Poole Town 0 Truro City 3

0

Poole Town FC

3

Truro City
Cooke, Harvey (2)

Kick Off :

Tuesday December 26, 2017 15:00

Competition :

National League South

Attendance :

381

Match Sponsor :

Ableworld

Ball Sponsor :

The Active Healthcare Practice

Poole Players :

Hutchings, Lindsay, Moore (Leslie-Smith) , Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Bedford (Grange 83), Devlin, Bentley, Gyedi (Bal,mer 64), Harfield. Subs not used; Rees, Neale

Poole remain in the relegation zone with a second half drubbing by Truro in atrocious weather.
There were few chances in the first half but Truro were the better team.  There was little of note until the last 5 minutes of the half when Truro turned up the pressure with Lamont’s long range shot being parried away by Huitchings too close to Truro’s attackers but Poole cleared the danger.  Just before half time Keats had a great chance but blasted over to keep the scores level.
Chris Kelly could be seen out with his spade in the boggy corner at half time – a sight which does not bode well.  The rain continued to pour down and with visible surface water thoughts of abandonment were discussed among the crowd but the referee did not seem to mind.  Truro took the lead they deserved on 60 minutes when a ball to the back post was crossed in to Cooke who was unmarked in the centre to smash home.  A few minutes later a quick throw allowed Cooke in again and he hit the post before Poole cleared the ball.  On 68 minutes Palmer’s long range shot hit the bar and in the ensuing goal mouth scramble Harvey managed to poke the ball home.  By now parts of the pitch were unplayable due to the level of standing water.  Truro made certain of the points on 79 minutes from a quick break with Harvey being found centrally who neatly turned and shot in to the corner.  Poole’s best chance followed shortly after with Bentley looking to be put through but a great defensive tackle denied him.
Although the terrible weather did not help (the funniest moment seeing Truro’s advancing player successfully tackled by the water) , Poole’s performance today was very poor.  There does not seem the desire to fight their way out of relegation.  There was very little threat of Poole scoring all game.
Lets hope the New Year sees a change in Poole’s fortunes as the season so far has been very disappointing.

Match report by Peter Leppington

http://www.pooletownfc.co.uk/261217-poole-town-v-truro-city/

Truro City 1 Gloucester City 1

The Build Up
Another Christmas period has rolled around, and I’m back in Cornwall, trying to survive my mother’s annual one-woman crusade to ensure I start next year carrying more fat than the average seal.  Between forced sittings of stew and dumplings, I managed to find enough time to drag myself down to Truro to see the county’s premier football side in action.

The last (and only) time I watched the White Tigers was at Charlton back in November, when they became the first Cornish side to grace the FA Cup First Round since around the time of the Crimean War.  Although Truro were beaten on the day, they played some great football, and players such as Tyler Harvey, Noah Keats and Aaron Lamont showed genuine quality against Football League opposition.  Since that day, Truro have dropped down the league a little, though they are still 7^th, just outside the playoffs.  With the upper echelons of the Vanarama National League South so tight, (only three points separate Truro City in 7^th and Dartford in 1^st) a good run will see them right back in promotion contention.

 

Gloucester City lie further south in the table – 18^th in fact – in their first season back in the South division.  The Gloucestershire(ish) based side transferred from Vanarama National League North this summer after an 11^th place finish in 2016/17.  Also nicknamed The Tigers, but without a colour adjective (lazy…) Gloucester have had a rough few years.  Since their stadium flooded in 2007, The Tigers have bounced between various landlords, including Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers and Cirencester Town.  Currently residing at Evesham United’s catchily named Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium, Gloucester City are now the only side at Level Six or above to play home games outside their home county.  This unfortunate situation contributed to manager Tim Harris’ resignation last month, so they arrive at Treyew Road today with a new gaffer in the shape of Marc Richards.

The Ground
Treyew Road has a 3,800 capacity and is in its last few years of not being a Lidl.  The German version of Trago Mills have recently agreed a deal to build a flagship Truro store on the site when the White Tigers vacate, in order to move to the fabled Stadium for Cornwall.  The purpose-built 16,000 seater stadium will be shared with the rugby team Cornish Pirates.

As for their current ground, it is certainly not without charm.  The affable and helpful car parking attendants help you find a spot dreckly, whilst the pasty shop gives an air of Cornish authenticity.  I had driven down to this with my father, and whilst I got press access, he handed over £10 for a concessions ticket, and a further £2.50 for a programme.  Chuck in another £5.80 for a very welcome cheeseburger, chips and Pepsi Max (other brands are not available) and the whole day is under £20.  Not too shabby.

One thing that was shabby, however, is the spot where “Steward Nine” is designated to stand.  I don’t want to get carried away here, but I’m relatively certain that were “Steward Nine” to actually stand here, he’d quickly be murdered by Freddy Kruger.

I set my stool down by the goal for the first half, at which point, soundtracked by the Californian awfulness of Katy Perry, it sank three inches into the mud.  With the fog settling in, I didn’t hold out much hope for the photography element of today.  Hopefully the football would provide succour…

 

The Match
Spoiler Warning: it didn’t.  This was a very different Truro City performance from the one I saw at The Valley.  That side were intent on playing slick, passing football, getting it wide and whipping in crosses.  Today’s iteration (and Gloucester City) clearly believed that there was some sort of airborne threat in the Truro area which could only be countered by repeatedly launching the ball as high into the sky as possible.

 

Four minutes in, Tyler Harvey had his first sniff of goal.  I say sniff, only if he has a nose like a basset hound, because it was approximately an eighth of a chance.  His chase of a through pass was quickly snuffed out by ‘keeper Tom Hadler smothering the ball.  It was shortly after this that I heard possibly the most impatient fan comment in football history.  With six minutes on the clock, a teenager behind me remarked grumpily to his mate that “they’ve not tried to pass it all match, just smashing it long all day”.  I mean, he wasn’t wrong, just perhaps a little presumptuous.

 

On 21 minutes Gloucester City captain Kieran Thomas provided a quite exceptional air kick whilst attempting a cross.  His head over heels somersault as a result scored a solid 7.2 for artistic quality.  In direct competition, Truro City’s Ben Gerring produced a delightful miskick of his own on 38 minutes, but (unsurprisingly for a chap of his size) there were no acrobatics to follow this one.  If it seems like I’m eking out talking points, it’s because I am.  These really were the highlights of the first half.

Kieran Thomas in possession

Ben Gerring takes a swing and a miss

Ed Palmer at full pace

Connor Riley-Lowe and Aaron Lamont were energetic in midfield, whilst Cody Cooke and Tyler Harvey worked hard up front, but they really were starved of any service.  Truro City seemed to have succumbed to a temptation to launch it forward at the earliest opportunity and it was suffocating their game.  Another theme of the first half was the sheer fury of Gloucester City’s Chris Knowles.  Permanently on the verge of apoplexy, his rage was primarily directed at the referee, but occasionally shifted focus to his teammates, opposition players, the long coach journey, blue passports, the concept of Christmas.  You name it, he hated it.
The only real moment of class came right on the stroke of halftime when Ben Harding shot just wide.  After good work by Riley-Lowe (who will apparently be getting an Ollie Watkins poster for Christmas… and a restraining order for New Year) the ball was slipped in to Harding.  He settled himself and drove the ball just past the upright.

Ben Harding shoots from twenty yards

 

The first half had been both low on quality and devoid of clear cut chances.  A few headers under pressure and snapshots from the edge of the box were all that either side had to show for forty-five minutes of huff and puff.  Thankfully, it did also see Exeter loanee Alex Hartridge pull some remarkable faces when taking a throw in, so, you know, positives and negatives.

 

Truro City came out for the start of the second half and really upped the tempo.  Almost immediately, former Wrexham and Plymouth Argyle (amongst others) striker Tyler Harvey snapped a shot off from the edge of the area.  Tom Hadler, who’d had very little to do up to this point, got across well to palm the ball wide.

 

Throughout the second half, Gloucester probably just about started to edge proceedings.  Neither side could claim to be playing well, but through the direct running of Karnell Chambers in particular, Gloucester City created a few half chances.  There was nothing that really troubled McHale though.  I was disappointed by this, because I’d been really impressed by the Truro No. 1 when I saw him against Charlton, and didn’t really get to see him tested today.

 

Around the hour mark, Truro’s right back Billy Palfrey started to become influential.  The former Argyle man from Looe was dynamic up and down the right flank, and his whipped crosses seemed like the only means Truro had of causing Gloucester problems.  Cody Cooke and Tyler Harvey were also still bustling away, and on 69 minutes Cooke used his upper body strength to spin a defender from a throw in and lash a shot over from a tight angle.

Cody Cooke holds off the defender…

 

From that corner, a deep cross beat everyone and dropped to Ed Palmer at the back stick.  His half volley struck the outside of the post and went wide, leaving the sturdily built Truro centre back with his head in his hands.

…and holds his head in his hands as the shot comes off the post and wide

 

It was at this point I noticed around ten Gloucester City fans behind Tom McHale’s goal who were very, very vocal.  A few other fans were also fairly vocal, on two specific issues.  One, was that of Tom Hadler’s kicking, which they felt was somewhat sub-par (though the rest of his performance certainly wasn’t), however, the Gillingham loanee’s response was fantastic, engaging with the supporters and having a laugh with anyone who would listen.

 

The second, was the performance of the referee.  His ability to ignore the repeated pushes in the back of Truro’s players when they jumped for eaders was so pronounced it bordered on the superhuman.  It’s almost as if the referee was bitten by a particularly myopic genetically engineered spider which then imbued him with partisan superpowers.  The supporters were getting more and more irate, and I have to say, I sympathised.

One of the many unpunished shirt pulls on Cody Cooke…

  

…and one of the many unpunished pushes as well.

They would get more irate on 72 minutes, when the referee gave a very soft penalty for a challenge on Ed Williams.  Despite the defender clearly getting a foot on the ball, Mr Smith blew up and awarded the spot kick.  Williams picked himself up off the deck, and impudently chipped the ball down the middle of the goal.  I mean, he probably did, but through the thickening fog I could barely see that end of the pitch.

Williams dinks one down the middle for the lead

This was a signal for Truro to start throwing everything forward, and on came Noah Keats and Andrew “Rocky” Neal to add to the attacking options.  In this search for an equaliser, Truro almost fell further behind when Chris Knowles was sent through by Joe Parker, but unable to control his rage he put all his hate for the world through the ball and sent it about two thirds of the way to Fowey.
As predicted, the breakthrough for Truro came from Palfrey.  When he whipped a low cross from deep on the right it wasn’t properly cleared by Gloucester’s defenders, and the ball was worked to Ben Harding.  It initially seemed that he’d missed the opportunity to shoot and was closed down, but with the ball on his left foot he whipped a sweet effort into the top corner to level the scores.

Ben Harding winds up a shot…

…unleashes…

…then celebrates bagging the equaliser

When a Cody Cooke header was acrobatically tipped over by Hadler on 87 minutes, it looked like the match would end in a draw.  However, minutes later, a Truro midfielder burst through into the box and was hauled down, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty.  Except, for some reason, he didn’t.  A clear foul was ignored, and that was pretty much it.  Full time, and spoils shared.

The Wash Up
I usually award a Man of the Match in this blog, and whilst a few players (Tom Hadler, Billy Palfrey and Karnell Chambers) played notably well, the whole match was so difficult to watch I have no choice but to name every single one of the 523 supporters in attendance as MotM.  With the football stodgier than the pea souper we were watching it through, fair play to the larger than average Christmas crowd.  They have truly earned their festive treats now.

Karnell Chambers advances down the wing

 

Gloucester City have put one more point between themselves and Bognor Regis Town in the relegation zone, which will give some comfort going into Christmas.  Although Lee Hodges would certainly have been targeting three points from this game, on a day when the teams around them also failed to win, it’s not as damaging a result as it could have been.  Truro City remain in 7^th, with the same points difference to 1^st as they started.  A win away to Poole Town on Boxing Day, and their highest ever finish of 4^th is still very much in sight.

https://thegrassrootstourist.com/2017/12/23/truro-city-fc/

Sutton United 1 Truro City 0

HE WHITE Tigers suffered late heartbreak as a last minute goal gave Sutton United a hard-earned 1-0 win in the first round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
The opening exchanges were pretty even, although it was the home side who were seeing more of the ball without harming us too much.
A series of corners for the home side caused concern but we managed to clear our lines under pressure.
Then an inviting cross from Bolarinwa required Ben Gerring to be alert to clear at the far post before at the other end, a free-kick in a promising position was blasted goalwards by Ed Palmer but Butler was able to make the save.
As we started to get into our stride, a loose ball was seized upon by Tyler Harvey but he elected to shoot rather than look for a team-mate and his effort was lifted over.
Some neat link-up play between Harvey and Cody Cooke saw us force a corner which fell to Palmer whose strike was blocked as The White Tigers started to ask a few questions of the home side.
There was a great chance for Sutton United with ten minutes to go until the interval when Lafayette did well to carve open our back-line to find Wright who broke through but pulled his effort wide from a good position.
It was a let-off for The White Tigers as the scoreline remained goalless.
Right on the stroke of half-time, McHale did well to push away an effort from Eastmond at his near post, whilst at the other end Niall Thompson won a free-kick which ended with Ben Harding firing over.
The second period with The White Tigers looking solid and showing plenty of endeavour.
Chances remained at a premium as both sides lacked the cutting edge.
The home side went close when Bolarinwa was positive to break forward and then feed Eastmond who was denied as he looked to grab the opener.
A great run from Connor Riley-Lowe saw him break out of defence to eventually win a free-kick on the edge of the opposition area. The resulting free-kick was curled inches wide by Harvey.
There was a real let-off for The White Tigers when leading scorer Dundas was presented with a great chance which he blazed well over.
Into the final ten minutes and another powerful free-kick from Palmer smashed against the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
The next raid in the Sutton rain saw Cooke put a header just wide but there was to be late heartbreak as the 89th minute saw Dundas seize upon a loose ball before tucking home to put the home side in front.
Right at the death a counter-attack from the home side saw Cadogan go close and there was still time for Cooke to fire inches wide with virtually the last kick.
It was a spirited and battling display from The White Tigers where we frustrated our hosts for long periods and we can take plenty of positives from it against a good side from the level above.

WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Thompson (Palfrey), Hartridge, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont (Keats), Riley-Lowe, Harvey (Neal), Cooke, Harding. Subs not used: Yetton, Copp.

http://www.trurocityfc.net/news/report-late-heartbreak-for-the-white-tigers-2116864.html

Welling United 2 Truro City 2

Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850651

Although a draw against Truro City extended Welling’s run of home games without a win, it did halt the run of consecutive defeats.
Knowing that Truro City play with a 3-5-2 formation, Welling Manager Jamie Coyle chose to play the same style to negate their threat and Callum Driver came in to make his debut at right wing back.
Jack Jebb caused problems with his deliveries and an early corner was just too high for Coyle. Jack Parkinson, arriving late, could only fire it into the side netting from a very tight angle.
Tom Bradbrook shot wide before Welling went ahead just shy of the twenty minute mark. Jebb slung in a great cross and Parkinson got a slight touch to ensure it beat Tom McHale in the Truro goal.
However, six minutes later, Truro levelled. Ben Harding tried his luck with a long shot that hit his team mate Cody Cooke. He was not closed down quickly enough and fired into the bottom corner.
Bradley Goldberg went on a good run and cut in but his ambitious effort sailed wide of the near post before Tyler Harvey had a shot well saved by Welling goalkeeper Ryan Sandford.
Goldberg tried his luck with another turn and shot but McHale made a comfortable save.
Just before the interval Parkinson made an important block to thwart Cooke after a free kick and not been cleared effectively.
Immediately after the break Goldberg headed in a Ben Jefford cross but was deemed offside and the goal was disallowed.
In their next attack, Truro went ahead. Connor Riley-Lowe found Tyler Harvey and he finished superbly.
Joe Healy then had to be replaced as stretching for the ball he appeared to twist his knee. Christian Nanetti came on. Tom Bradbrook was also forced to retire four minutes later allowing Eli Phipps a last appearance before returning to Colchester United.
Once those changes had been made Welling levelled. Having been awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, earning the referee an ironic cheer, Jebb stepped up and curled his free kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Once again Goldberg was in the thick of the action pulling back to Driver but his fierce shot from 25 yards flew just over.
Cooke got in behind and fired in a shot from a tight angle that Sandford saved well then Cooke headed wide from Harvey’s cross.
After that, Welling had the better of the game but created few clear cut chances although McHale made a good save from Goldberg after Nanetti had put him through.
As Welling have no game next week, they have arranged a friendly at Phoenix Sports on Tuesday evening to do more work on their shape and to look at a couple of trialists.

Welling United: Sandford, Gayle, Jefford (Johnson 83), H. Phipps, Coyle, Parkinson, Driver, Healy (Nanetti 57),  Bradbrook (E. Phipps 61), Goldberg, Jebb.
Subs not used: Francis, Monakana.

Truro:City: McHale, Palfrey (Thompson 85), Hartridge, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont (Keats 85), Riley-Lowe, Harvey, Cooke, Harding.
Subs not used: Yetton, Copp, Neal.

Welling United:
Goalscorers: Parkinson (18), Jebb (62)
Yellow cards: Jefford
Red cards: None

Truro City:
Goalscorers: Cooke (24), Harvey (49)
Yellow cards: Richards
Red cards: None

Referee: Robert Whitton
Assistants: Stephen Parmenter and David Harrison

Attendance: 383

Welling star player: Callum Driver

http://www.kentsportsnews.com/welling-united-2-2-truro-city-09-12-2017/

Oxford City 3 Truro City 1

Watch Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-3013283

Oxford City produced the ideal response to Saturday's FA Cup disappointment as a Matt Paterson hat-trick, including a poetic added time goal, handed them a commanding 3-1 victory over high-flying Truro City.
The Hoops' midfield were arguably the real stars of the show as Rob Sinclair and Zac McEachran combined to set up two of the three goals, capping an exceptional team performance.
Mark Jones made one forced change from the side which acquitted themselves so well in the cup, an injury for Freddie Grant giving Reece Fleet an opportunity to start for the first time since his own spell on the sidelines, and setting up in the 5-4-1 formation they ended Saturday's game with. Jack Stevens lined up in goal behind centre halves Joe Oastler, Cristian Navarro and Mo Fofana. The change in defensive shape saw Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain play in a slightly more advanced wing-back role, Dave Pearce dropping back to match him on the left. Godfrey Poku, Reece Fleet, Zac McEachran and Rob Sinclair all took up roles in midfield to support striker Matt Paterson.
The Hoops got off to an exceptionally bright start, Paterson's square ball to McEachran seemingly set to give the midfielder an easy finish but for the intervention of a defender. McEachran was involved once again in the 7th minute, freeing Reece Fleet down the right only for Paterson to put his cross wide of the far post.
With Truro offering next to nothing going forwards, the Hoops were free to continue pressing. Just before the quarter hour mark, a long ball into the path of Sinclair saw an early cross find the feet of Paterson whose attempted finish through the legs of Tom McHale was well read by the 'keeper.
Four minutes later, Paterson's persistence was rewarded with the first of his goals. Exceptional footwork from McEachran saw the young midfielder weave his way through three players, finding Oxlade-Chamberlain whose low cross was spilled into the path of Paterson for the striker to fire home.
City were not content with a one goal lead and went on the prowl for a second. Sinclair nearly provided just that, carrying the ball from his own half to the edge of the box where his effort was well blocked at close range. McEachran had a little more luck from a similar position, although McHale made a routine save down to his right.
A quieter period ensues with Truro beginning to assert themselves in possession, although without creating any chances of note. City, meanwhile, were far more incisive and looked like making the most of a break in the 42nd minute as McEachran yet again raced through the middle. Seeing his initial shot blocked, the midfielder was able to lay the ball back to Fleet whose own effort suffered a similar fate.
With a minute of the half remaining, the White Tigers produced their first shot in anger: Andrew Neal blazing over from just inside the City box.
Oxford City started the second half in very much the same way as the first: on the front foot. McHale was tested once more in the 52nd minute as Reece Fleet intercepted a poor clearance on the half way line, opting not to attempt a long-range finish but instead shooting from the edge of the area and forcing a good save as his shot swerved viciously. The resulting corner caused problems for the visiting defence: Oastler's thundering effort on goal eventually deflected behind.
Back at the other end, Truro began to show a level of threat more consistent with a side chasing promotion. Poku's attempt to see a long ball out for a goal kick was thwarted, resulting in a free crossing opportunity which Navarro did exceptionally well to cut out with a superb block.
Paterson added his second just after the hour mark. Another effective attack through the middle allowed McEachran to feed a delightful ball into the striker's path which was expertly lifted over the onrushing 'keeper.
The visitors' response was immediate, Aaron Lamont finding time and space inside the box to fire past Stevens before City's celebrations had even ended.
There was, however, no letup in the action for either set of supporters. Paterson raced onto another expertly weighted ball through the channel and, while his initial effort was saved, Sinclair was on hand to hook an effort goalwards which crashed off of the bar.
City's only change of the game arrived in the 78th minute, Eddie Jones replacing Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Hoops continued looking to make the game safe and looked to have done so when a poor Truro free kick was cleared into the path of Pearce. Holding off his marker, the winger was able to pick out McEachran who appeared to be taken down inside the area but, with no penalty forthcoming, the loose ball was eventually cleared.
With three minutes of added time to be played, City were able to kill off the game at the death. Stevens' goal kick saw Sinclair get his foot on the ball, making the most of the gaps which had appeared in the defence to find McEachran who in turn squared to Paterson at the far post for a routine finish.
With no other games having been played this evening, victory sees The Hoops rise to 17th: three points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Oxford City: Stevens, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Jones 78), Pearce, Poku (c), Navarro, Oastler, McEachran, Fofana, Paterson, Sinclair, Fleet.
Unused: Forde, Hirst, Tutton, Godwin-Malife.
Attendance: 275

http://www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk/teams/1289/match-centre/1-3013283

Truro City 1 St Albans 2

 

See Match Highlights Here:  http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850638

The Saints made the long journey back from Cornwall after collecting all 3 points, thanks to two late goals from Sam Merson and Charlie Walker which rewarded an excellent performance against a strong Truro City side.

The Saints created the better chances throughout the game as the midfield trio of Sambou, Noble and Monlouis worked hard to retain possession and prevent their opponents from getting into their stride. The full backs also worked well down either flank and both Banton and Murrell-Williamson had a number of half chances in the first half but saw their shots either saved or fly wide or over. Sam Merson also capably led the line up front as he kept the pressure on the Truro defence as he leapt to challenge any ball in the air.
When Truro were able to work the ball into the Saints area, the Saints central defence partnership of Tariq Moore-Azille and Percy Kiangebeni combined well to prevent any clear chances on goal. However, it was Truro who came closest to scoring in the first half when the referee awarded a free kick just outside the Saints penalty area for handball against Ben Herd. The Truro number 9, Tyler Harvey, struck the ball well and over Zane Banton in the Saints wall but his shot struck the inside of Snedker’s near post and bounced across the goal and away to safety.
Truro created a chance shortly after the restart when Niall Thompson did well to create an opening for himself but his shot flashed just wide of the Saints goal. However, the Saints continued to threaten and Merson gave them an indication of what was to come when he got in behind their defence but his volley flew over.
In the 67 minute Ben Herd picked up the ball and worked his way in from the right flank before chipping the ball over the Truro defensive line for Merson to run onto the ball and hit a shot across Tom McHale. The shot initially looked like it would not trouble the Truro keeper but the ball squirmed past an outstretched hand and rolled into the net to give the Saints the lead.
And it was another Truro defensive slip that provided Saints’ substitute Charlie Walker with the chance to put the Saints further ahead. In the 81st minute, Ben Gerring attempted a back pass to McHale but his kick was both underhit and misplaced, allowing Charlie Walker a clear run in on goal and he calmly slotted the ball under McHale and into the open goal.
Truro responded by bringing on the veteran striker Stewart Yetton and player coach Chris Todd – who was pushed up front alongside Tyler Harvey. The Saints looked to be coping with the pressure well until the 91st minute when Truro pumped a long ball forward and Todd and Moore-Azille came together on the edge of the area and both tumbled to the ground. The referee, , decided Moore-Azille had committed a foul and didn’t hesitate in awarding a penalty to Truro. Tyler Harvey stepped up and sent Snedker the wrong way and pull a goal back for Truro.
However, Truro were unable to muster any further meaningful attacks and the Saints saw the game out to gain a well deserved victory that put them back in the promotion play off places in 7th position, just six points off the leader’s Dartford.

https://www.stalbanscityfc.com/truro-city-1-saints-2/

Lewes 1 Truro City 3

THE WHITE Tigers made progress in the Buildbase FA Trophy with a third round qualifying victory at Lewes by three goals to one. It was a scrappy start to proceedings with no real flow to the game. There were a number of early bookings with Chris Todd and Jamie Richards seeing yellow for City and James Hammond having his name taken for the home side.
A free-kick for the home side was delivered dangerously into the area but headed just wide at the far post whilst a first foray for The White Tigers ended with an effort from Stewart Yetton being dragged wide.
After Niall Thompson became the latest player to be booked, we took the initiative with two goals in the space of a minute just before the half-hour mark.
Firstly, a free-kick found its way to Richards whose effort deflected into the path of Todd who found the net.
Just seconds later, Tyler Harvey was played through and he stayed cool to lift the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to double our advantage.
It left our hosts shell-shocked and worse was to follow for them as half-time approached when Richards seized upon a loose ball in the middle of the park before finding Yetton who in turn played in Rocky Neal and he was able to guide the ball home to make it 3-0.
Whilst not being fully in our stride, we found ourselves well in command. However, the home side were able to pull a goal back just before the break when Billy Medlock won a free-kick on the edge of the area and he stepped up to fire home with a low strike that took a deflection to beat Tom McHale.
We started the second period well as some good work out wide from Thompson ended with his cross find Harvey who beat the ‘keeper only to see his attempt hit the woodwork.
The home side pushed for a way back into the game and a pull-back from the by-line almost saw them find the net as a strike at the far post flew over.
Stewart Yetton became the fourth City player to see yellow as we started to up the pressure late on whilst looking solid at the back to keep the home side, who have just one League defeat to their name all season, at bay.
In the end we proved to be worthy winners to take our place in the first round proper.

WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Thompson, Hartridge, Palmer, Todd, Richards, Copp, Yetton (Lamont), Neal, Harvey, Allen. Subs not used: Keats, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe.  ATTENDANCE: 619. 

 

http://www.trurocityfc.net/news/report-white-tigers-make-buildbase-fa-trophy-progr-2094967.html

Braintree 1 Truro City 1

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-3010859

THE WHITE Tigers put in another impressive display as we came home from Braintree Town with a point from a 1-1 draw.
It was the home side who started on the front-foot with a couple of early openings. They had the ball in the net only for the effort to be ruled out for offside before Barrington saw an effort well blocked.
We started to get into our stride and pose a few questions of the home defence with Billy Palfrey getting in our first effort as his strike from distance flew over the crossbar.
It was an evenly-matched affair but we were handed the lead with nine minutes to go until the break when some sloppy defensive play was seized upon by Cody Cooke who found the net for his ninth goal of the season.
The travelling faithful, who had been in good voice all evening, went wild with delight as we got our noses in front.
Just before the break, Michael-Percil went close to levelling matters but his effort lacked the necessary power to trouble Tom McHale too much.
The home side came out of the blocks with purpose and McHale saved well early on before some good play out wide by Roberts ended with Michael-Percil finding the net to equalise with 49 minutes on the clock.
Rather than let our heads drop, we set about the task of getting back in front as Lamont went close.
Another offside flag thwarted Barrington for the home side, but we continued to pose a threat every time we went forward.
There was no way that we were going to sit back and Gabriel had to be alert to acrobatically clear off the line as Tyler Harvey went close.
After Ellul headed just over, it was The White Tigers who ended the game strongly and we almost snatched a winner in stoppage time as the ball flashed agonisingly across the face of goal with no-one able to get the crucial final touch.
Nevertheless, this was another solid display from City as we worked hard and showed plenty of determination and commitment to the cause.
WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont, Keats (Harvey), Neal (Copp), Cooke, Harding. Subs not used: Hartridge, Yetton, Thompson.

http://www.trurocityfc.net/teams/83206/match-centre/1-3010859

Hungerford Town 0 Truro City 1

Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850627

Although there was a glimmer of light when James Rusby came on during the second half, our injury list remains a serious problem, with no fewer than 7 players in the first team squad out of action with injuries of varying severity, and a serious set-back against high-flying City in a rather ill -tempered game. Truro had a Cody Cooke sent off in the first half whilst Diak John was also red-carded near the end, the decisive goal, an own goal off Rhys Tyler, saw us suffer a 4th successive 1-0 league defeat, although other results saw us remain in 17th place. Saturday’s visit of Billericay in the F.A. Trophy is followed by matches against Chelmsford and Dartford, a daunting prospect which will test everyone at the club. However, the spirit at the club is good and everyone is convinced that we can climb away from the danger of relegation. Cody Cooke forced his way past Darnell Smith early on, but lost control of the ball and James Clark got back to cover. Luke Hopper was well-tackled as he broke away and a header from Alex Wall was well-saved when he got on the end of a cross from Ian Herring. Cooke received a straight red card for a crunching tackle on Darnell Smith, but Ed Palmer was extremely lucky to get away with a yellow when he joined in the ensuing melee and flattened Ian Herring.The only goal of the game came when Rhys Tyler deflected a cross from Aaron Lamont past the wrong-footed Marcus Beauchamp after 38 minutes and Truro held on to their lead until half-time.
With the slope in our favour, we did most of the attacking in the second half and Louie Soares was unlucky when he was unable to get a decisive touch on the ball as it bobbled about in front of the goal and Alex Wall drove a fierce free-kick against the defensive wall from the edge of the penalty area, but Tom Mchale was seldom tested in the visitors goal and when Diak John overlapped down the left in the closing minutes, there was a melee right in the corner, with players from both sides involved and when order was restored, it was John who was punished, although anyone of a number of players might have been punished.It had been another disappointing game and another narrow defeat.                              

 

http://www.hungerfordtown.com/teams/11575/match-centre/1-2850627

Truro City 3 Dartford 1

Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850616

THE WHITE Tigers roared to a 3-1 victory over League leaders, Dartford, in the wind and rain at Treyew Road.
We came out of the blocks with real purpose and a strike from Noah Keats within the opening seconds stung the hands of the visiting ‘keeper.
The resulting corner caused problems for the visitors as Keats and Cody Cooke made their presence felt.
There was no let-up from City as we started on the front-foot and a poor clearance was seized upon by Keats who was just wide with his effort.
After the visitors went close with an effort from Wood going into the side-netting, we deservedly took the lead on 13 minutes when Tyler Harvey was brought down inside the area and he stepped up to convert from the penalty spot.
It was two goals in as many minutes when a neat move down the right ended with the ball fed to Cooke who lashed the ball home.
We were in dreamland on 19 minutes when Conor Riley-Lowe did well out wide to firstly find Keats whose effort was blocked by the ‘keeper but as the ball came back in from Riley-Lowe, Cooke was able to sweetly find the net to make it 3-0.
There was only going to be one winner at this stage as we were asking all the questions and moving the ball around well on a slick surface.
Our visitors managed to pull a goal back on 24 minutes when a low free-kick into a crowded penalty area saw Vint turn the ball home.
There were appeals for a penalty when Harvey did well once more only for the ball to appear to strike a hand inside the area. The referee was unimpressed as play continued.
Another positive run from Harvey saw him pull the ball across the face of goal, but it just evaded Keats in the middle.
As we approached half-time, Harvey and Cooke linked up well again for the latter to go close.
The visitors had a spell of pressure just before the break but we stood firm to go in at the interval 3-1 to the good.
With the wind and rain continuing to lash down, we were looking solid as the visitors hunted for a way back into the game.
A header from Onyemah went just over for Dartford as they started to up the tempo.
Another raid from them saw Jamie Richards block bravely before Tom McHale did well to punch clear as the ball came back in.
Both sides were showing plenty of endeavour and there were chances at either end as Murphy’s strike had the sting took out of it by Billy Palfrey, whilst Keats was denied from close range by a deflection from the visitors.
It was a case of rolling our sleeves up and working hard as Dartford pushed men forward but we stood firm with everyone putting in a shift.
With time running out, Brown went close for the visitors and then in stoppage time McHale saved well as we held on to claim a hard-earned and deserved three points to move up into third place in the table.
WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont, Keats, Harvey, Cooke, Harding. Subs not used: Harding, Yetton, Copp, Neal, Thompson.
ATTENDANCE: 541.

http://www.trurocityfc.net/teams/83206/match-centre/1-2850616

Charlton Athletic 3 Truro City 1

Without Josh Magennis and the suspended Ahmed Kashi, Johnnie Jackson and Joe Dodoo came into the starting lineup with Reeves and Marshall replacing Tariqe Fosu and Billy Clarke.
The Addicks first warning shot came in the seventh minute when a dinked Ricky Holmes cross came to Jake Forster-Caskey, timing his run perfectly into the box. The midfielder’s powerful header beat Thomas McHale in the Truro goal but rattled off the crossbar and away to safety.
Ben Amos had to be on top form to prevent the visitors from taking the lead in the ninth minute when he pulled off a diving save to his right from a well-placed header by Tyler Harvey.
Reeves gave Charlton the lead in the 10th minute with a calm piece of control and left-footed finish on the half volley from near the penalty spot. The assist went to Jay Dasilva who crossed from the left after a clever run and pass by Holmes.
Minutes later Holmes went on a surging run again from the left, attracted three Truro defenders and had a shot deflected wide.
Truro weren’t going away and Chris Solly cleared a deflected Harvey effort off the line in the 21st minute after creating some room with a clever short corner routine. 
Forster-Caskey forced a 34th minute low save from McHale with a low left-footed drive from just outside the Truro area, the keeper was forced to palm the effort behind for a corner.
McHale was again called into action in the 42nd minute when he scrambled across his goal to tip a trademark Holmes free-kick around the post.
Mark Marshall scored his first goal for the club in the 53rd minute when he cut in from the right wing and smashed a left-footed effort at goal from outside the area. The ball took a deflection off a Truro defender to help it past McHale.
Marshall was causing problems and in the 56th minute the winger was played in by Dasilva who had beaten two Truro players but was denied by McHale who saved from the former Bradford City man again two minutes later.
In the 60th minute Truro pulled a goal back through Harvey who leapt well and headed home from six yards from a perfectly delivered, whipped cross from Billy Palfrey.
Tariqe Fosu was introduced on 62 minutes and immediately made an impression cutting in from the left and driving a shot at McHale which the busy goalkeeper dealt with.
Reeves restored the Addicks two goal advantage with driven finish from just inside the area after a lovely one-two with Holmes in the 70th minute.
The former MK Dons attacking midfielder was pulling the strings and in the 75th minute dinked a lovely ball through for substitute Karlan Ahearne-Grant whose shot went just wide. Minutes later Forster-Caskey dragged a low, powerful effort just wide after a clever Holmes lay-off.
The last few minutes finished with drama with Truro hitting the post at one end before Holmes, on the counter-attack, was denied by McHale.
Charlton: Amos, Solly, Konsa, Sarr, Dasilva, Forster-Caskey, Jackson (c), Marshall (Fosu, 62), Reeves (Clarke, 80), Holmes, Dodoo (Ahearne-Grant, 70)
Subs (not used): Phillips, Bauer, Aribo, Dijksteel
Goals: Reeves (10, 70), Marshall (53)
Booking: Amos (81, timewasting), Solly (89, foul on Neal), Konsa (90)
Truro City: McHale (c), Palfrey, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont (Yetton, 84), Keats, Cooke (Allen, 71), Harding (Neal, 71), Harvey. 
Subs (not used): Todd, Thompson, Copp, Hartridge 
Goal: Harvey (60)
Booking: Neal (90)
Attendance: 4,494 (996 from Truro)
Referee: D Whitestone

https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/59ff3400a7af8/emirates-fa-cup-report-charlton-3-truro-city-1

Truro City 1 Bognor Regis Town 1

Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850595

The Rocks came away from their longest league trip in years with a valiant and battling point against title-chasing Truro City.
The Rocks fielded two debutants in Archie Edwards, a young left-back on loan from Charlton Athletic, and Ferdinand Takyi, who signed after time spent in German football.
The Green Army travelled in numbers and it was literally planes, trains and automobiles to get them there.
More than 100 hardy souls made the trip and made sure they paid a fitting tribute to supporter Ryan Purvis, who had passed away suddenly the previous day.
Those fans will have come back from Cornwall heartened by a credible draw against a very strong and organised Truro, who head to League One Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup first round next week.
Shooting towards the clubhouse in the first half the Rocks started brightly and Ben Swallow was the first to strike at goal after just two minutes but his shot sailed over.
After a bright start individual errors began to show on a slow and sometimes bobble pitch causing balls to over run and it was this that led to a yellow card for Truro's Ed Palmer after a late tackle on Calvin Davies.
The hosts took the lead on 15 minutes with skipper Ben Geering heading home at the far post after a great cross.
The Rocks battled after this setback and were unlucky not to equalise just seven minutes later when Swallow slid a ball in for the impressive Ibra Sekajja, whose shot was blocked by a last-gasp lunge from a Truro defender.
Truro doubled their tally of yellow cards received deep into the first half as striker Tyler Harvey was booked for dissent after contesting a decision with the referee.
As the half came to a close Bognor found themselves very much back in the game and their persistence paid off as Sekajja equalised after taking on the Truro right-back, who backed off allowing Sakajja a shooting opportunity which beat the Truro keeper Tom McHallee at his near post - to the frustration of the keeper but the delight of the travelling Rocks fans behind the goal.
Takyi had an opportunity gifted to him with the half-time whistle imminent as the Truro keeper and a defender were involved in a mix-up, leaving Takyi with a chance to poke the ball home but the bounce of the ball and an alert defender denied him and the chance was cleared as the goal beckoned.
HT 1-1
Truro started the second half much the better side and could have retaken the lead after just a few minutes when Cody Cooke headed over a Connor Lowe corner.
Debutant Takyi found himself in the referee's notebook on 60 minutes after a coming together with Truro's number seven in the box both trying to get to the ball that had squirmed free.
Sekajja and Takyi both had chances to give the Rocks the lead but had shots deflected wide by a resolute and very strong Truro defence.
Ollie Pearce was replaced by Jimmy Muitt with 15 minutes to go and Muitt was close to setting up Swallow almost instantly but the ball was just behind Swallow as he ran to shoot.
Takyi had the ball in the net on 80 minutes but was flagged offside by the assistant referee.
The hosts could and should have won the game but a fine save from the dependable Dan Lincoln after a close range shot ensured the spoils were shared, leaving the masses of Rocks fans happy with the point ahead of the long journey home.
Bognor will take many positives from this hard-earned draw.
The emergence in midfield of youngster Tommy Block and the solid debut from left-back Edwards will give all hope that this ground-out result can act as a springboard for better things, knowing they can compete and hold their own against a physical Truro side - despite fielding a starting XI that must be the youngest in the division.
Match report by I Guppy
Report Courtesy of the Bognor Regis Observer

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bognorregistownfc/teams/73056/match-centre/1-2850595

Wealdstone 2 Truro City 1

Wealdstone made the most of near gale force conditions to earn a richly deserved 2-1 victory over an in-form and high flying Truro City at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday.
Abobaker Eisa’s quick-fire double gave the Stones a well-earned first half advantage before substitute Tyler Harvey gave the White Tigers a late goal in an afternoon where both keepers pulled off several outstanding saves.
Bobby Wilkinson made three changes to the side from last weeks stalemate at Chippenham Town. Eddie Oshodi and Matty Whichelow returned from injury and Eisa’s form off the bench earned him a place up front. Josh Hill, Luke Williams and Dan Fitchett made way.
With strong and swirling winds from Storm Brian blowing up the pitch toward the Gun Turret End it was to be a game where the advantage would be shared in a half each as the challenging conditions dictated much of the play.
However Truro, against the wind, had the game’s first real chance; Jonathan North started his busy afternoon in the 22nd minute when he denied Cody Cooke from close range.
But the Stones took the lead on 27 minutes. Eisa chased down a long ball which Truro keeper Tom McHale tried to shield out of play by the corner flag but the eager forward robbed the keeper and swerved in an superb effort from a very tight angle into the open goal.
Eisa then doubled his tally two minutes later with a goal any weather forecaster would be proud of. Truro tried to clear before the ball looped backwards in the heavy wind and Eisa was in the right place to tap it home gleefully when the ball ran loose.
Truro then had the conditions in their favour in the second half and were denied several times by Jonathan North’s lightning reactions, denying Cooke again, his own defender Glenn Wilson, Alex Hartridge and River Allen.
The Stones also made McHale pull off several stops, he tipped over an excellent Danny Green free-kick and also thwarted both Wilson and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick from point-blank range in a hugely entertaining passage of play for the 812 crowd.
North was eventually beaten on 81 minutes by substitute Harvey, but the Stones weathered the storm for the remainder of the game with Manager Bobby Wilkinson happy to ‘ugly manage-out’ a very tense final 10 minutes.
Both Eisa and North took the plaudits at the end of the game but boss Wilkinson praised a strong all-round performance from his side afterwards.
The Stones, now in 10th position in the National League South, now travel to Welling United next Saturday in a London derby.
WEALDSTONE: North, Oshodi, Sellers, Wilson, Day, Cox, Whichelow (Brown 69), Okimo, Hippolyte-Patrick, Green (Goodger 80), Eisa. Subs not used: Fitchett, Wellard, Hill.
Report by Chris Woods

https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/2017/posts/report-wealdstone-2-1-truro-city/