, 84). Subs (not used): Ed Dryden, Jack Hannam, Ryan Holloway.
Truro City: Tom McHale, Aaron Bentley, Jamie Richards, Ollie Knowles, Jack Smith, Aaron Pugh, Ryan Brett, Niall Thompson, Andrew Neal, Ben Adelsbury, Cody Cooke (Rory Fallon, 32). Subs (not used): Shane White, Adriano Basso, Les Afful, River Allen.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/14750246.Winchester_s_stunning_FA_Cup_display_was_no_great_surprise_to_manager/?ref=twtrec

15 September 2016

Truro City 0 Poole Town 0

City stretched their unbeaten National League South run to three games, but will have felt they should have taken all three points.
They had the better of the chances against their high-flying visitors and on another night would have come out on top.
But the draw took them a place up the table to 16th and five points clear of the relegation zone.

 

City boss Lee Hodges named an unchanged side for the third successive game for their last home league match until Dartford visit on October 8.
Thankfully the torrential rain, which was accompanied by thunder and lightning, eased before the kick before stopping all together for the crowd of just over 300.
The game began slowly, with neither keeper really tested in the opening 20 minutes, though there were promising signs for City with Ryan Brett prominent, though the final killer pass proved elusive.
After Luke Roberts shot well wide for the visitors, Niall Thompson had an effort easily held by Poole keeper Nick Hutchings.
The best chance of the half fell to City after 27 minutes, when Hutchings could not hold onto Thompson's low cross from the right, but Rocky Neal's close range effort was deflected over for a corner.
That was the closest either side got, though Neal did find the net just before the break, but Thompson had already run the ball out of play.
The main Poole threat came from free kicks, but City's defence looked very solid as the half ended goalless.
Truro began the second half well, with the influential Ollie Knowles finding Thompson down the right.
His shot from a difficult angle was parried by Hutchings, with Cooke's follow up strike cleared off the line.
For Poole, on loan AFC Bournemouth striker Sam Surridge was just wide with a curling free-kick, but it was a rare threat from the visitors.
City continued to press, with Cooke and Ben Adelsbury both shooting wide, while a Brett free-kick was headed on by Arran Pugh before being deflected for a Brett corner, which Aaron Bentley headed wide.
A great save by Nick Hutchings then denied Cooke what would have been a deserved winner five minutes from time, but the crucial goal just would not come.
It was a good all round performance by City who looked like a real team and one that is going to be difficult to beat.
They will now hope to maintain their good form at Winchester City on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup.

CITY: McHale; Bentley, Pugh (capt), Smith, Richards; Cooke, Adelsbury, Knowles, Brett, Thompson (Afful 81), Neal.
Subs (not used): White, Fallon, Allen, Basso.
Yellow card: Knowles (41), Neal (57).
POOLE TOWN: Hutchings; Lindsay, Spetch, Walker, Whisken (capt), Gleeson, Burbidge, Devlin, Sunridge (Wort 63), Roberts (Gillespie 88), Baggie (Granger 66).
Subs (not used): Rees, Case.
Referee: Adam Ricketts.
Crowd: 302.

Read more at http://www.westbriton.co.uk/truro-city-v-poole-town-match-report/story-29712813-detail/story.html#ZHikyC7xMgqdxLPS.99

12 September 2016

Oxford City 1 Truro City 1

Truro gained a useful point at Marsh Lane as they edged further away from the wrong end of the National League South table.
City boss Lee Hodges named an unchanged side from the one that beat Hungerford Town 2-0 in the week, with Brazilian keeper Adrian Basso returning on the bench.
After a goalless first half, City went ahead after 56 minutes with right back Arran Bentley scoring with a good far post header from a corner by Ryan Brett, with the home side soon leveling through a controversial Scott Davies penalty and that was how it stayed.

City boss Lee Hodges was pleased with his team's solid performance, but unhappy with the penalty awarded against Jack Smith for his challenge on Joel Ashby.
He said: "We were nice and solid and resolute. And after last week (when City lost. 6-0 at home to East Thurrock Utd) it's good to have taken four points from two games.
"It was back to basics, though the game wasn't a classic.
"It was a clean challenge by Jack, but the referee could not seem to wait to give the penalty.
"Everyone in the ground was laughing. I thought when we scored we would go on and win
".After the penalty they got a bit of a head of steam but we defended well and Tom McHale made a couple of important late saves."
The result leaves City 17th in the table four points clear of the relegation places.
They are next in action at home to Poole Town on Tuesday evening.
City: McHale; Bentley, Pugh, Smith, Richards; Thompson, Knowles, Adelsbury, Brett, Cooke, Neal. Subs: Fallon, White, Allen, Afful, Basso
Crowd: 214

08 September 2016

Truro City 2 Hungerford Town 0

City bounced back from Saturday's 6-0 home drubbing at the hands of East Thurrock United, to earn only their second National League South win of the season and their first at home, as they deservedly beat the West Berkshire visitors on Tuesday night.
First half goals by Cody Cooke and Niall Thompson were enough to give City the points, which lifted them  three places up the table to 16 th, ahead of Saturday's visit to Oxford City.
The passion and commitment that seemingly was so lacking on Saturday was there in abundance, as they never stopped running and battling for the 90 minutes to earn a precious win their first at home since April 5 when they beat Dartford.

No doubt stung by the heavy criticism they received after the East Thurrock defeat, the City players were really up for the fight against a good Hungerford side.
And they were not to be denied the win, even as Hungerford threw everything at them in the second half, as City defended with their lives to keep only their second clean sheet of the season.
The team showed three changes from Saturday, with keeper Tom McHale making his first start of season in goal in place of the injured Adriano Basso, while Arran Bentley started at right back, with Ben Adelsbury restored to the midfield as River Allen and player-coach Rory Fallon dropped to the bench.
Manager Lee Hodges was suffering from a severe bout of flu and watched the match from the stands, leaving Fallon in the dug out.
It was the visitors, whose new signing, former England full back Nicky Shorey did not travel as expected, who began the better, with Stefan Brown missing an early chance when after being put clear down the left, he shot just wide of the far post.
But it was City who opened the scoring after 11 minutes, with their first meaningful attack, as the excellent Ryan Brett crossed low from the right of the area for Cooke to score his third of the season with an emphatic finish.
Buoyed by the goal, City continued to press with Cooke shooting at Legg, while the tireless Rocky Neal, who played largely a lone role up front, was well wide with a volley.
Hungerford though continued to threaten with Garyn Preen testing McHale , Ian Herring heading over and  Luke Williams blasted wastefully over the bar.
At the other end, Brett was just unable to finish off a Cooke cross from the left, which Legg did well to claim, but City did get their second two minutes before the break.
Neal showed great persistence on the left before finding Thompson on the edge of the area and he drilled a superb strike past the left hand of the helpless Legg and into the bottom corner.
It was the perfect time to score and the question was whether City could hold onto their 2-0 lead, having twice already drawing games which they had led by the same margin this season.
Hungerford began strongly after the break with Preen lobbing over from a flick by Brown.
For Truro, an Ollie Knowles corner flashed across the six yard box, as City sought the comfort of a third.
Hungerford though were not going to go down quietly with sub Harry Goodger and skipper Matt Pay both heading over from free-kicks.
McHale, who had a fine game, brought off an excellent save to keep out a Luke Williams drive and the midfielder then clipped the top of the bar with a fierce strike.
City's defence though was unyielding,  led by skipper and man of the match Arran Pugh, backed up by the rest of his fired up side who chased and harried every ball.
Brett was denied a third for City as Legg kept out his well struck free-kick, as the home side finished the game strongly and fully deserved the applause of the home crowd as they came off at the end.
What a difference four days make.
Truro City: McHale; Bentley, Pugh (capt), Smith, Richards, Thomson, Knowles (Allen 75), Cooke, Brett, Thompson, Neal.
Subs (not used): Crago, Fallon, Afful, White.
Yellow card: Knowles
Hungerford Town: Legg; Tyler, Jones, Day, John, Clark (Goodger 62), Herring (Bignall 62), Williams, Preen, Jarvis, Brown (McGrory 62).
Subs (not used): Rusby, Boardman
Yellow card: Jones:
Goals: Cooke (11) 1-0, Thomson (43) 2-0.
Referee; Marc Whaley.
Crowd 406.

http://www.westbriton.co.uk/truro-city-v-hungerford-town-match-report/story-29689572-detail/story.html

04 September 2016

Truro City 0 East Thurrock Utd 6

City's difficult start to the season in National League South reached an abject low as  they crashed to defeat against newly-promoted East Thurrock at a wet Treyew Road.
The defeat leaves City just one point off the relegation places, ahead of Tuesday's night's home game with Hungerford Town, with a single win from their opening eight games.
And after watching his side go down without barely a whimper, City boss Lee Hodges apologised to everyone connected with the club for his team's performance.
He said: "We got what we deserved,  if you don't want to fight and battle and put your bodies on the line., We looked very sorry for ourselves out there.
" I can only only  apologise to the fans who turned up here today and everyone connected with the club who works their socks off.
 "I hope the players  are hurting, but  I don t know if they are?
"But is is hurting me, I have a lot of pride in what I do. Some   players for me at are just  going through the motions.
"I am up for the fight let's see if they are?"

The visitors' hero was Tom Wraight who scored all four goals as his side  eased into a 4-0 interval lead.
image: http://static.criteo.net/flash/icon/nai_small.png
His first came after eight minutes when he finished well  after an attempted   City clearance was charged down
And Wraight went onto score three more in the final 11 minutes of the half.
His second was a terrific strike, which was followed by a mazy run and good finish before heading home at the far post.
 After the break City did look a little more threatening   with Rocky Neal heading over and Ryan Brett denied by a great challenge form Ryan Sammons, but the impressive Essex side  finished the game strongly, with substitute Michael Freiter scoring from close range before Reece Harris completed the  rout with a long range effort.
 Truro City: Basso (McHale 58); Cooke (Bentley h-t), Pugh, Smith, Richards, Allen, Knowles, Brett, Thomson, Fallon (Afful h-t), Neal.
Subs (not used): Crago, Adelsbury.
East Thurrock Utd: Lidakevicius; Sammons, Nesbitt, Clark, Ellul, Wood, Harris, Burns (Freiter 25), Walker (Marlow 71), Gardner (Ferdinand 75), Wraight.
Subs (not used): Age, Honesty.
 Goals: Wraight (9) 0-1, Wraight (34 0-2), Wraight (41) 0-3, Wraight (42) 0-4, Freiter (75) 0-5, Harris (81) 0-6.
Referee: Gary Parsons (Hampshire).
Crowd: 261

http://www.westbriton.co.uk/truro-city-v-east-thurrock-united-match-report/story-29681837-detail/story.html