29 January 2012

Ollie Chenoweth profile

Ollie Chenoweth (photo courtesy PAFC).

Ollie Chenoweth has been given a one month contract at Truro City, in place of the injured Tim Sandercombe and Tom Brooks. The former Liskeard Community College student was born on 17th Feb 1992, is 6'1" and weighs 11st 8lbs.

The 19-year-old was released by the Pilgrims last summer following their relegation to League Two.
This season he has been playing for Devon side Bideford, the table-toppers in the Southern Premier Division South and West.

Cornishman Ollie re-signed for the Pilgrims in Dec 2011 having been released by the Pilgrims at the end of last season. He is hoping that time at Truro City will give him more experience of first team football.

The Argyle Centre of Excellence graduate will remain at Treyew Road until 23rd February, but can be recalled at 24 hours notice.

TCFC De facto

Considering that people are suddenly talking facts, here are some:

1 - City are now 11th in Blue Square South with 35 points from 27 games. 10 points off play-offs, 12 clear of relegation places.

2 - City 8th highest scorers in Blue Square South with 43 goals - 5th worst defensive record with 50 conceded. Goal Difference currently -7.

3 - Andy Watkins scored his 125 th and 126th  goals for City on Saturday against Staines.

4 - Superfan Jacapo Ghiradon will travel 28 hours return from Venice to watch City play Dover next month!

5 - Andy Watkins is City's highest goal scorer in open-play this season, with 7 goals.  Scott Walker is highest with 11 but most of these come from penalties.

6 - Stevie Adams and Scott Walker have featured in all but one of the 27 league games this season.

7 - Highest home attendance this season was Dover, 1017 20th August.  Lowest attendance was 250  Hampton 17th December.  Highest away attendance was Dartford 1238, 22nd October.

8 - City appearance milestones were reached on Saturday 21st January - 250th for Jake Ash and Marcus Martin and 200th for Scott Walker.

Watkins earns priceless win for City

Source: This is Cornwall, by Rhod Mitchell.

Truro City 2 Staines Town 1
Two goals from striker Andy Watkins saw City come back from a goal down to earn a crucial Blue Square Bet South win at Treyew Road on Saturday.

It was City's first home win since beating Tonbridge Angels on November 19 and only their fifth in the league all season before their own suporters.

But it looked an all too familiar story when a defensive mix-up allowed Mark Mark Nwokeji to give the struggling visitors the lead after 66 minutes.

However, City fought back superbly and levelled eight minutes later when Arran Pugh headed on a left wing corner from Les Afful for Watkins to apply the finishing touch from close range for his 125th goal for the club.

And City's comeback was deservedly completed a minute from time when Watkins volleyed home a superb winner at the far post after substitute Scott Palmer had flicked on a Scott Walker free-kick.
Palmer and fellow substitute Daniel Carne were one three City debutants, alongside keeper Ollie Chenoweth who has signed on a 28-day loan from Plymouth Argyle after injuries to Tim Sandercombe and Tom Brooks.

The first half was largely uneventful with both sides restricted to half chances.

For Truro, Joe Broad forced a good save out of Rhys Evans after some fine approach play with a back heel by Watkins setting up the chance for the midfielder.

Watkins also might have done better after Scott Walker found him space on the left of the area but the home striker shot tamely at Evans.

At the other end, Ali Chaaban went close to breaking the deadlock when he rolled his shot just wide.
The visitors began the second half well and Chenoweth had to produce a fine save to keep out Tom Kavanagh's close range effort. But it was poor Truro defending which gifted them their goal when confusion between Steve Adams and Barry McConnell allowed Nwokeji to score a simple goal.

But to their credit Truro refused to crumble and earned a pricelss win which took them three points closer to their aim this season of survival at this level.

Truro City: Chenoweth; McConnell, Pugh, Adams, Walker; Afful, Ash (capt), Broad (Martin (78), Cooke (Carne 68), Hayles (Palmer 82), Watkins.
Yellow cards: Broad, Hayles.
Staines Town: Evans; Jackson, Thompson, Gordon (capt), Dolan (Butler 90), Kavanagh, Wheeler, Risbridger, Nwokeji, Chaaban, Everitt. Subs (not used): Scarlett, Taylor, Tyrell, Charles-Smith.
Yellow cards: Nwokeji, Risbridger.
Goals: Nwokeji (66) 0-1, Watkins (74) 1-1, (89) 2-1.
Referee: Richard Martin ((Bristol).
Crowd: 512

28 January 2012

Truro City v Staines Town

Saturday 28th January 2012
Truro City 2 v 1 Staines Town
Treyew Road
3pm KO

THE MATCH REPORT

At Treyew Road it was a beautiful sunny day, there was a blue sky, it was a bit nippy, but with no wind, the Truro faithful that had turned up knew that this was going to be an entertaining game, and that is what it turned out to be.
Focusing on the game, Truro City had resolved their goalkeeping crisis, for now at least, with the signing of 19 year old Ollie Chenoweth from rivals Plymouth Argyle on an initial one month loan deal.  Chenoweth went straight into the starting line up with former Premiership striker Barry Hayles, who started his first match since coming back from injury earlier this month.

New arrivals from the reserve team Danny Carne and Scott Palmer were on the bench alongside Marcus Martin.
From the outset, you could see that both teams were here to win the game.  Truro (who were playing towards the clubhouse end) started the game really well and from the outset piled on the pressure. Staines had brought their share of fans down and they themselves were making sure that they were heard.

In the 12th minute came one of the best passages of the game. They only downfall was that it didn’t result in a goal. The move included Barcelona-style play, with some spectacular passing to feet, the ball ended up falling to Joe Broad, who ended up having his shot saved by the Staines keeper.

As the first half went on, it wasn’t as entertaining, not from a Truro point of view anyway.  Staines had their moments in this half and they had a ten minute spell where they were creating all the pressure. As usual, Truro stuck to their task, and as they had been doing for most of the afternoon, kept the pressure going.
Into the second half and as the first half had started, Truro once again piled on more pressure.  The first ten minutes of the second half were all Truro. Staines started to find their feet, and had a good shot of their own, that was well saved by Ollie Chenoweth in the Truro goal.

The Truro fans as usual were making their voices heard, with the atmosphere through the second half as always being fantastic. It was also nice to see fans favourite Stewart Yetton join the fans in the stands, mixing in with the crowd, and he himself, despite being out injured, looked like he was having a whale of a time.

The laughter soon stopped however, as the away side took the lead.  Lack of communication at the back seeming to be the reason for a somewhat sloppy goal.  This resulted in one youngster being replaced by another, as Cody Cooke made way for Danny Carne, who was making his debut for the first team today.

Carne made a positive impact on the game as soon as he came on the field, even though he was being tightly marked, he seemed to be wriggling in and out of defenders, and looked like one to watch for the future.

Then came the turning point of the game. Truro had a corner, Les Afful took it.  The corner came swinging in, the ball was flicked on at the near post and Andy Watkins was there to bundle the ball into the back of the net, with the home fans going wild.

Shortly after the goal, Joe Broad was replaced by Marcus Martin, who as expected, made an impact and looked very comfortable playing in the middle of the park for Truro.

With ten minutes to go Truro piled on more and more pressure, looking for the winner, but despite the pressure the goal wasn’t coming, with the goalkeeper making a brilliant save on the line to deny Truro what would’ve been the winner.

With eight minutes to go, Truro decided to give the other youngster on the bench Scott Palmer a run out.  He replaced Barry Hayles. Palmer looked very quiet when he first came on, but with five minutes to go he had the chance to shine, and be a hero.

The ball fell to him, from about 12 yards he tried a bicycle kick, he messed that up, but fortunately for Truro the ball fell to Andy Watkins, who then hit a stunning volley with his left foot into the far corner of the Staines goal to give Truro a 2:1 lead, the goal had seen Stewart Yetton and the fans go wild. During the last five minutes of the game Truro looked very comfortable, but they weren’t finished yet, as a ball was sent over the top, and the ball fell to Danny Carne eight yards out, Carne attempted to bring the ball down, as he attempted to do that the ball had ran away from him, resulting in a goal kick. This didn’t spoil Carne having a great afternoon, playing so well for the club on his first appearance.

This is what seemed to be the last attacking play of the match, and referee Richard Martin brought an end to what was a very entertaining Blue Square Bet South fixture on a wonderful afternoon.

The result lifted Truro up to 11th in the Table.
ATTENDANCE: 512
MOTM: Andy Watkins – He never gave up all afternoon. He chased every ball down, used his pace effectively and scored the all-important two Truro goals.
Report by Jacob Englefield (Truro Fans Author)

27 January 2012

City face keeper crisis

City face keeper crisis by Rhod Mitchell

Truro City face a goalkeeper crisis for their home Blue Square Bet South game against Staines Town tomorrow.

Tom Brooks is out with a hand injury he suffered several weeks ago.  It is not yet clear how long he will be out for.

With No 1 Tim Sandercombe possibly needing surgery for the knee injury which has kept him out for two months City boss Lee Hodges is hoping to sign a keeper on loan in time for tomorrow's game.

There is also the contingency to sign up reserve team keeper Luke Payne for the game.

City are still under a transfer embargo so reserve team players Scott Palmer and Danny carne will be in the squad, though Hodges has ruled himself out of contention because of a hamstring problem.

Stewart Yetton is progressing well but not yet ready for a return.

City Alerts - Staines preview

PREVIEW, home to Staines Town, League, 3 pm, Saturday, 28 January 2012. 

TOM BROOKS out with hand injury - picked up several weeks ago and now worse.  Not clear how long he will be out of action.  Has seen doctor and will be further assessed.  Lee hoping to sign loan goalkeeper in time for tomorrow;  also contingency to sign up City's reserve goalkeeper LUKE PAYNE.  

TIM SANDERCOMBE may now need surgery for the knee injury that has kept him out of action for nearly two months.  LEE himself not in contention for tomorrow; first target now is next Saturday. 

STEWART YETTON making good progress, but unlikely to be on bench tomorrow.  Reserve players SCOTT PALMER and DANNY CARNE will again be in squad. 

TRANSFER EMBARGO:  no fresh indications/signals re lifting;  best hope sometime next week.

STAINES TOWN: currently fourth from bottom in League, with 23 points from 25 matches, won 6, drawn 5, lost 14, goals for 27, against 42.  Last three results:  lost 4-1 at home to Dartford on Tuesday, won 1-0 at Chelmsford City, won 1-0 at Woking.

LEAST NECESSARY REMINDER - ignore Staines' lowly League table position!  Just look at those last two away results.  So only the best will do tomorrow, in terms of support and noise for The Boys, from start to finish.  As Lee puts it, this will be another "cup final," with just 15 more of them - "cup finals" - to follow after tomorrow!

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League, 3 pm) Sat Feb 04, Basingstoke away;  Sat Feb 11, Salisbury home;  Sat Feb 18, Dover Athletic away;  Sat Feb 25, Eastleigh away.

CITY ALERTS is the official Truro City Football Club news service for supporters and media.  It is sponsored and operated by Mike Truscott of Golden Replay Biographies (www.goldenreplay.com).  Ten per cent discount for City Alerts subscribers registering for this service.  

24 January 2012

A day trip to Bromley

The secret diary of a TISA fan, aged 50 and three quarters.

I'm sure this has been written a thousand times before but here are a few notes on a typical away day, this time to Bromley. 

Before I get into any detail, my own aim this season has been to follow City on as many away games as my wife will allow. 

Typically in the build up to the pressure pot of Christmas, I was asked if I was "doing every game" - I said yes and was then sort of forced into agreeing to restrict this to one a month. 

However with Christmas out of the way, life being more-or-less normal again, I have stretched my luck, and am seemingly back on a roll again.  The last away game I missed was Sutton United on a Tuesday night  before Christmas.

Back to the Bromley trip.  I'm on it.  As nearly all away games are in the south east, the logistics have been timed to perfection.  We know when to leave, where to stop and know which pub we will meet at.  The internet has made this all quite simple with our own local beer-boy ensuring the correct barrell is in place before travelling (aka SteveC).  With GPS' (Dave Kent Grimshaw) guiding us to within a few yards of our destination, what could go wrong?

The journey kicks off at 7am from Treyew Road.  Tommo is the driver for the day and is happy to do the full ten hour shift.  Nice. Good ole boy. That gives me a chance to catch up on a couple beers as I did the full stretch to Welling last week. 

First stop on the way is St Erme. The John-Ross boys are not immediately obvious, desite their ample size.  For some reason only known to them, they decide to hunker down close to the hedge and not in the near layby?  Anyway, the're on board.  Ten minutes later, a quick stop at St Columb and our Social Secretary Dave Grimshaw is on board - queue the first tinny at 7.30 am.  A nice can of Red Stripe.  A long conversation ensues on where certain beers are brewed.  Who cares.  We've got five hours in the car where seemingly any topic is debated.

The early exit from the Duchy is stormy and very windy,  not least outside but inside the car as well. Enough said.  Our Rangers contingent of one has also had a few beers the previous night and descends into a coughing fit.  Half a bottle of benyline seems to settle him in the cheap row.

The half-way stop at Cartgate services, Yeovil, beckons for a natural break and The John-Ross stomachs require more burgers. On the move again and we pass Stonehenge.  Queue the expected pagan conversation from Tommo, this time suggesting that next season's crop-circles should be shaped in a Tisa logo.

It's now 11am and the beer has finally run dry.  The last services before the M3  require a quick stop to refuel in more ways than one. Fully loaded, we head for the M25.  New songs are born and discussion centres on topical subjects of the day, such as transfer embargo's, tax bills, depleted squads, a new Saint in the making (Lee of course) and the merits of living in Kent or Essex.

We soon pull into Bromley and the Bricklayers Arms looks like a temple.  We're greeted at the door not by the landlady, but Steve and Vicky Clark.  The Sutton contingent with a sprinkling of Cornish heritage bring something to the party, not least some colourful language previously unheard of in Cornwall. ;-)

After several Spitfires, BSS conversation with pre-arranged Bromley supporters, a few more songs and we're on the move again directly to Hayes Road.  The approach to the stadium is a cross between a farm track and a private drive, flanked by some stables and overweight horses.  The assembled fans inside this old ground are friendly, welcoming and courteous; nothing less really than the we have found at every away game this season. Brilliant.

The game yields a very welcome point, our first from four matches.  A quick statto check shows that after eight games we are 18th in the league - not good and an obvious result of a lengthy transfer embargo taking its full, devastating effect.

A couple more beers after the game and knowledgable conversation from the gaffer himself reassures all that morale is high within the small squad.  I managed a rare chat with Kevin, clearly happy that the tax bill was settled but not needing a reminder that the embargo was the next priority (sorry, mate - had to be said).

Onto the next chapter and this has to be the most bizarre scenario of the day.  A quick stop at The Charging Horse pub and I assumed that a fancy dress party was order of the day.  People dressed in Germanic costume later revealed that I was chatting to some sympathisers on a White Supremacy reunion.  Ouch. Another quick Courvoisier brandy to celebrate Grimmy's birthday and we were off....

Another stop at Fleet services for some KFC, more reminiscing of the match, replenishment of those bellies and we were finally on the last leg home.

With voices fully lost, Danny Humphrys decides to squeek out an hours worth of chat as if he'd been drinking helium all day.  Sadly I missed the fun as I slept most of the way home.

12.30 am Sunday morning and I'm in bed.  Thanks for a fantastic day.

Steve.

23 January 2012

Dover away travel

Below is the full size A4 banner advert for the Dover away game, plus some images of the home game earlier in the season.  Ray Jennings is taking names as usual for travel arrangements.  For those wishing to stay over on Saturday night, Dave Grimshaw is taking names for overnight accommodation. 




Bricklayers in Bromley

Truro Fans in the Bricklayers Arms, Bromley prior to the match.  Photo's courtesy Steve and Vicky Clark.




More photos from the Bromley game here:  Richard Augarde photos here

City Alerts - "We stopped the rot" - by Mike Truscott

LEE'S VIEW on  Bromley   1   Truro City  1  

"We stopped the rot.  Once you lose three in a row, you start to wonder where the next points are coming from, so this was quite a big game for us.  I can't say we were outstanding, but it was good to go ahead and have something to hold onto for a change.  In the last few games, we have been chasing it.



"Bromley probably dominated the first half and we had the better of the second.   We each had a couple of good chances in the first half and the goal that put us ahead wasn't even a full chance, really.  Andy Watkins did well to bring down a long ball;  he was fouled and then scored with a bullet header to Scott Walker's free-kick.

"I was disappointed with their equaliser, which came from a throw-in on the half-way line.  Our centre halves didn't get close enough to their boy, who was allowed to turn and run at goal, and he finished well.  In the last 15 minutes, I thought if anything we looked the more likely to score, which was pleasing.  I stuck Barry Hayles on upfront and decided we'd have a go for it."

VARIOUS UPDATES:

MARTIN WATTS (knee):  operation scheduled for this Saturday.  Target return:  August/September.  

TRANSFER EMBARGO:   situation remains unclear, but hopes still centring on end of month for lifting.  ED PALMER speculation:  NO change in prospects of further loan spell - nothing doing for now.
KIEREN CONIBEAR-TRATHEN:  released from first team contract.  Lee:  "Kieren feels he is unable to commit to all that is involved in being a member of the first team squad.  He is still going to play for the reserves and I have told him that if his situation changes there is a possibility that I would  reconsider him for the first team squad next season."

Congratulations to JAKE ASH, MARCUS MARTIN and SCOTT WALKER on club appearances milestones on Saturday - 250th for Jake and Marcus and 200th for Scott.

Reserve players DANNY CARNE and SCOTT PALMER were in the squad on Saturday.  Lee:  "It was a good experience for them, and I told them afterwards that I was sorry I hadn't been able to put them on, but I just felt it wasn't the right time.  Hopefully they will get another chance, and the experience will put them in good stead." 

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League, 3 pm) Sat Jan 28, Staines Town, home;  Sat Feb 04, Basingstoke away;  Sat Feb 11, Salisbury home;  Sat Feb 18, Dover Athletic away;  Sat Feb 25, Eastleigh away.
SUNDAY INDEPENDENT:  Yesterday's Truro City column attached.

CITY ALERTS is the official Truro City Football Club news service for supporters and media.  It is sponsored and operated by Mike Truscott of Golden Replay Biographies (www.goldenreplay.com).  Ten per cent discount for City Alerts subscribers registering for this service.  

22 January 2012

Player images from the Bromley game

Some images below of the game at Bromley.  (More to follow later tonight).












Big shout for a penalty in the first half



Truro Fans images from the Bromley game


Smart name board at the ground entrance

Horses greeted us at the ground - Nagging questions over player availability?

Main turnstile

Some of the Tisa faithful

Proud heritage of the FA Ameteur Cup Final 1949

Our own Romford massive stands proud

Mitchell Baynham - the Coventry crew

Bromley supporter's shop

John Ross jr. and the Sutton crew behind

Mr Baynham sr.

Vicky Clark

Brian Thompson and Tigeral in the background

John Ross sr

Tisa faithful behind the goal

TCFC official Snapper

Bromley faithful


Second half behind the goal

JP representing the Rangers contingent of one

19 January 2012

Truro vs The Taxman: A Happy Ending? by twohundredpercent

Source: twohundredpercent blog LINK HERE

Posted by Jenni on January 16, 2012 in Clubs in Crisis

Shortly before 12.30pm today @TruroCityTweet declared ‘ALL CLEAR FOR CITY -TAX BILL PAID IN FULL’ (their capitals not mine but worthy of shouting nonetheless) and it seemed in light of the current cloud of doom hanging over parts of non-league that the sun has broken through over Cornwall at least.

That Truro, subject of a winding up order way back in September, have found the money to pay HMRC in full (and it is rumoured this was a fair wedge, a six-figure sum and certainly not the amount you find knocking about down the back of the sofa) is a positive sign that the southern-most club at Step 2 is starting to move in the right direction.

It went down to the wire though, two hours before a winding up hearing was due at the High Court the club informed HMRC that the debt had been paid in full. The winding up hearing will now be dismissed at the end of the month providing the payment goes through and HMRC are satisfied.

Buoyant chairman Kevin Heaney told This Is Cornwall it was time to put the financial problems behind the club and move on.

He said: “So from now on it is business as usual, with team strengthening and our continued commitment to the Stadium for Cornwall project. We will now be seeking to have the League’s transfer embargo lifted just as soon as possible so that we can start strengthening our squad again.” On Radio Cornwall he went into further detail about what caused the debt to build up and blamed the non-payment of more than £150K from a sponsor for the delay in paying the tax bill.

He told BBC South West: “There are no other creditors chasing Truro City FC at all although we are chasing people that owe us money.

“We shall be vigorously chasing people that owe us money which runs way beyond six figures and had these companies paid us then our issues wouldn’t have arisen in the first place.”

Financial woes, unpaid debts and creditors are becoming familiar language in non-league football and even the fact that Truro are chasing such amounts of money should not really come as a surprise in the context of the wider economic woe.

But as the fans of the White Tigers breathe a big sigh of relief and have a little sit down there is a little nagging question in the back of some people’s minds. As Ian pointed out in September the club’s finances show that Heaney’s deep pockets have been keeping Truro going through their dramatic rise through the leagues in the past few years but how have the club suddenly found a six figure sum they didn’t have six months ago?

Heaney meanwhile has said he will push on with his plans for a Stadium for Cornwall. The plans were delayed back in December, having been granted outline planning permission, forcing the Cornish Pirates (the rugby team penciled in to share the stadium) into a groundshare at Plymouth Argyle for the 2012/13 season because of the hold up. The delay was attributed to the ongoing financial problems at the football club, which makes the total repayment of the HMRC debt even more impressive. With the taxman happy the club can sign up to be part of the ambitious development and, according to the chairman, start talking to investors.

The Stadium for Cornwall plans are by no means receiving the full backing of the local population. Local councillors have questioned the figures in the plans (as they tend to do) – with Alex Folkes, deputy leader of the local Lib Dems saying that the suggestion that the rugby team would employ 30 people and the football club a further 20 were ‘ridiculous.’ Presumably Mr Folkes is not entertaining the idea of either club going full time which would more than cover this figure but that is by the by. Despite the political posturing plans for 350 homes, closely linked to the stadium plans, are now in and will be discussed by the council in the coming weeks. But interestingly Cornish Properties Ltd (run by one K Heaney) was not named as partners in the revamped plans as they were in the original application, Persimmon Homes is listed as the sole company.

Away from the SfC plans Heaney has also moved to rebuild bridges with TISA (Truro Independent Supporters Association) – lifting the ban on TISA merchandise being worn on matchdays which can be seen as a starting point for improving the strained relationship between the fans and the club.

And moving to the actual football for a brief moment, Truro, under a transfer embargo since the initial winding-up petition, have had a tough season on the field. Despite some big players they have struggled with consistency, going out of the FA Cup on the end of a 7-2 drubbing from Gloucester and not doing much better in the Trophy. Injuries have ravaged the already lean squad and rumours of players not being paid have risen from whispers to a tinnitus-like constant hum. While they can now petition the Conference to have the transfer embargo lifted the reputation of a club ‘on the brink’ will be hard to shake, given that Truro’s geographical remoteness perhaps necessitates the generous wages they are rumoured to pay, might they now struggle to attract marquee, ex-League players who have peppered their squad in recent years?

Elsewhere some worried fans have voiced concerns that Treyew Road may not be up to the stringent Conference Ground Grading rules (the number of turnstiles, the size of the changing rooms and the ability to segregate games seem to be the main areas of concern) with a looming deadline of March 31 for upgrades to be made to take the club up to the requisite Category B needed for life in the Blue Square South.

So it isn’t quite happy families just yet but with the HMRC debt paid and plans for the future in motion now is time for Truro to take stock and reflect. Indeed Heaney’s dream, of a top flight football club for Cornwall in a purpose built stadium, is admirable but the Stadium for Cornwall team might do well to look a couple of hundred miles further north to another big stadium built on big dreams to see how big dreams can turn into total nightmares.

Bricklayers Arms, Bromley

Tisa Fans are meeting at the Bricklayers Arms, Bromley, 141 Masons Hill, BR2 9HW before the game.  (This is not a Wetherspoons)!  Most fans should be there between 12.30 and 1pm.



City Alerts - Bromley update by Mike Truscott

PREVIEW, away to Bromley, League, 3 pm, Saturday, 21 January 2012. 

Due to work commitments, I'm afraid I won't be able to do a preview tomorrow on the back of tonight's training session, so here goes with what's known at the moment, as from Lee a few minutes ago.

JAKE ASH should return, having recovered from sickness and trained well on Tuesday.  LEE himself (hamstring) definitely out, along with longer-term absentees Stewart Yetton, Tim Sandercombe and Martin Watts.  

BARRY HAYLES (knee):  early indications good after first appearance last Saturday, as late substitute, for two months.

Transfer embargo not expected to be lifted for at least another week, so squad for Saturday will be 13 and possibly 12.  Overnight stay pre-match, with team coach leaving Exeter at 5 pm tomorrow.

BROMLEY: currently third from bottom in League, with 21 points from 25 matches, won 5, drawn 6, lost 14, goals for 35, against 54.  Last three results:  lost 3-2 at Woking last Saturday, lost 3-1 at home to Basingstoke, drew 1-1 at Tonbridge Angels.

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT.  Further to my note earlier this month on the dedicated Truro City column, I'm delighted to report that the club IS continuing to have its own column every Sunday after all.  I won't bore you with all the details - long story - but the column will definitely continue;  it just won't be quite such a long one as it was previously.

Mike Truscott

More useful information on the Bromley FC site can be found > HERE

16 January 2012

Bromley FC away travel advert

TISA Statement by Colin Carter

TISA Statement:

Members of Truro Independent Supporters Association (TISA) and Truro City fans as a whole can breathe a collective sigh of relief now that the club has settled its outstanding debt to HMRC. This situation has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the club's existence for several months and we can now look to the future with far more optimism.

There are still challenges facing the club on and off the pitch; Conference ground grading needs to be addressed over the next couple of months and when we have the Transfer Embargo lifted we need to play 'catch up' with the rest of the league in terms of squad strengthening.

Lee Hodges, who has performed miracles so far with the squad down to the bare bones and players playing out of position, must now be backed in the transfer market to ensure we remain competitive on the pitch and consolidate our Step 2 status.  

We will continue give Lee and the lads our 100% support, as we have throughout this difficult period, and look forward to more stable times ahead.



Colin Carter
TISA Chairman

City Alerts - Very positive news

From Chairman KEVIN HEANEY, 1202 pm, Monday, 16 January, 2012:

"I have just left the High Court in London and can confirm that the outstanding six-figure sum has been paid in full to HM Revenue and Customs.  So from now on it is business as usual, with team strengthening and our continued commitment to the Stadium for Cornwall project.  We will now be seeking to have the League's transfer embargo lifted just as soon as possible so that we can start strengthening our squad again.

"We are immensely grateful to everyone who has stuck by the club and helped in all sorts of ways over the last few extremely difficult months.   I will be at Bromley for our next match, this Saturday, and I very much look forward to seeing as many as possible of our fantastic away supporters there - followed, of course, by our next home match a week later against Staines Town.  Now it's time for a fresh start - onwards and upwards, as they say."

Mike Truscott, Editor, City Alerts

City Alerts - Lee's view by Mike Truscott

LEE'S VIEW on Truro City  0   Chelmsford City   2:

"We had done really well considering the changes we had to make early on.  We rode our luck a couple of times in the first half, with the woodwork, but otherwise I thought we were comfortable even though in the second half we didn't have a lot of possession and weren't in their half that much.  We were still in control and Tom Brooks had very little to do.

"I felt we could hang on at least for a draw, which would have been a fantastic result against the team that's second in the table.  But once again it was a case of not being able to legislate for people abandoning their responsibilities.  Chelmsford's first goal, late in the game, was a free header from a corner.  Until then, I was pleased with the organisation and the way we kept our shape.  The last ten minutes did annoy me.  I have said it so many times this season about the marking at set pieces - the boys should always be screaming and organising and making sure everyone is okay and knows their job.

"After that first goal, we obviously had to go for it, which led to their second on  the break.  Tom had to make his decision on whether to stay or come out for it, and he chose to come out.  Until the final ten minutes, the boys had kept plugging away really well and I was very pleased with that because it is not easy after the sort of disruption we had in the first half.

"First Jake Ash (sickness) had to be substituted and then I decided to take myself off when I tweaked my hamstring.  I knew I hadn't pulled it, but I definitely felt a little something in there and then felt it again when I resumed after treatment.  So it was best to go off and be out for a week or two rather than a month or more.  I would say there's no chance of me being ready for Bromley - but it is not a recurrence of the problem that kept me out for a year."

Lee on DAN SMITH:  "It was his last game for the club and I wish him well.  He just feels he is not performing to the level he wants to perform, and that the way to get back to that level is to return to the full-time game.  It would have been nice to have kept him, but I would never stand in the way of a player who wants to go higher.  I don't even know if he's got another club lined up yet;  he said he's got nothing officially sorted out."  

UPCOMING FIXTURES (all League, 3 pm) Sat Jan 21, Bromley away;  Sat Jan 28, Staines Town, home;  Sat Feb 04, Basingstoke away;  Sat Feb 11, Salisbury home;  Sat Feb 18, Dover Athletic away;  Sat Feb 25, Eastleigh away.

 CITY ALERTS is the official Truro City Football Club news service for supporters and media.  It is sponsored and operated by Mike Truscott of Golden Replay Biographies (www.goldenreplay.com).  Ten per cent discount for City Alerts subscribers registering for this service.

15 January 2012

Clarets pass Truro Endurance Test - Match Report by Chris (Chelmsford)

Source: Clarets official Site

Max Cornhill and Kezie Ibe netted crucial late goals as Chelmsford City were made to wait until the 79th minute for a breakthrough at Truro City, then boss Glenn Pennyfather claimed to want “more long trips and overnight stays” in the Conference National if the Clarets achieve promotion.


Chelmsford made a rare hotel occasion out of the long journey to Cornwall and yesterday’s long wait for an arrival at their destination was matched on the pitch as a resolute home side restricted Pennyfather’s team until the closing stages. The visitors went second as a result, with only an even later winner for leaders Woking at home to Bromley preventing the Clarets making ground on the day.
“Patience was the key for us in dreadful conditions,” Glenn highlighted after the game. “There was a strong wind blowing across the pitch but we had a few forays into the box and created a few good chances before finally going in front. Of course when you get towards the end and you’ve had all the chances and possession but not the goal, you get frustrated. But we definitely deserved this scoreline.”
City travelled south on Friday afternoon, and he added: “It was important for future events of this kind that we prepared properly. We’ve learned one or two things from this trip which we’d like to do a bit differently if we did it again and I hope we get to stay overnight more often next year, because that’ll mean we’ve been promoted!”
Injury and suspension forced Glenn into two starting eleven changes. Sam Corcoran was omitted from the centre of midfield for the first of his three-match absence after a red card against Thurrock, while winger Warren Whitely turned an ankle during the midweek friendly at Canvey Island. However, the Manager had quality replacements in the form of young attackers Tosan Popo and Michael Bakare.
Despite a lively opening to the game there were few opportunities of note for either side until a spell of concerted pressure by the visitors mid-way through the half. Bakare cut inside and saw his effort blocked prior to Craig Parker striking across goal with intent from the edge of the area and wrapping the inside of the post.
Truro, who are embroiled in off-field negotiations over their future, could only name three substitutes and two were required in the first 36 minutes as skipper Jake Ash and Player-Manager Lee Hodges were forced to depart through illness and injury respectively. But their side remained competitive and Cody Cooke then Andy Watkins each went close, the latter forcing a diving save from goalkeeper Stuart Searle.
However they were let off the hook six minutes before the interval. Custodian Tom Brooks’ long clearance wasn’t long enough as Popo converted from the resulting loose ball, only for the ‘keeper’s blushes to be saved when the Assistant Referee raised his flag for offside. During injury time a Scott Walker dead ball at the other end led to Aaron Pugh sliding wide of the far post by a foot as the half ended goalless.
Cornhill and Bakare both had shots blocked just after the interval and an Aiden Palmer free kick ended with David Rainford’s powerful drive being collected at the second attempt by Brooks. The lack of a tangible advantage was starting to aggravate the Clarets, especially when Truro enjoyed their best chance on 73 minutes through another free kick, which culminated in a header narrowly wide by Watkins.
Then there was a sigh of relief as Chelmsford moved in front with a little over ten minutes left. Kezie Ibe had just sprinted through and forced a corner when Brooks had to tip over his high shot and, from the resulting corner, another delivery was sent into Cornhill who dispatched a simple header home from point-blank range.

Even though the Clarets were ahead, substitute Dan Smith’s low strike at Searle made the lead look fragile. A second goal would seal the game and that was secured with a minute remaining. Another replacement, Ricky Modeste, sent a brilliant ball between defenders and Ibe won the foot race to lob over Brooks into the net.
That meant the Clarets are still undefeated away, extending their club record, and Glenn reflected: “We knew we could create space in the area from set plays with the right kind of movement, which we did. Overall we’ve bounced back from last week, which was important, and shown a great reaction to that result.”
City:
1 Stuart Searle
2 Justin Miller
3 Aiden Palmer
4 Adam Tann
5 Kenny Clark
6 David Rainford (C)
7 Tosan Popo
8 Craig Parker
9 Kezie Ibe
10 Max Cornhill
11 Michael Bakare
12 Cliff Akurang
14 Kevin McLeod
15 Ricky Modeste (On for Popo, 75)
16 Ben Nunn
17 Warren Whitely (On for Bakare, 88)
Truro City: Tom Brooks, Barry McConnell, Scott Walker, Aaron Pugh, Steve Adams, Lee Hodges (Dan Smith, 35), Andy Watkins, Joe Broad, Jake Ash (C) (Marcus Martin, 30), Cody Cooke (Barry Hayles, 82), Les Afful. Unused Substitutes: None.
Bookings: Chelmsford: Clark (70, foul).
Referee: Adam Bromley (Plymouth).
Assistant Referees: Anton Beavis (Romsey) and Guy Boynter (Basingstoke).
Attendance: 505.
City Man of the Match: Adam Tann.