Cambridge v Truro match report (Cambridge Official site)

Cambridge City 4 Truro City 1

Cambridge City finally got back to winning ways as they strolled to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Truro at Bridge Road.

City went into the fixture on the back of a poor run of form that had seen them gain only 5 points during March and with the real possibility of dropping out of the play offs altogether, so this really was a must win for Gary Roberts’ team.

The City boss made two changes at the back with James Brighton suspended and Nick Beasant injured. This meant that Jackson Ramm came in at right back and Will Lawton was recalled to partner Lee Chaffey in the centre of defence.

Elsewhere, Adam Martin was available once again giving a welcome boost to midfield whilst Andrew Phillips was the favoured strike partner alongside Adam Marriott.

On a warm afternoon, City started the match in upbeat fashion, and dominated the early possession. The visitors from Cornwall were struggling to get a foothold in the game, but looked organised and didn’t allow City much scoring opportunities early on.

However, this all changed in the 13th minute when Adam Marriott was played in, and City’s leading scorer beat the offside trap and although he saw his initial shot blocked, the ball fell invitingly for him to slam home the rebound.

Five minutes later, and Marriott could have got a second. Once again he found himself onside, and went for the chip, but was thwarted by Grant Fisher in the Truro goal.

As the match edged past the half hour mark, Josh Dawkin played in Andrew Phillips, and Fisher did well once again to block his effort.

City though did double the score as the match entered first half stoppage time. Josh Beech met an excellent delivery from Phillips to fire low underneath the keeper.

As the second half got underway, City were looking to press home their advantage, but had to wait until 62 minutes for the third that effectively killed the game. Josh Dawkin went on a run and fired a shot that was eventually turned into his own net by the unfortunate Paul Kendall. Dawkin though claimed it, and City were now in a comfortable position.

This was re-enforced when they extended their lead four minutes later. The Truro defence failed to clear their lines and the ball fell invitingly for Will Lawton who fired in a low shot that beat Fisher for City’s fourth of the afternoon.
            

With the game won, Gary Roberts rang the changes, with Adam Marriott, Andrew Phillips and Ieuan Lewis all being substituted. One of those who were introduced to the game from the bench was Danny Kelly who has returned to the UK following some time in Australia and who re-signed for City on Friday afternoon.

As the match entered its final quarter City took their foot off the gas, and with the changes lost their previous impetus and it was enough for Truro to score what ended up to be nothing more than a consolation. The ball made it’s way out to Dan Green who fired in an effort from an angle that should have been cleared but somehow found its way past Zac Barrett and into the net.

But City saw out the rest of the match with no further alarm, and it was relief all round at the final whistle that the Lilywhites had finally got back to winning ways. With news that Poole and Bideford both lost, City now sit six points clear of the chasing pack and will be looking to cement their play off position further when they visit Corby on Wednesday night.
At 256
Bookings: Kendall and Green.

Cooke has all the right ingredients (West Briton)

STEVE Tully is confident that utility player Cody Cooke has a great future ahead of him – possibly even in the pro game.

The 20-year-old from Penryn made his 101st City appearance in Saturday's 5-0 win over Banbury United, scoring the first goal, as he produced a man of the match performance in his new position of centre forward.

And the Tigers' new boss is confident that Cooke has it in him to play at a higher level, especially if he can establish himself in one position in the team.

He said: "I think he has probably suffered by being able to play in so many positions and being the 'go to' player."

Cooke looks set to continue in his striking role for Saturday's testing trip to play promotion-chasing Cambridge City.

Tully added: "Cody was looking sharp in training and banging them in from all over.

"He has a big future and can get noticed if he has a good season with us. It could be a stepping stone and we would not stand in his way."

With the backing of chairman Pete Masters, Tully is hoping to tie up Cooke for next season shortly, along with defender Shane White, having already agreed deals with keeper Grant Fisher and midfielder Dan Green for the 2014-15 campaign. Their signings are a clear indication that Tully and his assistant Wayne Carlisle are in pole position to get the job on a permanent basis.

"We need to get a good nucleus of a squad in place if we are to challenge for promotion next season," said Tully.

Jake Ash, Joe Broad and Ben Watson are already contracted to City for next season.

Tully is looking forward to the challenge of taking on fifth-placed Cambridge City and then Hungerford Town at Treyew Road on Tuesday.

"Cambridge will be a good test for us and we owe Hungerford one after they beat us 6-0."

Olly Brokenshire is set to be out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem, while Watson (calf) is rated as 50/50, though Joe Broad and Jake Ash are more likely to be available after injury concerns.

Tully has been looking to bring in replacements from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City without success, but said he was happy with his squad.

"The players have a great chance to impress and earn themselves new contracts in our final eight games."

Tully is thrilled with his first win in charge (by Ross Reid, Western Morning News)

FORMER Torquay United and Exeter City full-back Steve Tully experienced his first win as Truro City player-manager at the second attempt.

Tully’s first outing as new Truro boss ended in a 1-0 defeat at play-offs bound Poole Town, but City bounced back to beat Banbury United 5-0 in the Southern League Premier Division on Saturday.

The 34-year-old, assisted by former Exeter team-mate Wayne Carlisle, said: “We asked the lads to start with tempo and they could have been 5-0 up in the first 20 minutes, let alone at full-time.

“They were superb. We played Cody Cooke up the middle, supported by Les Afful and Monty Berrow, and it worked a treat.

“Cody had won everything in the air at Poole and we thought he would be perfectly suited to an attacking role if he fancied a go.

“To his credit, I asked him and he said he’d play anywhere as long as he was in the starting line-up, so we went with it and it worked a treat.

“The great thing is, as he has such a good engine, because he’s naturally fit and used to playing in the centre of midfield, that he was still making great runs up until the 93rd minute.

“All-in-all it was a great team display, first Joe Broad and then Jake Ash played in front of the back four, and we looked comfortable at the back. It was great to keep that first clean-sheet and now we must look to build on it.”

Cooke marked his first start as striker and his 100th City appearance with the eighth-minute opener, followed by Torquay United loan forward Berrow’s 13th-minute finish.

Central defender Paul Kendall made it 3-0 before half-time and second-half goals followed from Jordan Copp and Liam Eddy.

City ensure convincing start at Treyew for Tull's reign (by Dave Deacon)

Guest match reporter Jacob Englefield gives his views on today's well deserved victory, the first for new manager Steve Tully.

New Player/Manager Steve Tully saw his Truro City side ease to a comfortable 5-0 victory at home to struggling Banbury United, who have now lost their last 11 games in all competitions.

The goals came from Cody Cooke, Monty Berrow, Paul Kendall, Jordan Copp and Liam Eddy and secured the first win for Steve Tully at the helm in just his second game in charge.

City took control of the game from the very first whistle, and it took them only eight minutes to open the scoring account for the day. Cody Cooke managed to escape the offside trap and was unmarked to finish a cross provided by Joe Broad. A great way for Cooke (pictured) to celebrate his 101th game for the White Tigers.

Truro then managed to double their advantage just 5 minutes later in the 13th minute when Torquay United academy product Monty Berrow, who recently signed on loan for the White Tigers until the end of the season, scored his first goal for the club after scrambling the ball home at the far post from the returning Les Afful's cross.

Truro then managed to control the game right up until half time, with Banbury struggling to find a way past the resolute City defence. However they did manage to retain the ball well at times. This didn't change the outcome of the game as Truro managed to get a third just before the half time interval when Jordan Copp put a wonderfully weighted corner into the box for Paul Kendall to rise high and put a powerful header into the back of the net past United keeper Scott Dutton.

The second half didn't manage to live up to the expectations of the first, but City still controlled the game enduring long periods of possession, something we haven't managed to see in recent weeks. Lots of opportunities created, not all clear cut, as Truro managed to get beyond the Banbury back line.

The visitors did manage to create a well worked opportunity though, one of their only in the match, fortunately Grant Fisher pulled off a wonderful save to deny Adeyinka Talabi any sort of of consolation or way back into the game for the Oxfordshire side.

Truro managed to score their fourth goal of the game early in the second half when Les Afful had a shot which was parried away by Dutton, only for another substitute Jordan Copp to pounce and put the ball into an empty net.

A fifth goal for Truro followed in the 66th minute when second half substitute Liam Eddy managed to find a way beyond the Banbury defence. However he still had more work to do when Dutton came rushing out but he kept a cool head to lob the keeper and put the ball in the far side of the visitors net. This was Eddy's 11th goal of the season, which now means he his the clubs top scorer so far with eight games remaining.

This was the end of the scoring for the afternoon with the game slowly dying down. The remaining 20-25 minutes of the game was a stroll for Truro, comfortably keeping the ball on more than one occasion with Banbury rarely threatening Grant Fisher in the home goal.

Referee Adam Penwell then brought proceedings to an end on what was a pleasing afternoon for City boss Steve Tully, the coaching staff and players. Lifting the confidence for the remainder of the season. The win moves City up the Calor League Southern Premier Division to 17th. The next game will be next Saturday away at promotion hopefuls Cambridge City.

Truro: Fisher, Parcell, Kendall (c), White, Daw, Green, Brokenshire (Copp), Broad (Ash), Afful (Eddy), Berrow, Cooke.
Sub not used: Pugh
Yellow Card: Copp

Banbury: Dutton, Gray, Mullarkey, Isaac (Whyte), Bevis, Obeng, Dias (Tappin), Martin (Strafford), Fraser, Green, Talabi.
Yellow Cards: Bevis, Martin.

Goals: Cooke (8th minute), Berrow (13th minute), Kendall (43rd minute), Copp (53rd minute), Eddy (66th minute).

Attendance : 369
Man of the Match : Cody Cooke

Referee: Adam Penwell (Weston Super Mare)
Assistants: Tim Burley and Luke Wilkes.

First win for Truro City's new boss as they crush Banbury by Rhod Mitchell, West Briton.

Truro City 5 Banbury United 0

Cody climbs high

City cruised to their first win under new player-manager Steve Tully as they swept aside the struggling visitors with the minimum of fuss.

Goals by man of the match Cody Cooke, Monty Berrow, Paul Kendall, Liam Eddy and Jordan Copp eased City to a bloodless three points.

But Tully refused to get carried away with victory over a Banbury side who have now lost their last 11 league and cup games.

“They are a team we should beat every week, but it is a start and the three points will give everyone confidence,” he said.

Tully made two changes from the team that lost 1-0 at Poole Town last week, with Les Afful fit to replace the injured Ben Watson and Joe Broad resuming in midfield, with Jamie Lowry out for family reasons.

City were on top from the start and took the lead after eight minutes, with a totally unmarked Cooke easily tucking away Dan Green’s cross from the right.

And it soon became 2-0 as Torquay United youngster Monty Berrow scored his first City goal, forcing the ball at home at the far post from Les Afful’s cross from the left.

It was all Truro but they did not get their third until just before half time when skipper Kendall headed home a Jordan Copp corner from the right.

The second half followed a similar pattern with City in almost total command. though Grant Fisher did have to make a fine save to deny Adeyinka Talabi a consolation.

The only real surprise was that City only scored two more goals.

Copp made it 4-0 at the start of the second period after Banbury keeper Scott Dutton had parried an Afful shot into his path and substitute Liam Eddy soon added a fifth lobbing the visitors’ No1 for his 11th goal of the season, making him City’s top scorer.

The win lifted City two places up the table to 17th ahead of next Saturday’s trip to promotion -chasing Cambridge City.

City: Fisher; Parcell, Kendall, White, Daw; Green, Brokenshire (Copp 35), Broad (Ash h-t), Afful (Eddy 56), Berrow, Cooke.

Subs (not used): Pugh.
Yellow card: Copp.

Banbury Utd: Dutton; Gray, Mullarkey, Isaac (Whyte 84, Bevis, Obeng, Dias (Tappin 60), Martin (Strafford 73), Fraser, Green, Talabi.
Yellow cards: Bevis, Martin.

Goals: Cook (8) 1-0, Berrow (13) 2-0, Kendall (43) 3-0, Copp (53) 4-0, Eddy (66) 5-0.
 

Cody Cooke - Man of the Match vs Banbury

Peter Masters presents Cody Cooke with the Man of the Match award after the Banbury game.  The opening goal scorer was Cody and the final result was an impressive 5-0 win.  Cody looked very accomplished in his new found forward role. 

 

Image by Vaughan Pickhaver, City Media.