22nd Nov 2009

Cornwall Cup

YOUNG GUNS SHOW GUTS

TRURO MEN’S 4th’s 0-4 BODMIN 1st’s

Despite starting the match with only 9 players, most of which had never played together before and most still at school, Truro’s 4th team gave a good account of themselves against a side who are 2 leagues above them. On paper this should have been a thrashing but Truro started brightly and conjured the first real chance of the match. Alex Wright fed Simon Rogers in space, having beaten his marker he went one on one with the keeper launching a hard rising shot that unfortunately hit the post deflecting across the face of goal.

After this scare Bodmin reapplied themselves and launched wave after wave of attacks against Truro. Mark Staddon at the heart of the defence organised the young lads around him superbly, with Jeremy Merrick in goal throwing himself at anything that got through. Several times Truro cleared off the goal line but were proving remarkably resilient, inevitably though Bodmin did find the opener in an ugly goal mouth scramble.

Instead of wilting, Truro again took the fight to the visitors with a period of pressure that the North Cornish side were obviously not expecting, going close to equalising twice. This however, was the high water mark for Truro, as in pressing Bodmin they left themselves open to a quick counterattack. 5 great passes from the Bodmin area saw Truro opened up and goal number 2 was hammered into the corner of the net.

After half time, and now at full strength, Truro were more wary of leaving themselves open which suited Bodmin fine, as they had more freedom to pressure Truro’s defence. Again despite much heroic defending, Bodmin scored 2 well worked goals, while Truro’s few attacks lacked support and were safely snuffed out.

Even with this loss, the 4th’s can hold their heads high as their far higher ranked opposition will have been expecting an easier ride. They can look forward to finding out who they will be playing in the Plate competition.

 

 

TITLE IN THE BALANCE

TRURO C 4 - 0 OKEHAMPTON A

Truro took another step to securing promotion and even clinching the South Western District League Div. 1 championship with an impressive win over Okehampton A at the weekend.

With Dart A also winning, it leaves both teams neck and neck with just three games remaining, and both teams meet next weekend which could prove to be the decisive game of the season as to who will clinch top spot.

Truro were out of the traps from the first minute knowing that a win was a must to keep top spot and also to make up on having dropped points in their last two games.
With only five minutes on the clock a lovely move between Wayne Spargo and Nigel Barker released Luke Shepperd whose cross was met at the far post from top scorer Paul Oxford to give Truro an early lead. Okehampton tried to respond but some fine defensive display from the back four of Dave Denning, Patrick Martin, Bill Manuel and the ever dependent Jason Staddon kept the opposition at bay. Truro upped the ante and when Barker picked up the ball in the middle of the field he surged forward and released Mark Staddon who had ghosted in on the right to tuck home Truro’s second.

After the break Truro continued to dominate the game with Ian Cuthell and Simon Rafferty seeing a lot of the ball in the middle. However it was ‘Man of the Match’ Wayne Spargo that created that all important third midway through the second half. A lovely mazy run saw him take the ball up to the penalty area before playing a deft ball to the right to the unmarked Staddon to collect his second goal of the game. Okehampton tried to get back into the game but two excellent saves from Jeremy Merrick ensured he kept another clean sheet. With fifteen minutes remaining Oxford was unlucky not to collect his second when he saw his shot from the top of the area kicked off the line and Truro were awarded a penalty flick. Barker stepped up to take the flick but managed to miss-hit the flick but somehow the slow speed of the ball deceived the goalie who helped the ball on its way by hitting it over the line with the back of his stick! Truro continued to press for more goals with Shepherd being the unluckiest when his shot smashed off the underside of the bar onto the post and goal-line and then away to safety.

 

This sets up the game of the season with Truro entertaining second place Dart A next weekend at home. Dart A being the only team this season to have beaten Truro – this fixture will determine who will finish top and grab all the glory.

 

2pts DROPPED

TAVISTOCK B 2 - 2 TRURO C

Truro’s chances of clinching the South Western District League Div. 1 championship took a blow at the weekend with a disappointing draw away to lowly Tavistock B.

With a number of players dropping out at the last minute, Truro had to start the game with only ten outfield players before a couple of late arrivals finally made up the numbers. However with a man less Truro started off very sprightly with Paul Oxford running down the back line as the lone striker. Simon Rodgers manned the midfield well and started to play some decisive balls into dangerous positions. With ten minutes gone a lovely through ball from Ian Cuthell found Oxford, and his understanding with Luke Shepperd saw a beautiful one two move that allowed Oxford to draw the keeper before playing a clever reverse flick into the path of Shepperd who fired home a deserved opener. Truro created a couple more good chances but some fine saves from the keeper kept Tavistock in the game. Then a rather fortunate piece of luck saw a cross shot take an unlucky deflection into the path of an unmarked Tavistock forward who slipped the ball into an empty net. However Truro picked up the reigns again and when they forced another short corner, Oxford’s low crisp drive was turned home by Mark Staddon from a couple of yards out.

After the break, Truro’s backline of Captain Tim Manhire, Jason Staddon, Dave Denning & Bill Manuel looked comfortable at the back keeping Tavistock at bay. Truro then had three great opportunities to increase the lead but Rodgers, Denning & Shepperd all saw their efforts well saved. Then just as it looked likely that Truro were going to extend their lead, another bizarre move saw the ball squirm between the legs of the Truro goalkeeper & then hit the post only to fall perfectly for the fortunate Tavistock player to again sweep home from just a yard out.

Truro pressed for the winner, with time running out thought they’d got it when Rogers found Staddon in the middle totally unmarked, he flicked the ball over the keeper, who got the faintest of touches, and to the disbelief of the Truro team the ball dropped just the wrong side of the post. Truro will consider this to be 2 valuable points dropped against a team that they should of beaten, with 5 games left of the season, their home game against second placed Dart A in the penultimate fixture is growing in significance.

 

Truro entertain an improving Camborne School of Mines team, in a local derby next weekend, knowing that a victory is a must to keep top spot.

 

TIGHT DRAW

TRURO C 1 : 1 P.G.S.O.B. C

Truro’s winning streak came to an end with a hard fought draw against a very strong & athletic PGSOB team on Saturday in this South West 1 match.

Truro started very brightly, within ten minutes Paul Oxford scored a sublime goal into the top left hand corner of the net and it seemed Truro could go on cruise control to win the game. However PGSOB had a different view and started putting together some really good moves down both flanks. The back four of Tim Manhire, Dave Denning, Jason Staddon & Bill Manuel stood strong, managing to repel these probing attacks.

With both Simon Rogers & ‘Man of the Match’ Nigel Barker in fine form in midfield, Truro had two excellent chances to extend their lead but on both occasion Simon Reed was unable to convert them. Truro were then made to pay for these wasted chances as PGSOB scored a scrappy goal when the ball was bundled in off the stick and chest of a defender just before the break.

After the interval, Truro continued to have a lot of possession with both Mark Staddon and Ian Cuthell having a lot of the ball down both wings but the final ball failed to find Luke Shepperd or Simon Reed up front. At the other end PGSOB’s had three good chances to take the lead, with some last ditch defending and poor finishing combining to see Truro lucky to escape conceding a second goal.

At the other end both Rogers & Barker had good chances but failed to hit the target. As the game got stretched Truro had to rely on the long ball which isolated both Oxford & Shepperd at times but some hard working runs from Patrick Martin kept the game ebbing end to end. With just five minutes remaining a lovely mazy run from Barker pulled the ball back to Oxford whose low shot was well saved much to the disappointment of the team to snatch a last minute victory.

However with Plymouth University also drawing Truro are still top six points clear from Dart A, although they still have a game in hand. It looks likely that the league will go to the final week to decide who will be champions. Truro travel away to Tavistock B on Saturday knowing that they can not afford to slip up again!
 

 

ONE STEP CLOSER….

O.P.M. A 0 - 1 TRURO 4TH’S

Truro kept their winning streak going, as well as their promotion hopes, with a hard fought triumph against Plymouth’s OPM’s on Saturday.

Truro, having had to make a number of changes to their regular team, started off very brightly with Nigel Barker and Jason Staddon seeing a lot of the ball. Truro began to use both wings well with Mark Staddon and Ian Cuthell causing problems to the home defence. It was from one of these wide positions that settled the game and the points when Mark Staddon made an incisive run on the right to pick out Paul Oxford in the middle, his quick turn and shot saw the ball nestle sweetly into the bottom corner of the net. OPM’s exerted more pressure after the goal but with a strong backline of Tim Manhire, Sebastian Parker, Bill Manuel and Dave Denning they were giving little away.

The second half was very much the same as the first with Truro looking dangerous on the break but solid at the back. ‘Man of the Match’ Patrick Martin had an outstanding game on the left sweeping up any attacks from OPM’s while supplying a number of penetrative balls for the frontline to pursue. Simon Rafferty and Simon Reed kept the pressure going from the front and nearly created a second goal but a poor challenge on Reed denied him the chance. Then with ten minutes remaining a text book move between Rafferty, Oxford and Luke Shepperd saw Shepperd sweep home what looked like the all important second goal, only to be adjudged to have touch the back of his stick. The last ten minutes saw OPM’s have the ball in the back of the net but some good umpiring picked up an infringement before the ball crossed the line. Captain Marvel Tim Manhire also made a tremendous last ditched tackle when confronted with a three on one situation to ensure that Truro took all three vital points home to Cornwall.

With seven games remaining Truro know that their fate is now in their own hands with another tough fixture at home to PGSOB C next Saturday.

 

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH….

TRURO 4th’s 2 - 1 OKEHAMPTON 1st’s

A top of the table clash between Truro & Okehampton was settled by Truro centre forward Paul Oxford who grabbed the winner fifteen minutes from time to keep Truro top of South Western 1 against a young & physical Okehampton team.

Truro knew that beating one of their nearest rivals would give them a comfort zone with eight games to go. With only fifteen minutes gone Truro’s Luke Shepperd saw his effort illegally cleared off the goal-line which resulted in a penalty flick. However, the normally reliable Simon Rogers saw his flick saved by the Okehampton goalie. Some good play between Oxford on the wing found Simon Reed in the middle and his shot was parried away for a short corner. This allowed Truro specialist Kevin Bennetts to step up and drag flick an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net to give Truro a well deserved lead. With the Truro back four of Jason Stadden, Dave Denning, Mark Stadden & Bill Manuel all in fine form it look like Truro would extend their lead before half time. However, a quick break saw Okehampton score from the tightest of angles with an arrowed shot into the roof of the net.

With so much at stake both teams knew defeat would have a massive blow to their promotion chances and when Nigel Barker & Bennetts combined again, Bennetts was unlucky to see his drag flick come of the underside of the bar. However with fifteen minutes remaining Ian Cuthell found Rogers in the middle whose mazy run took him to the touchline to pull back for Oxford to sweep home his twelfth goal of the season.

The last few minutes saw both teams get very physical with so much at stake, with a player being sent off from both sides and the Okehampton captain being sin-binned. Okehampton pushed for the equaliser but with the Truro goalie Jeremy Merrick making three fantastic saves at the end he ensured that all three valuable points went to the home side to keep them top.

Truro play their next game away at O.P.M.’s knowing that they must keep winning with Dart A right behind them should they slip up!!

 

UNI TROUNCED

MARJONS D 0 - 3 TRURO 4th’s

Truro C took another massive step to promotion to South West 1 with an impressive team performance against a young & fit Marjons team on Saturday.

With the first game in six weeks due to the Xmas break, Truro left off where there started with another well worked team performance against a very fit and young Marjon’s team. The match started off in a very cagey manner with both teams moving the ball around well but with getting no real penetration. Without their inspirational ‘Captain Marvel’ Manhire, Truro had to re-jig their defence with Ian Cuthell dropping back into the centre of defence alongside Mark Stadden, Patrick Martin, Bill Manuel & Jason Stadden who all played well, keeping the opposition down to only a couple of shots on target. At the other end it was ‘Man of the Match’ Simon Rodgers who was producing some mazy and incisive runs. Paul Oxford was only inches away from giving Truro the lead when he was unlucky not to get on the end of another fabulous cross from Rodgers. However it was not long before Truro made it count. A short corner routine from Rodgers to Nigel Barker saw Simon Reed slam home the ball from the top of the area.

The second half saw Marjons lift their pace but Truro matched them man for man and with Luke Shepherd prowling the front line, Truro always looked dangerous on the break. It was from one of these breaks that saw Ollie Cuthell & Jason Stadden combine well and when no one went to confront Stadden, his shot from the top of the area deflected off two defenders before crossing the line to double the score for Truro.

Truro then killed the game off with five minutes remaining when Rodgers followed up Oxford’s shot from another short corner routine to wrap up the game and the points.

Truro play their next game at home on Saturday against third place Okehampton knowing that a win would take them out of the running and leave it between Truro & Dart for promotion !!
 

TOP OF THE TABLE WIN

TRURO 4th's 2-1 PLYMOUTH UNI B

Truro C took a massive step to promotion to South West 1 with a thrilling and nail-biting game with this top of the table clash with Plymouth University B on Saturday. With the top four teams all breathing down each other necks this was a big game and both teams were up for it from the start. However the youthful Plymouth team started with aplomb moving the ball around at high speed and the Truro back four of ‘Captain Marvel' Tim Manhire, Tom Counsell, Dave Denning & the ever reliant Jason Stadden played out of their skins to thwart the Plymouth forwards. After this initial flurry Truro got hold of the game with Will McKenzie, Colin Tinkler & Simon Rodgers bursting through the midfield and supplying the front two of Paul Oxford & Luke Shepperd with some great balls. It was on the half hour mark that Truro struck first with McKenzie flicking home from the top of the area from a short corner routine. Just before the break Mark Stadden squeezed an excellent ball to Oxford whose shot shaved the far post. The game continued in much the same vein, but Truro goalkeeper Jeremy Merrick made two excellent saves to keep Truro ahead at the break. With the game so tight the next goal would prove crucial and when Ian Cuthell found Simon Reed in the area midway through the second half, he squared the ball to Shepperd who slammed home the ball from 10 yards out. Plymouth continued to look dangerous on the break and with five minutes remaining they grabbed a goal from open play. The tension grew as the clock ran down and some fine defending by Patrick Martin in the closing stages ensured that Truro took all three points and remain top, two points ahead of Dart A . Truro play their last game next Saturday before the Xmas break to second bottom Dart B needing the 3points in a must win game to ensure they keep top spot!  

KINGS OF THE HILL

OKEHAMPTON A 1-5 TRURO 4th's

Truro C gave another impressive away performance to keep their unbeaten run for the season, with a very physical game at Okehampton in this South West District league Division 1 game. With four teams baying for top spot Truro needed to ensure maximum points from this game but it was Okehampton that had the large amount of possession for most of the first half. The difference between the teams came from the clinical finishing Truro inflicted on their opponents and scored three goals from their only three attacks in the first half. With fifteen minutes played, the Truro back four of Captain Tim Manhire, Jason Stadden, Dave Denning and Tom Counsell had repelled everything Okehampton could give. Then a swift ball out to the ever creative Simon Rodgers released centre forward Paul Oxford who sprinted towards the area before laying a perfect ball for Ian Cuthell to smash home the opener. Five minutes later Truro were two up when Simon Reed thundered home an unstoppable short corner hit from the edge of the area. Then just before the break Cuthell return the favour for Oxford to sweep home a reverse stick hit into the bottom corner of the net. The second half proved to be much of the same with Truro soaking up the pressure for long periods and catching Okehampton on the break. Half way through the second half Nigel Barker broke up another attack and released Reed who was fouled. From the resultant short corner Mark Stadden stole in to flick the ball home from close range. Truro goalkeeper Harry Waters, who is only 14 years of age, made his senior debut for the club and made three excellent saves to keep Truro well ahead and was named Man of the Match. However when Bill Manuel lost his marker Okehampton punished Truro with a shot that went through a crowd of player's and left Waters exposed for the first time. However within five minutes Stadden had grabbed his second and Truro's fifth after ghosting in at the far post after a lovely move between Cuthell & Barker out on the wing. Truro are away next Saturday to third place Dart A in a must win game to ensure they keep top spot!  

MARJON'S MUGGED

TRURO C 7 : 1 PLYMOUTH MARJONS E

Truro C turned on the style to keep their unbeaten run for the season with another impressive display at Truro School with a goal feast in this South West District league Division 1 game. Centre forward Paul Oxford managed to bag four to take his tally to ten for the season. However it was Captain Tim Manhire who started the scoring after ten minutes when he thundered home a short corner routine. Five minutes later Oxford scored his first when Ian Cuthell picked him out and he calmly flicked home from close range. His second soon followed when a delightful slipped ball into the area by Nigel Barker allowed him to fire home from close range. When Kevin Bennetts added Truro's fourth with a trademark drag flick, the game was all but over for Marjons. Some silky skills from Simon Rodgers set up Simon Reed to slot home Truro's fifth just before the break. The second half saw ‘Man of the Match' Mark Stadden breaking down the right wing to supply Oxford with a perfect cross for his hat-trick. Luke Shepperd went agonisingly close after a great run and dribble into the Marjons area. Truro's back four of Jason Stadden , Tim Manhire, Tom Counsell & Dave Denning kept the Marjons forward at bay with Jeremy Merrick in goal sweeping up any goal threats. Truro kept pressing for more goals, with Bennetts, Simon Rafferty & Reed all going close. However Oxford completed the scoring for his fourth and Truro's seventh when Bennetts set him up with a delightful dummy that allowed him to smash the ball home from 10 yards out. Just before the end Marjons mustered a rare attack to catch the back line out and steal a late goal. Truro are away next Saturday to mid table Okehampton A in a must win game to ensure they keep top spot!  

4 TOPS

CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES (1) 1:3 (1) TRURO C

Truro C continued their unbeaten run for the season with another impressive display at Pool School with a hard fought game in this South West District league Division 1 game. Truro started off with a real gusto and with Barker and Mark Stadden making their mark in midfield, allowing Oxford & Shepperd, the freedom up front to cause CSM real problems. Oxford had two fine shots well saved early on, with Cuthell and Martin providing attacking width down both the wings & it was not long before Truro were ahead. Jason Stadden pushed out from a short corner giving Bennetts his chance to find the top corner of the net with his specialised drag flick routine. Truro hoped this would be the springboard for more goals but CSM equalised a couple of minutes later from a long corner. A change of tactics from Captain Tim Manhire at half time changed the game and moved Man of the Match Denning up to mark the Camborne play marker and this proved crucial in ensuring that the supply to their forward line was stifled. It looked that Bennetts had scored again from another short corner but was alleged to have flicked the ball from just outside the circle. However it was not long before Truro were ahead again. A swift move out of defence found Shepperd on the top of the penalty area and he fired in a thundering low shot that caught out the keeper at his near post. Camborne came again but the back four of Jason Stadden, Manhire, Counsell & keeper Merrick kept them at bay. With ten minutes left another great move from Cuthell fired in a cross to Oxford which took a deflection, but was able to guide the ball superbly past the stranded goalie to secure another three points and keep Truro top of the table.  

GAME OF 2 HALVES

TRURO 9-3 TAVISTOCK B

  With a strong half time talk from Manhire Truro came out with new tactics, which paid off from the start. The back line of Counsell (in goal), Manhire, J Staddon, Manual and Denning didn't really have much of the ball as Rogers, Barker, Rafferty, M Staddon, Cuthell and Martin began to run the midfield. The front line of Bennett, Reid, Sheppard and Middleton moved the Tavistock defense around creating space. Second half goals from Rogers 2, Manhire, Barker, Bennett, Middleton and Reid saw Truro run away with the game but conceding a late goal on the final whistle to make the final score 9-3 and maintain their unbeaten run. MoM Simon Rogers. Truro C faced a Tavistock side at Truro School looking to improve on recent home performances. It didn't start well conceding an early goal and struggling to impose themselves on the game. Just as Truro were starting to get frustrated but goal from young Sheppard at the back post eased the fears. Truro still couldn't find a pass and with a bench full of forwards changes started to be made. An unfortunate injury to a Tavistock player meant they went down to 9 men. This didn't stop them scoring a second goal. Truro managed to score a second goal through newly recruited Bennett's on a trade mark short corner.  

WINNING THE HARD WAY

PGSOB C (0) 0:1 (0) TRURO 4th's

Truro C gained maximum points again with the hardest game of the season against a very strong and well organised PGSOB team in this South West District league Division 1 game. Truro got off to a fabulous start with Simon Rogers & Nigel Baker threading through some great through balls to the new partnership up front of Paul Oxford & Luke Shepperd. Both strikers were unlucky in the first half with some outstanding saves from the PGSOB goalkeeper. However, it was the Truro back four that proved to be up for the game and defended brilliantly throughout the match, against a very fit and youthful team. ‘Man of the Match' Dave Denning led from the back and was well supported by Tom Counsell, Bill Manuel, Patrick Martin and the ever consistent Jason Stadden. With the scores tied at half time Truro felt a little unfortunate not to be leading but thought that the deadlock had been broken when Shepperd saw his shot stop on the goal-line illegally by the defender. However, the PGSOB keeper guessed the right way to deny Rogers scoring his first goal of the season. Soon after, another fine ball from Ian Cuthell picked out Simon Reed whose pin point cross found Shepperd just six yards out, and again the keeper made a fabulous save. At the other end Truro had to soak up a fifteen minute spell when PGSOB pushed for a winner but Jeremy Merrick was in fine form in goal making two good saves. Then with just ten minutes remaining Rogers picked out Reed on a short corner and he unleashed an unstoppable low shot into the corner of the net to take the spoils. This puts Truro on level points with Plymouth University B at the top of the table, and they entertain Tavistock B next weekend.  

OPM's STEAMROLLERED

TRURO C (2) 6:0 (0) OPM A

Truro C gained maximum points with a six goal feast on Saturday against a weakened OPM team in this South West District league Division 1 game. Truro started much the better and really got into the opposition from the start. With only fifteen minutes on the clock and really quick move between Ian Cuthell & Nigel Barker released Paul Oxford midway in the opposition half and he played a lovely one-two with Simon Reed before firing home an unstoppable low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Five minutes later Oxford scored his second when he picked the same spot from a short corner routine. After the break OPM tried to up the pressure but with Tim Manhire, Dave Denning, Patrick Martin & "Man of the Match" Jason Stadden, they got little change from the Truro defence. On the couple of occasions they did penetrate, Jeremy Merrick in goal, made a couple of good saves to ensure another clean sheet. Truro turned on the style midway through the second half and two quick well taken goals from new signing Luke Shepperd made the game safe. Barker & Ben Andrew provided Stadden with a close tap in, before a three touch goal from back to front saw Manhire fire a fabulous ball out to Oxford on the wing who in turn found a pin point cross into the area for Simon Rafferty to slot the ball home from close range to complete the rout. Truro travel away to PGSOB's next weekend and will hope to continue the pressure on Plymouth Uni for 1st place.

Still Unbeaten

Okehampton 1-1 Truro 4th's Truro C continued their unbeaten run with a last minute equaliser in this enthralling South West District league Division 1 game. Despite last weeks win, Truro had played poorly and were looking for a much improved performance, and that's just how they started. Cuthell, Rafferty & Rodgers took control in the middle, winning the ball, breaking up plays and showing some creative distribution to dominate St.Austell. It was from a Rodgers through ball that gave the first real chance, when he found Oxford whose shot was brilliantly put onto the roof of the net by the Okehampton keeper. Soon after Oxford turned provider, first for Reed who saw his goal bound shot was also well saved and then two quick chances that fell to Middleton, but he was unable to convert either. The second half saw a reenergised Okehampton apply a lot more pressure on the Truro back line but ‘man of the match' Manhire, along with Mark Stadden, Denning & Counsell were superb at the back withstanding the numerous attacks. Truro's goalie Jeremy Merrick had to make three excellent saves to keep Truro in the game with Manhire clearing off of the goal line. However a lovely move form Okehampton broke the deadlock 10 minutes from time and it looked as if all the points were theirs. However Truro kept battling right to the end and when Manuel & Slater combined well on the left, the ball fell to Reed who calmly slotted the ball between the keeper and his near post to share the spoils.

A VIEW FROM THE SIDE LINE

TRURO 4's 2 - 1 MARJON'S D On a stormy Cornish Saturday tea time, Truro 4ths played host to Marjons "D". The opposition's side were fielding a very youthful side but could only manage to gather 9 players to make the trip, while Truro had 16 players. This 2 player advantage didn't help Truro as the very skilful and determined Marjons side took the fight to Truro, not letting them settle and generally making a nuisance of themselves. It was no surprise to those brave souls watching that it was Marjons who took a well deserved early lead through a short corner. Truro tried to gather some consistency in their play but could only manage a handful of attacks on goal; the best chances fell to Oxford who couldn't convert. The back line of Manhire, J Staddon, Counsell, Denning and Merrick were kept busy all afternoon with Marjons attacking at pace. As Truro pressed on with the first half some tactical substitutions were made and some young legs were brought to help out in midfield and the forward line. Moran and Shepherd made an impact with strong running and tackling which Rogers took a bit too far and was given green card for a hard stick challenge. Truro equalised from a rare attack into the Marjons area, which saw a scramble with the keeper making some good saves but unable to keep out Shepherds strike. Half time arrived and with some relief, Manhire got his troops together and with an emotional team talk Truro came out with more focus and drive. This lasted all of 5 mins as Rogers was sin binned for walking away from the umpire before his telling off was finished. As the side became more evenly numbered, Rust senior was fast becoming a strong influence in the centre of the midfield, Truro started getting control and began playing hockey as only they can. Hard running by the forward line of Reid, Martin, Rafferty and Oxford supported by Cuthall, Manual and M Staddon from the midfield saw chance after chance go begging. The Marjons keeper was having an outstanding game and was equal to everything that Truro threw at him. Truro were awarded short corner after short corner, thinking that they'd got the all important 2nd goal from Manhire, only to have it disallowed for a technical infringement. Truro were now back to full strength, with Marjons down to 8 players due to injury, and Marjons still looked the more likely side to produce the winner on the counter attack. Fortunately, despite another great save from the Marjons keeper from yet another corner, the ball popped out to Shepherd who's sweet strike saw it settle in the back of the net. 2-1 Not the most convincing of results and lots to work on but max points so far this season.

Cornwall Cup Draw

Truro 4th's have drawn Caradon at home in the 1st round of the cup, to be played by the 22nd Dec. If they win they get to play the 1st's!

                Our "indestructibles" from the 4th team, as usual looking as if they'd rather be in the pub! This photo does pose a few questions though: does Jeremy know where he is or why he's there? Why is Tim squeezing himself like that? Is Mark Stadden a gardeners world presenter? And why does Nigel look like he's come from the set of Apocalypse Now?

TRURO 4ths 1-2 DART A

Truro’s chance of clinching the South Western league 1 title took a massive blow at the weekend in this top of the top of a table clash. It saw Dart A leapfrog Truro who have led since Xmas with just two games remaining.

Truro looked really nervous and this showed in the first twenty minutes with passes going astray and the fluidity of the team seemingly missing. It’s uncharacteristic for the Truro defence to be sloppy but two goals in a ten minute period made it an uphill struggle with the way they were playing. The first saw a back pass that the Truro keeper kicked straight to the opposition who gleefully accepted the chance to fire a low shot into an unguarded net. Ten minutes later another wayward pass right across their own 25 yard saw Dart steal the ball and double their score. However, Truro rallied knowing that even a draw would keep them top and when Paul Oxford slipped passed a couple of defenders he picked out Nigel Barker on the right whose run into the area saw his shot deflected home to reduce the arrears. Truro continued the pressure and their best chance before half time fell to Simon Reed when Simon Rafferty slipped the ball to him just 5 yards out but somehow he flicked the ball wide.

The second half saw more of Truro pressing for that elusive equaliser but the passing from midfield lack any real penetration with a lot of possession being given up cheaply to the opposition. Jeremy Merrick made an excellent one on one save midway through the half to keep Truro’s hopes alive. Tim Manhire pulled a shot wide of the post on a short corner routine as Truro sustained the pressure.

Then with just five minutes remaining a good ball down the line from Mark Staddon found Oxford who beat his marker and ran to the touchline to fire in a lovely cross to his striking partner Luke Shepperd who threw himself at the ball and with a gasp the whole team saw the ball fly over the Dart keeper but an inch over the bar ! The chance had gone and so had the chance of clinching the league. After leading the league for most of the season they will look back at this game and know that they did not play to their potential on the day and although they are odds on to get promoted as runners up, this loss may cost them the title.

 

Truro travel away on Saturday to Plymouth University needing just a point to finish runners up in this league and hoping to finish the last two games on a higher note than this one.