31 March 2013

Havant and Waterloovlle full match report, (with big credit to the travelling fans)

Source: Courtesy of Havant and Waterlooville official site LINK

Havant and Waterlooville 1 Truro City 0

People will often tell you that the sign of a good footballing side is one that can quietly grind out results week in, week out. The sides that win even with a mediocre performance.

That was certainly the case with the Hawks today. A single 46th minute goal was all that divided them and the team that are firmly rooted to the foot of the table, and would be even without the ten point deduction that undoubtedly kicked them in the privates back in the Autumn.

Remember the disarray then? Maidenhead tonking them 8-0 and all the suddenly not quite so impartial observers opining that the Tinmen would be deceased long before Christmas? Until that point they weren't doing too badly, and certainly the Hawks were lucky to escape with a draw when they visited Treyew Road over the last Bank Holiday weekend back in August.

No one could deny the fortunes of football teams can be decided as much off the pitch as on, so Truro and their hardy band of supporters have done themselves much credit by sticking it out and pushing on regardless. When relegation is a certainty and you've only won three games on the road by the start of the last month of the season, keeping the enthusiasm to travel those phenomenal distances to away games is something fellow fans should applaud. Listening to the eleven stood behind the goal at kick off today singing their hearts out left me feeling nothing short of admiration.

So yes, the business of grinding out results regardless of performance. What fans expect from the Hawks at the moment is a difficult question to answer. If Lee Bradbury doesn't get Manager of the Month a public enquiry ought to be held, but that doesn't mean the faithful can rock up every Saturday expecting to see the kind of 3-0, 5-0 score lines we've been blessed with in the last few weeks.

What the current run of results has done, and we've gone nine games now without a defeat, nine! is give us a feeling of security. We don't panic every time the defence has to deal with a cross, we don't throw our hands up in desperation when Palmer fluffs the one chance the side manage to create. We can rely on Harris and Strugnell to mop up, and we know Ollie will be back in the opposing box with the ball at his feet again before long.

That I think is the greatest gift the current run has given us, and the one thing that I dare to say should be what we can expect from the Hawks now: the ability to unclench, relax, and enjoy some quality football. Not play-offs, promotion or heaven forbid even being the featured match in the NLP (which to my mind hasn't happened now since at least the start of last season), just the reassurance that watching us play is finally again an enjoyable, exciting and unpredictable experience.

There was a light at the end of that very long tunnel after all, those years of drudgery and awful uninspired football. There was the moment we stood on the precipice wondering what on earth Stuart Ritchie was all about, and there was the scepticism about unproven manager Lee Bradbury's arrival. But it's all come together and from the Boardroom down to even the most casual of fans, Westleigh Park seems to be a happy place again.

On reflection I hope the same can eventually be said for Truro some way down the line.

What I'm saying is that although today was the slenderest of wins and not a particularly thrilling game to watch, it still came with the momentum of the last month behind it and the knowledge that all is still right with the world.

Had Steve Ramsey's early shot been any lower the game would have started with a bang and a 1-0 lead after just twelve minutes. He gets a fair amount of stick does Rambo, but he does seem to be on an upward trajectory at the moment, and seconds after almost scoring then stopped Truro from doing the same when they broke up the middle into the Hawks' box.

Truro did manage to get the ball in the net twice in the first fifteen minutes, both times after the referee's whistle had blown, but the Truro fans made much of this in their chants. I remember that gallows humour well.

Perry Ryan took the first corner for the Hawks, but it was hit badly by Ramsey. Truro then messed up a similar effort themselves when given a free kick and Christian Nanetti broke loose with the ball and ran the pitch to set up Palmer, who fluffed his shot. But, as we now know, fluffing shots is not a crime in the new era. At least there are shots to fluff. 22 of them have gone in the season, so we can't begrudge our leading scorer the odd gaff.

Nanetti was steamrolled by Marcus Martin out on the right, and Ryan curled the ball in for Dan Strugnell almost to get a head to. Nanetti fired over, and at the other end Jordan Copp dropped a shot toward the back post that worried Clark Masters enough for the keeper to react to before it went wide.

This general to and fro went on until the break with the Hawks doing just about enough to claim superiority, but there wasn't much in it. Ramsey put a free kick wide one way, and Copp did the same the other. Jake Newton and Sahr Kabba contrived to get the ball quickly into the box just before the break, but it fell to Ramsey and not Palamer, resulting in a weak shot that Payne easily gathered.

Half-time
Havant and Waterlooville 0
Truro City 0

It was less than a minute after the restart that the Hawks took the lead. Nanetti pumped in a free kick from the right and Payne seemed to have great difficulty dealing with it. Twice it came within his reach and twice he flapped at it with the vague assumption that the ball was going to clear itself. PALMER had other ideas though and whacked it back over Payne with a half volley from about 16 yards that snuck under the bar.

This could have been the opening of the floodgates, but Truro remained busy at the back and organised enough to disrupt attacks. They didn't look like a side that have conceded an average of two goals a game this season. Two more chances followed for the Hawks, the first when Masters released Arthur up the line with a long throw. The cross back into the box was good, but Payne got a hand to Ramsey's shot. Palmer then came barrelling through the middle trying desperately to encourage the ball to stay with him, but the eventual shot went into Payne's legs.

Midweek signing Pablo Monteiro came on for Ed Harris early enough to make an initial judgement of the former Southampton defender, and a positive one at that. Standing a good few inches higher than the players around him he stopped an almost certain goal when Jordan Copp twice blasted from close range. Masters got the first effort, but wouldn't have reached the second.

The Hawks started to get slapdash in the closing stages, and Truro started to get frustrated. That lead to a bit of pushing and shoving, various yellow cards and Kabba launching a perfectly good cross into Barton's Road. Five simultaneous substitutions with ten minutes to go didn't do much to change the flow of the game and even when Truro won a free kick just outside the box two minutes into injury time it didn't feel like they were going to make much of it. That new feeling of security saw to that, and indeed Jake Ash blasted the ball into the wall before the final minutes played out uneventfully.

30 March 2013

Havant - post Truro City reaction


Truro City on the brink after latest defeat

By Rhod Mitchell West Briton.

Havant & Waterlooville 1 Truro City 0

A goal at the start of the second half from the Blue Square South's top scorer Ollie Palmer edged City to the brink of relegation.

It was the big striker's 21st goal of the season and condemned City to their 22nd league defeat and it is only a case of when, not if, their relegation will be confirmed.
 
City made one change from the team that lost to leaders Welling with the fit again Marcus Martin replacing the injured Martin Watts.

In the first half City looked pretty solid against the in-form Hampshire side though the home side did hit the woodwork and the visitors did have a couple of half chances.

But they were caught cold after the restart when they failed to clear a free kick and Palmer pounced to score what was to prove the match winner.

City tried to come back and new signing Jordan Copp was unlucky not to equalise first being denied by the home keeper and then having his follow up cleared off the line at the expense of a corner.

Manager Lee Hodges brought on Matt Wright, Joe Broad and Stewart Yetton late on but City could not find an equaliser.

City are now a massive 20 points away from safety with seven games left and its just a matter of time before their fate is confirmed.


Read more: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Truro-City-brink-latest-defeat/story-18556336-detail/story.html#ixzz2P0RoqMTq
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Great Scott's hat trick earns win for Truro City over Penryn

West Briton THIS IS CORNWALL

Truro City Reserves 3, Penryn Athletic 1

In a bitter wind, Truro began this Division 1 West game brightly and looked likely to score early on but after ten minutes Penryn took over and dominated both possession and attempts on goal, writes Tom Trust.

However, it was Truro who broke the deadlock after their defence had kept Penryn at bay. A quick break saw Scott Palmer snatch the lead on 38 minutes and so it remained until half time.

After the break, with Truro's Jack Coleman replacing Rob Dunn, Penryn resumed the offensive and bombarded the Truro goal, Dan Coleman pulling off a couple of fine saves.

Penryn brought on fresh legs with 20 minutes remaining and Truro's lead looked vulnerable especially when on 88 minutes Penryn were awarded a penalty - but Coleman saved brilliantly.

With Truro still on the back foot it was in the first minute of added time that Palmer latched onto a clearance and lobbed the advancing Penryn 'keeper for an unlikely second goal, earning a yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration.

There was still time for more drama as Penryn were awarded a second penalty in the sixth added minute, which Dale Band duly converted and with no-one knowing how long there was left, a frantic onslaught followed as Penryn sought the equaliser.

Another minute, another clearance, another run by Palmer and Symons was beaten a third time to end an intriguing match with an unlikely scoreline.

25 March 2013

City Alerts - Lee's view

LEE'S VERDICT on Truro City 0 Welling United 3:

 "We were flat and it's difficult to put your finger on exactly why. Playing against a top-of-the-league side, you would have expected that everyone would have been excited and given it a right go.

Obviously, it wasn't helped by the fact that we had to change everything around just ten minutes before the start when I had to take myself out of the side.

"JORDAN COPP made a very good debut. He's 19 and got released by Plymouth Argyle in January. He joined Frome, but he's been training with us for a few weeks. He's come in and played ever so well for us; he's set a high standard and obviously we hope he can maintain that now.

"I'd like to say a very big thank-you to MARK BRENT and all the volunteer helpers who did their stuff on the ground to make sure the game could go ahead after so much rain. That was a fantastic achievement all round and we're ever so grateful to them."

INJURY UPDATES: MARTIN WATTS (knee): "I've no fresh information on him at the moment, but we're hoping that it was just precautionary and that he will be available for Friday." LEE himself:

"I suffered a calf strain in the match at Sutton and haven't trained since. I was hoping that the pain killers would have done the trick, but it got steadily worse in the warm-up so I had to pull out."

Goalkeeper PAUL HIDER was de-registered to facilitate Copp's signing under the terms of the continuing transfer embargo.

By Mike Truscott.

Truro City v Welling photo's by Richard Augarde

Visit the link shown to view the match images > RICHARD AUGARDE

24 March 2013

Welling match report, by Daniel, Welling

LINK

Truro City 0 Welling United 3

By Daniel Welling | Saturday 23rd March 2013

Welling move closer to title after professional 3-0 victory against Truro City

Welling opened up a nine point gap at the top of the table as they were the only team in the top seven to play and made it count with an easy victory over bottom placed Truro City 3-0.

First half goals from Theo Fairweather Johnson and Ross Lafayette gave the Wings a 2-0 lead into the break and with the game effectively won, the second half saw the Wings bench bring on three substitutes in quick succession for the big game against Chelmsford in mind. A second goal from Lafayette from the spot finished off the scoring.

Day made just one change to the side that lost to Bath on Tuesday with Fairweather Johnson replacing Kiernan Hughes Mason. The rumoured resting of Lafayette did not come to pass as the striker started his 30th league game in a row.

Welling were keen to show the gap between the teams in the league table was a reflection of the team’s ability as Day’s free kick hit the side netting after just 90 seconds and Lafayette snatched a shot wide after a poor Truro clearance fell straight to him as Welling continued to send balls forward which Truro worked hard to deal with.

The Wings had struggled to score from open play in the past two games and needed an early goal to settle the travelling fans nerves. They duly obliged on 19 minutes as Jake Gallagher drove forward and played a great through ball to Fairweather Johnson who shot first time straight into the net to mark his first start in seven games.

The Wings should have doubled their lead a minute later when Lafayette shot wide after another excellent Gallagher layoff as the Wings were helped by a surprisingly consistent pitch after the persistent terrible weather that postponed nine matches in the league.

It was still bitterly cold and on 22 minutes, the Wings’ defence suddenly froze as a loose ball drifted across the penalty box and first to the ball was Andy Watkins’ whose shot hit the post. Martin desperately got back to clear the follow up just before Barry Hayles could tap into the empty net.

The energetic Watkins had terrorised the league leaders at Park View Road and was doing his best to get the White Tigers back into the game as his shot straight at Turner. The home side were holding their own as Martin Watts’ free kicks caused the Wings some problems as a back post delivery found Paul Kendall who headed just over the bar whilst arching backwards.

Welling had looked comfortable at the back since the home side hit the post and began to flex their muscles going forward as the half drew to a close particularly down the right wing with Fraser Franks and the impressive Fairweather Johnson combining well.

With three minutes to go until half time, Welling made it 2-0 as Lee Clarke nutmegged Ben Gerring and drove a hard shot at Luke Payne. The goalkeeper could only parry the ball straight to Lafayette who had the simple task of sticking the ball into the net for his 18th goal of the season.

Two minutes after the restart, Day fired a hard shot over the bar but it was clear from the outset of the half that the Wings had dropped down a couple of gears with Truro offering almost nothing of quality going forward.

Fairweather Johnson continued his fine game by dispossessing Ben Williams but Kendall got a good block in to stop the shot as the home side were dealt a new blow as their best player of the half Watts was forced off with an injury as Matt Wright came on.

The substitute was responsible for the third Welling goal as Gallagher and Anthony Acheampong combined brilliantly on the edge of the box forcing Wright into bringing down the big defender in the box for a penalty.

With Joe Healy absent, Lafayette stepped up and despite Payne getting a strong hand to the shot pushing it onto the post, the ball crawled over the line by about three inches for the Wings’ third goal and Lafayette’s second – the first time he had scored more than one goal in a game.

A blow up between Truro’s captain Jordan Ash and Gallagher added a bit of spice to an otherwise flat game causing both players to be booked.

Truro could have got a consolation goal with 20 minutes to go as Wright somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy after great a run and cross by Watkins on the left wing.

With the game won, the Welling bench shuffled their pack bringing off three players in six minutes to rest them for the pivotal run in that is to come. Man of the match Fairweather Johnson, goalscorer Lafayette and the superb Gallagher were the ones to be withdrawn.

Welling finished the game still searching for a third as Jack Obersteller’s shot was well saved by Payne and Scott Kinch just missed out on another ‘Kinch special’ as his volley just flashed wide. Referee Powell put the home fans out of their misery blowing for full time with the score 3-0.

Truro City v Welling video highlights by Piran Films


23 March 2013

Bottom club Truro City go down to league leaders

By Rhod Mitchell, West Briton

Truro City 0 Welling United 3

City battled hard, but found Blue Square Bet South leaders Welling United just too strong on a bitterly cold afternoon at Treyew Road, in a game which only went ahead after some sterling work on the ground by officials and volunteers.

The teams went into the match separated by 52 points and while there was not that big a disparity in the sides, in what was a rather scrappy encounter, the clinical finishing of the Kent outfit ensured there was never really any likelihood of a shock result.

City gave a debut to new signing from Frome Town, Jason Copp and the 19-year-old former Plymouth Argyle midfielder looked the part in a promising first display.
  
He came in for the injured Marcus Martin and City also had to make a late change when player-manager Lee Hodges failed a fitness test, with Ben Williams taking his place.

The game started slowly, but it was Welling who took the lead after 18 minutes when a quick break by Jake Gallagher ended with him finding Theo Fairweather-Johnson in space on the right and he drove the ball low past a helpless Luke Payne in the City goal.

Stung by conceding the goal, City came back well, with Andy Watkins unlucky to see his effort come back off the inside of the post before being hacked clear, while defender Paul Kendall headed over from a deep a free-kick to the far post by Martin Watts.

But five minutes before half time City went 2-0 down when Ross Lafayette hammered the ball home after Payne had blocked a Lee Clarke drive.

In the second half City rarely looked like getting back into the match and suffered an early blow when Watts had to go off injured, to be replaced by Matt Wright, forcing another reshuffle.

Their fading hopes were then dealt a killer blow midway through the half when Cody Cooke brought down Anthony Acheampong for a blatant penalty.

Although Payne produced a great diving save to his right from Lafayette's spot kick, he could only push the ball on to the inside of the post before it trickled over the line for Welling's third goal.

A clash between City skipper Jake Ash and Gallagher, which sparked a bit of a melee, saw both players booked, but it was a rare moment of excitement as the game rather petered out.

Wright missed a good opening for a City consolation goal when he headed wide at the far post from a cross by Watkins, while at the other end Payne saved well from Jack Obersteller.

And there was perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon when Stewart Yetton came on for the final few minutes after some five months out with injury.

But in the end City were well beaten by a Welling side now nine points clear at the top of the table while City are a massive 17 points adrift of safety.

Truro City: Payne; Williams, Gerring, Kendall, Watts (Wright 51), Cooke, Copp, Ash (capt), Afful, Watkins, Hayles , Yetton (85). Subs (not used: Broad.

Yellow cards: Ash, Copp, Hayles.

Welling Utd: Turner; Franks, Obersteller, Day, Martin, Acheampong, Gallagher (Kinch 73), Clarke, Reid, Lafayette (Guthrie 76).
Fairweather-Johnson (Hughes-Mason 70). Subs (not used): Main, Fakinos.
Yellow cards: Day, Gallagher.
Half time: 0-2.
Goals: Fairweather-Johnson (18) 0-1, Lafayette (41), 0-2, Lafayette (pen 65) 0-3.
Crowd: 448.
Referee: Christopher Powell (Poole).

22 March 2013

City Alerts - Friday 22nd March

TEAM NEWS for tomorrow's match at home to league leaders Welling United, kick-off 3  pm:  

MARCUS MARTIN out with ankle injury sustained in final minutes of match at Sutton.  Hopefully returning over Easter. 

Late fitness tests for STEWART YETTON (knee) and JOE BROAD (stomach).  

SQUAD:  Luke Payne, Paul Hider, Lee Hodges, Paul Kendall, Ben Gerring, Jake Ash, Ben Williams, Joe Broad, Cody Cooke, Les Afful, Andy Watkins, Barry Hayles, Martin Watts, Matt Wright, Stewart Yetton.

In addition, Truro City have snapped up Plymouth Argyle midfielder Jordan Copp and he could feature in tomorrow's game against Welling.

18 March 2013

Eastleigh rearranged date

The Eastleigh game has been rearranged for Tuesday, April 9, kick-off 7.45 pm

16 March 2013

Eastleigh game off

The Eastleigh game today has been cancelled.  The game will NOT be played on Sunday either.

"Peter Masters has tweeted: Eastleigh game off today and tomorrow pitch saturated. game to be rearranged for some time in the future."

15 March 2013

City Alerts - Friday 15th March

TEAM NEWS for tomorrow's match at home to Eastleigh, kick-off 3  pm:

STEWART YETTON may rejoin squad.  Played 45 minutes for Reserves at Penryn on Wednesday plus trained last night, but reporting knee "sore" this morning.      Late fitness tests for two other players.

CALRON HALL has left the club, following his move to London to live. 

Lee:  "I'd like to say a very big thank-you to Calron, who has stepped up into the first team and been very much a part of it, especially in the days when the squad was down to the bare 11 and 12.  He's come along well and he's probably going to sign for Tooting and Mitcham now."

LEE'S VERDICT on Sutton United   0   Truro City   1:  "What a result!  Sutton had won their last six home games and they'd beaten Bromley 4-3 four days before we lost 4-0 to them.  On Tuesday, it was another very long day for the lads, but they all worked really hard for each other and did their jobs very well.  Then a bit of magic from Martin Watts gave us the win.  Our game plan worked and we were unlucky not to score again near the end."

13 March 2013

Sutton United match report

Official Match report - source, courtesy Sutton Utd official site LINK

Sutton Utd 0 Truro City 1

Sutton’s hopes of mounting a run towards the Blue Square Bet South play-offs in the closing months of the season received an unexpected blow on Tuesday when they spent long parts of the game on the attack without ever quite giving the impression that they would be able to find a breakthrough, and were left without even a point as a superb free kick from Martin Watts eight minutes from time enabled Truro to make the long trip home with an away win in their pockets.

Despite the Cornish side’s hopeless league position, had they not suffered a ten-point deduction earlier this season they would still be fighting to avoid the drop, and recent results, with the exception of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Bromley , and a good record away from home against sides who would be expected to beat them comfortably suggested that U’s wouldn’t find life as easy as the table suggested, and on their second trip to South London in three days they looked some distance from a bottom-of-the-table side, defending well, looking lively on the break, and not flattered by their late winner.

After some high-tempo starts in recent home games Sutton were slow out of the blocks in this one, and Jake Ash twice might have given Truro an early lead, firing just over from a corner and then sending a dipping 20-yard shot just too high. It was ten minutes before U’s made their presence felt, and then they should have been ahead as Harry Ottaway met a fine cross from Michael Boateng with a disappointing header, but Truro countered when a superb crossfield pass from Ash released Barry Hayles, who got the better of Sam Rents inside the penalty area but wasn’t able to beat Tom Lovelock.

Anthony Riviere sliced a shot wide for Sutton after Craig Dundas had guided the ball in to his path on the edge of the penalty area, and just before the half hour it looked as though U’s might be awarded a penalty when Marvin Williams ran on to a pass through the defence and went over as he tried to go round goalkeeper Luke Payne. Referee Carl Fitch wasn’t convinced, though, booking Williams for his tumble and then, seven minutes later, giving out similar punishment to the lively Andy Watkins after he had outpaced Simon Downer before also going down as Lovelock came out. U’s had to make a change just before the break, Riviere injured in trying to get a shot away in the penalty area and Dundas dropping back in to midfield with Williams joining Ottaway in the forward line, but they came close to going in front when Jamie Stuart met a Rents corner with a glancing header that came back off the post.

Although Sutton attacked for most of the second half, for the most part it was a flat performance in front of U’s lowest home league crowd of the season, and although Dundas did threaten to provide the spark that could move it to the next level much of his best work was now done too deep to worry a solid defence. Boateng had Sutton’s best effort, shooting just over after exchanging passes with Ottaway, and Ben Gerring needed to produce a desperate headed clearance to prevent Dundas reaching a Rents corner, but there was always a threat on the break, Watkins almost punishing a mix-up between Downer and Lovelock, and Ash sending a dipping volley just over after Lovelock had punched away a cross.

Ten minutes from time, though, after a promising run by Boateng had been ended on the edge of the penalty area, Truro broke quickly as U’s looked optimistically for a free kick. Marcus Martin led the counter, and when he slipped his pass towards Watkins the striker was checked by Stuart to prevent him reaching the ball. Stuart was booked, and after U’s had made a substitution, throwing Tom Jordan on as a centre-forward, Watts whipped his free kick past the wall and in to the net out of Lovelock’s reach.

He nearly repeated the act two minutes from the end after Downer had tripped Watkins, Lovelock this time down well to his left to make a good save, and Les Afful toe-poked a shot just wide after a defensive mix-up on the edge of the penalty area. When Sutton did get their chance as Jordan was bundled over twenty yards out, Rents sent his free kick harmlessly over and Truro were able to hold out in some comfort for the points.

Truro: L Payne, L Hodges, M Watts, B Gerring, P Kendall, J Ash, C Cooke, M Martin(sub B Williams 88), B Hayles, A Watkins, L Afful Subs n/u C Hall, M Wright, P Hider. Goal: Watts(82). Booked: Martin(31-kicking the ball away), Watkins(36-simulation), Kendall(45-foul).

Truro City earn rare away win with late goal

By Rhod Mitchell, West Briton

Sutton Utd 0 Truro City 1

City bounced back from their 4-0 mauling at Bromley on Saturday, with a superb victory at a freezing Sutton on Tuesday evening, thanks to a late goal from the recalled Martin Watts.

Watts netted his fourth goal of the season seven minutes from time with a trademark 25-yard free-kick which proved enough to give City only their third away league win of the season.

Watts had come back into the side in place of Ben Williams, in one of three changes from the team that lost at Bromley, with fit again skipper Jake Ash replacing the injured Joe Broad in midfield and Luke Payne replacing Paul Hider in goal after recovering from illness.
 
Although City's hopes of staying in Blue Square South look bleak – they are 16 points from safety with just nine games left – it was a morale boosting success after Saturday's poor performance at Bromley.

And manager Lee Hodges was delighted with his team's display.

He said: "It was a tough day at the office on Saturday but everyone played their part tonight and a bit of magic from Martin won it for us."

City are next in action at home to Eastleigh on Saturday (3pm).

City: Payne; Hodges, Gerring, Kendall, Watts, Cooke, Ash (capt), Martin (Williams 89), Afful, Watkins, Hayles. Subs (not used); Hall, Wright, Hider.
Crowd: 360

Lee Hodges praises fantastic performance as late goal wins at Sutton

By Tashan Deniran, Football Exclusives.

Lee Hodges hailed his side’s efforts after they secured a late 1-0 win at Sutton United on Tuesday night to send Truro City back to Cornwall in good spirits.

“It’s a fantastic win. I said before kick-off we’ve got ten games left to play with no fear. Go out there and see how many points we can pick up from now and the end of the season and today was a massive win for us.”

After scoring four goals against Bromley in their last home game, Hodges admits he was surprised at the lack of shots on his side’s goal but insisted his side were up for the challenge:

“Very much so, we know what they’re all about; they’re on a good run themselves. They beat Bromley and drew 0-0 on Saturday and we know they’re a big, strong, physical team and we had to be up for the fight.”

With the clock ticking down, Hodges admits he felt the goal may not come but with seven minutes remaining Martin Watts stepped up and his free kick was enough to secure Truro’s eighth win of the season:

“It’s always on the back of your mind; you’re always making sure you don’t concede at the back. I don’t think our keeper had too much to do; he didn’t make a proper save.

“You’re just hoping for that bit of magic and inspiration and Martin Watts turned up with that free-kick.”

***********************************************

Some will feel that justice has now been done after Sutton snatched an warranted penalty in the dying minutes of our home game when Sutton went away with a 2-2 draw. Eds.

10 March 2013

Although the result wasn't what we wanted on the pitch, we was again treated with the upmost respect and hospitality by the officials and supporters of Bromley FC.

The comment below was  made by one of our life long friends at Bromley FC, Matt Hall............

'It was great to meet all you lot again today, I thoroughly enjoyed your company and wish I had it every week!! The win somehow feels hollow, don't know why. You're all top fans and I salute you for your committment and passion - I wish we had more fans like you guys. Hope the trip went ok on the way back and hope Dave is still sane after THAT journey! Many Bromley fans commented on how much they admired you all too, and the BSS is a better place with you all for sure. I can't thank you enough for making my day (the best home match I have ever had at Bromley) and please carry on the good work you do. You're a credit to your club and the whole of Cornwall. One thing's for sure, you've got an adopted fan in me! I'm sure we'll meet again soon. :)'.

True class. 

07 March 2013

Paul Hider

From Ian Rennie, Club Secretary:--

It has now been established that Paul Hider's ongoing back injury will not be solved quickly and not in the time left this season and as such it has been agreed that we de-register him from our limited squad with the Football Conference with immediate effect.


Mike Truscott, City Alerts

05 March 2013

Richard Augarde images from the Hayes game

Visit this link to view some excellent images form the Hayes and Yeading game > Richard Augarde - The Snapper

Andy Watkins hits two as Truro City end long wait for home win

Source This is Cornwall - Western Morning News

Player-manager Lee Hodges got the home win he desired as Truro City ended a run of seven successive Treyew Road defeats, beating Hayes and Yeading United 3-1.

Goals from winger Les Afful and striker Andy Watkins (two) gave City their first Blue Square Bet South double of the season.



Veteran sweeper Hodges was in seventh heaven come full-time and said: "That was for the fans.

"We had lost seven in a row at home but they come here week-in, week-out to cheer us on and the players really appreciate the support they give us.

"They even clap us off when we lose. I have said it before, but they have stuck with us through thick and thin this season, so it was great to finally get that home win for them.

"We get great support away as well and we have tended to play our best football and get our best results on the road, so it was nice to finally come here and do the business.

"I have said that we can compete with anyone in the league and Hayes were a side up there in the top ten.

"Both the central defenders, Ben Gerring and Paul Kendall, were dominant and had great 90 minutes, Barry Hayles was like a man possessed up front and gave great support to Watto, who just keeps scoring goals for us.

"It was a great all-round team performance, and it would be wrong of me to single out any individuals because everyone had their part to play.

"Les got his goal and always does well and Cody Cooke was 20 today and played really well on his birthday, and Marcus Martin came back in and made a real difference. I thought we missed him last Tuesday [when Truro lost 2-1 to Weston-super-Mare].

"We were dominant from start to finish. We were a bit nervous at 2-1, so Andy making it 3-1 in the 90th minute was the icing on the cake.

"All-in-all, it was much more like it, a really good team performance, and it just goes to show what we can do on our day."

Hodges made three changes from the team that started in midweek, with Hayles, Martin and Ben Williams coming in for Matt Wright, Martin Watts and Calron Hall.

Despite being on top from the off, City and their supporters had to wait until the 38th minute for their opener.

Hayles released Watkins down the left and his low cross was expertly finished by Afful.

City doubled their advantage in the 56th minute when a long free-kick from Hodges was flicked on by Gerring for Watkins to finish well.

Hayes hit back when a cross from the left by Kudus Oyenuga was unluckily turned into his own net by City central defender Kendall, under pressure from substitute Julian Owusu.

In the 90th minute Watkins coolly lobbed goalkeeper Louis Wells for his tenth goal of the season to send the home fans into raptures.






City Alerts - Lee's view on Hayes and Yeading result

LEE'S VERDICT on Truro City 3 Hayes & Yeading 1:

 "It was a thoroughly deserved win and the key to it was everybody keeping their concentration for the full 90 minutes. There were some outstanding individual performances, but really everyone stuck to their jobs and played very well. That win at home has been a long time coming and I'm really pleased for everybody at the club."

NO FRESH INJURIES, and possibility that Jake Ash (groin) and Stewart Yetton (knee) could return to the squad for Saturday's visit to Bromley.

FOOTBALL AT TREYEW ROAD tomorrow, Tuesday, kick-off 7.30 pm: Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final, Newquay v Helston Athletic

Yesterday's SUNDAY INDEPENDENT Truro City column attached.

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League, Sats 3 pm, Tues 7.45 pm): Sat, March 9, away to Bromley; Tues, March 12, away to Sutton United; Sat, March 16, home to Eastleigh; Sat, March 23, home to Welling; Good Friday, March 29, away to Havant & Waterlooville, 3 pm; Easter Monday, April 1, home to Basingstoke, 3 pm.

Mike Truscott