Truro City 4-1 Bishop Sutton - Report

[Guest tom@white tigers]

Truro City 4-1 Bishop Sutton AFC

Saturday 1st March, 3:00 pm, Treyew Road

Attendance: 481

League leaders Truro City got their promotion seeking campaign back on track with a fine win against bottom side Bishop Sutton on Saturday. The Bishops, who started brightly, were undone by goals from strikers Andy Watkins, Stewart Yetton, captain Joe Broad and defender Tom Smith. The away team’s goal coming late from the penalty spot. Simon Bone, Bishop’s top scorer, slotting home to give his team something to cheer about.

Truro City started the day with 66 points from 26 with the opposition only gaining 17 points and playing two games more lying bottom of the Toolstation Western League Premier. However, they came into the game on a rich vain of form after picking up 11 points this year including wins against Willand Rovers and Frome Town, the latter being Truro’s next opponents. A win today could of lifted the club out of the relegation zone and up to at highest 18th place. Top scorer Simon Bone hasn’t scored since the 12th February even thought the clubs fortunes have been rising. The club went out of all cups they participated in in the first rounds, so they have not enjoyed an uplifting cup run this season. With The Bishops sitting at the foot of the table a mention should go out to the clubs U18’s who sit top of the Somerset County’s League with 19 points from 9 games. An interesting piece of trivia about the club is chairman George Williams pulled tug of war for England.

Truro’s recent form has been more shaky then was expected. The last league game was away at Bristol Manor Farm where a 1-3 win was recorded. However, the club were defeated in both the FA Vase (Whitley Bay) and the Les Phillips Cup (Brislington). The club got back on track with a 4-2 win over rivals Falmouth Town in the Cornwall Senior Cup last week. The clubs lead has been cut to 2 points by Corsham Town, who have won there last 10 games to keep the pressure on. Truro, however, have got 2 games in hand. Manager David Leonard becoming manager of the month for January is also worthy to point out.

When referee Richard Greenwood blew the whistle to begin the game it was the visitors who started better. They pressed on with some early pressure in the hope of grabbing an early goal. But Truro were strong at the back with the three defenders shielding former Bodmin Town goalkeeper Jason Chapman. As the game got older Truro eased there way back into it. The first meaningful shot coming from shaven headed Joe Broad with a half volley after good work from Scott Walker sailing into the keepers grasp. The home team were getting into some sort of rhythm when after a foul by Tom Smith Bishop were awarded a free kick. From this the ball was fumbled by Chapman and a goalmouth scramble led to Marcus Martin being elbowed in the face and credit to the temperamental midfielder he didn’t throw the next punch. After a discussion with his linesman and much harassment from players the referee gave a yellow card to the offending Bishop player. It was becoming a fiery affair with tackles flying in everywhere, as we’ve seen recently with Martin Taylor’s challenge on Eduardo the most innocuous of tackles capable of causing serious injury. The next moment of note was again from Martin, who had a shot wide after a head down from Tom Gardener who popped up with a last gasp clearance minutes later. Truro were increasing the pressure and Bishop were showing signs of strain giving away corners frequently. Scott Walker played the ball across the face of goal moments before the first goal was scored. Good work from top scorer Stewart Yetton led to the ball being played to Andy Watkins who popped the ball into the empty net. The league leaders had grabbed a crucial goal just before the half time break. Bishop went on the attack but couldn’t equalise in time added on. The half time whistle was blown and as the players retreated to the changing rooms the fans fled to the warmth of the sports bar.

The second half began the same way as the first with Bishop having all the play, with only an expert save from Chapman denying them a moral boosting equaliser. But there luck wasn’t in and a cross shot came back of the cross bar with Chapman beaten. A worrying moment for Leonard and Glyn Hooper on the City bench. “Yetti” as he is affectionately known sliced the ball when it was probably easier to score his 36th goal of the season. He then had a header which went wide, and then in contrast the ball rolled across the Truro City goal line. But Yetton wasn’t going to rest until he got his goal. With 56 minutes on the clock he hit it from 18 yards into the keepers right and into the bottom corner, adding to the hat-trick he bagged in mid-week. Minutes later the first Truro substitution was made, veteran Ian Gosling replacing Chris Reski. The lively Yetton had another miss-kick in a good position then saw his strike partner Andy Watkins replaced by record signing Dean Stamp. The latest signing Tom Gardener was then booked on 66 minutes. With Yetton missing yet more chances Joe Broad was warming up his shooting boots. First of all, his shot was held by the keeper. Although, next time the Bishop player of the year couldn’t get anywhere near the ball as it cannoned into the left hand corner of the net from 20 yards. The captain putting his name forward for man of the match. Mark Vercesi replaced Kevin Wills as Truro kept up the tempo even though they were 3-0 up. The score line was about to change, Tom Smith taking his time to bang in from a corner. Credit to the opposition they didn’t give up and won a penalty with 88 minutes gone, which Simon Bone slotted in.

Shortly after, the referee called time on an entertaining game in beautiful sunshine. The 481 fans cheering there idols of the pitch as they walked off and got back to there day jobs. Truro’s next game is an away trip against Frome Town with Bishop Sutton hoping to grasp vital points at home against Willand Rovers. The return tie between these two teams is on the 29th March at the Lake View Ground.

Truro City: Jason Chapman, Graeme Power, Tom Smith, Tom Gardener, Marcus Martin, Kevin Wills (Mark Vercesi 76), Joe Broad ©, Chris Reski (Ian Gosling 60), Scott Walker, Andy Watkins (Dean Stamp 63), Stewart Yetton

Bishop Sutton: Ashley Clarke, Sam Payne, Carl Stone , Blaine Nolan, Luke Andrews, Adam Tyers, Clayton Stone, Ashley Farrell, Joe Waring, Adam White, Rob Dumphy, Tavis Carter, Simon Bone, Alex Chapman

[Pablo]

Excellant report. I have no doubt in my mind it was written by a TC FC supporter. tom, it was just a tad over the top, leaning slightly and flowery but well written otherwise.

[Mark C]

good victory