TRURO City's reserve side understandably rarely make the headlines as they live in the shadow of the club's Blue Square Bet South side, writes Rhod Mitchell.

But on Saturday they have the chance to make a statement of their own when they entertain Porthleven in the quarter-finals of the Westinsure Cornwall Senior Cup (2.30pm).

City have won the county's premier cup competition outright a record 16 times, but always with their first team.

However, since moving up the pyramid system the club have entered their Carlsberg SWPL Division 1 West side into the cup. Joint manager Gary Pascoe said they were looking forward to the game and trying to reach the last four and maintain their bid to make history.

City though will be without midfielder Josh Bragg and defender Kieran Conibear-Trathen who are off tomorrow to play in Sweden.

Bragg has taken up the offer of a six month contract, while Conibear-Trathen is hoping to get signed up by a club.

Pascoe said: "It will be great experience for both of them and hopefully boost their chances of breaking into the first team squad."

Already Cody Cooke, Daniel Carne and Scott Palmer have made the big step up and more are likely to follow.

Pascoe is hoping Stuart Maxwell and Matt Larkham will be fit to feature after injury and that keeper Luke Payne recovers from the muscle problem which caused him to pull out late on from the squad which lost 3-0 at Dobwalls in the Charity Cup last Saturday. Pascoe added: "We won't be at full strength but we have quite a big squad. It will be a tough game and I don't think there will be much in it. I am hoping we get some good support."

City's first team have their longest trip of the season when they made the 666-mile round trip to play Dover Athletic, who they beat 1-0 at Treyew in August.

Manager Lee Hodges expects to rely on the 15-man squad that drew 1-1 against Salisbury City on Saturday, though keeper Tom Brooks was expected to begin training this week.

With the club still under a transfer embargo it could be the last game for Plymouth Argyle's impressive keeper Ollie Chenoweth whose loan spell expires next week.

City match report page 108.