27 October 2014

Truro City 1 Cambridge City 0

A second successive home win and another clean sheet for birthday boy keeper Kyle Moore has lifted Truro up to fifth in the Southern League premier division table and right in the battle for a place in the end of season play-offs
Veteran Barry Hayles was the City matchwinner just before half time, when he headed home from close range for his fourth goal of the season.
It was another important three points for City, who travel to eight-placed Hungerford Town on Tuesday evening.
          
They wanted to build on the 2-0 midweek win over Paulton Rovers and manager Steve Tully made just change, bringing in Arran Pugh after suspension with Dan Green dropping to the bench.
It meant Tully continued at the heart of a three-man defence flanked by Pugh and Rob Farkins.
And the new defensive formation again worked as City withstood some strong late Cambridge pressure to claim three crucial points.
There was little goalmouth action in the first half with Ryan Brett coming closest for Truro with a low drive which fizzed just wide.
And the breakthrough came in the final minute of the half, when Cambridge failed to clear a free-kick and the ball fell kindly to Hayles with  the veteran calmly headed into the empty net.
Boosted by the goal, Truro started the second half strongly, but found Cambridge keeper Harry Reynolds in great form as he produced fine stops to deny first  Shane White and then Dan Green who had replaced Les Afful at half time.
City though could not find a second goal and as the half wore on Cambridge started to apply some pressure with sub Andy Phillips just unable to get his head to a cross and then heading wide from a cross by Oliver Emsden.
Truro though defended resolutely  in depth and with some sound handling by Moore, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, ensured the victory, leaving Cambridge without a win in nine matches.
CITY: Moore; Farkins, Tully, Pugh; Afful (Green h-t),  Lowry (Cooke 66), White, Ash (capt), Brett, Hayles (Vassell 57), Wright. Subs (not used):  James, Searle.
Yellow cards: Hayles (39)..
CAMBRIDGE CITY: Reynolds; Lewis, Day (Phillips 58), Vilcu, Chaffey (capt), Harradine (Phillips 68), King, Juliusson, Kelly, Bacon, Dawkin, Sub (not used): Midgley.
Yellow cards: Vilcu (41), Bacon (45) Julisson (45+3).
ADVERTISEMENT
Goal: Hayles (44) 1-0.
Referee: Adam Penwell.
Crowd: 384.


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Hayles-heads-Truro-City-fifth-table/story-23510246-detail/story.html#ixzz3HMv8nptJ

23 October 2014

Truro City 2 v Paulton Rovers 0

IN HIS pre-match programme notes, City boss Steve Tully said he wanted his team to start "winning ugly" and his wish was granted at a windswept Treyew Road on Tuesday evening.
In a game which rarely rose above the ordinary City chiselled out a deserved and much needed win to arrest their recent slump in form which had seen them lose four games out of their last five.
It was a night which fortune favoured the home side as Paulton lost keeper Kyle Phillips midway through the first half with concussion and with no recognised reserve keeper midfielder Brandon Barnes had to take over in goal.
And a mistake by the unfortunate Barnes early in the second half saw him punch a Jamie Lowry inswinging corner into his own net to give City the breakthrough.
City then missed a chance to seal the points when Tully skied a penalty over the bar before substitute Isaac Vassell put the result beyond doubt with a neat lob in the first minute of stoppage time.
City though will not care how the win came, but were just grateful to get back to winning ways after their recent troubles.
Another bonus was that they managed only their second clean sheet of the season.
As assistant manager Wayne Carlisle said: "It is a result business and all about three points. The weather did not help the performance and when you have lost four out of the last five you will take any help you get."
After conceding another three goals at Biggleswade on Saturday and with Arran Pugh suspended, Tully brought himself into the centre of a new look three-man defence, flanked by Rob Farkins and Shane White.
Dan Green also returned after missing the Biggleswade game through injury, though Jake Ash kept the captain's armband. Barry Hayles was brought back to partner Matt Wright in attack, as Craig Duff (suspended) and Vassell (bench) dropped out of the starting line-up.
In difficult conditions the game was never going to be a classic, though City did look the more likely in the opening half.
They might have taken an 11th minute when Hayles could only blast over after keeper Kyle Phillips lost the ball as he tried to claim a cross.
Sadly for the Paulton No1 he suffered concussion in the incident and had to go off ten minutes later, Barnes taking over in goal and Josh Klein Davies coming on as a sub.
Soon after City also had to make a change as they lost Ryan Brett with a hamstring twinge and Chris Long took his place.
But City were unable to pressurise the stand-in keeper enough, though Barnes had to be alert to prevent an own goal after mistake by a Paulton defender.
At the other end Kyle Moore was rarely troubled in what was a dour opening half.
With the wind now in their favour, City started the second period well and Barnes's mistake broke the deadlock after 54 minutes.
The home side were well on top with Matt Wright shooting wide, while Vassell had a "goal" rightly ruled out for offside.
City needed a second and should have got it 15 minutes from time when Mike Bryant was penalised for what looked like a good tackle on Wright to concede a highly debatable penalty.
But perhaps justice was done as Tully's spot kick was blasted well over the bar, which meant a anxious finale for the home supporters on a chilly night.
City had to survive a couple of heart stopping moments as the visitors battled for an equaliser, but held firm and when Vassell made it 2-0 with a neat lob in the first minute of stoppage time it was game over to give the White Tigers their first league double of the season, having won 2-1 at Paulton back in August.
Now the question is whether they can put together a meaningful run of results, starting with Saturday's visit of Cambridge City (3pm).


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-v-Paulton-Rovers-mathc-report/story-23380380-detail/story.html#ixzz3GzLcdgz5


Read more at http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-v-Paulton-Rovers-mathc-report/story-23380380-detail/story.html#1KIXQsqSvB5pEXju.99

20 October 2014

Biggleswade 3 v Truro City 2 (by David Simpson)

Its a very long road from Truro to Biggleswade and Truro showed the effects of the long journey. The match that finished with such a crescendo took a little time to burst into life. Neither keeper were much troubled in the first 30 minutes. On 34 a crossfield ball from Ian Rees to Zane Banton whose trademark is fast becoming goals. His dazzling run past 4 defenders only stopped when the ball hit the back of the net. Another 6 minutes and Banton was at it again as he became supplier to Kevin Bossman who has scored in his 3rd in 3 starts for the Waders thus far. At 2-0 Biggleswade were cruising and at ease with the 3 points coming their way.

The second half saw Truro not wanting a miserable journey home and pushing forward. The crowd lost count of the point blank saves made by Ian Brown, in goal for the Waders. It was actually 5. World class, as he kept his side in the game. All change as Conner Roberts was sent off for a last man challenge. Biggleswade changed the formation and for20 minutes kept Truro at bay. In time added Craig Duff pulled one back from close range and but 60 seconds later Matt Wright got the equaliser but.............There was another throw of the dice as an Lee Allinson free kick midway into Truro Territory found the head of Loick Pires, the ball like a bullet hit the back of the net and that was on 90+4 minutes.Truro hearts broken, there was no real time left but to saver what we had all just witnessed.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/biggleswadetownfc/s/match-centre-118660/1-1016771

15 October 2014

Tiverton Town 1 v Truro City 2

Truro City came from behind to book their place in the second round of the Red Insure Cup at Tiverton Town on Tuesday night.
Dan Green (33) and Barry Hayles (48) grabbed the goals for City, who provided the perfect response after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at home to Cirencester Town.

An entertaining first half didn’t start well for Steve Tully’s men, who fell behind after 12 minutes when Tiverton’s Jimmy Hinds flicked home Matt Bye’s cross.
The home side continued to create openings and Kyle Moore, who had earlier tipped Owen Howe’s powerful drive over the bar, was relieved to see another Howe effort deflected over the bar by defender Shane White.
But after Truro’s best spell in the game they drew level in the 33rd minute through Green. After his initial shot was blocked, the midfielder followed up to drive the ball home from close range.
And it was Green who came to Truro’s rescue before half-time when he cleared off the line from the lively Howe.

In contrast to the first half, Tully couldn’t have asked for a better start after the break when Hayles struck in the 48th minute to put City 2-1 in front. It was a smart finish from the experienced front man who fired across Tiverton goalkeeper Chris Wright.
Tiverton looked for an immediate response and they almost got it when Jamie Mudge went for goal only for Moore to produce a fine one-handed save.
The home side continued to put pressure on the City goal and Howe squandered another opportunity when he fired narrowly over the bar.
At the other end Wright had to be alert to keep Isaac Vassell at bay as City looked for a third goal that would surely settle the tie.
And after Vassell saw another effort go narrowly wide Tiverton should have been level with the best chance of the night when Jimmy Hinds somehow failed to find the target with an open goal at his mercy.
Green had a chance to wrap it up in injury time when he came within inches of scoring, but just moments later the final whistle blew as City enjoyed a return to winning ways in Devon.

Tiverton: C Wright, I Furness, J Searle, M Bye, E Weeks, T Gardner, E Phillips, J Richards, O Howe, J Hinds, J Mudge. Subs: D Western, J Howe, G Rogers, L Mortimer, J Wannell.

City: K Moore, S White, R Brett, J Ash, R Farkins, A Pugh, D Green, J Lowry, B Hayles, I Vassell, C Duff. Subs: M Searle, M Wright, L Afful, C Cooke, K Parker.


Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Football-Truro-return-winning-ways-Tiverton/story-23164025-detail/story.html#ixzz3GDwDNrjj

13 October 2014

Truro City 1 - 4 Cirencester Town by Dave Pyzer

Cirencester made the long journey to Cornwall for their latest league fixture to meet 7th placed Truro City.

There were a couple of changes to the starting eleven when compared with the last couple of games with central striker Bobbie Dale joining the Club on loan from Cheltenham Town for a month and Mark Pritchett returning after serving his suspension. As a result Ellis Dunton and Jacob Davidge took places on the bench alongside Ben Wells, Shayne Anson and Brad Hooper.

The weather forecast had predicted rain but Cirencester kicked off in perfect conditions for football and immediately attacked down their right flank - with Gethin Jones cutting back onto his left foot and crossing to the back post but too long for his team-mates to reach the cross.

This was followed by a narrow escape at the Centurions' end when a cross from their left flank travelled across the front edge of the 6 yard box without a connection from the defence to reach Craig Duff who had his shot blocked.

Cirencester were taking the initiative with Truro counter-attacking and in the 6th minute Truro opened the scoring when a break down their right flank produced a cross that Mark Pritchett managed to deflect with his head but as Glynn Garner came out to catch the ball he was nudged enabling Craig Duff to dart in and score.  1 - 0.

This encouraged the home side and they began to look more assured and some determined defending was required to keep a couple of efforts at bay following a free kick on the visitors left flank.

Cirencester continued with their patient build up and after a series of passes between Ben Prictor and Ed Williams the ball was fed to Jamie Reid who switched play to the right flank and a supporting Jones who over-hit his cross to the back post.

A similar build-up involving Prictor, Reid and Williams on the left created an opening that Prictor drove through and once in the penalty area he sent a low cross from the bye-line that was deflected out for a throw-in on the right flank.

The Truro response was a long ball over the top to Dan Green, on the right side of the penalty area, his low cross was gathered at the 2nd attempt by Garner near his front post. Garner then launched the ball downfield where his counterpart, Mike Searle, advanced, miss-kicked the ball and stumbled on the front left edge of his penalty area but fortunately for him his defence covered and cleared the danger.

Shortly after this another long ball behind the home defence created problems for Shane White who was immediately put under pressure by Williams and the defenders header resulted in a corner. The corner kick was collected by Jones on the right and after twisting and turning he managed to create the space to cross the ball back towards the back left post where Leigh Henry was just unable to reach it.

Before the half time interval Truro mounted a couple of breaks down their right flank - the first of which ended when Matt Wright laid the ball back and behind the supporting Green. The second break ended when Isaac Vassell miss-controlled the ball, on the right side of the penalty area, with Wright and Green in support and in space.

Half Time:   1 - 0

Five minutes into the half Truro were awarded a free kick 5 yards outside the penalty area, slightly left of centre, that Duff and Ryan Brett lined up to take. Eventually Duff took the kick but drove it well over the crossbar.
Three minutes later Bennett made a strong run down the right side of the Truro penalty area and when his cross was cleared it fell to Reid who made a run down the same channel before pulling the ball back but again it was intercepted and kicked out of the box to be fed back in again. As Searle claimed the ball he collided with Mark Pritchett who was injured.  
Truro responded immediately and Garner saved a fierce shot from Duff, who had been released into space on the left side of the area by a Vassell header, with his legs at the near post.
Cirencester then enjoyed a period of pressure and once ended, the struggling Pritchett and Jamie Reid (who had also been injured earlier) were replaced by Ellis Dunton and Ben Wells respectively.
Truro then created another good opportunity to increase their lead when a free kick in the centre circle reached Wright in space on the right edge of the 6 yard box but he made little contact with his head and Garner was able to collect comfortably.
In the 64th minute Cirencester got a foothold in the game when Prictor and Williams exchanged a couple of passes that enabled them to reach the corner of the left flank, Matt Liddiard joined them as they retained possession and fed the ball back to Ed Williams who cut back onto his right and after a couple of ‘dummies and shimmies’ he unexpectedly curled a superb strike into the top right corner of the home goal.  1 – 1.
Buoyed by this success Williams then fired in a shot from the centre edge of the area that Searle gathered at the second attempt.
Cirencester had raised the pace of the game and this was causing some problems to Truro and three minutes later they increased their lead when Ben Wells won the ball inside the Centurions half and sent a terrific low ball in behind the advanced home defence – just right of centre – that Bobbie Dale latched onto 10 yards inside the home half, held off a recovery tackle and advanced towards goal. As he neared the area Searle came out to cut down his angles and Dale calmly tucked the ball under him to score.  1 – 2.
Midway into the half Truro mounted a period of pressure on the visitors but they held firm and in the 80th minute Jones launched a high ball to the centre edge of the opposing area that Dale controlled with an assured touch and laid off to a supporting Ed Williams who side-footed into the goal.  1 – 3.
Two minutes later the lead was further increased when Jacob Davidge, who had just replaced Bobbie Dale, charged down an attempted clearance kick from Searle and the ball ran to an unmarked Aidan Bennett who was able to strike into the empty net from 30 yards, left of centre.  1 – 4.
With seven minutes of normal time remaining the much travelled and experienced Barry Hayles, who had earlier replaced the busy Dan Green, latched on to a ball and attempted to ‘chip’ Garner but his effort landed on the top of the net.
On the stroke of full time a corner kick on the right for Truro reached the edge of the 6 yard box where it rebounded off two home players enabling Garner to gather.  

Final Score: 1 - 4

The first half was a fairly tepid affair with the two sides cancelling one another out despite their differences in style. Cirencester were the more patient in build-up but few clear chances were created whilst Truro broke quickly but lacked composure at the vital moment and were often caught ‘offside’.
Truro had opened the scoring with a ‘soft’ goal but the game changed when Cirencester increased the pace of the game in the second half.
The opening Cirencester goal was a ‘stunner’ and encouraged the Centurions to push on and the other three goals came as a result of this increased pace.
A solid team performance with everyone playing their part.
Once again Ed Williams was heavily involved going forward and James Mortimer-Jones in tidying up but particular mention must be made of Matt Liddiard’s performance as he must have covered every blade of grass on the pitch during the match.
 
Attendance: 401                                
Referee:      Adrian Tranter
 

08 October 2014

Poole Town 3 v Truro City 0

Poole blitzed Truro in an astonishing opening quarter of an hour.  After the disappointing display against Histon Tommy wanted a reaction and clearly got one.

Steve Devlin piked up the ball on the left wing and crossed the ball over, Luke Burbidge ghosted in at at the back post to tap the ball in on 10 minutes.  Only 3 minutes later Burbidge had his second when Devlin switched the ball from left to right, Burbidge picked it up moved in to space then unleashed a fierce shot that struck the post and went in.  Only 2 minutes later and Poole were 3 ahead when Burbidge found Devlin near the half way line who smashed the ball forward and it dipped just over Truro’s Mike Searle who had a nightmare first half.  Truro were clearly unsettled by this barrage and started to lose their discipline with 2 yellows before Craig Duff got a straight red just before half time.

With a 1 player advantage and 3 goal lead the expectations were high for the second half – but were dashed by a much improved Truro performance.  If anything Truro edged the second half although Poole defended well.  Truro’s Vassell had a good shot well saved by Hutchings.  From the subsequent corner a header had to be cleared off the line by Burbidge.  At the other end Jamie Whisken had a shot cleared off the line and Luke Burbidge was brought down in the box but the penalty shouts were waved away by the ref.

A good win against a team going well in the league.  I think the 3 early strikes stunned Truro and they struggled to recover. All credit to their second half performance.
Next up St Neots away – expect that to be a real challenge.

Attendance :
327

Match report by Peter Leppington

http://www.pooletownfc.co.uk/071014-poole-town-v-truro-city/

05 October 2014

Truro City 4 Banbury United 1 (By David Shadbolt)

United go down 4-1 at Truro but controversy as United reduced to ten men when leading 1-0 as mistaken identity leads to sending off of Tom Fishwick Banbury soon settled down into the game and after the first ten minutes which was fairly even they began to have the better of proceedings. On 22 minute Josh Shama got on to the end of a long ball and then bustled his way through to the edge of the Truro penalty area but having done well to create the chance he put his shot over the bar. The good spell for United continued and two minutes later Shepherd Murombedzi created a chance down the left but shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area. Truro did respond to this spell of pressure from Banbury and did up their game and really for the first time in the match began to ask some serious questions of the Banbury defence. Banbury always looked dangerous though and in the 40th minute an excellent cross from the right by Jacob Walcott was chested home from close in by Leam Howards to give them a deserved lead. Three minutes later and Truro came close to equalising when a Craig Duff shot smashed against the crossbar. The game’s main talking point occurred in the last seconds of the half when Tom Fishwick was booked for kicking the ball away. To everyone’s amazement the referee then brandished the red card thinking he had been booked earlier when in fact it had been fellow central defender Jack Westbrook. It had been an excellent first half for Banbury and they deserved their lead but they were now required to play the second period with the unjust handicap of a man short. Truro got the boost of an equaliser just four minutes into the half when Craig Duff scored. In the circumstances this was just what United needed to avoid in conceding so early. Truro were now dominant against the ten men and went in front on the hour mark when Callum White brought down a home player in the penalty area with Duff converting the spot-kick. It was now all Truro and in the 70th it was 3-1 when a corner from the left was headed home by Rob Farkins from close-in. The final goal came in the 81st minute, a low cross from the right by Les Afful being knocked home at the far post by Isaac Vassell. Who knows what would have happened if United had played the second half with a full contingent! It was a huge shame we never found out and though the match referee has accepted he is likely to have made a mistake and will cancel the bookings when he has reviewed the video evidence it does not alter the fact that the decision hugely changed the game. On the positive side the first half showing from United against a side now in fifth in place in the table was full of promise with the forward play in particular causing problems for the home side. Truro City: Kyle Moore, Shane White (Jamie Lowry 60), Chris Long, Jake Ash, Rob Farkins, Arran Pugh, Dan Green, Ryan Brett, Barry Hayles, Cody Cooke (Isaac Vassell 64), Craig Duff (Les Afful 70). Subs: Myles James, Mike Searle. Banbury United: Leigh Bedwell, Callum White, David Lynn, Marvin Martin (Carl Tappin 70), Tom Fishwick, Jack Westbrook, Jacob Walcott (Harry White 80) , Aidan Hawtin, Josh Shama, Leam Howards (Luke Cray 46), Shepherd Murombedzi. Subs (not used): Nkosi Mzungwana, Darius Browne. Attendance: 424 http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/banburyunitedfootballclub/news/truro-city-4-banbury-united-1-1304427.html