30 April 2018

Hampton & Richmond Borough 1 Truro City 1

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850879

If Truro City are going to win promotion from National League South into the National League they are going to have to do it the hard way - away from their Treyew Road home.
Saturday’s crucial 1-1 draw at Hampton and Richmond Borough in their final game was enough to give City the seventh and final play-off place and they will now have to return again to the Beveree Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm) for their elimination play-off game against the Middlesex side, who have lost just once there in the league all season. If they win through that tough test they would then again have to travel for the semi-final next Sunday to Essex to play third-placed Chelmsford City.
And victory would earn them a place in the promotion final on Sunday May 13, but as the lowest placed play-off qualifier, they would yet again definitely be away.
But all that is not worrying manager Lee Hodges, especially as City have the fourth best away record in the league.
He was just delighted his team had reached the play-offs after only avoiding the drop last season with a game to spare.
He said: “The pressure is off us now. Before the start of the season, everyone expected us to be relegated and I received a lot of criticism.
“We have massively over-achieved and it is some achievement to reach the play-offs. The players have been brilliant. The whole group has played its part.”
And the City manager had no worries about returning to play Hampton & Richmond Borough, who City beat away in the FA Cup earlier in the season to reach the first round proper for the first time in the club’s history.
He added: “It is just one more game and all the pressure is on them now. They were already in the play-offs today, whereas we needed a point to make sure of our place.”
City got off to the perfect start at the Beveree Stadium when midfielder Tom Owen-Evans headed them ahead after just three minutes, following great work by skipper and man of the match Ben Gerring.
Showing no fear, City continued to take the match to the home side and really should have been further ahead by half time.
“We dominated the first period and could have been up by a couple more goals, but we did not take our chances,” said Hodges.
Aaron Lamont was denied by home keeper Sent Dieng, while Rocky Neal and strike partner Tyler Harvey also went close.
The second half though was a different affair as the home side pushed for an equaliser, which duly arrived just after the hour mark when Jack Cook powered home a near post header.
“We then had to dig in and were on the back foot, though we did get out when we could,” said Hodges.
City were also indebted to young on-loan Bristol City keeper Joe Wollacott who made a stunning late save to keep out a great Taurean Roberts strike.
So both teams will have to do it all again on Wednesday, which will be the second time they have met each other in successive games this season, after drawing 1-1 at Treyew in the league, before City’s FA Cup triumph seven days later back in October.
Hodges hopes to have a full strength squad to chose from, with striker Cody Cooke coming on for the final 20 minutes in place of Harvey after being out with a hamstring twinge.
City: Wollacott; Gerring (capt), Palmer, Hartridge; Thompson, Harding (Keats 90), Lamont, Owen-Evans, Riley-Lowe; Harvey (Cooke 70), Neal (Allen 85).
Subs (not used): Palfrey, Yetton.
Yellow cards: Gerring, Lamont, Thompson.
Goals: Owen-Evans (3) 0-1, Cook (64) 1-1
Crowd: 1,014.

https://www.cornwalllive.com/sport/football/match-reports/truro-city-1-1-hampton-1512783

26 April 2018

Weston-Super-Mare 0 Truro City 2

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-3391240
          The White Tigers were content to defend deep and counter attack for much of the game, and profited from two weakly-defended set pieces either side of half time to keep their hunt for the playoffs alive.
The result made it eight defeats in 10 league games for McGregor’s side, and a promising season has faded with a whimper leaving the Seagulls in the bottom half.
He said: “I’m flabbergasted how we conceded two goals. At this level you should not concede two goals from corners.
“I don’t understand how we’ve lost that game. We were in control and good on the ball, and should have scored twice in the first half.
“If you defend like that you’re not going to beat teams like Truro. That’s what they’re good at and we allowed them to defend and they defended in numbers.”
Weston dominated possession throughout, but their failure to be clinical in both boxes cost them dearly once again.
Truro took the lead on 32 minutes when Connor Riley-Lowe’s whipped corner went straight in to Luke Purnell’s net.
And the game was put to bed 12 minutes after the break when another corner caused havoc in the Weston box, and Aaron Lamont reacted fastest to score.
Despite the result, and the lengthening run of poor form, McGregor praised the efforts of his squad.
He said: “We’re a little bit short on numbers. Centre-back George (Morris-Edwards) has come in and done brilliantly but it’s a quick-tempo game and he’s got to get used to it. Playing these games will help him for next year.
“We’re looking at additions to strengthen the squad, and we will be in a stronger position.
“Danny Greenslade has done brilliantly. His ankle is swollen up and he got through 90 minutes for me.
“He and other lads with knocks have given everything for this club this year, and we should be proud of that. We’re just a bit low on numbers and that’s what we need to address for next year.”

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/football/weston-super-mare-afc-vs-truro-city-match-report-mcgregor-flabbergasted-by-defeat-1-5492590

23 April 2018

Truro City 1 Braintree Town 2

See Match Highlights Here: To Follow.......
THE WHITE Tigers slipped to a disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of fellow play-off chasers, Braintree Town.It was a nervy start to the game as Tom McHale had to save well early on before the visitors drew first blood on seven minutes when The White Tigers failed to properly clear our lines and the ball fell to Wyatt who made no mistake to make it 1-0.Some alert defending from Ben Gerring saw him thwart another raid from the visitors whilst Thompson also went close for the men from Essex as they looked to double their advantage.The White Tigers levelled matters jut before the half-hour mark when a header from a Connor Riley-Lowe corner rattled the woodwork and Jamie Richards was alert to the rebound to find the net at the far post.It was the visitors who ended the opening strongly by posing a number of questions of our back-line, but we went in at the break with the scores’ level after what had been a nervy first half.There was an early melee in the second half as players from both sides came together and tempers started to boil over, but it was soon under control.An effort from Okoye went into the side-netting before the visitors and it was, in fairness, a rather scrappy started to the second period.
The visitors regained the lead on 65 minutes when a clearance was charged down allowing Thompson to break through before he slotted home beyond the reach of McHale.It was proving to be a frustrating afternoon as we searched for a way back into the game only to see our final ball let us down time and time again.With the clock ticking down, we pushed for an equaliser only to find our opponents in stubborn mood to keep us at bay and it ended in a disappointing 2-1 home reverse at the hands of a fellow play-off contender.WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont, Owen-Evans, Neal (Yetton), Keats (Thompson), Harding (Todd). Subs not used: Hartridge, Copp.
GOAL(S): Richards

20 April 2018

Truro City 2 Hungerford Town 1

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-3174142

THE WHITE Tigers battled out a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Hungerford Town on what was a positive day for the club.
The opening exchanges were evenly-matched as both sides looked to get into their stride. Our first effort came from Cody Cooke whose strike was straight at the ‘keeper.
As we started to get a foothold in the game, Aaron Lamont fizzed an effort just wide before Cooke was just off target with another strike.
At the other end our visitors created an opening for Leigh-Gilchrist put his effort hit the side-netting.
After Tyler Harvey was forced out of the action through injury, we continued to press with Rocky Neal added to the forward-line but we were finding our visitors in stubborn mood.
There was a let-off for our visitors when a neat move saw Neal presented with a chance and his flicked effort hit the inside of the post before bouncing into the arms of the grateful ‘keeper.
With five minutes to go until the break, there was another injury concern for The White Tigers when Cooke limped off to be replaced by Niall Thompson.
The opening period ended goalless as we saw more of the ball without finding a breakthrough.
We started the second half in a positive fashion but continued to find our opponents in stubborn mood.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 56 minutes when we won a penalty, the 16th that our visitors have conceded this season, and Connor Riley-Lowe stepped up to convert.
Rather than let their heads drop, Hungerford used the disappointment of going a goal behind to galvanise them and they started to pose a few questions.
It was a nervy closing to the game as we battled to hold on to our single-goal lead until Thompson bagged a crucial second goal with just over ten minutes to go when he broke down the left before cutting inside and firing home.
As the clock ticked down, Thompson went close to grabbing his second of the evening when he effort flashed just wide of the target.
In stoppage time, the visitors managed to pull a goal back through Lynch to reduce the arrears but it was too little, too late as we held on to claim a hard-earned three points.
WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Gerring, Richards, Lamont, Owen-Evans, Harvey (Neal), Cooke (Thompson), Harding (Hartridge). Subs not used: Copp, Keats.
GOAL(S): Riley-Lowe, Thompson
ATTENDANCE: 326.

http://www.trurocityfc.net/teams/83206/match-centre/1-3174142

16 April 2018

Chippenham Town 2 Truro City 0

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850854

CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier says the Bluebirds are full of confidence after seeing off play-off candidates Truro City 2-0 at Hardenhuish Park.
The 2-0 home win was their seventh in their last nine outings, as Chippenham continue to strengthen their grip on National League South survival.
In the first half it was a fairly even contest and looked as if neither team would break the deadlock before going into the interval.
However, veteran Town striker Andy Sandell had other ideas as he put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.
The second instalment saw Chippenham dominate but fail to make the most of their ascendency until the 84th minute, when Mike Jones sealed the win for Collier's side.
The result leaves Chippenham 14th in the league standings and almost guarantees National League football for the Bluebirds next season.
"It was a very good result and I reminded the players before the game that we haven't lost at home to any of the teams in the top eight," said Collier, whose side now cannot finish in the bottom three.
"That was going to stand us in good stead, even though Truro were coming to us in good form, and could have moved up to third place if they'd have won. They almost have a play-off spot secured.
"The first half was tight and cagey, having said that, (goalkeeper) Jared Thompson made some very good saves from Truro's front two but we had a few decent chances as well.
"Five minutes before the break I said to (assistant) Gary Horgan that I would be happy to go in with the score being 0-0 because the game always changes in the second half.
"Then suddenly we are 1-0 up as Nick McCootie played in Sandell, who was able to finish in style.
"Then our whole team talk changed because we were a goal in front. it was a great time to score."
Collier's starting XI also showed some deviation from what some may have expected as he looks to experiment with his squad until the end of the season.
"We played Jon Beeden at left wing back because we thought he could do a job there, then we had Dean Evans playing slightly out of position as a right wing-back," he added.
"Beeden hasn't played as a left wing-back before, so there is an option there and he has done well for himself and McCootie played up front with Sandell for the first time too, so we had a little change up top too."

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/16160462.NATIONAL_LEAGUE__Buoyant_Bluebirds_still_on_the_rise/

13 April 2018

Truro City 2 Concord Rangers 0




There was a dream start for The White Tigers when straight from kick-off an inviting cross from the left by Connor Riley-Lowe found the head of Cody Cooke who made no mistake.The opening goal came within the opening 20 seconds but the visitors looked to get back into the game straight away with a couple of half-chances that came to nothing.An effort from Tyler Harvey took a deflection which forced a good save out of the visitors’ ‘keeper as we looked to double our advantage.We were looking the most likely side as the half went on and we managed to double our advantage on 27 minutes when Ed Palmer curled home a free-kick with much aplomb to give the ‘keeper no chance.The White Tigers always looked in control during the opening period as we played with plenty of endeavour and determination without creating too many further scoring opportunities.There was a half-chance for the visitors on the stroke of half-time when Knight’s header was easily gathered by Tom McHale as we took a two-goal advantage into the second period.It was a bright start to the second half from The White Tigers with some nice passages of play and our first sight of goal saw Cooke draw a smart save from the ‘keeper.There were chances at either end as Harvey went close as he lifted the ball just over. We were looking solid as a unit to keep our opponents at bay despite their best efforts.As we entered the final 20 minutes, a free-kick from the visitors found the head of Knight who was off target as Concord enjoyed a spell of pressure as they searched for a way back into the game.Ben Gerring was forced out of the action late on as we held our two-goal advantage and secured a precious three points.WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Palfrey, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Gerring (Hartridge), Richards, Lamont, Owen-Evans, Harvey (Neal), Cooke, Harding. Subs not used: Copp, Keats, Thompson.

BOOKING(S): Harvey
GOAL(S): Cooke, Palmer
ATTENDANCE: 381.

 http://www.trurocityfc.net/news/report-white-tigers-back-into-winning-ways-2255492.html

09 April 2018

Truro City 1 East Thurrock United 2

See Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850848

A SAM Higgins double helped East Thurrock United upset play-off hopefuls Truro City to move onto 50 points for the season.
Rocks were up against a side gunning for promotion from the National League South this season but, despite securing their league status, were not heading south to go through the motions.
The away side broke the deadlock midway through the first half and it was little surprise that it was division top scorer Higgins that got it.
The striker finished well to take advantage of some hesitant home defending to put Rocks in charge and they were to take an even more commanding lead into the second half.
After Ryan Scott was denied a second goal in as many matches thanks to an alert save by Tom McHale, Higgins doubled the advantage.
A long ball was picked up by the striker and he blasted into the goal before half-time.
Truro improved after half-time, Cody Cooke was denied a goal by the offside flag and Andrew Neal headed over.
Tyler Harvey set up a nervy finish when he scored from the penalty spot – but it wasn’t to be enough.
East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Sammons (Christou 74), Harris, Wright, Darling, Clark, Phipps (Agyemang 66), Peddie, Higgins, Cornhill, Scott (Honesty 81)

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16144337.Higgins_brace_hands_Rocks_points_at_Truro/

01 April 2018

Truro City 3 Hemel Hempstead 3

Match Highlights Here: http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-2850826

THE WHITE Tigers came from behind three times to share the spoils with Hemel Hempstead Town in an entertaining Good Friday clash at Treyew Road.
It was a purposeful start to the proceedings for The White Tigers as a teasing cross from Niall Thompson was dealt with by the ‘keeper, whilst at the other end, a free-kick from Parkes failed to trouble Tom McHale too much.
As the visitors started to get into their stride, a slip by Ed Palmer almost let in Sanchez-Watt but his cross into the danger zone was gathered by an alert McHale.
The deadlock was eventually broken on the quarter-hour mark when a ball in from the left by Oliyide found its way beyond the reach of McHale as Moyo made his presence felt.
With the bit between their teeth, our opponents pushed for an instant second as we were forced to defend in numbers to clear the danger.
Despite finding ourselves under increasing pressure, we managed to find a leveller when the ball broke loose just inside the area and loan man, Tom Owen-Evans, was on hand to guide the ball home with his left foot.
As you would expect from a game involving two teams so close together in the table, it was proving to be an end-to-end affair as Owen-Evans went close for The White Tigers before shortly afterwards at the other end, Jamie Richards did well to deny the lively Oliyide.
It was developing into an entertaining encounter as the opening period went on. The visitors managed to regain the lead seven minutes from the break when Moyo was on hand to head the ball home to make it 2-1 following a free-kick from Parkes.
With half-time approaching we grabbed another equaliser when Owen-Evans did well to carve out a chance for Jordan Copp who made no mistake as he slotted home as both teams went in at the break on level terms.
There was a cagey opening to the second half. A free-kick from Connor Riley-Lowe crept just wide of the target as we looked to get our noses in front for the first time in the game.
We fell behind for the third time in the afternoon on 65 minutes when Oliyide found the net at the second attempt after McHale saved his initial effort to make it 3-2.
As the clock ticked down we pressed for the leveller but also had to be wary of the threat of our opponents on the break.
A late corner from Riley-Lowe caused all kinds of problems inside the opposition area and as the ball was only half-cleared, a strike from the edge of the area flew just over.
There was drama in stoppage time when Tyler Harvey found himself in the right place at the right time to guide the ball home and break Hemel Hempstead hearts to make it 3-3!
It was a fitting end to what had been an enthralling contest as both sides shared the spoils.
WHITE TIGERS: McHale, Thompson, Riley-Lowe, Palmer (Neal), Gerring, Richards, Lamont (Keats), Copp (Harvey), Owen-Evans, Cooke, Harding. Subs: Hartridge, Palfrey.
BOOKING(S):
GOAL(S): Owen-Evans, Copp, Harvey
ATTENDANCE: 527.
http://www.trurocityfc.net/teams/83206/match-centre/1-2850826