By Rhod Mitchell
Truro City 0 Eastbourne Borough 2
City's relegation worries deepened as they suffered a third successive Blue Square Bet South defeat after giving what was probably their worst performance of the season.
The home side could easily have lost by a much bigger margin after a woeful defensive display against the East Sussex visitors who moved out of the bottom three with their first win under new manager Tommy Widdrington.
City are now just six points off the relegation zone and face a real battle to ensure their place at this level for next season.
Manager Lee Hodges said: "I was blown away by what has just happened and its one I have to take on the chin. We are in a relegation battle and have 11 cup finals left to make sure we stay up."
Ironically, the home side started the better with Andy Watkins forcing two smart saves out of on loan Brighton keeper Mitchell Walker.
City had a let off when Eastbourne hit the post but the visitors took a deserved lead ten minutes before half time when ex-Brighton striker Gary Hart out muscled Arran Pugh before hammering the ball past Ollie Chenoweth.
The home keeper then saved well from Hart after another mistake by Pugh before having no chance with Eastbourne's second half just before half time when Matt Crabb finished off some good interplay with a powerful left foot drive into the bottom corner.
In the second period a lacklustre City rarely looked like getting back into the match and Eastbourne could easily have added to their tally.
Ellis Remy hit the post for Eastbourne, while Crabb's angled shot just went wrong side of the far post after a Barry McConnell error.
Andy Watkins did have a couple of half chances for City, but it was a day to forget for the home side who next travel to play another struggling team Hampton and Richmond next Saturday.
Before the game, City captain Jake Ash laid a wreath on the seat normally occupied by season ticket Gillian Alderman from St Austell, who was killed in a car accident on the way home from City's game at Dover last month.
There was also a minute's silence in her memory.
Truro City: Chenoweth; McConnell, Adams, Pugh, Walker; Kelly (Yetton 52), Ash (capt), Broad (Martin 52), Afful (Cooke 73); Hayles, Watkins. Subs: not used: Carne.
Yellow cards: Afful (70), Yetton (89).
Eastbourne Borough: Walker; Hamilton-Omoie, Cole, Smart, Lacey, Rowe, Johnson, Anderson, Remy (Brinkhusrt 82) , Hart (Watson 82), Crabb. Subs (not used): Strevett, Baker, Banks.
Yellow cards: Crabb (11), Remy (76), Hamilton-Omoie (77).
Half time: 0-2.
Goals: Hart (35) 0-1, Crabb (43) 0-2.
Referee: Iain Parsons (Salisbury).
Crowd: 493.
05 March 2012
Eastbourne Borough match report
Source: Eastbourne Borough official site.
Borough took a decent number of travelling supporters who were able to celebrate the side’s first league win since early December having picked up only four points from a possible forty over the past three months.
But on this occasion the team dealt with all Truro had to offer in the opening fifteen minutes and as the game progressed looked remarkably comfortable on the ball, well organised, first to the ball and constantly threatening to the Truro rearguard.
Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mitchell Walker joined the squad and was included in the starting line-up, with Simon Johnson returning on the right of midfield and Ellis Remy teaming up with Garry Hart as front-runners.
Truro began strongly with Andy Watkins forcing good saves from Walker in the opening minutes but gradually Borough took control of matters with Remy bursting through before lifting the ball over keeper Ollie Chenoweth and narrowly over the bar. Gary Hart’s goalbound effort was well saved by the custodian, before Matt Crabb looked on agonisingly as he fired against the far post with Steve Adams responding quickly to clear his lines.
The Priory Lane ‘faithful’ were wondering if these misses would be costly when Hart held off a challenge from Arran Pugh before cutting inside and striking the ball home to give Borough a 36th minute lead, and with half-time approaching Crabb increased Boro’s advantage on 44 minutes, with a fine goal following a good move from midfield, finishing after interaction with Hart on the edge of the box to break through the home defence and celebrate as he slotted home. A two-goal interval lead, but it should have been by a wider margin had the chances been taken.
The second half saw Borough continue to attack the City goal with Remy going close on three occasions, the last of these seeing the striker falling to his knees despondently as he burst through with only the keeper to beat, only to find the ball bobble awkwardly at the last moment, hit him on the shin and roll to safety.
Truro pushed forward for a time, but a well organised Borough defence coped well. Walker held the ball cleanly in the air and was quickly down to thwart Hayles and Watkins, whilst Marvin Hamilton was strong on the right and Sam Coles also enjoyed a pleasing display. Ollie Rowe and Alex Lacey were strong in the centre, as Truro found difficulty as they moved forwards.
In midfield Matt Smart, Stuart Anderson and Johnson worked well, with Crabb always a threat on the left going close to increasing the lead when his shot beat the keeper but brushed the post on 68 minutes.
Remy and Hart worked tirelessly causing constant problem’s for City, as the team achieved the target of three points, and with Staines Town going down at home to Basingstoke, Borough moved out of the danger zone.
Borough played with determination throughout, and should have secured victory by a greater score-line, but manager Tommy Widdrington was more than satisfied as he witnessed his first victory since joining the Club. There are difficult games remaining in the Borough fixture list, but if players can show consistent endeavour, commitment and flair, with increasing confidence, there could be a successful and exciting conclusion to the campaign.
Goals: Hart (36), Crabb (44)
Att: 493.
Welcome Three Points From Cornwall
Truro City 0 Eastbourne 2Borough took a decent number of travelling supporters who were able to celebrate the side’s first league win since early December having picked up only four points from a possible forty over the past three months.
But on this occasion the team dealt with all Truro had to offer in the opening fifteen minutes and as the game progressed looked remarkably comfortable on the ball, well organised, first to the ball and constantly threatening to the Truro rearguard.
Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mitchell Walker joined the squad and was included in the starting line-up, with Simon Johnson returning on the right of midfield and Ellis Remy teaming up with Garry Hart as front-runners.
Truro began strongly with Andy Watkins forcing good saves from Walker in the opening minutes but gradually Borough took control of matters with Remy bursting through before lifting the ball over keeper Ollie Chenoweth and narrowly over the bar. Gary Hart’s goalbound effort was well saved by the custodian, before Matt Crabb looked on agonisingly as he fired against the far post with Steve Adams responding quickly to clear his lines.
The Priory Lane ‘faithful’ were wondering if these misses would be costly when Hart held off a challenge from Arran Pugh before cutting inside and striking the ball home to give Borough a 36th minute lead, and with half-time approaching Crabb increased Boro’s advantage on 44 minutes, with a fine goal following a good move from midfield, finishing after interaction with Hart on the edge of the box to break through the home defence and celebrate as he slotted home. A two-goal interval lead, but it should have been by a wider margin had the chances been taken.
The second half saw Borough continue to attack the City goal with Remy going close on three occasions, the last of these seeing the striker falling to his knees despondently as he burst through with only the keeper to beat, only to find the ball bobble awkwardly at the last moment, hit him on the shin and roll to safety.
Truro pushed forward for a time, but a well organised Borough defence coped well. Walker held the ball cleanly in the air and was quickly down to thwart Hayles and Watkins, whilst Marvin Hamilton was strong on the right and Sam Coles also enjoyed a pleasing display. Ollie Rowe and Alex Lacey were strong in the centre, as Truro found difficulty as they moved forwards.
In midfield Matt Smart, Stuart Anderson and Johnson worked well, with Crabb always a threat on the left going close to increasing the lead when his shot beat the keeper but brushed the post on 68 minutes.
Remy and Hart worked tirelessly causing constant problem’s for City, as the team achieved the target of three points, and with Staines Town going down at home to Basingstoke, Borough moved out of the danger zone.
Borough played with determination throughout, and should have secured victory by a greater score-line, but manager Tommy Widdrington was more than satisfied as he witnessed his first victory since joining the Club. There are difficult games remaining in the Borough fixture list, but if players can show consistent endeavour, commitment and flair, with increasing confidence, there could be a successful and exciting conclusion to the campaign.
Goals: Hart (36), Crabb (44)
Att: 493.
Gillian Alderman Wreath of Remembrance
The wreath of white and gold flowers was laid at Gillian's favoured seat by Truro City Captain Jake Ash at the Eastbourne game on Saturday. A posey of red roses was also laid. A minute's silence was held as a mark of respect for one of our most loyal supporters. TISA Chairman Colin Carter collected well over £300 from generous supporters to go towards a memorial fund.
 |
| Colin collecting at the game on Saturday |
City Alerts - Lee's view on the Eastbourne game
LEE'S VIEW on Truro City 0 Eastbourne Borough 2
"There's not a lot you can say about a performance like that, except maybe it was just the culmination of everything - maybe it was the performance that was waiting to happen, sooner or later, after so many battles and so few options. The boys looked dead on their feet; there was no life in us at all. I've asked for minor miracles from them, week in and week out and maybe this was the day it all caught up with them.
"There's no disguising the fact that we're going through a very sticky patch and it was the worst possible start to a massive month for us, when we simply have to start picking up points again. We will soldier on. We will pick up the pieces at training this week. We have to get back to basics."
"I may gamble and change a few things - play players in different positions to try and freshen things up a bit. What we're doing at the moment just isn't working. One thing is certain - the boys will not want to finish the season the way we are now."
"My two centre halves have performed wonders all season, but each made a mistake that led to a goal on Saturday. But it wasn't just them. We just never made it into top gear. We looked okay in the first 20 minutes or so, but then all of a sudden it all started to go wrong and Eastbourne took over. Their manager told me afterwards he thought we are too good to go down, but we've certainly got a struggle on our hands right now."
UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League and all Sat 3 pm kick-off except where stated) March 10, Hampton & Richmond away; Tuesday March 13, Boreham Wood home, 7.45 pm; March 17, Tonbridge Angels away; Tuesday, March 20, Basingstoke away, 7.45 pm; March 24, Thurrock home; March 31, Staines Town away.
Mike Truscott
"There's not a lot you can say about a performance like that, except maybe it was just the culmination of everything - maybe it was the performance that was waiting to happen, sooner or later, after so many battles and so few options. The boys looked dead on their feet; there was no life in us at all. I've asked for minor miracles from them, week in and week out and maybe this was the day it all caught up with them.
"There's no disguising the fact that we're going through a very sticky patch and it was the worst possible start to a massive month for us, when we simply have to start picking up points again. We will soldier on. We will pick up the pieces at training this week. We have to get back to basics."
"I may gamble and change a few things - play players in different positions to try and freshen things up a bit. What we're doing at the moment just isn't working. One thing is certain - the boys will not want to finish the season the way we are now."
"My two centre halves have performed wonders all season, but each made a mistake that led to a goal on Saturday. But it wasn't just them. We just never made it into top gear. We looked okay in the first 20 minutes or so, but then all of a sudden it all started to go wrong and Eastbourne took over. Their manager told me afterwards he thought we are too good to go down, but we've certainly got a struggle on our hands right now."
UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League and all Sat 3 pm kick-off except where stated) March 10, Hampton & Richmond away; Tuesday March 13, Boreham Wood home, 7.45 pm; March 17, Tonbridge Angels away; Tuesday, March 20, Basingstoke away, 7.45 pm; March 24, Thurrock home; March 31, Staines Town away.
Mike Truscott
28 February 2012
Big Month Coming for Truro
Source: Football Web Pages.
Truro City manager Lee Hodges maintains his assertion that March is going to be an important month for the Blue Square Bet South club after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Eastleigh.
Truro City manager Lee Hodges maintains his assertion that March is going to be an important month for the Blue Square Bet South club after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Eastleigh.
Hodges said: “Next month is a big month for us, starting this Saturday at home to Eastbourne Borough. We have seven matches in March and we need nine points from those seven games – that is the key.” A second 3-1 defeat in a row on the road means City slip to fifteenth in the table before Saturday’s game against Eastbourne.
The Sussex side are nineteenth, a place and a point above third-from-bottom Staines Town.
City remain nine points clear of the drop zone with a dozen matches remaining.
The Spitfires – managed by former Plymouth Argyle striker Ian Baird – leapt to sixth from eighth after Saturday’s Bradley Bubb-inspired victory in Hampshire.
On-loan Aldershot Town striker Bubb top and tailed the Spitfires’ success with goals in the 16th and 87th minutes.
In between, Danny Smith put the home side 2-0 up in the 27th minute before City skipper Jake Ash got the visitors back into the game on 65 minutes, after Scott Walker’s free-kick was helped on by central defender Arran Pugh.
Hodges fumed: “The frustration for me is that I know we have got goals in us. We proved that again on Saturday and last week and the week before that and the week before that.
“What let us down again is conceding soft goals, poor defending and that has cost us since the start of the season because we can score but we cannot seem to keep a clean-sheet.
“If we can keep a clean-sheet, I would back us to get three points because I know we have got goals in us.
“I would back us to score nine times out of ten.
“We have to concentrate on our defending and putting it right – starting next Saturday – because we want something from the Eastbourne game and we want to start the month with some points in the bag.”
27 February 2012
City Alerts - Lee's view of the Eastleigh game
LEE'S VIEW on Eastleigh 3 Truro City 1
"This was a particularly hard one to swallow. We had played so well at Dover the previous week and in some respects it was a repeat performance here, but once again we didn't do ourselves justice because defensive weaknesses let us down badly.
"The big difference was that Eastleigh were prepared to throw their bodies on the line for their cause, but we weren't. Our defending wasn't tight enough and once again some of our players were just too timid in their approach. It seems we don't want to get hurt.
"It was very disappointing because we are capable of scoring goals against teams, but it is unrealistic to expect us to be scoring three all the time to compensate for goals conceded. We have seen this sort of defensive performance all too often this season. I remain convinced that we are good enough at this level, but we are hampered by the present size of the squad and the transfer embargo. I'm not a fan of huge squads, but there's no escaping that we are handicapped by the squad's present size. I need more options; I need to be able to give players a break occasionally.
"At Eastleigh, I was disappointed that we didn't get a stonewall penalty when Les Afful was brought down with the score still 0-0. Apart from that, I felt we allowed Eastleigh to dictate in the first half, but we dominated the second. Jake pulled one back and there were three or four close range chances that were crying out for someone to poke the ball home. An equaliser really looked on the cards before they broke away for their third near the end."
Mike Truscott, City Alerts.
"This was a particularly hard one to swallow. We had played so well at Dover the previous week and in some respects it was a repeat performance here, but once again we didn't do ourselves justice because defensive weaknesses let us down badly.
 |
| Lee Hodges |
"The big difference was that Eastleigh were prepared to throw their bodies on the line for their cause, but we weren't. Our defending wasn't tight enough and once again some of our players were just too timid in their approach. It seems we don't want to get hurt.
"It was very disappointing because we are capable of scoring goals against teams, but it is unrealistic to expect us to be scoring three all the time to compensate for goals conceded. We have seen this sort of defensive performance all too often this season. I remain convinced that we are good enough at this level, but we are hampered by the present size of the squad and the transfer embargo. I'm not a fan of huge squads, but there's no escaping that we are handicapped by the squad's present size. I need more options; I need to be able to give players a break occasionally.
"At Eastleigh, I was disappointed that we didn't get a stonewall penalty when Les Afful was brought down with the score still 0-0. Apart from that, I felt we allowed Eastleigh to dictate in the first half, but we dominated the second. Jake pulled one back and there were three or four close range chances that were crying out for someone to poke the ball home. An equaliser really looked on the cards before they broke away for their third near the end."
 |
| The Eastleigh flag |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)