City make Ashes pay as chances go begging
TRURO City's preparation for their first season in the Premier Division of the Zamaretto Southern League continued to gather pace as manager Sean McCarthy took the opportunity of giving 17 of his squad a run-out at Kimberley Stadium.
McCarthy chose to leave Barry McConnell, Andy Watkins, Less Afful, Graham Power, Joe Broad and Scott Walker on the bench for the first half. Consequently they were rather fortunate to go in at half-time level as their Peninsula Premier hosts had the better of the first half chances.
Truro were the first to show with former Argyle trainee Lewis Edwards cutting in from the right flank to send in an angled drive that beat Ashes' keeper Kenny Griffiths, only to be cleared off the line by Steve Sargison.
Saltash hit back with a string of good chances, starting with Santos Gaia blocking Gavin Coulton's 20-yard drive.
Trialist keeper Matt Armstrong-Ford, who played for Newquay in division one west last season, was dominant in his area but he was well beaten in the 23rd minute when Chris Wright's sharp turn gave him the space to send in a shot that came back off the far post.
Danny Lewis saw his 20 yard effort curl just wide of the post before the Ashes winger put in a teasing cross that Arron Pugh could only head to the edge of the area.
But the central defender was grateful for Gaia's awareness as the Brazilian got in a telling challenge to deflect Dave Smith's volley wide for a fruitless corner.
Truro replied with a deep cross from Edwards finding Martin Watts heading just wide at the far post but the action soon switched to the other end of the pitch.
Carlton Farnham raced through the middle of the Truro defence but Armstrong-Ford made a fine one-handed save before recovering to grab the ball on the line.
Saltash began the second half well with Lee Doel's 25-yard effort coming off the top of the bar but that was their only real threat on the City goal.
McCarthy introduced Afful, Broad, Chris Long and Andy Watkins for the start of the second period and this gave Truro a sharper edge.
Saltash found themselves under attack but even then Truro had to rely on a mistake by Griffiths for their opening goal on 58 minutes.
Watts' near post corner found Gaia at the near post until Coulton got in a saving challenge at the expense of a second corner.
This time Watts curled the ball under the bar and Griffiths could only help it into the net.
McCarthy introduced McConnell and Walker and it was the latter who made a telling contribution five minutes later. Broad's ball over the home defence found Walker free at the far post to lash the ball across Griffiths and inside the post.
Truro continued to attack and their 75th minute appeals for a penalty were ignored when Watkins went down in the box under challenge from Smith, but within three minutes the game was all over.
McConnell's great cross from the right flank left Walker to expertly finish off at the far post.
Saltash United: K Griffiths, S Clark, S Sargison, T Clark, D Smith, L Doel (W Cherrill 68), C Farnham, G Coulton, R Honey, C Wright, D Lewis. Subs not used: M Hosking, K Hendy.
Truro City: M Armstrong-Ford, S White, K Baker (C Long h-t), A Pugh, S Gaia, A Taylor, D Green (B McConnell 60), M Watts (S Walker 60), J Grant (L Afful h-t), L Eddy (A Watkins h-t), L Edwards (J Broad h-t).
Bideford 2, St Blazey 0
THE arrival of Glyn Hooper appears to have instilled new belief in the squad and supporters at Blaise Park as this display at the Sports Ground showed.
Hooper's squad gave their Toolstation Western League hosts a good run for their money and it was not until the last minute that the home side ensured victory.
Hooper said: "The game was a really good reality check for us, to play against one of the most successful non-league teams in the South West was great for the lads as it allowed them to pit their skills against seasoned professionals at this level.
"We now look forward to our final two friendlies against Wendron, and St Austell on Saturday, in the Phil Smith Memorial.
"But our aim has always been to be ready for August 8 when we are away to Dartmouth."
Blazey's inability to clear their lines, from a corner, allowed former Torquay professional Ellis Laight the opportunity to lash the ball home, low, from 20 yards.
A minute from time substitute Jamie Densham made the most of Luke Rundle's dallying on the ball to fire low past Tom Blackler from 18 yards to complete Bideford's scoring.
Bodmin Tn 3, Wincanton 1
BODMIN continued their winning pre-season with victory over Dorset Premier League side Wincanton at Priory Park.
Two goals in the last 15 minutes ensured the win for Bodmin in their last home pre-season friendly.
"The pre-season is going very well considering the amount of players that have been unavailable," said Bodmin boss Darren Gilbert.
Sam Matthews, Karl Turner, Craig Swiggs, Lewis Reed and Kevin Miller were all absent, but Bodmin were still comfortable enough winners.
Luke Hodge had a good early chance for Bodmin only to place his shot wide, but the lead was theirs 10 minutes before the break. Dan Tapper's corner was headed over the keeper and inside the far post from six yards by Mark Berry.
Wincanton drew level on the hour when a corner from left was headed home at the far post by Tafa Taylor.
Bodmin restored their lead through Hodge and victory was assured, five minutes from time, when man of the match Steve Colwell played a sweet one-two with Berry before firing low past the keeper.
Bodmin complete their pre-season friendlies with a trip to Foxhole Stars this evening (6.45 kick-off).
Torpoint Ath 2, St Austell 3
TORPOINT'S season looks likely to be a long, hard one after the reigning Cornwall Senior Cup holders left The Mill with yet another impressive result under their belts.
The Lilywhites twice had to come from behind before scoring twice in the second half to claim victory. But they could have been a goal up before Torpoint took the lead as Ollie Brokenshire's effort came back off the bar.
Ryan Lucassi forced the ball over the line, after keeper Gary Penhaligon lost a high ball in the sun, to give the Tamarsiders a 15th minute lead, but that was wiped out five minutes later as Chris Phillips fired St Austell level.
Chris Sully headed home Bradley Yeo's corner to restore Torpoint's lead 10 minutes before the break but the Lilywhites' spirit shone through after the break when they were by far the better side.
Liam Dingle equalised on the hour before crashing the ball home from 20 yards, 10 minutes later, to give the visitors a deserved victory.
St Austell boss Glyn Rowett was satisfied with his team's efforts. He said: "It was good to get the game under our belt and although missing some key players it still gave us a good opportunity to try different things out."
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