South Western League Cup

Truro City’s South Western League Cup record

1951-1952 – Cornwall Division (7th)

1952-1953 – Cornwall Division (7th)

1953-1954 – Quarter-Final

1954-1955 – Final

1955-1956 – 1st Round

1956-1957 – 1st Round

1957-1958 – 2nd Round

1958-1959 – Final

1959-1960 – WINNERS

1960-1961 – 1st Round

1961-1962 – Western Section (4th)

1962-1963 – Southern Section (2nd)

1963-1964 – Southern Section (2nd)

1964-1965 – Southern Section (3rd)

1965-1966 – Southern Section (2nd)

1966-1967 – WINNERS (Shared)

1967-1968 – Final

1968-1969 – 1st Round

1969-1970 – 1st Round

1970-1971 – Quarter-Final

1971-1972 – 1st Round

1972-1973 – 1st Round

1973-1974 – 1st Round

1974-1975 – 1st Round

1975-1976 – Could Not Enter

1976-1977 – Could Not Enter

1977-1978 – Could Not Enter

1978-1979 – Quarter-Final

1979-1980 – Preliminary Round

1980-1981 – Preliminary Round

1981-1982 – 1st Round

1982-1983 – 1st Round

1983-1984 – 1st Round

1984-1985 – 1st Round

1985-1986 – 1st Round

1986-1987 – Semi-Final

1987-1988 – Quarter-Final

1988-1989 – Quarter-Final

1989-1990 – Semi-Final

1990-1991 – 1st Round

1991-1992 – 1st Round

1992-1993 – WINNERS

1993-1994 – Final

1994-1995 – 1st Round

1995-1996 – Quarter-Final

1996-1997 – Final

1997-1998 – Final

1998-1999 – 1st Round

1999-2000 – 1st Round

2000-2001 – 1st Round

2001-2002 – 1st Round

2002-2003 – Preliminary Round

2003-2004 – 1st Round

2004-2005 – Semi-Final

2005-2006 – 1st Round

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1951-1952

In the Cornwall Division of the South Western League Cup, there were seven teams taking part – Falmouth Town, Newquay, Penzance, Saltash, St Austell, St Blazey and Truro City. In the Devon Division only five teams entered – Barnstaple, Bideford, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Torquay United Reserves. The winners of each division go on to meet one another in the final.

Cornwall Division

1 – St Austell (H) L 1-4 (Webber) Sat 17 Nov

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Jenkins, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, McDowell (capt), Lentell, Campbell, Evens, Des Webber, Kitt, Wannell

St Austell thoroughly deserved their win over their old rivals and had their forwards taken all their chances, the score would have been greater. Baker opened the score for St Austell after 25 minutes and shortly afterwards the centre-forward netted again. Before this, however, the City were awarded a penalty, but Streat sent the ball wide from the spot. After the interval St Austell netted but Thomas was offside. Then Baker missed two open goals and at the other end Webber also missed badly, though he made up for this with a nice individual effort, reducing the lead. St Austell, however, again took up the running and goals were scored by Thomas and Baker. The latter missed at least three other goals during the game. Cornish Guardian

2 – Penzance (A) L 2-5 (Webber, Evens) Sat 15 Dec

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Campbell, Kitt, Jennings, Jenkins, Stokes, Wannell, Evens, Webber, Lentell, Thomas

3 – Penzance (H) D 1-1 (George OG) Wed 26 Dec

4 – St Blazey (H) W 2-1 (Dodd 15, ??) Sat 5 Jan

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Walker, Lentell, Campbell, Jenkins (capt), Stokes, Kitt, Dodd, Webber, Snell, Sprague

5 – Saltash (A) L 2-3 (Kitt, Evens) Sat 12 Jan

As far as good football goes, this evenly matched game was unexciting: and as far as the result goes it would be true to say that Truro were defeated by Dartmouth rather than by Saltash in this SW League Cup game on Saturday. For Saltash, with eight men playing for Devon and Cornwall county teams, had to borrow seven men from Dartmouth to make up a team. With such an upset opposition, Truro should have romped home with the points, and if they had only been a little quicker and more goal-minded they would easily have done so. Too often Truro dilly-dallied, concentrating on frills instead of going all-out for goals. The City forwards were at fault in underestimating the ability and determination of Saltash defenders. Bob Cotter and W. Woolton (Dartmouth) – an agile pair, who time and again robbed Truro of what promised to be golden opportunities. Indeed, in the first half it was almost solely the good work of Cotter, who kept popping up effectively at every danger point, plus the skill of Woolton and the considerable goalkeeping ability of Dartmouth’s D. Heath that kept the Truro’s half-time score down to one goal. Truro were strongest – and what was more important, faced the weakest opposition – on their right wing, but failed to make use of this advantage. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

P-5 W-1 D-1 L-3 F-8 A-14 PTS-3 POS-4th

6 – Newquay (A) L 2-6 (Kitt ??, ?? pen) 9 Feb

Team – Sullivan (GK), Norfolk, Lentell, Jennings, Jenkins, Beer, Campbell, Evens, Richards, Snell, Kitt

7 – Newquay (H) L 0-2 Sat 8 Mar Beeson debut

Team – Sullivan (GK), Walker, Lentell, Rex Jennings, Jenkins, Snell, Crawford, Evens, Richards, Beeson, Kitt

P-7 W-1 D-1 L-5 F-10 A-22 PTS-3 POS-7th

8 – Falmouth Town (H) L 1-2 (Richards) Sat 22 Mar

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Norfolk, Lentell, Jennings, Jenkins, Kitt, Crawford, Richards, Des Webber, Beeson, Snell

9 – St Austell (A) L 1-4 (Webber) Sat 29 Mar Glennen debut

Team – Sullivan (GK), Norfolk, Lentell, Rex Jennings, Jenkins, Kitt, Wannell, Richards, Des Webber, Glennen, Les Dodd

P-9 W-1 D-1 L-7 F-12 A-28 PTS-3 POS-7th

10 – Falmouth Town (A) D 1-1 (Wannell) Sat 5 Apr

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Norfolk, Lentell, Rex Jennings, Jenkins, Beeson, Wannell, Richards, Des Webber, Stokes, Kitt

Well, Truro City brought back one point from their away game with Falmouth Town in the South Western League Challenge Cup, on Saturday. But they were unlucky, for the result – one goal each – was not a very fair reflection of the play. Truro were just a little bit better than their opponents throughout the game, but seemed to lack that “something” that turns possible chances into certain goals. It was ironical, however, that both goals were scored by Truro players. The City would have won but for an unfortunate incident in the second-half when Jenkins headed the ball past goalkeeper Hoggett, who had the shot covered. The Falmouth side seemed unable to score. They had their chances, but their forward line generally was not as competent as when they visited Truro a fortnight ago, and the Truro defenders were able to deal confidently with almost all their efforts. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

P-10 W-1 D-2 L-7 F-13 A-29 PTS-4 POS-7th

11 – Saltash (H) L 0-5 Fri 11 Apr

Saltash were without Tucker, Harper and Wadge, but secured an easy win over the City on Friday. The first half was fairly even, and Truro were unlucky to be two goals behind at half-time. They had many good chances, but were weak in front of goal. Gynne scored both Saltash goals in the first half. After the interval there was no doubt about the superiority of Saltash, who did most of the pressing, and although Sullivan, the home goalkeeper, brought off numerous good saves, Saltash got three more goals through Burnett (2) and Gynne. Cornish Guardian

P-11 W-1 D-2 L-8 F-13 A-34 PTS-4 POS-7th

12 – St Blazey (A) C-C

I think this match was cancelled as it had no real bearing on the table in the Cornwall Division. Saltash United beat Torquay United Reserves in the final 3-2 and the table below was the most updated version. Matt Hall

Cornwall Division Table

1 – Saltash – 12 – 7 – 3 – 2 – 42 – 21 – 17

2 – St Austell – 12 – 8 – 1 – 3 – 36 – 24 – 17

3 – Newquay – 12 – 7 – 2 – 3 – 29 – 19 – 16

4 – Penzance – 12 – 6 – 2 – 4 – 32 – 30 – 14

5 – Falmouth Town – 11 – 3 – 2 – 6 – 16 – 39 – 8

6 – St Blazey – 10 – 1 – 2 – 7 – 24 – 27 – 4

7 – TRURO CITY – 11 – 1 – 2 – 8 – 13 – 34 – 4

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1952-1953

In the Cornwall Division of the South Western League Cup, there were seven teams taking part again but this time they were – Falmouth, Newquay, Penzance, St Austell, St Blazey, Truro City and Wadebridge. In the Devon Division there was seven teams participating – Barnstaple, Bideford, Newton Abbot, Plymouth Argyle, Saltash United, Tavistock and Torquay United.

Cornwall Division

1 – Penzance (H) L 1-2 (Skinner OG) Sat 20 Sep

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Michael Allen, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, Des Webber, Noel Holyoak, Norfolk, Robinson, Leslie Neal, Michael, Dunstone

2 – Falmouth Town (A) L 2-4 (Streat 15 pen, Webber) Sat 11 Oct

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), D. Norfolk, Charlie Streat, D. Barnicoat, L. Sanderson, Noel Holyoak, H. Smith, S. Robinson, Des Webber, McDowell, D. Dunstone

3 – Wadebridge (H) W 3-1 (Allen pen, Webber x2) Sat 25 Oct

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Lockett, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, Sanderson, Noel Holyoak, Michael Allen, Des Webber, McDowell, Michael, Robinson

4 – Newquay (H) L 1-4 (Webber) Sat 15 Nov

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Lockett, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, Sanderson, Noel Holyoak, Michael Allen, Des Webber, Gilbert, Michael, Peter Collins

P-4 W-1 D-0 L-3 PTS-2 POS-7th

5 – St Blazey (A) L 1-13 (Gilbert 65) Sat 13 Dec

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Allen, Charlie Streat, Jennings, Sanderson, Noel Holyoak, Gilbert, Des Webber, David Reynolds, Michael, Michael Buzza

Massacre, slaughter, rout, inept display – take your pick. Any can be applied to the game (that designation is used loosely) between St Blazey and Truro City in the South Western League Challenge Cup competition at St Blazey on Saturday. The date on Saturday was December 13 – unlucky for Truro; St Blazey made it even unluckier by scoring 13. And, by the way, Truro scored once – not that it mattered much for St Blazey were already nine goals in the lead, but one must keep the record straight. What happened? How come that practically the same side as did so well at St Austell last week should be so humiliated this week? You can put forward excuses such as Truro playing 10 men all the second half: or having to play two youngsters in the attack, young Michael Buzza on the left wing and Truro Minors’ David Reynolds at centre-forward, but you would be far from the mark and, in picking the second, doing an injustice to two lads who played as well as any of the team. No, it is the defence this week who must take the blame, and that includes half-backs. Centre-half Sanderson was the only one with any ideas of how to stop this St Blazey attack. There you have the key to this sorry dirge – St Blazey’s attack. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

6 – Newquay (A) L 1-5 (Reynolds) Sat 20 Dec

In spite of the strong wind this was a good South Western League Cup game. Special interest centred in Newquay’s two new wingers, H. Williams at outside-left and H. Witherstone. These, from the start, demonstrated that they are real acquistitions. F. A. Slater, transferred to inside-left, was quite at home. On the Truro side Collins and Dodds, left-wing forwards, were outstanding. The City executed some good movements and gave the impression that they could do better. Hoggett, in goal, saved his side from a much heavier defeat. Near half-time Hoggett saved at close quarters from Kellow, and just afterwards Williams centred and Bennett passed to Slater, who netted. Early in the second half Newquay put on pressure and Slater scored with a hard drive after Hoggett had beaten down a shot from Williams. Then Williams centred and Witherstone headed in from Slater’s pass. Witherstone scored again after passing by Bennett and Slater. Kellow picked up a long pass from Silk and ran on to put the ball well out of reach of Hoggett. A few minutes from the end Reynolds scored Truro’s only goal when he snapped up a miskick by a defender. Western Morning News

7 – St Blazey (H) D 1-1 (Rees 22) Sat 27 Dec

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), Norfolk, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, Sanderson, Johnny Kendall, White, Des Webber, Rees, Buzza, Peter Collins

If anyone promoted football pools on the results of Cornish matches, an away “banker” would certainly have gone down the drain on Saturday. Everyone would have listed an away win for St Blazey over Truro City for it was a case of the leaders of the South Western League Challenge Cup playing the wooden spoonists. And also there was all too fresh in the memory, that fiasco at St Blazey of a fortnight ago when St Blazey’s forward line ran riot to the tune of 13 goals. But, as so often happens in soccer, the form book became somewhat upset as time went on at Treyew Road. Instead of a St Blazey goal-glut, we saw a panicky St Blazey defence fighting to prevent the City from snatching the winning goal. They succeeded to that extent and Truro profited by one point – and a very much deserved point at that. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

8 – Wadebridge (A) L 0-1 Sat 3 Jan

Team – Peter Hoggett (GK), D. Norfolk, W. Lockett, Rex Jennings, L. E. Sanderson, Noel Holyoak, J. White, Des Webber, C. McDowell, E. Rees, Peter Collins

9 – Falmouth Town (H) W 3-2 (McDowell 1, ??, Collins) Sat 10 Jan

Team – Cox (GK), Norfolk, Charlie Streat, Rex Jennings, Sanderson, Lockett, Robinson, Des Webber, McDowell, Rees, Peter Collins

P-9 W-2 D-1 L-6 F-13 A-33 PTS-5 POS-6th

10 – St Austell (H) L 0-2 Sat 7 Mar

Team – Cox (GK), Lockett, Charlie Streat, Barnicoat, Sanderson, Mickey Lobb, Rees, Des Webber, McDowell, Les Dodd, Peter Collins

Two goals near the end of this game gave St Austell the points. Always the more compact combination. St Austell well deserved their win. Before opening their score they hit the crossbar three times. Sterne was a speedy leader, always willing to try a shot, and Lobb and Short were clever inside-forwards. Outstanding for Truro were skipper Streat, at left-back, and wing-half Barnicoat. Sterne scored St Austell’s first goal, and outside-left Ward netted the second when he cut in to take advantage of a Truro defensive blunder. Cornish Guardian

P-10 W-2 D-1 L-7 PTS-5 POS-7th

11 – St Austell (A) L 0-2 25 Mar

P-11 W-2 D-1 L-8 F-18 A-37 PTS-5 POS-7th

12 – Penzance (A) W 3-2 (Robinson, Rees, Reynolds) Mon 20 Apr

On Monday evening Truro City took a side which included several youngsters to Penzance for a SW League Cup match – and they came away with the points with a 3-2 victory. Switched back to centre-half McDowell was the rock on which the Penzance ship foundered. He gave a superlative display, especially in the second half when Penzance recovered an uninspiring first half when Truro built up a comfortable 2-0 lead with goals by Robinson and Rees. The recovery brought two goals from J. Orchard, but from then on McDowell, Norfolk and Streat got through a tremendous amount of work, though the City goal was a little lucky on a couple of occasions. The winner was scored by young David Reynolds, the Truro Minors’ player, who has scored well over 100 goals this season. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Cornwall Division Table

1 – St Austell – 12 – 9 – 1 – 2 – 19

2 – St Blazey – 12 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 14

3 – Newquay – 12 – 6 – 1 – 5 – 13

4 – Wadebridge – 12 – 6 – 0 – 6 – 12

5 – Penzance – 11 – 4 – 1 – 6 – 9

6 – Falmouth Town – 11 – 3 – 2 – 6 – 8

7 – TRURO CITY – 12 – 3 – 1 – 8 – 7

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1953-1954

1st Round – Bideford (H) W 5-2 (Dillon, Streat x2, Trebilcock, Jenkins) Sat 10 Oct

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Norfolk, Allen, Ted Arthur, Ryder, Johnny Barnes, Jenkins, Trebilcock, Vince Dillon, Mickey Lobb, Charlie Streat

In the first round of the league cup, Truro City had a 5-2 victory over Bideford. Newquay Express & Cornwall County Chronicle

Quarter-Final – United Services (H) L 2-3 (Lobb, Kendall 81) Sat 13 Feb

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Allen, Charlie Streat, Johnny Barnes, Trevor Greet, Mickey Lobb, Kinlock, Rex Jennings, Stenner, Vince Dillon, Johnny Kendall

Truro City are out of the South Western League Charity Cup – beaten by a United Services team who took three of the comparatively few chances that came their way. In comparison the City had threequarters of the play in this second round tie but they could not transfer that midfield superiority into more than two goals. And so the City missed the chance of another home draw in the semi-finals – against St Blazey. This was a game full of excitement, some good football, some typical cup-tie soccer and for City supporters, some exasperating moments. It did not quite reach the standard of that mid-week game between these two sides early this season when the City managed a point with a 1-1 draw. This was due to the fact that this Services team was not made up of such good players as the previous one to play at Treyew Road. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1954-1955

1st Round – Barnstaple Town (H) W 3-0 (Kendall x2, Longdon) Sat 23 Oct

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Mickey Lobb, T. Sim, Johnny Kendall, Johnny Barnes, Bill Longdon, Alan Short, Burton, Vince Dillon, Barry Pierce, Ben Slater

As Barnstaple – they seem to make a habit of arriving late at Treyew Road – were changing for their first round SW League Challenge Cup match on Saturday, goalkeeper Brend said “It’s my birthday to-day chaps.” And the ribbing centred on the comment “Good old Johnny, drinks on Johnny tonight.” West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Tavistock (H) W 7-1 (Dillon x3, Short x2, Slater, Pierce) Sat 29 Jan

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Mickey Lobb, Peter Collins, Johnny Kendall, Johnny Barnes, Bill Longdon, Alan Short, Noakes, Vince Dillon, Barry Pierce, Ben Slater

Truro City continued their winning sequence with a grand 7-1 victory over Tavistock, Dillon getting a hat-trick. Cornish Guardian

Semi-Final – Wadebridge (N) W 2-1 (Murphy OG, Thomas) Sat 12 Mar

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Mickey Lobb, Peter Collins, Bill Longdon, Johnny Barnes, T. Sim, Alan Short, Johnny Kendall, Vince Dillon, Barry Pierce, Trevor Thomas

Well done, Truro City. Of recent weeks sceptical supporters have doubted the teams ability to fight back. But at Mount Wise on Saturday even the most cynical had to eat their words as the saying goes. For Truro City have never fought some times literally with such determination. For the records they won 2-1 and are through to the South Western League Challenge Cup final for the first time. They will meet Torquay United in the final, and what a grand game it should be. But Saturday’s victory, although narrow, could not be measured in goals, it was a victory over adversity. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Final – Torquay United Reserves (N) L 1-4 (Webber) 23 Apr

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Peter Collins, Mickey Lobb, Johnny Kendall, J. Lodge, Johnny Barnes, Ben Slater, Barry Pierce, Des Webber, Vince Dillon, Alan Short

The sequence of Devon-Cornwall victories in the South Western League Challenge Cup was maintained in the final at St Austell on Saturday. The Cup was first won by Cornwall’s Saltash: next year Devon’s Torquay were successful and last year St Blazey brought it back to Cornwall. But none of those teams had such an easy game as Torquay did on Saturday to reclaim the trophy for Devon. They completely outclassed a ragged Truro City and fully deserved their 4-1 victory. Torquay were well worth a three-goal margin. Indeed, in the second half they just toyed with Truro, content with their lead and not desirous of adding in their superiority. Torquay included two centre-forwards, Sandys and Northcott, but gave the centre-forward position to a full-back, Duck. And what an inspired decision that was. This red-haired, human dynamo completely demoralised Truro’s defence with his lightning bursts, his challenging for every ball, and his ability to bring his technique of tackling learned as a back to good effect. He collected three of Torquay’s goals and sold Truro’s defence the dummy that led to Dougan getting the other. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1955-1956

1st Round – Penzance (A) L 2-3 (T. Jones, Davies) Sat 19 Nov George Prout debut

Team – Johnny Hanley (GK), Mickey Lobb, Peter Collins, Holyoak, Johnny Barnes, Johnny Kendall, Alan Short, Dave Davies, Trevor Jones, Godfrey Morgan, George Prout

Once again Penzance’s luck in cup-ties held out. They were three men short on Saturday when Truro made two late changes and won a somewhat scrappy game with a goal six minutes from the end after Truro had all the play in the second half. Truro pulled up from being 2-0 down at the interval to level the scores in the second half and with some real punch at the vital moment, would have won. They at least played well enough to have lived to fight again another day. Truro had hoped to play George Longman at right-half. He has been transferred from Tavistock, but on Saturday the strong player, a Royal Marine who played for the South Western League against an FA XI at Home Park last season, was detailed to play for the Marines. Ron Jones, too, was out. He has a septic foot. Alan Short and George Prout deputised. Prout, who played on the left wing made quite an impressive debut. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1956-1957

1st Round – Bideford (A) L 2-4 (Dillon x2) Sat 10 Nov

Trevor Jones, known to Bideford supporters for his displays in the forward line while with the Bideford club, surprised them all on Saturday – as a centre-half. Five minutes after the start of Bideford’s South Western League Challenge Cup game with Truro, visiting pivot Johnny Kendall was injured and went on the right wing with Trevor Jones moving back to take over the centre-half position. And a very good job of it he made too. Although his namesake Doug Jones, leader of the Bideford attack got a “hat-trick” in Bideford’s 4-2 victory. Trevor’s sterling defence saved the day for his side on more than one occasion. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1957-1958

1st Round – BYE?

2nd Round – Bodmin Town (H) L 1-5 (Jones) Sat 14 Dec

Bodmin well and truly laid the bogey at Treyew Road on Saturday when they gave their finest display of the season in defeating Truro by 5-1. They were superior in all departments, and fully deserved the four-goal margin of their victory. Truro were without Jefferies (on county duty) Neal and Peach, the latter being “cup-tied” while Bodmin’s right-winger, Tallamy, who has scored ten goals in his last three games on the wing was unable to play through sickness. Bodmin, who elected to face a strong wind, were quickly on the attack, and it soon became apparent that the Truro defence were in for a busy afternoon. Underwood, the visiting centre-forward, distributed the ball well, and long cross-field passes to the wingers often had the City defence spread-eagled. Truro were also dangerous at times, with Short doing sterling work at inside-right. Although Truro tried to use their two speedy wingers, Dillon and Horner, the visiting defence intercepted their passes time and again, and broke up most of their attacks on the edge of the penalty area. After 29 minutes, Underwood cleverly worked his way through on the right, and centred for Wellington to open the score. Eleven minutes later, Underwood again burst through and right-winger Thomas netted from his accurate centre. After the interval, play continued to be of much the same pattern as before, and, with the wind at their backs, Bodmin were soon calling the tune. Veteran Noah Lobb was having a brilliant game, and generally got the better of his tussles with Murphy. Truro unexpectedly reduced the lead when right-half Jones deceived Hodge with a long shot. Almost immediately from the re-start Bodmin went through and scored their third goal when Lobb headed home an accurately-placed Wellington free-kick. Bodmin were now well on top, and, apart from occasional breakaways, Truro were mainly on the defensive. It came as no surprise when Underwood scored Bodmin’s fourth goal in the 70th minute with a grand drive from just inside the “area” after Moir had beaten two men and back-heeled the ball. For a spell of about ten minutes, Truro fully extended the Bodmin defence. Once Moxham kicked off the line with Hodge beaten, and Jones and Dillon both went close. Bodmin’s powerful defence withstood the pressure, however, and their forwards returned to the attack, with Underwood grazing the cross-bar with a terrific drive. Three minutes from the end Underwood headed in Bodmin’s fifth goal. Cornish Guardian

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1958-1959

1st Round – Helston (A) W 6-0 8 Nov

Truro City, away to Helston, had things their own way in the second half and won 6-0. Cornish Guardian

Quarter-Final – Newquay (A) W 2-0 (Peach 46, Davis) 20 Dec

Newquay were knocked out by a Truro side which deserved its victory. Truro were just that shade faster, more accurate and more purposeful and they took their two chances well. For the second week in succession, Mount Wise was the scene of a rough-and-tumble, free-for-all scramble. The conditions could hardly have been worse and spills were inevitable on the greasy pitch but both sides indulged in rough play. The game finished with supporters of both sides demonstrating against the lack of control and players’ tempers were badly frayed. D. Pollard was a passenger after one very robust tackle, and the final whistle came as a great relief. In the first minute A. Slater shot narrowly wide for Newquay and Peach hit the home upright. Both goals had narrow escapes as D. Pollard skimmed the bar and Maben headed against a post. Truro held the initiative for the first 20 minutes but from then until the interval it was all Newquay. The Truro defence, with Jefferies and goalkeeper Triggs outstanding, played very well and held Newquay’s attacks. A minute after the resumption Steer had a great chance but muffed his shot, but Peach followed up to crack in the ball as it rolled loose in a goalmouth scramble. Triggs made several good saves before Davis made the game safe for Truro with a fast, low shot into the corner of the net. A feature of Newquay’s defence was the way in which M. Ball again blotted out Basil Steer. J. Huddy also had a good game, but Jones gave Slade far too much scope and Truro were quick to spot the weakness and play on it. Newquay’s wing-halves failed to give their forwards the usual service and the home side were rarely able to touch normal form while Truro City seemed to revel in the conditions. Cornish Guardian

Semi-Final – Plymouth Argyle (N) W 2-1 (Davis 20, Steer) Sat 21 Mar

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), D. A. Kent, Collins, Johnny Kendall, Harold Jefferies, Ron Jones, Les Dodd, Geoff Peach, Basil Steer, Dave Davis, Colin Slade

Truro City got through to the final of the SW League Challenge Cup by defeating Plymouth Argyle by 2-1 at St Austell on Saturday. It was a great game, and one which would have done the final credit. Argyle, who have never won the cup and were said to be determined to do so this year, included Geoff Barnsley, Reg Wyatt, George Baker and John Williams. But none of them stood out in this game as being above South Western League class. A possible exception was George Baker, the lively centre-forward, who put plenty of dash into his play. Cornish Guardian

Final – Falmouth Town (N) L 3-6 (Peach, Steer x2) Sat 25 Apr

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), D. A. Kent, Dave Davis, Johnny Kendall, Ron Jones, Barry Short, Geoff Peach, Basil Steer

In front of a gate of more than 2,000 spectators, Falmouth Town overcame rivals Truro City 6-3 to win the South Western League Cup at St Blazey after a titanic match. Town were introducing a high level of contract professional footballers to the South Western League, many of whom had played in the Football League. Centre forward George Willis (ex Plymouth Argyle) thumped home a hat-trick. Inside forward Danny Sullivan (ex Crystal Palace) netted twice and winger “Jock” Logan also scored for Town.

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1959-1960

1st Round – Exeter City ‘A’ (H) W 3-2 (Slade 20, Steer pen, Joyce) Sat 12 Sep

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall, Peter Collins, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock

In their first important home game Truro City gave a patchy display. Exeter fought hard but their youngsters were overcome by the heat and hard ground in the closing stages. At first Truro were well on top and it was against the run of play that Exeter took the lead. Following a corner Johnny Kendall put the ball in his own net in a goal-mouth scramble. Sokell nearly put Exeter two up, but after 20 minutes right-winger Colin Slade “killed” a pass from Collins and shot into the corner of the net. Lockgrove played a fine game in goal, but he was penalised for using his elbow and from the spot Steer gave Truro an interval lead. Immediately on the restart left-winger Rackley scored the best goal of the match to equalise, racing through on his own to beat Triggs with a good shot. Then Mattock tapped an indirect free kick to Joyce and the inside-left smashed home Truro’s winner. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Bugle (H) W 7-0 (Davis 10, ??, 44, Mattock 16, Steer 34, ?? pen, 55) Sat 19 Dec

Team – Sam Real (GK), Johnny Kendall, Peter Collins, Barry Short, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Dave Davies, Reg Mattock

The few stalwart City fans who do not desert Truro in bad weather or when the team is struggling in a bad patch were rewarded with a feast of goals at Treyew Road on Saturday. Truro City hit Bugle for six in the first-half, and only a gallant display by goalkeeper Wallie Harrison prevented them from adding more than one after the interval. It is true that Truro were made to look more impressive because of the weak opposition – Bugle failed to find the form which gave them their surprise 3-2 victory over Newquay in the first round. Goals do count, however, and they should help to restore the team spirit and confidence which has been lacking in recent games. Harrison emerged as the man-of-the-match. Plastered in mud from the start, he leapt and dived to save goal-bound shots time and again in the second period, and only he stood between Truro and a score well in double figures. Truro’s attack was given plenty of room to move, and in the first half they took their chances well. They were helped by some peculiar decisions – or rather lack of decisions – which resulted in two goals and which disheartened the Bugle players. Following the second Harrison walked off the pitch but he was soon back between the posts. The defence although far from overworked, did not come out quite as well. Sam Real, making his league debut for the City, did not have many difficult shots to save but he averted some dangerous situations by going out and smothering the ball. Harold Jefferies did the work of two men at centre-half. In the first period he was called upon to do too much covering for the backs. Johnny Kendall was still too inclined to wander up in attack, and Peter Collins was up against a good winger in Vivian. The backs improved in the second half. This was the first game since the end of September in which the City did not concede a goal, and it is only the fourth out of 19 games in which their opponents did not find the net. Their previous 11 games added 32 goals to the “against” tally. The “goals for” tally is six up on last season at 68, but the overall record is worse despite the improved start to the season. Of 19 games played, the City have now won 11, drawn four and lost four. Last season they had won 13, drawn one and and lost five. Basil Steer, who has taken over from Harold Jefferies as captain celebrated with three goals to take his personal tally to 28 – eight better than at this stage last year. Dave Davis hit three in the first half, and Reg Mattock got the other. The first goal came after 10 minutes, Jefferies gave Steer a through-ball, and the centre-forward gave Davis a perfect pass. Six minutes later Colin Slade drew the goalkeeper out and Reg Mattock drove into an empty net. Bugle had their chances in these early stages, and had they taken them Truro might not have settled down so easily. The chances were missed, however, centre-forward Alec Brenton failing to score from only two yards. Davis appeared to be well-offside when he hit Truro’s third from Mattock’s pass, but the linesman did not flag. After 34 minutes Mattock, who had a good game in the first half, centred for Steer to make it 4-0. Steer had a piledriver punched out by Harrison, but the ‘keeper had no chance when Steer took a penalty-kick a few minutes later. There were ironical cheers from the City supporters when at last Truro were pulled up for off-side infringements late in the half. Just on half-time Barry Matthews sent in a terrific shot from well outside the area which nearly knocked Harrison back into the net. He failed to hold the ball and Davis tapped it home. Truro threatened to run riot after the interval but the only score came after 10 minutes when Steer was put through by Les Joyce. Then Harrison brought off some spectacular saves to keep the score down to seven even when Bugle where further handicapped by the loss of right-half Penhall and right-winger Vivian late in the game. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – Penzance (N) W 1-0 (Slade 51) Sat 26 Mar

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Dave Davis, Johnny Kendall, Barry Short, Barry Matthews, Harold Jefferies, Reg Mattock, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Les Joyce

The cup semi-final between Truro City and Penzance at Falmouth lacked excitement and was often casual and lacking in purpose. An unusual and unexpected goal put Truro into the final. Early in the second half outside-right Slade, from the touchline, swung the ball into the goalmouth and it dropped over goalkeeper Trembath’s head into the net. Truro, the better combination, took time to settle down and in the early stages, Penzance should have taken the lead. Winger Farrar hit the Truro woodwork and inside-right Goody missed two scoring chances. Before the interval Truro’s outside-left, Mattock, hit the crossbar and centre-forward Steer beat the Penzance goalkeeper, only for right-back Williams to clear from the goal-line. Penzance had more of the play following Truro’s goal, but with centre-half Jefferies dominating the middle and goalkeeper Triggs in grand form, could not break through. Midway through the second half Truro’s leader, Steer, hit the underside of the crossbar with the best shot of the game. Cornish Guardian

Final – Falmouth Town (N) W 1-0 (Slade 24) 23 Apr

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Johnny Kendall (capt), Peter Collins, Barry Short, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Les Dodd, Dave Davies, Reg Mattock

City’s first trophy in the South Western League was won in 1960 when they beat Falmouth Town in the Challenge Cup final at Penzance by the score of 1 goal to 0. They had appeared in two previous finals, being beaten by Torquay United in 1955 and Falmouth Town in 1959. Colin Slade was a popular figure in Truro. He scored the vital goal which gave the City the victory over Falmouth to win the South Western League Challenge Cup – and remember, it was Slade who scored the shock goal which put Truro through to the final. So at last Truro have their inscribed on a league trophy – and deservingly, too. Although they won by the only goal of the match, they were a far better side than Falmouth who seemed to lack the team spirit and will to win. Although Slade notched the winner, Truro’s hero was goalkeeper Mel Triggs. Playing on his old home ground, he turned in one of his best displays of the season, particularly when in the closing minutes he pushed out a drive from Bob Swiggs which seemed destined to be an equaliser. Triggs showed brilliant anticipation and it was good to see that he had recovered his confidence on going out to meet the ball. Truro’s win was, however, essentially a team affair. Each man pulled a little extra out of the bag, with the result that they played some fine football. Falmouth, too, were attractive in midfield, but their forward line was rather ineffective. The game attracted a crowd of nearly 3,000. There was brilliant sunshine, but a deceptively strong wind down-pitch made ball control difficult for the team which had it behind them. Truro played into the wind in the first half and although Falmouth forced a couple of corners and twice came close, honours went to the City. Winger Reg Mattock missed a glorious chance of putting City ahead when he drove just over the bar from close in. Faster on the ball and more accurate, Truro kept pressing with their wingers mastering the Falmouth full-backs with Les Dodd giving Roy Mallet plenty of trouble in the middle. Les Joyce put in several first time drives, but they went high against the wind and did not trouble Bob Berry in the Falmouth goal. Dave Davis, the best player on view, had a goal bound drive blocked, and later he headed just outside. Falmouth’s best effort came from Swiggs who put the ball inches wide of the post. In the opening stages Truro had created enough openings and chances to have given them a comfortable lead, but goal covering and goalkeeping kept them out. Then in the 24th minute, luck favoured Truro. Slade beat Norman Morrison but his first-time drive was blocked by Mallet. The ball rebounded just enough for Slade to drive it into the corner of the net, giving Berry no chance. Their lead was very nearly short-lived, for Falmouth broke away and ex-City player Ron Jones sent in a drive which rebounded off the cross-bar. Triggs did well to punch out two high efforts. At the other end Mattock raced down the wing but shot straight at Berry, while Dodd had a good chance but could not get a shot in. Berry had to make two attempts to save from Davis. Falmouth had rather more of the play in the second half, but they never matched their opponents keenness. Truro were first to threaten danger when they wriggled the ball right up to the goal-line before it was cleared. Danny Sullivan switched to inside-left and shook Truro when his shot hit the bar, but within minutes Joyce had similar bad luck at the other end. Truro got the ball into the net a second time, off Berry, but the effort was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. With 15 minutes to go, centre-half Harold Jefferies made his one mistake of the game. He kicked wildly at the ball and missed, and Swiggs was through on his own and seemed certain to score. But Triggs advanced and dived to push the ball away – his best effort of the match. Truro were slightly superior to Falmouth in all departments. Sullivan worked hard for Falmouth, but he did not receive a lot of support from his fellow forwards who seldom eluded the close marking City defence. Mallet and Berry were the best of Falmouth’s defence. The trophy was presented to the City captain, Johnny Kendall, by Mr. F.C. James chairman of the South Western League who described it as one of the best feats since the competition was started.

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1960-1961

1st Round – Newton Abbot Spurs (A) L 0-3 Sat 8 Oct

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Norman Morrison, Johnny Kendall, Dave Davies, Harold Jefferies, Barry Short, Barry Matthews, Les Joyce, Colin Slade, Reg Mattock, Basil Steer

Truro City can genuinely feel a sense of injustice about their 3-0 defeat by Newton Abbot Spurs at Newton Abbot on Saturday in round one of the South Western League Cup competition. For at least 60 of the 90 minutes Truro were on the offensive, yet it was Newton Abbot who got the goals and the headlines for eliminating last season’s cup winners. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1961-1962

Western Section

1 – Falmouth Town (A) L 0-4 Sat 16 Sep

Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Short, Norman Morrison, Williams, Johnny Kendall, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock

Falmouth fully merited their four-goal victory over champions Truro City, and only marred their copy-book by the unnecessary use of rough tactics which resulted in their conceding several free-kicks. They were all over a weak Truro side in the early stages and only their own poor finishing in the penalty area prevented them from running up a big score. They did take the lead through inside-left Danny Sullivan, and before half-time got another through centre-forward Peter Bennett. Both these players, however, had missed some fine openings. Truro fought back and had more of the play in the second half, but they never looked as dangerous as their opponents had done earlier. They could not beat a sound defence and in the last five minutes Falmouth broke away to double their score with further goals from Sullivan and Bennett. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

2 – Falmouth Town (H) L 0-1 Sat 23 Sep

Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davis, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Williams, Les Dodd, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock

3 – Helston Athletic (H) D 2-2 (Steer, Slade) Sat 30 Sep

Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Peter Williams, Dave Davis, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Basil Steer, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock

A scrappy game between Truro City and Helston ended in a 2-2 draw. Cornish Guardian

4 – Penzance (A) L 0-4 Sat 21 Oct

Team – Derek Vosper (GK), Johnny Kendall, Norman Morrison, Dave Davis, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Dodd, Peter Williams, Les Joyce, Reg Mattock

Truro City, league winners last season, are going through a very lean spell, with only one victory in their last nine games. They were beaten again, on Saturday, in a South Western League Challenge Cup game at Penzance. The home side scored twice in each half to win 4-0 and take second place to Falmouth – but without a hope of catching them. The City are on the bottom of the table, with only one point from four games and two goals scored, 11 conceded. In the early stages Truro played good attacking football, but they failed to find the net. Penzance, who had looked rather mediocre, suddenly swept into the lead with a goal from outside-right Williams. Then Truro’s defence went to pieces, and outside-left Christophers netted Penzance’s second. In the second half Truro were very poor, with no co-ordination in attack and lack of spirit and confidence in defence. Penzance were masters throughout, and they went further ahead with a fine header from Williams and a tremendous drive from centre-forward Goody which went straight through goalkeeper Vosper’s hands. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

5 – Helston Athletic (A) W 2-1 (Mattock, Kendall 69) Sat 4 Nov

Team – Wallie Harrison (GK), Johnny Kendall, Keith Trewhela, Peter Williams, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Dave Davis, Reg Mattock

A goal down after 35 minutes, Truro City fought back and defeated Helston 2-1 at Helston on Saturday. It was their first victory in the South Western League Challenge Cup this season, but they are still at the bottom of the section table, with one match to play – at home to Penzance. It was a good win, but one which Helston supporters must consider rather undeserved. Both City goals came from free kicks which were awarded for reasons unapparent from the touchline. There was a late change in the Truro line-up. Derek Vosper withdrew from the selected side in midweek, and his place was taken by Wallie Harrison, who was signed on amateur forms from Bugle. Harrison, who has previously played for Newquay this season, had a sound game. He did not have a lot of work as the Helston attack was shot-shy, but he pulled down some difficult centres and could not be blamed for the one goal scored against him from close range. Hero of the City defence – and attack – was right-back Johnny Kendall. He played a fine game at right-back, keeping young Pryor out of the picture, and also had time to make some “Armfield-type” raids up the right wing. Late in the game he popped up unexpectedly in the penalty area to head home a free-kick for Truro’s winning goal. Keith Trewhela continued at left-back and once again proved that he is a good defender. He dealt capably with Anthony Angove and distributed the ball intelligently. Pick of the City half-line was undoubtedly Peter Williams, whose soccer talents are best displayed in that position. A great worker he was sound in the tackle and accurate with his passes. He highlighted his attacking soccer with two samples of power shooting, one in each half, which were worthy of goals. Harold Jefferies was not quite so happy against a burly and sometimes crude centre-forward David Winn. Fortunately, Winn was very inaccurate in finishing. He had enough reasonable chances early on to have put Helston in a commanding position. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

6 – Penzance (H) L 3-4 (Slade x2, Davis) Sat 18 Nov

Team – Wallie Harrison (GK), Peter Williams, Dave Davis, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Les Joyce, Basil Steer, Dave Thomas

A 30-minute spell in which the Truro City defence was at sixes and sevens, enabled Penzance to build up a winning three-goal lead at Treyew Road on Saturday. Truro’s second-half fight-back was hampered for the last quarter of an hour by an injury to right-half Peter Williams, and although they pressed continuously, they did not have the run of the ball and their efforts were unsuccessful. The final result of 4-3 was a lucky one for Penzance, which gave them a 7-3 double. Fortunately, the match was of little importance except from the morale point of view. Truro needed victory to climb off the bottom of the South Western League Cup section table. They failed, and it must be a long time since the City last finished bottom with an unflattering goal average of seven for, 16 against in six matches. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Western Section Table

1 – Falmouth Town – 6 – 5 – 1 – 0 – 19 – 3 – 11 ✅

2 – Penzance – 6 – 3 – 0 – 3 – 12 – 18 – 6 ❌

3 – Helston Athletic – 6 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 10 – 11 – 4 ❌

4 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 1 – 1 – 4 – 7 – 16 – 3 ❌

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1962-1963

Southern Section

1 – Nanpean (A) W 6-1 (Osborne OG, Andrew, Symons x2, Hawkey, Slade) Sep

Nanpean did not recover from an early own goal by Osborne and Andrew soon added a second. Nanpean gradually improved and fully extended the Truro defence. Kellow shot just over the bar and a goal by Crick was disallowed for offside. Nanpean paid the penalty of standing still and appealing for an offside decision when Symons went through for Truro’s third goal. Sweet opened the Nanpean scoring, but Hawkey, Symons, and Slade added further goals for Truro. Cornish Guardian

2 – St Austell (H) W 4-0 (Thomas 40, Hawkey x2, Symons) Sat 29 Sep

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Alan Winn, Norman Morrison, Peter Williams, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Mike Andrew, Keith Hawkey, Mike Symons, Dave Thomas

St Austell visited Treyew Road on Saturday, as South Western League leaders with an unbeaten record this season, and the only team to complete a double over Truro last term. They went home with a smashed record and a resounding defeat in the League Cup. They were no match for the City in any department and were fortunate not to have been beaten by a bigger margin. The game promised to be a thriller and the City provided their share of the good football expected St Austell, however, were weak in attack and surprisingly shaky in defence when under pressure. Conditions could not have been more difficult. A gale-force wind swept the pitch and pouring rain made it difficult for the players to keep on their feet. Truro adapted themselves to these conditions extremely well. The defence took the honours in the first half, giving the opposing attack little scope and finding time to ply their forwards with accurate passes. In the second period the wing-halves were able to move up in attack and then St Austell seldom broke out of their own half. It was strange that neither side when they had the slope and wind advantage, chose to harass the opposing goalkeeper with a barrage of long range drives. Such shots would have been most difficult to save. St Austell tried very few and Truro only one – and then Keith Hawkey’s drive hammered against the crossbar and bounced clear. For this game Truro reverted to the line-up which did so well at the beginning of the season, and it certainly paid dividends. Mike Symons paired up well with Hawkey and Dave Thomas produced plenty of craft on the left wing. He scored the first goal and made another, and spoiled his play only by persistently hanging onto the ball too long. Mel Triggs played well in goal and was well-supported by Alan Winn and Norman Morrison, who gave the Bickle brothers little rope. St Austell’s forward line failed to impress. Left-winger Mike Bickle in particular failed in front of goal, while Johnny Spurle was completely overshadowed by Harold Jefferies. Tiny Roy Rowe was the pick of the St Austell defence at centre-half. St Austell very nearly took the lead straight from the kick-off, Jefferies miskicked and Mike Bickle was through on his own. The winger rounded Triggs, but was slow to shoot and Jefferies recovered and cleared. Truro soon settled down and they kept the ball low and controlled it well. Bickle was let through again following a miskick by Winn, but he shot weakly, Triggs made a fine save from an indirect free-kick from Johnny Boyce. Truro had a great chance after 27 minutes but Hawkey shot at goalkeeper Warrick. Although they forced nine corners St Austell did not impress and Truro deservedly took the lead after 40 minutes. Colin Slade centred for Thomas to score a good goal. The second half was eight minutes old when Slade put in a hard centre which Hawkey flicked into the corner of the net. Warrick did not have a chance of stopping the ball. St Austell got the ball in the net after 21 minutes, but the effort was disallowed for offside. A superb goal by Mike Symons gave Truro a 3-0 lead. The inside-left beat three men before placing the ball out of Warrick’s reach. St Austell were demoralised and they conceded a fourth goal in the 38th minute. Thomas centreing for Hawkey to head it home. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

3 – St Austell (A) D 2-2 (Hawkey x2) Sat 13 Oct

A great second-half rally after they had rearranged their attack, brought St Austell a League Cup point and should have brought about Truro’s first defeat. Truro, despite fielding two reserves – young Trevor Bedding made an impressive debut at wing-half when St Austell’s attack was well held by the strong Truro defence. St Austell’s defence held out against some well-planned attacks until young Dave Thomas streaked down the wing and crossed the ball perfectly for Hawkey to net. Before half-time, Hawkey had made it 2-0 and Truro appeared to be coasting to the double over St Austell. But an early second half goal inspired St Austell. Truro goalkeeper, Triggs, was penalised for carrying the ball, and, from a melee, Mike Bickle forced the ball home. St Austell were then awarded a penalty, but Dudley Wherry missed it. With 20 minutes to go, Dave Davies equalised when he scored his first goal for St Austell. Triggs was injured in attempting to block Bickle’s shot and went off for a few minutes. He returned and foiled St Austell on several occasions. Cornish Guardian

4 – St Blazey (A) L 1-4 (Andrew 60) Sat 8 Dec

5 – Nanpean Rovers (H) D 2-2 (Andrew, P. Williams pen) Sat 2 Feb

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), Alan Winn, Norman Morrison, Peter Williams, Harold Jefferies, Barry Matthews, Colin Slade, Mike Andrew, Keith Hawkey, Mike Symons, Dave Thomas

6 – St Blazey (H) L 0-3 Sat 2 Mar

Truro City needed to beat St Blazey by 6-0 to pip their opponents on goal average for a place in the cup semi-finals, but failed lamentably in their effort. Instead, they themselves were beaten and St Blazey became the first Cornish side to win at Truro this season and to bring off a double over the City. Truro were outplayed for most of the game. St Blazey produced fast and intelligent soccer, even when their right-half Ricketts was off injured for much of the second-half. By comparison Truro were slow and without method. A strong wind dictated the play, and in the first half St Blazey had the advantage. Truro defended well to confine them to one goal scored by Copping after seven minutes. Truro forced a number of corners in the second half and twice were unlucky to hit the woodwork. St Blazey were always dangerous however, and in the last 15 minutes their right-winger Stuart Gibson created two openings for Copping to add goals. Cornish Guardian

Southern Section Table

1 – St Blazey – 6 – 4 – 2 – 0 – 32 – 8 – 10 ✅

2 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 15 – 12 – 6 ❌

3 – St Austell – 6 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 10 – 17 – 4 ❌

4 – Nanpean Rovers – 6 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 10 – 30 – 4 ❌

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1963-1964

Southern Section

1 – Nanpean Rovers (H) W 7-0 (Hawkey x7) Sat 21 Sep

Team – Mel Triggs (GK), George Burt, Clive Rashleigh, Johnny Kendall, Alan Winn, Norman Morrison, Colin Slade, Bev Cotton, Keith Hawkey, Roger Whitburn, Barry Matthews

P-1 W-1 D-0 L-0 F-7 A-0 PTS-2 POS-1st

2 – Nanpean Rovers (A) W 4-1 (Hawkey 11, ??, Winn, Thomas)

3 – St Blazey (H) L 0-3 Sat 26 Oct

Truro City could not match the skill and speed of St Blazey, and, losing heart in the second half, conceded their unbeaten record. They did well however to confine St Blazey to only one goal in the first half and a lucky goal at that. St Blazey kept the initiative after the interval, and two goals in the last three minutes gave them a decisive and deserved victory. St Blazey had the slope and wind advantage in the first-half, but the City repelled their continuous attack until the 33rd minute, when a corner-kick from right-winger Gibson was deflected into the net. In the second-half Truro did not produce the fight expected of them. St Blazey continued to dominate and just before the end left-winger Scoins centred for Gibson to head a fine goal. In the closing seconds Tallamy headed St Blazey’s third. Cornish Guardian

P-3 W-2 D-0 L-1 F-11 A-4 PTS-4 POS-1st

4 – St Austell (H) L 3-6 (Andrew 2, 34, Cotton 3) Sat 7 Dec

Two goals up in just three minutes, Truro City looked all set for their fourth consecutive victory. But St Austell pulled themselves together, held on grimly to contain Truro’s forceful attacks and then blasted themselves to a fantastic 6-3 win. It was great stuff – as good as the previous week’s game was bad – and it was very much a team victory. Roger Mitchell, playing his second game at centre-half was “all at sea” in the first 10 minutes, but, as the game went on, he grew in confidence and held the twin spearhead of Keith Hawkey and Mike Andrew. It was a fantastic opening. St Austell were lucky to scramble the ball away in a first-minute goal-mouth melee; a minute later they were a goal down through Andrew and in another minute were two down through a lob by Bev Cotton. It took St Austell 12 minutes to get in their first shot but then they gradually got on top. Freddie Moon reduced the arrears and John Horne equalised with a great header. In the 34th minute wing-half Kendall tried a long shot. Owen Warrick pushed the ball on to his own crossbar and Andrew banged in the rebound. Four minutes later St Austell equalised from a penalty by Dudley Wherry, and quickly Mike Bickle put them ahead. A minute before half-time Truro centre-half Alan Winn made a bad mistake and Bickle nipped in to make it 5-3. After eight goals in the first half, the second period was something of an anti-climax. Just before the end Reg Bickle went through unchallenged to score the sixth. Cornish Guardian

P-4 W-2 D-0 L-2 F-14 A-10 PTS-4 POS-2nd

5 – St Austell (A) D 4-4 (Hooper ??, 32, Southcott 36, Hawkey) Sat 25 Jan

Having lost their unbeaten league record at Newquay last week, St Austell appeared to be on their way to their first home defeat of the season at half-time in this League Cup match. They were four goals down to a Truro side which moved faster, more methodically and, above all, took their chances. St Austell, in the first half, badly missed centre-forward Mike Bickle, who had met with an accident at work on Saturday morning. They had a fair share of the play, but their finishing was shocking. Centre-forward John Horne even failed to put the ball in an empty net. He rolled the ball towards the goal so gently that Williams nipped back and cleared! In the first five minutes Hawkey twice hit the St Austell woodwork. The St Austell defence was strangely panicky and Truro’s young forwards, with Dave Thomas outstanding took advantage. Young Ernie Hooper put them ahead and St Austell went to pieces, conceding three goals in eight minutes to Hooper, Hawkey and Graham Southcott. But in the second half St Austell re-arranged their team and they were transformed. For 15 minutes they continued to miss chances but then Brian Rimes, switched to centre-forward, broke the hoodoo. St Austell stormed to the attack and got three goals in 12 minutes through Reg Bickle (2), and Dudley Wherry. And in the last five minutes they twice hit the Truro woodwork. Cornish Guardian

6 – St Blazey (A) W 3-2 (Pender x2, Slade) Apr

Despite this defeat, St Blazey are through to the League Cup semi-finals. Truro had to win 2-0 to displace St Blazey as section leaders and reach the semi-finals themselves. It was an own goal by Truro’s Peter Williams, and a fine header by Keith Etheridge that saved St Blazey. Only when they were 3-1 down early in the second half did the easy-going St Blazey team wake up. But then they were over-enthusiastic. Truro fought hard and the score was 1-1 at half-time. They got two more, but had to fight hard to keep the lead. It was reduced five minutes from time by Etheridge. Truro scorers were M. Pender (2), and Slade. Cornish Guardian

Group B Table

1 – St Blazey – 6 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 20 – 14 – 7 ✅

2 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 21 – 16 – 7 ❌

3 – St Austell – 6 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 19 – 18 – 7 ❌

4 – Nanpean Rovers – 6 – 1 – 1 – 4 – 8 – 20 – 3 ❌

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1964-1965

Southern Section

1 – Nanpean (A) L 0-2 Wed 25 Aug

Team – Dave Fisher (GK), Peter Williams, Norman Morrison, Dave Williams, Malcolm Pender, Danny Gordon, Lloyd Hancock, Neil Imrie, Mike Symons, Dave Thomas

It is a long time since Truro City played as badly as they did at Nanpean on Wednesday. All-round inefficiency led to a 2-0 South Western League Cup defeat and there can be no excuse – as there was against Argyle in the first match – that the opposition was strong. Nanpean’s only strength lay in their team spirit and enthusiasm, something that was sadly lacking in Truro’s display. The disappointment of the selectors as well as supporters is reflected in the changes made for Saturday’s league match at Wadebridge – one of the toughest battles of the season – and it is possible that had not several players been on holiday, the alterations would have been greater. The attack was completely lacking in ideas, and it is unlikely that they would have scored had the game continued another hour. Only Jock Imrie in the centre looked dangerous – he came close with three overhead kicks in the first half. He did not receive one good pass from the inside-men, Malcolm Pender and Danny Gordon. Pender, in particular, was a great disappointment, showing no fight whatsoever. Lloyd Hancock also failed to impress, and Dave Thomas did not see enough of the ball to be dangerous. The weakness in defence lay on the right, with Peter Williams giving the Nanpean winger far too much scope when trying to cover the centre. Mike Symons played good football, while Norman Morrison was the outstanding player on the field for his honest endeavour. Dave Fisher had no chance with the shots that beat him. Nanpean were much quicker on the ball than Truro, and they moved intelligently into the open spaces. The purpose in their play was entirely absent from Truro. Centre-forward Jackie Burden seized his chances, and Chapman was always a danger. It was in the seventh minute that Nanpean took the lead, right-winger Keith Millward swinging the ball across and Burden getting an easy goal. Imrie was the only City player who looked capable of equalising. Brian Mitchell did well to save one shot, and another hit the upright. In the 20th minute Nanpean got their second goal. Dave Williams’ clearance kick rebounded goalwards off Burden’s legs, and Burden ran forward and easily scored. In the second half Truro made numerous switches, Symons and Peter Williams going into the forward line, but the play remained scrappy and Nanpean ran out easy winners. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

2 – Nanpean (H) W 4-3 (Imrie ??, 16, ??, ??) Sep

Assists – Thomas ??, 16

Truro City avenged a previous cup defeat with this win but had to work hard to get the points. Man of the match for Truro was left-winger Neil Imrie, who scored all four of his side’s goals. He was the only City forward to look really dangerous in front of goal although Dave Manley making his debut at inside-right, and Dave Thomas on the wing, moved the ball well. It was Thomas who provided the centres for Imrie’s two goals in the first sixteen minutes. Nanpean, although not at full strength, played good lively football and shook Truro with two goals in three minutes, through Philp and Williams midway through the first half. Imrie restored Truro’s two goals lead in the second half, before Philp got his second two minutes from time. Cornish Guardian

3 – St Blazey (H) D 1-1 (Pender pen) Sat 24 Oct Barrie Toms debut

Team – Dave Fisher (GK), Roger Mitchell, Norman Morrison, Reg Mitchell, Malcolm Pender, Mike Symons, Dennis Gordon, Dave Manley, Neil Imrie, Freddie Moon, Barrie Toms

Good defensive work and a superb display in goal by Roy Bennett enabled St Blazey to garner a League Cup point that they hardly deserved at Truro. St Blazey’s strange looking team – they are still dogged by injuries – were outplayed for long periods by a fast, constructive Truro team which produced their best football of the season. But there was a lack of finish about both teams. In a goalless first-half, Oakes kicked off the line for St Blazey and Mitchell did the same to save Truro. Early in the second-half, St Blazey came more into the game and Etheridge took advantage of a defensive slip to put them ahead. Truro were stung into retaliation and, in a spirited fight-back, they equalised with a penalty by Pender. From then on St Blazey were defending desperately. Cornish Guardian

4 – St Austell (H) L 0-11 Sat 5 Dec

Team – Dave Fisher (GK), Roger Mitchell, Norman Morrison, Lloyd Hancock, Malcolm Pender, Mike Symons, Dennis Gordon, Dave Thomas, Dave Manley, Freddie Moon, Neil Imrie

There were 11 good reasons why Truro City supporters slunk away from Treyew Road on Saturday, their heads bowed in shame. Truro had just crashed to their most humiliating defeat for many years – 11-0 to St Austell in a South Western League Cup game. St Austell were well worth their win. Indeed, but for four goal-line clearances by the City full-backs, and some good chances missed in the first-half, they would have come close to setting a new league scoring record. They had five goals in nine minutes in the first-half and ended with three in three minutes. Remembering the draw at Torpoint a little over a month ago, Truro are obviously not a team lacking in talent. But talent alone is not enough. Without the will to win, no team will get far and Truro have certainly reached the depths of demoralisation. There is scarcely a shred of confidence left in the side, and it was only too clear from the start on Saturday that they expected defeat. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

5 – St Austell (A) L 1-6 (Crocker 89) Sat 23 Jan

St Austell completed a League Cup double over Truro City to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition. Truro, still smarting from that 11-0 home cup defeat, played well at the outset and it took St Austell 35 minutes to take the lead. M. Bickle fastened on to a back pass and dribbled around Mitchell despite a valiant effort by the goalkeeper. Mitchell had a great game for Truro and was unfortunate to have a penalty awarded against him just before half-time for a foul on Howard. Wherry made it 2-0. With the wind behind them in the second half, St Austell dominated the play. Mike Bickle got the third goal after three minutes and another bad back pass let Reg Bickle in to set up number four for Lewis. A rather lucky overhead kick by Healey made it 5-0 and he got the sixth in a strange way five minutes from the end. Mitchell knocked himself out making a save and lay on the ground with the ball. The ball suddenly went loose and Healey pushed it into the net. Crocker got a consolation goal for Truro in the dying minutes. St Austell thus took their unbeaten run to 11 games without really hitting the high spots. Tempers became a little frayed towards the end. Cornish Guardian

6 – St Blazey (A) L 2-5 (Imrie, Lindsay) Sat 20 Mar This match was played for as a SWL match and a SWL Cup match

Team – Brian Mitchell (GK), Brian Pooley, Norman Morrison, Roger Mitchell, Dave Lavers, Colin Lindsay, John Harvey, Dave Manley, Barry Crocker, Paul Stephens, Neil Imrie

Assist – R. Mitchell

Truro City failed in their bid to take four points from St Blazey on Saturday. They did well to fight back and level the scores after the interval, but handicapped by an injury to goalkeeper Brian Mitchell, they conceded three goals in the last 10 minutes. Mitchell pulled a muscle early in the second half, and aggravated this injury in making a gallant attempt to stop St Blazey’s fourth goal. He then left the field, and captain and left-back Norman Morrison took over between the posts and was beaten once. Mitchell must be doubtful for next Saturday’s match at Newquay, when the City will also be without left-winger Neil Imrie, who is in the county side playing Hampshire at Bournemouth. This match, played for league and league cup points, produced nothing to excite the spectators. The first-half football was mediocre, with play confined to midfield. Truro were more effective in the middle, the wing-halves creating a number of openings in a St Blazey defence which was far from sound. It was the attack which let Truro down. The forwards wasted every chance that came their way, playing as a bunch of individuals huddled together instead of making use of the open spaces. Goalkeeper Bennett was seldom troubled. St Blazey, on the other hand, were much more persistent attackers, never afraid to take a shot at goal. Brian Mitchell was outstanding in the City defence, and dealt confidently with most shots. When St Blazey broke through in the 21st minute, inside-left Ray Cragg making the opening, he had Keith Etheridge’s drive well covered. But unfortunately for the City, Roger Mitchell, running across in an attempt to clear, deflected the ball into the corner of the net. St Blazey went further ahead in the 32nd minute when Cragg raced away on his own and beat the advancing ‘keeper. In the first-half, Truro did not produce one worthwhile shot. It was a different story after the interval. Showing the cohesion and punch which had been lacking earlier, they quickly had the opposing defence in trouble, forcing a succession of corners. It was from a free-kick, awarded when Barry Crocker was obstructed, that they reduced the deficit. Roger Mitchell floated the ball to the far post and Imrie ran in and headed it past Bennett. Left-half Colin Lindsay equalised following another corner. Young John Harvey, who looked out of position on the right-wing, centred. The ball was cleared to Lindsay, standing on the edge of the penalty area, who hammered it home with a power surprising from one so slight. Truro were now well on top, looking capable of going on to victory. But St Blazey’s confidence was restored when the City defence allowed left-winger Reg Oakes to restore their advantage. Brian Pooley failed to tackle Oakes as he ran from almost the half-way line to beat Mitchell from close range. Etheridge ran through for the fourth. Mitchell being unable to hold his powerful drive, and the centre-forward completed the scoring while the City defence stood appealing confidently for an offside decision. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Southern Section Table

1 – St Austell – 6 – 5 – 1 – 0 – 34 – 7 – 11 ✅

2 – St Blazey – 6 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 19 – 9 – 8 ❌

3 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 1 – 1 – 4 – 8 – 27 – 3 ❌

4 – Nanpean Rovers – 6 – 1 – 0 – 5 – 9 – 26 – 2 ❌

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1965-1966

Southern Section

1 – Nanpean Rovers (H) W 5-3 (Imrie 30, 41, 81, 90, 90 + 8) Sat 4 Dec

Team – Brian Mitchell (GK), Rodney Phillips, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Colin Lindsay, Dave Manley, Mike Greeno, Neil Imrie, Geoff Freeman, Paddy Murphy

Truro City will remember this match for some time, for Nanpean made them fight all the way to gain both points. But the game was a personal triumph for Truro’s leader, Neil Imrie, who scored all his side’s five goals. Outplayed for much of the game, they twice trailed by two goals. It was not until nine minutes from the end that they drew level, and it was only in the last two minutes of injury time that they scored twice to win. Nanpean were given a gift lead after two minutes when Brian Mitchell let the greasy ball slip through his fingers into the net. Faster and harder in the tackle, Nanpean quickly mastered the atrocious conditions and they added goals through Bill Pollard and and left-back Key, who netted a long free kick. Imrie scored twice in the first half and followed with a second half hat-trick. Cornish Guardian

2 – St Austell (H) W 2-1 (Imrie x2) 26 Dec

St Austell had four new signings in their team but their hopes of retaining the League Cup became very dim with this defeat. Truro City’s new left-winger, former Argyle player Geoff Stevens, provided the centres from which centre-forward Neil Imrie got their goals. Stevens always impressed, but was closely marked. St Austell fought hard, and in the closing stages nearly snatched a point. In the 78th minute they were awarded a penalty, but Brian Rimes put his drive against the crossbar, and from the rebound hit the ball against Truro’s injured goalkeeper, Brian Mitchell. A minute from time Rimes reduced the deficit. Cornish Guardian

3 – St Austell (A) W 4-2 (Freeman 44, Chegwyn 50, Imrie 75, 86) Sat 29 Jan

St Austell are out of the South Western League Cup – and they have only themselves to blame. Had they taken the chances they carved out on a skating rink of a pitch, they would have won to keep alive a slender chance of retaining the trophy they won last year. Even Truro City supporters admitted that St Austell were a faster, slicker-moving side but there is still a lack of confidence among the attack in their ability to score goals. They seldom tried a shot although the conditions cried out for it. True, they had some bad luck, especially when Adams headed off the line and when Howard sent the best shot of the match crashing against an upright. A draw would, perhaps, have been a fair result. St Austell could have won had they not squandered so many chances. Truro’s fourth goal appeared offside – just one of several decisions which completely mystified the crowd. Rickard returned to the St Austell team and made the first goal for Moxham in the 25th minute. Having pulled winger Howard back into defence, St Austell held their lead until just before the interval when Freeman surviving three tackles, pushed home the equaliser. Five minutes after the interval Chegwyn cleverly made it 2-1 for Truro, but Wherry equalised from an indirect free-kick 10 yards out, despite Truro packing the goal. With 15 minutes to go, and St Austell well on top, a defensive slip let Imrie in for Truro’s third and four minutes from the end he added another. Cornish Guardian

4 – Nanpean Rovers (A) W 3-0 (Imrie x3) Sat 12 Feb

Nanpean lost their third successive home game, and most of the blame for it must go to a forward line which lacked punch. The defence, with Harrison in good form, played well. Imrie was soon dangerous, shooting narrowly wide, and another shot struck the Nanpean upright. Following a Truro free-kick, Key cleared from the Nanpean goal-line. Nanpean improved, with Mitchell punching over the bar a shot from Kellow and a drive from Neal going just over the Truro crossbar. The second half favoured Truro and Harrison saved well from Chegwyn. Following a corner-kick Imrie opened the Truro scoring. Just later, following a splendid cohesive movement, Hawke missed a splendid chance of equalising, shooting over from close range. Good work by Stevens enabled Imrie to increase the lead. Adams cleared from the Truro goal-line before Imrie headed his third goal to complete his “hat-trick.” Cornish Guardian

5 – St Blazey (H) W 2-1 (Imrie 9, Chegwyn 87) Sat 26 Mar

After this game on Saturday, the question of which of the two teams will face Torpoint in Saturday’s semi-final was still undecided. St Blazey need both points from the last game to go through while Truro need only a point. Truro had the better of the early exchanges, and centre-forward Neil Imrie shot them ahead with a great goal after nine minutes. Playing the better football, St Blazey took control as the City lost their spirit and drifted back in defence. But with Colin Lindsay keeping a tenacious grip on their chief schemer Ray Cragg, St Blazey’s clear-cut scoring chances were few. Etheridge and Ewings missed chances. Mitchell four minutes from the interval was beaten by Malcolm Pender from the penalty spot for the equaliser. St Blazey goalkeeper, Ben Lines, was the busiest man on the field in the second half. Time and again he saved his side. Three minutes from time winger Colin Chegwyn gathered the ball by the corner flag, beat two men, and hammered the best goal of the match to give Truro victory – and St Blazey their first defeat in 14 games. Cornish Guardian

6 – St Blazey (A) L 1-3 (Chegwyn 34) Wed 30 Mar

For 75 minutes it seemed that Truro City would go through to the semi-finals of the South Western League Cup. In a game spoilt by the obvious tension of the occasion – there was a lot of bad football mixed with the good – they were the faster side and always looked capable of at least forcing the draw they needed to win the Southern Group. They took the lead with a brilliant goal by Chegwyn after 34 minutes but before the cheers of their supporters had died Ewings streaked through the middle to equalise. Then with 16 minutes to go, Viv Folley, playing at right-back but chasing up into the attack at every opportunity, raced up the wing to put over a perfect cross which Scoins dived to head into the net. St Blazey were ahead for the first time and they were inspired. From then on, there was only one team in it. Twice Truro defenders kicked shots desperately off the goal-line and three minutes from the end Ewings put the issue beyond doubt – despite strong Truro protests that Jefferies had been fouled before the goal was scored. Cornish Guardian

Southern Section Table

1 – St Blazey – 6 – 5 – 0 – 1 – 25 – 10 – 10 ✅

2 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 5 – 0 – 1 – 17 – 10 – 10 ❌

3 – St Austell – 6 – 2 – 0 – 4 – 12 – 18 – 4 ❌

4 – Nanpean Rovers – 6 – 0 – 0 – 6 – 12 – 28 – 0 ❌

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1966-1967

Western Section

1 – Helston (A) L 1-2 (Chegwyn 43) 20 Aug

Helston proved stronger opposition than Truro had expected in their South Western League Cup clash. With Mike Tiddy again providing the craftsmanship in attack, they played fast and hard football and used their wingmen to good effect. In defence, centre-half Alan Winn, well supported by the full-backs, coped with a City attack which lacked a schemer. Winn’s task was made easier by the bunching of the Truro inside-trio. Too often Colin Chegwyn, Neil Imrie and Fred Hurrell all filled the centre-forward role. It was failure to use the wingers that led in part to Truro’s downfall. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

2 – Penzance (H) W 4-2 (Solomon, Imrie x2, Lindsay) Sat 26 Nov

League leaders Truro City looked like losing their home record when they were 2-0 down after 29 minutes but three goals in five minutes in the second half from centres by right-winger Dave Manley, brought them a 4-2 victory. Cornish Guardian

3 – Penzance (A) L 2-4 (Solomon, Imrie) Sat 3 Dec

In the West Section, Truro City went under 4-2 at Penzance – a reversal of the previous week’s match at Truro. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

4 – Falmouth Town (H) W 2-0 (Imrie 78, Wardle 88) Sat 10 Dec

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Colin Lindsay, Dave Manley, Len Anderson, Colin Chegwyn, John Wardle, Neil Imrie

Just when it seemed the vital victory they deserved would elude them, Truro City scored two goals to defeat Falmouth at Treyew Road on Saturday. Victory avenged a 2-1 league defeat at Bickland Park earlier this season, and keeps alive the City’s hopes of winning their South Western League Cup section. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

P-4 W-2 D-0 L-2 F-9 A-8 PTS-4 POS-2nd

5 – Helston (H) W 5-1 (Colston x2) 17 Dec

Hero of Truro City’s 5-1 home win over Helston, was reserve right-winger John Colston, who scored two goals and made another. Truro now head their cup section and only need to beat Falmouth to qualify for the semi-finals. Cornish Guardian

6 – Falmouth Town (A) W 3-2 (Jefferies) Sat 7 Jan

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Tony Hill, Dave Manley, Len Anderson, Neil Imrie, Johnny Wardle, Colin Chegwyn

A powerful second-half display by Truro City gave them a 3-2 victory over Falmouth Town after being two goals down at the interval, and secured them of a place in the South-Western League Cup semi-finals. Their win also smashed Falmouth’s record of being undefeated by any league club on their own ground since 1964-65 season. Hero of the Falmouth team was goalkeeper Dowling who, brought in as a reserve, saved his side from a heavier defeat. Cornish Guardian

Trailing by two goals ay half-time, Truro City fought back to win 3-2 at Bickland Park on Saturday and qualify for the South Western League Cup semi-finals for the first time since the competition was reorganised. This victory made Truro the first South Western League side to win at Falmouth since April 1964. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Western Section Table

1 – TRURO CITY – 6 – 4 – 0 – 2 – 17 – 11 – 8 ✅

2 – Penzance – 6 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 12 – 12 – 6 ❌

3 – Helston Athletic – 6 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 6 – 9 – 6 ❌

4 – Falmouth Town – 6 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 6 – 9 – 4 ❌

Semi-Final – Torpoint Athletic (N) W 4-3 (Bradford 6 OG, Chegwyn, Imrie x2) Sat 15 Apr

By virtue of their odd goal in seven victory over Torpoint at Liskeard, Truro, the Senior Cup winners, have earned the right to meet St Blazey in the SWL Cup final but it was a close call. After centre-forward Neil Imrie had hit what proved to be Truro’s winner midway through the second half, Torpoint threw everything into attack and were unlucky not to equalise and force extra time. They did everything but score. The first goal of the match came after only six minutes when Torpoint goalkeeper Bradford dropped a corner-kick from Johnny Wardle into the back of his own net. After Mike Howard and Derek Rickard had gone close, Torpoint received another set-back when a lightning burst down the middle by Colin Chegwyn saw him beat Bradford with a fierce drive high into the top corner of the net. Although inside-forward John Bolton reduced the arrears for Torpoint 15 minutes before the interval, Truro swept into the attack and Imrie scored a third in a goalmouth melee. If Truro had thoughts that their passage to the final was now secure, Torpoint quickly disillusioned them staging a fine rally, initiated by Mike Howard, who netted Torpoint’s second a minute before the interval whistle. Following the resumption Bolton netted an opportunist goal to level the scores, but then came Imrie’s winner and a brave Torpoint fight-back was squashed. Cornish Guardian

Truro City march on in their bid to sweep the honours board. At Liskeard on Saturday they beat Torpoint 4-3 to reach the final of the South Western League Cup, in which they meet St Blazey at St Austell on Wednesday May 3. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Final – St Blazey (N) D 2-2 (Peach 50, Wardle 80) Wed 3 May

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Tony Hill, Dave Manley, Len Anderson, Neil Imrie, Johnny Wardle, Geoff Peach

South Western League Cup was shared

Referee Mr Charles Truscott was “very annoyed” at the announcement by Mr F. C. James, league chairman, over the public address system at the end of the game. In the announcement Mr James said that in his opinion, the referee had blundered in not playing an extra 30 minutes. He added that both clubs and the referee knew of the rules about extra time in cup finals. Mr Truscott said that he was told by a “high authority” in the FA that it was up to the referee to know the game rules, but not “every rule in the various leagues.” Mr A Jewels, secretary of the league put all the onus on Mr Truscott. “He has had a rule book of the league for the past ten years while he has been a referee for us. He should know the rules.” Answering this Mr Truscott fell back on his chat with the “high authority” in the FA. “It is not the prerogative of the referee to play extra time, it is the prerogative of the league to inform the referee and clubs that extra time has to be played if a draw is apparent after 90 minutes” he said. Mr James refused to comment further than stating Rule 5 of the league’s handbook. “The cup final shall be played on a ground selected by the League’s Management Committee. In the semi-final and final, if at the end of 90 minutes play the result is a draw, an extra half hour must be played.” The question remains, however, why didn’t St Blazey return to the field – after all, the game was important. Health reasons and the difficulty of putting their kit on after taking it off, was the answer given by the club secretary Len Cornelius. “As the weather was so bad the chaps were in a pretty pickle when they got back to the dressing room. Many had to cut their laces as the knots had stuck with mud and swelled up with water,” he said. “The lads had put their shirts on the ground to keep the chill from their feet. These were so wet and muddy they could have caught a chill if they had put them back on.” The blame for all the disputes was laid at the feet of the League by Mr Cornelius. “Mr Truscott, thinking that extra time was not being played, had gone to get a lost ball at the end of the pitch. When he was told that extra time should be played it was seven minutes from the whistle.”

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1967-1968

Southern Section

1 – St Blazey (A) W 4-0 (OG 2, Chilcott 4, 42, Chegwyn 85) Sat 19 Aug

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Tony Hill, Pete Roberts, Colin Chegwyn, Mike Chilcott, Johnny Wardle, Tony Drew

Truro City’s South Western League team began the new soccer season on an encouraging note on Saturday crushing St Blazey 4-0 in a cup match at Blaize Park. Truro included three newcomers in attack and it was centre-forward Mike Chilcott who emerged as the man-of-the-match. He scored two good goals and gave centre-half Ivor Griffiths a harassing time. Tony Drew came into the side as Len Anderson was on holiday and Pete Roberts made his debut against his old club. Eric Walkey dropped out of the second team to travel as substitute. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

2 – St Austell (H) W 5-0 (Chilcott x3, Wardle x2) 2 Sep

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Tony Hill, P. Roberts, Len Anderson, Mike Chilcott, Johnny Wardle, Colin Chegwyn

Only 15 seconds after the start of Truro City’s first competitive home match on Saturday, centre-forward Mike Chilcott had the ball in the back of the net. He added two more in the 5-0 thrashing of St Austell and there is no doubt that he is going to score a hatful of goals for the City this season. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

3 – St Austell (A) D 2-2 (Fice, Chegwyn) Sat 16 Sep Colin Fice debut

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Harold Richards, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Eric Walkey, P. Roberts, Colin Chegwyn, Mike Chilcott, Johnny Wardle, Colin Fice

At St Austell on Saturday, Truro City got the point they required to put them into the semi-finals of the South Western League Cup. But unless they turn their superior skills more quickly into goals, honours will elude them. Because of injuries and non-availability of players, both sides were much changed from their previous meeting a fortnight ago. St Austell having Williams, Coker, Honeywell and Langman replaced by Olver, Wherry, Copp, and Kirby, while for Truro, Richards, Walkey and Fice substituted for Hunt, Hill and Anderson, who were all unavailable. Fice, who made a good debut on the left wing, scored the first goal and looked a useful acquisition. Harold Richards gave a competent display at right-back, and at left-half Eric Walkey tried hard. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

4 – St Blazey (H) W 3-0 (Manley 77, Anderson 79 pen, 82) 23 Sep

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Dave Hunt, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Harold Jefferies, Harold Richards, Dave Manley, Len Anderson, Mike Chilcott, John Wardle, Colin Fice

With nothing at stake – Truro have already won their section of the South Western League Cup – this game seemed destined to peter out as a goal-less draw until 13 minutes from the end. Then the City scored three goals in five minutes to gain the victory they deserved. A big crowd saw Truro complete a 7-0 double over their rivals – but they had little to enthuse over in the first half. The City always looked in command as St Blazey’s neat but uninspired football did not create one real goal chance. But the way in which Truro fiddled around in midfield was exasperating in the extreme. For the first half-hour it seemed their intention was to go anywhere but to goal. Back passes, crossfield passes, and tip-tap moves at a leisurely pace gave St Blazey’s defence plenty of time to cover. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Southern Section Table

1 – TRURO CITY – 4 – 3 – 1 – 0 – 14 – 2 – 7 ✅

2 – St Austell – 4 – 1 – 2 – 1 – 8 – 9 – 4 ❌

3 – St Blazey – 4 – 0 – 1 – 3 – 2 – 13 – 1 ❌

Semi-Final – Nanpean Rovers (N) W 4-0 (Wavish, Anderson x2, Fice) 2 Mar

Nanpean are out of the South Western League Cup but the score in this semi-final at St Blazey did them an injustice. They had no luck with their finishing and lacked the marksman who would have made the score much more respectable. Nanpean started like the underdogs they obviously are. They elected to kick against the strong wind and immediately pulled everyone, except Joe Spry, back into defence. Their apprehension increased when they conceded a third-minute goal but they defended so stoutly that they held Truro to only one more goal in the first half, scored just before the interval. In the second half, Nanpean threw off their defensive shackles and often had Truro in trouble. But twice they made the mistake of over-stretching their defence while chasing goals themselves – a fatal move against a team like Truro. It was not a great game and Truro will certainly have to play better than this to win the cup. Their goals came from Steve Wavish, Len Anderson (2, including a penalty) and Colin Fice. Cornish Guardian

Final – Falmouth Town (N) L 2-4 (Wardle 35, Lock 85) (AET) Sat 4 May

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Brian Adams, Alan Morris, Len Anderson, Harold Jefferies, Tony Hill, J. Colston, Colin Chegwyn, John Wardle, Colin Fice, Malcolm Lock

About 3,000 people saw the League Challenge Cup final at Penzance on Saturday when Falmouth, current league leaders, beat Truro City 4-2, two goals coming in extra time. Truro put on a remarkably fine show to pull back from a 1-0 deficit after 17 minutes to lead 2-1 just five minutes from full-time. Falmouth went ahead when a free-kick by left-wing Terry Tiddy was headed in by right-back Richard Gray. The equaliser, 10 minutes from half-time, came when 17-year-old left-winger Malcolm Lock lobbed the ball into the goalmouth, where centre-forward Johnny Wardle shot in. Lock put Truro ahead when he raced down the wing and hit in a splendid cross-shot to the corner of the net. Peter Bennett, the Falmouth centre-forward, brought a great save from Truro goalkeeper Trevor Salsbury just a few minutes from full-time with a header, but then Freeman sent over a right-wing corner that Bennett headed to the back of the net. Cornish Guardian

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1968-1969

1st Round, 1st leg – Tavistock (A) L 0-2 Sat 19 Oct

Truro City have a tough task ahead. They failed to close their ranks against the talented Tavistock team and will begin their second leg with a 2-0 deficit. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

1st Round, 2nd leg – Tavistock (H) D 1-1 (Chegwyn 38) Sat 2 Nov

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Harold Richards, A. Morris, Brian Adams, J. Parker, D. Knapman, A. Sandow, A. Hill, D. Hawke, Johnny Wardle, Colin Chegwyn

The only conclusion to be reached from Truro City’s South Western League Cup clash with Tavistock on Saturday is that without a couple of new forwards who can score goals the club will get nowhere this season. Defence-wise the City have few equals, but on this showing the attack is, to be as complimenatary as one can be, pathetic. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1969-1970

1st Round – Torpoint (A) W 3-2 (Ellery 3, ??, Chegwyn ??) Sat 4 Oct

It was patently obvious at Torpoint on Saturday that every Truro City player realised he was fighting for his place. The very satisfactory result was that Truro smashed their opponents’ unbeaten-at-home record and go into the second leg of their South Western League Cup clash at Treyew Road next Saturday with a one-goal lead. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

1st Round – Torpoint (H) L 1-3 (Amos) Sat 11 Oct

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Terry Askey, Alan Morris, Brian Adams, Roger Slee, Dave Hunt, John Amos, Johnny Wardle, Len Ellery, Colin Chegwyn, Colin Fice

Heads will have to roll if Truro City keep on disappointing their fans as they did at Treyew Road on Saturday. Having smashed Torpoint’s home record the previous week to gain a one-goal advantage in their South Western League Cup encounter, the City threw away their own ground record and cup hopes by plunging to a 3-1 defeat. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1970-1971

2nd Round – Liskeard Athletic (H) W 4-2 (Wardle, Osborne, Waterfield, Fice) 10 Oct

Liskeard hit back at Truro City and kept the margin down to 4-2 when the City, three goals up at half time, looked like having a walk-over. Mistakes in defence gave Liskeard the chance of two quick goals from Terry Fox and centre forward Bobby Adams. They should have drawn level when Terry Askey was penalised for a tackle from behind; but Kenny Waterhouse’s spot kick went wide. The Truro goals came from Wardle, Osborne, Waterfield, and Colin Fice. Cornish Guardian

2nd Round – Liskeard Athletic (A) D 2-2 (Hawke 3, Osborne 25) 17 Oct

Assists – Wardle 3, 25

Through to the league cup quarter-finals are Truro City. They forced a 2-2 draw at Liskeard despite having to call up four reserves and go through on a 6-4 aggregate. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

With John Dingle signing for Plymouth City and Peter Waterfield unavailable following a heavy cold, Truro were forced to make late changes for this second leg cup-tie and promoted John Martin and Alan Rundle from their second eleven. Nevertheless, Truro made an impressive start and consolidated on their two-goal first leg lead when Derek Hawke fastened on to a Wardle pass to beat Davis in the third minute. Liskeard now desperately needed a quick goal and centre-forward Bobby Adams nearly succeeded when he hammered a rising shot against an upright. A further set-back befell Liskeard midway through the opening half when with the defence caught square, another brilliantly hit through ball from Wardle gave Osborne the opportunity to net the visitors’ second. There was a marked improvement in Liskeard’s game after the break, and they levelled the scores. When a Waterhouse corner was headed goalwards by Baxter, Salsbury could only push it away and Fox snapped up the loose ball to net. Waterhouse crashed home a great second goal following a pass from Hodge. Despite some desperate attacks in the closing stages by Liskeard, Truro, with Morris and Wardle outstanding, held out comfortably to win 6-4 on aggregate. Cornish Guardian

Quarter-Final, 1st leg – St Austell (A) L 0-2 Sat 13 Mar

For the third time this season St Austell beat Truro City but they will have to play better than this in the second leg at Truro next Saturday if they are to reach the semi-finals of the South Western League Cup. With four reserves in their side, one could not blame Truro for being rather obsessed with defence or for adopting offside tactics which while raising the ire of St Austell and their supporters proved so effective. Once again it was one of those frustrating games in which St Austell promised so much and achieved so little. At times their build-up was good but their finishing let them down. Surprisingly it was Dave Northcott who was most to blame though he made amends by scoring the second goal five minutes from the end. Credit, too, must go to Truro goalkeeper Trevor Salsbury who made some superb and daring saves and St Austell were unlucky when David May hit the crossbar. Only in spasms, mainly in the second half, did Truro worry the St Austell defence in which Brian Morgan made a great comeback until he was replaced by Roger Olver 25 minutes from the end. St Austell took the lead in the 13th minute through Fred Yorke but they were lucky that time not to be pulled up for offside. Cornish Guardian

Quarter-Final, 2nd leg – St Austell (H) W 2-1 (Wardle 31 pen, Morris 76) Sat 20 Mar

Team – Trevor Salsbury (GK), Terry Askey, Peter Verran, Brian Adams, Alan Morris, Alan Short, Derek Hawke, Johnny Wardle, Peter Waterfield, Colin Fice, Mike Trethewey

Sadly, Truro City will have to wait another season to get among the soccer honours again. Their last chance of capturing a trophy disappeared on Saturday when they were held to a 2-1 scoreline by St Austell, who go through to the South Western League Cup semi-finals on a 3-2 aggregate. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1971-1972

1st Round – Helston (A) L 2-3 (Freeman x2) Sat 6 Nov

Helston had a shock 3-2 home win over Truro City. Cornish Guardian

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1972-1973

1st Round – Bodmin (A) L 1-3 (Davey 64) Sat 4 Nov

The first really wet, slippery conditions of the season upset several teams and notably Truro City. They were always troubled by the greasy Priory Park pitch, but Bodmin adapted their play well and deservedly won. It was a couple of uncharacteristic slips by goalkeeper Trevor Salsbury which gave Bodmin their victory margin. He had little chance in the fifth minute when Ken Grogan raced through the defence and passed for Peter Bennett to stab the ball into an open net, but five minutes later a hard drive from Dave Knapman from outside the area deceived him. The ball bounced up awkwardly on to Salsbury’s chest and rebounded for Grogan to nip in and score. Truro composed themselves and despite being unable to match Bodmin’s steadiness and intelligent distribution of the ball, they fought themselves back into the game with a well-headed goal by Stuart Davey in the 64th. But only four minutes later Salsbury failed to hold on to a low corner kick and again Bennett was on the spot to score. With 15 minutes to go Bennett was sent off, apparently for arguing with the referee but Bodmin easily held off City’s bid to pull level. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1973-1974

1st Round – Holsworthy (H) D 3-3 (Thomas, Richardson, Neal 90 + 3)

Anything lacking in the way of skill was more than compensated for by the 100 per cent effort of the players in the Truro City – Holsworthy game. Holsworthy started at a tremendous pace, with wingers Richard and Steve Endacott causing havoc and they took the lead through Richard Endacott in the 11th minute. Truro settled down and Tony Thomas robbed ‘keeper John Hare out on the by-line and hooked the ball into the net for a shock equaliser, and then Steve Richardson nodded in a corner to give them the lead. ‘Keeper Chapman gifted Richard Endacott his second goal, allowing a soft long range shot to slip through his hands, and the striker completed his hat-trick with only two minutes remaining. Then for the second time in three weeks, Truro scored in the third minute of injury time to force a replay. Dave Neal hammered in a Phil Ryder corner kick to make it 3-3. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Replay – Holsworthy (A) L 0-4 Sat 17 Nov

Truro City did not fare so well, they held Holsworthy until 20 minutes from time and then conceded four goals, two of them by their own defenders. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1974-1975

1st Round – Tavistock (A) L 0-4 Sat 19 Oct

Although they had as much of the play territorially as home club Tavistock, Truro City failed to take their chances. Their finishing was too timid and the more powerful Devon side were not unduly troubled. Tavistock were confined to a one first period goal, a fine effort by Steve Metters. In the second period they had more success, Phil Pete making a couple for Barry Wilkinson and Metters and Adrian Rowe getting their fourth. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1975-1976

Truro City could not enter the competition due to the club playing in the Cornwall Combination League due to road widening

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1976-1977

Truro City could not enter the competition due to the club playing in the Cornwall Combination League due to road widening

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1977-1978

Truro City could not enter the competition due to the club playing in the Cornwall Combination League due to road widening

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1978-1979

1st Round – Torrington (H) W 5-0 (Lee, Rowe, Salmon, Barrett, OG) Sat 7 Oct

Quarter-Final – Lois International (H) L 1-5 (Neal) Sat 24 Feb

Team – Paul Corlett (GK), Mark Symons, Dave Neal, Harold Richards, Tony Webb, Derek Salmon, Tony Roberts, Peter Hunt, Des Coad, Jimmy Barrett, Colin Leakey

Sub Used – Derek Hawke

Any ambitions Truro City entertained of progressing to the South Western League Cup semi-finals were dissipated in the first 11 minutes of the match at Treyew Road on Saturday – a brief period in which they conceded two penalties. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1979-1980

Preliminary Round – St Austell (H) L 0-1

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1980-1981

Preliminary Round – Penzance (H) L 0-2 Aug

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1981-1982

1st Round? – Plymouth Civil Service (A) L 2-7 (Stokes, J. Hawke 5) Sat 14 Nov Paul Chadwick debut

Truro flattered to deceive in this South Western League Cup match on Saturday when they went two goals up after just five minutes. For they eventually crashed to their biggest defeat of the season. City had stunned the cup holders when first Howard Stokes and then John Hawke scored. Stokes’ goal, his third in three games, came when he finished off a jinking run with a splendid shot into the far corner. Then Hawke ended a well-worked move for his eighth league and cup goal of the season. But Civil Services, second in the league, never stopped running and put the City defence under a lot of pressure. By half-time they led 3-2, with two goals from Visick and one from Morris. Too many of the Truro players were below par and their cause was not helped when they lost full-back Ray Smith with a gashed ankle. This allowed Truro’s new signing, Paul Chadwick, from St Blazey, to show some fine touches in midfield, Steve Tabb dropping back to full-back. Immediately after the interval former Truro player Mewton scored with a deflected shot and Civil Service added further goals through Visick (2), and Roberts. Midway through the half Hawke was replaced by Keith Parker. It was a miserable day for Truro, with defensive mistakes costing at least four goals. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1982-1983

1st Round – Penzance (H) L 0-1 Sat 13 Nov

Team – Barry Medlin (GK), Mike Trethewey, Steve Williams, Doug Davie, Kevin King, Dave Deacon, Steve Randall, Peter Hunt, Brian Dyer, Steve Tabb, Steve Wicks

Sub Used – Howard Stokes

Once again City were left to reflect on what might have been after this first round South Western League Cup tie on Saturday. They had enough of the play to have forced at least a replay, but went down for the third time this season to Penzance, for whom Gerald Lapthorn got the decisive goal in the 17th minute. But even his goal was surrounded by controversy – City keeper Barry Medlin claimed he was fouled as they both challenged for the ball. However, the referee gave the goal, further angering City who earlier had strong claims for a penalty for handball turned down. With a strong wind in their favour, Truro put plenty of pressure on Penzance in the first period and forced a series of corners. But they found Alan Johns, in the visitors’ goal, in excellent form and his sure handling frustrated their efforts to draw level. Howard Stokes came on for his first appearance this season for the senior side at the start of the second half in place of Brian Dyer and showed some neat touches. But for all their pressure, Truro could find no way past Johns, who pulled off one particularly fine save from Dave Deacon. On several occasions they created panic in the heart of the Penzance defence, but the ball would not run for them. Penzance also had their chances, with Medlin diving to save a Roger Reynolds shot late in the game. City enjoyed most of the play territorially, but their old failing – lack of finishing – let them down. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1983-1984

1st Round – St Blazey (A) W 2-1 (Coad 42, Smith) Sat 29 Oct George Pattison debut

Team – John Axon (GK), Mark Wearne, George Pattison, Mark Symons, Mike Leech, Kevin Woolfe, John Tyack, Alan Carey, Des Coad, Steve Tabb, Bernie Smith

Watched by Cornwall manager Graham Roach. Truro bounced back from their 7-0 disaster at St Austell last week to score a well-deserved win in this first round South Western League Cup tie on Saturday. Their performance was a vast improvement on the previous week as they outplayed last season’s beaten finalists for much of the match. Former City player John Axon became Truro’s fourth goalkeeper this season and, in defence, George Pattison of Culdrose at centre-half gave some much needed backbone to the centre of defence. Truro took the lead after 42 minutes when Des Coad lobbed the ball home after the St Blazey keeper had failed to hold a Steve Tabb shot. However, the home team did equalise when top marksman Tony Gilbert scored with a fine shot in the second-half. But City were creating plenty of chances, with Tabb making some great runs down the left, and it was from one of these that he set up Bernie Smith for a tap-in goal which was to prove City’s winner. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Truro City Football Club are eliminated from the South Western League Cup, deducted 3 points in the South Western League and fined £20 for failing to register goalkeeper John Axon

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1984-1985

1st Round – Wadebridge Town (H) L 0-2 Sat 27 Oct

Team – Keith Abbott (GK), Mark Wearne, Evans, Symons, Leech, Webb, Gary Pamflett, Woolfe, Steve Tabb, Tony Roberts, Philp

A well-drilled Wadebridge side exposed City’s limitations in this first round Bayly Bartlett South Western League Cup tie at Treyew Road on Saturday. The powerful visitors held City comfortably for much of the match and Truro could have had no complaints about the final result, their first home defeat in any competition this season. With a strong wind at their backs, Truro had more of the early play without looking particularly dangerous and it was Wadebridge, with their quick counter attacks, who looked the more likely to produce results. And so it proved when, in the 35th minute, indecisive defensive work allowed Nigel Edwards the chance to round keeper Keith Abbott before slotting the ball into the empty net. Worse was to follow when two minutes later Abbott completely misjudged a Dave Ferret corner and Robbie Black headed home from close range. Wadebridge controlled the midfield and their well-organised defence seldom looked like allowing City’s attackers any freedom. At the start of the second half Truro pressed forward in search of a goal and Wadebridge keeper Paul Hicks did well to turn away a Gary Pamflett near-post header. There were one or two other narrow escapes for the Bridgers’ goal, but after they survived this initial onslaught they again took control of the match. Indeed, as time wore on numerous chances fell to Wadebridge, and with better finishing their victory margin could have been even greater. It was a disappointing day for Truro, but the match again illustrated the need for more creativity in midfield and greater punch in attack. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1985-1986

1st Round – St Blazey (A) L 1-2 (Tabb 25) Sat 12 Oct

Team – Steve Gill (GK), Tony Burt, Mark Symons, George Pattison, Mike Leech, Mark Wearne, Phil Webster, Anderton, Gary Pamflett, Paul Perks, Steve Tabb

A disputed goal six minutes from time put Truro out of the Bayly Batlett South Western League Cup on Saturday. It was rough justice for City deserved at least a replay of this first-round tie which turned into a bruising battle. Truro had taken the lead after 25 minutes when Steve Tabb ran on to a through ball by Phil Webster and took the chance well. St Blazey had more of the ball, but it was Truro who created the better chances and it was only a defensive mix-up that allowed the home side to draw level. Confusion between skipper Mark Symons and new keeper Steve Gill gave Chris Wakeham the easiest of chances – he simply had to roll the ball into an unguarded net. The second half followed a similar pattern, with St Blazey having greater possession while Truro carved out the better opportunities without being able to take them. The match looked to be heading for a replay when the impressive Terry Pooley found Wakeham unmarked on the wing and he knocked the ball inside for Geoff Paull to head home from close range. Paull looked suspiciously offside, but the goal was allowed to stand – and Truro were out of the cup. City boss Tony Roberts commented: “I think we should have just edged the match. We created the better chances but could not capitalise on them.” West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1986-1987

1st Round – Torquay United Reserves (A) W 3-1 (Tabb 30, ??, Marks 78) Sun 12 Oct

Team – Steve Gill (GK), Tony Burt, Tony Webb, Mike Leech, Chris Webb, Dominic Evans, Dave Streat, Graham Bilkey, Dave Pook, Nigel Edwards, Steve Tabb

Subs Used – George Pattison, Gary Marks

Truro City had a 3-1 victory at Torquay United Reserves on Sunday. Torquay fielded a strong line-up, but Truro led 1-0 at the break through Steve Tabb who made it 2-0 midway through the second period. A superbly taken goal by City substitute Gary Marks further extended Truro’s lead before Mario Walsh headed a late goal for the home club. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Wadebridge (H) W 1-0 (Streat 62) Sat 24 Jan

Team – Steve Gill (GK), Tony Burt, Tony Webb, Mark Symons, Dominic Evans, Chris Webb, Graham Bilkey, Dave Streat, Mike Leech, Gary Marks, Steve Tabb

Truro City completed the semi-final line up in the Jewson South Western League Cup when they beat Wadebridge 1-0 at Treyew Road on Saturday to join Appledore, Falmouth Town and St Blazey in the last four. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – Falmouth Town (N) D 1-1 (T. Webb 20) Thu 9 Apr

Team – Steve Gill (GK), Tony Burt, Mark Symons, Tony Webb, Mike Leech, Chris Webb, Graham Bilkey, Dave Streat, Bruce Jane, Steve Tabb, Gary Marks

Sub Used – John Hawke

Truro skipper Tony Webb scored at both ends in this Jewson South Western League Cup semi-final at St Austell on Thursday to ensure the tie goes to a replay at St Blazey on April 23. Webb’s opening goal came at the right end after 20 minutes of a first half in which Truro dominated play aided by the strong wind in their favour. The goal came with a curling left-footed free-kick which beat Town keeper John Dent at the far post. City could well have been a more comfortable 2-0 up at the interval with Gary Marks heading straight at Dent and Chris Webb forcing a fine save out of the keeper from another free-kick. The second half was a completely different story as it was Town’s turn to control play as Truro found it near-impossible to launch any attacks of their own and relieve the pressure. City were under almost non-stop pressure with Gary Wignall causing plenty of problems on the right as Town made full use of the wind. They drew level after 65 minutes when Wignall’s free-kick was headed past his own keeper by Webb as he attempted to head clear. It looked bleak for Truro but they battled well against the odds, though it must be said Falmouth had the chances to have booked their place in the May 4 final against St Blazey. City though held firm as Falmouth’s normally prolific strike force had something of an off day. Truro had a big let off in the dying minutes when a terrible back pass by Bruce Jane let in the normally deadly Neil Phillips but he shot wide. After the game City player-manager Tony Roberts said “It would have been an injustice if we had lost after our performance in the first hour. We battled superbly and live to fight another day.”

A brief appearance by John Hawke in their Jewson South Western League Cup semi-final game against Falmouth Town could result in Truro being thrown out of the competition. Falmouth may be awarded the tie as it appears that Hawke had not played the required three South Western League or SWL Cup games for the club before the semi-final. Hawke plays for the club’s Combination League side normally, and only came on late in the game against Falmouth. The league are investigating the matter before announcing their decision. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser

Truro City were eliminated due to this technicality

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1987-1988

1st Round – Penzance (A) W 2-0 (Jane 3, Claypole 35) Sat 12 Sep

Team – Steve Gill (GK), Tony Burt, Dave Streat, Webb, Pat Evans, Dominic Evans, John Claypole, Bruce Jane, Phillips, Paul Perks, Mark Symons

Sub Used – Steve Tabb

Truro never really had to get into top gear to secure victory in this Jewson South Western League Cup first round match at Penlee Park on Saturday. A competent rather than inspiring performance was sufficient to overcome Penzance, who have lost all six of their league games, scoring just one goal in the process. Truro got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after three minutes. From an indirect free-kick just outside the Penzance area, Tony Burt fed Dominic Evans. His cross fell to Bruce Jane, who thumped it home for his first goal of the season. Penzance offered little in attack and it was not until the 31st minute that City keeper Steve Gill was called into serious action, pushing away a good effort from Andy Trathen. Earlier Penzance keeper Alan Goode had saved well from John Claypole and Jane, but he could do nothing about City’s second goal, in the 35th minute. It came from Claypole, whose drive took a deflection over Goode’s head and into the net. The home side nearly pulled a goal back just before the break when Gill had to tip over a fierce drive from Trathen. City took things too easily in the second period, allowing Penzance back into the game. If their finishing had been better then they could have troubled Truro. Trathen hit the post when clean through in the 56th minute and went close shortly afterwards. But Truro always had the upper hand although they rarely threatened to extend their lead in a disappointing second period. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Newton Abbot (A) D 2-2 28 Dec

Replay – Newton Abbot (H) L 0-1 Sat 26 Mar

Newton Abbot were 1-0 winners at a disappointing Truro City. The only goal of a rather scrappy game came 13 minutes from time when Sean Paver netted from close range after City had failed to clear a free-kick. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1988-1989

1st Round – Newton Abbot (H) 24 Sep

Quarter-Final – Wadebridge Town (H) L 0-1 Mon 2 Jan

Truro City were the only home team not to win their Jewson South Western League Cup quarter-final on Monday as they went down 1-0 to Wadebridge Town. Wadebridge, who beat Truro 1-0 in the league on Saturday, were under pressure for much of the second half at Treyew Road but held firm as City were unable to translate their territorial superiority into goals. City striker Dave Slade missed his side’s best chance when he shot woefully wide from Steve Massey’s astute cross. Truro were then punished when, with just five minutes remaining, Wadebridge broke away. Keeper Steve Gill failed to deal properly with a cross and Mark Menhennick was on hand to bundle the ball into the net. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1989-1990

1st Round – Falmouth Town (A) W 2-1 (Massey 41, Rapsey) 23 Sep

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Simon Fisher, Mike Tummon, Neil Stephens, Tony Webb, Vas Koromilas, Graham Bilkey, Dave Streat, Dave Slade, Mark Rapsey, Steve Massey

Quarter-Final – Launceston (A) D 2-2 (Massey, Brabyn)

Replay – Launceston (H) W 2-0 (Webster, Brabyn) 13 Jan

The Truro City-Launceston League Cup quarter-final replay was a red-bloodied affair with Launceston having three players booked and Truro one, with a couple of players extremely fortunate to escape an early bath. Truro weathered a shaky start, during which Gary Harrison missed two good chances to score and came back to lead 2-0 at the break with scrambled goals from Phil Webster and Nigel Brabyn, who has scored seven goals in his last five games. Launceston tried to come back but it was Truro who had the best second half chances, without ever being able to apply the final touch. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – St Austell (N) L 1-3 (Brabyn 19) Tue 10 Apr

Assist – T. Webb 19

Truro City’s bid to reach their first Jewson South Western League final for 23 years, ended when they were beaten 3-1 by St Austell, after extra time, in the semi-final of this season’s competition at Newquay on Tuesday. Playing with the wind in the first period Truro did most of the attacking without looking particularly dangerous as the St Austell defence coped well under pressure. However, Truro did manage to take the lead after 19 minutes when Nigel Brabyn volleyed home a corner from Tony Webb. Neither side looked very threatening in the second period and it needed a penalty for St Austell to equalise. Referee Andrew Waters ruled that Webster had handled the ball in the 72nd minute and St Austell player-manager Colin Riches easily converted the spot-kick. In the first period of extra time Truro’s Steve Massey wasted a couple of good chances to put his side ahead, but St Austell, showing greater commitment, struck in the 113th and 119th minute through John Hake to clinch their place in the final. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1990-1991

1st Round – Bugle (H) L 1-2 (C. Webb 46 pen) 23 Sep

It was a sad day for Truro City who went out of the competition thanks to a 2-1 defeat at home to Bugle who they had defeated 3-1 in the league earlier in the month. Chris Webb had given Truro the lead with a penalty in the opening minute of the second half, only for Bugle to hit back and book a place in the last eight with goals from Perry Bullock and Kevin Weaving. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1991-1992

1st Round – Newquay (A) L 0-1 Sep

League leaders Truro City were unable to carry on their early season form in the cup when they went down 1-0 at Newquay. A disappointing game was settled midway through the second half when David Ball netted after a shot by former City player Justin Ashburn had come back off the post. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1992-1993

1st Round – Devon & Cornwall Police (A) W 2-1 (Waters x2) Sat 19 Sep

Truro City won 2-1 at last season’s beaten League Cup finalists Devon and Cornwall Police. The Police went ahead with a Simon Tremain penalty in the first half before two second half strikes by Dave Waters earned City a deserved win. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Launceston (H) W 1-0 (Cooper 20) Sat 2 Jan

A controversial goal from Truro striker Shaun Cooper took his team into the semi-finals of the League Cup. It came after 20 minutes of the first half when Cooper strongly challenged Launceston keeper Steve Nute for a Dave Waters’ cross and the ball seemed to end up in the net off the hand of Cooper. Referee Mike Earley allowed the goal to stand despite fierce protests by the Launceston team. Earlier Steve Wherry had hit the underside of the bar for Truro and Nute also had to save well from Darren Robison. Launceston suffered another blow eight minutes into the second half when they had central defender David Jones sent off for allegedly swearing at a linesman. This seemed to inspire Launceston who put Truro under plenty of pressure with Bradley Swiggs just failing to convert a couple of half chances.

Semi-Final – Penzance (N) W 2-1 (Robison x2) Thu 8 Apr

Truro are still in with a chance of the league and cup “double” after beating Penzance 2-1 in the League Cup semi-final at a rain-soaked Bickland Park. Darren Robison struck twice to give Truro a 2-0 lead by early in the second half, before the Magpies hit back with a fine strike from Mark Damerell. Despite non-stop pressure in the closing stages, Penzance could not prevent Truro from reaching their first final since 1968. Their opponents in the final to be played at Porthleven on May 3, will be Falmouth Town, who are aiming for an unprecedented third successive cup triumph. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Final – Falmouth Town (N) W 4-1 (Robison 42, Wherry 56, ??, Webb 90) Mon 3 May

Team – Andy Gammon (GK), Mark Wearne, Leigh Cooper, Mark Symons, Darren Tallon, Graeme Kirkup, Mark Gammon, Steve Wherry, Darren Robison, Steve Massey, Dave Waters

Subs Used – Chris Webb, Dave Streat

Truro City completed the first part of a marvellous double when they won the Jewson South Western League Cup outright for the first time since 1960, by beating holders Falmouth Town 4-1 in an action-packed final at Porthleven. City shared the cup with St Blazey in 1967, but their only other success came 33 year ago when they again beat Falmouth in the final. It was Truro’s first major trophy since winning the league in 1970! The turning point of the game came after just 17 minutes when Town skipper and assistant manager George Torrance was sent off. Up until then Falmouth had been on top, but with his dismissal the tide began to turn in favour of Truro. Torrance received his marching orders from referee Pearce for a senseless butt on Truro player-manager Steve Massey, who had just brought down Nigel Thwaites, for which the Truro boss was subsequently booked. Torrance’s loss of control probably cost his side any chance of victory and by half-time Truro should have had the game wrapped up. They did take the lead just before the break when Darren Robison headed home a Leigh Cooper cross and Mark Gammon also blasted over from point blank range. Early in the second half Steve Wherry forced the ball home following a corner to make it 2-0, before Richard Carr gave Town a chance with a fine header from Mark Rowe’s free-kick. However, as Falmouth pushed forward Truro exposed them on the break, with Wherry heading home a Robison cross and substitute Chris Webb scoring the fourth in time added on for an injury to Massey. The Truro manger was stretchered off. However, he stayed until the final whistle to see Truro skipper Graeme Kirkup receive the trophy from league chairman Tristan Scott. After the match x-rays showed Massey had suffered severe bruising but not a broken leg as was at first feared.

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1993-1994

1st Round – Penzance (H) W 4-0 (Tallon 5, Wherry 26, 39, Sullivan 32) Sat 18 Sep Martin Sullivan debut

Team – Andy Gammon (GK), Chris Webb, Graeme Kirkup, Darren Tallon, Leigh Cooper, Martin Sullivan, Frank Bickle, Paul Smith, Mark Damerell, Steve Massey, Steve Wherry

Subs Used – Dave Ford, Damian Stevens

Truro began their defence of the Jewson South Western League Cup with a comfortable first-round success over a limited Penzance side on Saturday. The young and enthusiastic visitors were no match for a dominant Truro side in the first half, in which City established a 4-0 lead. It took them only five minutes to go ahead. A free-kick from Leigh Cooper reached tall centre-half Darren Tallon who nodded the ball over stranded keeper Simon Luke. City continued to push Penzance back, although in a rare break Tony Kenealy shot wide for Penzance from a narrow angle. More goals looked inevitable for Truro as they continually stretched the defence, which included two former Truro players – full-backs Simon Anear and Matthew Salmon. Frank Bickle was just over with a long-range drive before City grabbed the crucial second goal in the 26th minute. A good interchange of passes between player-manager Steve Massey and Steve Wherry saw Wherry score a well-taken goal to end his lean run, which had seen him go four games without a goal since scoring on the opening day of the season. Six minutes later, impressive new signing Martin Sullivan from Liskeard marked his debut with an opportunist goal when he forced home a left-wing cross from close range. Kenealy immediately missed a chance to pull a goal back – he lost control after being put clear. Wherry added his second and Truro’s fourth in the 39th minute, with a good finish to put the result beyond doubt. In the second half Truro were unable to reproduce their first-half form. The game lost its sparkle with Penzance in fact having the best chances. Kenealy was guilty of a couple of bad misses as Truro eased off. They did have chances to add to their tally, Paul Smith having a shot well saved and then heading over a free-kick. Substitute Damian Stevens should also have done better when put clear in the 80th minute, but he allowed the ball to run away from him. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – St Austell (A) W 2-1 (Damerell, Smith) Mon 3 Jan Mark Damerell sent off

Truro City’s Jewson South Western League Cup quarter-final at St Austell was played and holders Truro reached the last four with a 2-1 victory. However, their win was marred by the late sending off of their leading scorer Mark Damerell by referee Geoff Preece, after the former Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City player protested too strongly about the award of a penalty to St Austell. The penalty was given, with Truro leading 2-0, after Truro keeper Andy Gammon brought down his nephew Mark, who had come on as a substitute for St Austell. Gammon senior escaped without even a booking. Paddy Cotton made no mistake from the spot-kick to give St Austell hope after being outplayed for much of the game. Damerell, with his 21st goal of the season, had given Truro the interval lead and a superb long range effort from Paul Smith made it 2-0 early in the second period. Truro saw out the remaining few minutes comfortably and join Torpoint in the semi-finals, after the border club’s 3-1 home win over Holsworthy. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – Torpoint (A) W 3-1 (Wherry 66, Damerell 80, Stevens 89) Thu 14 Apr

Holders Truro were given a real fright by Torpoint before clinching victory in their Jewson South Western League Cup semi-final at Bodmin on Thursday. For the first hour of the game, City struggled to make any impression on the Torpoint defence, whose well-organised offside tactics continually frustrated them. Then, right at the start of the second half, Torpoint took the lead when the impressive Justin Norman chased a seemingly hopeless ball to the corner flag before beating Dave Ford and crossing to the far post, where Tony Cusack headed home. Truro could so easily have fallen further behind two minutes later, when Chris Webb did well to clear a Mike Lewis header off the line. It looked all up for Truro as they seemed incapable of creating a worthwhile chance until the 66th minute, when a long clearance by keeper Andy Gammon went over the top of the Torpoint defence and Steve Wherry calmly lobbed the ball over stranded Torpoint keeper Steve Gill. Truro then began to get on top and ten minutes from time Wherry broke into the area before crossing for Mark Damerell to sidefoot the ball home. Gammon had to bring off a good save from Norman before Truro wrapped the game up in the final minute when Damian Stevens lashed the ball into the roof of the net following a terrific scramble in the Torpoint goalmouth. Truro now meet Bodmin in the final at Newquay on May 2. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Final – Bodmin Town (N) L 0-5 Mon 2 May Chris Webb sent off

Team – Andy Gammon (GK),

Sub Used – Bobby Wignall (GK)

Truro must show massive resolve when they entertain Bodmin on Saturday in an all-important Jewson South Western League match if they are to save their season after this humiliating League Cup final defeat at Newquay on Monday. Victory over Bodmin in the league is now essential if they are to have any hope of preventing the Priory Park club from completing the League and Cup double, which Truro themselves achieved last season. However, they will have to show a huge improvement from this abject display as they were outplayed almost from start to finish by a stronger and seemingly more determined Bodmin side. Even allowing for the fact that Truro were without several key players because of injury, their performance fell way short of the required standard. Playing with the strong wind, they went behind after only four minutes when fatal hesitancy by keeper Andy Gammon in coming to collect a harmless-looking through-ball allowed Chris Hawke to push the ball past him and into the empty net. Truro came back for a while, with Steve Wherry heading just wide, before disaster struck again in the 17th minute. Bodmin broke quickly and Hawke held off Mark Wearne’s challenge before calmly making it 2-0. It was a blow from which Truro in all honesty never really looked recovering, as they continued to be second best in most departments. Any hopes they might have had of making a second half revival were ended within 50 seconds of the restart, when Wearne lost possession and the ball fell to Andy Waddell, whose poorly-hit shot crept past Gammon. Gammon immediately left the field with a back injury and was replaced by Bobby Wignall. He brought off a fine save to dive at the feet of Waddell, but a wickedly hanging Richard Daly cross in the 62nd minute saw Bodmin score their fourth goal, when Waddell headed home from almost on the goal-line. To make matters worse, Truro had Chris Webb sent off with 18 minutes to go when he foolishly allowed himself to be provoked and had a “dig” at Bodmin’s Nigel Menhennick in full view of the referee. Earlier, Bodmin manager Ricky Cardew had been banished from the dug-out after comments made to a linesman. Waddell completed the scoring with a well-taken goal three minutes from time to complete Truro’s misery. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1994-1995

1st Round – St Austell (A) D 1-1 (Cooper 45) Sat 17 Sep

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Phil Lafferty, Mark Wearne, Mark Symons, Darren Tallon, Steve Allen, Brian Jay, Steve Wherry, John Burrows, Shaun Cooper, Mark Damerell

Subs Used – None

Truro City drew 1-1 at St Austell. Gary Avery gave St Austell a 39th minute lead with Shaun Cooper heading an equaliser in first half injury time. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Replay – St Austell (H) L 5-6 (Wherry x2, Cooper x2, Stevens) Wed 21 Sep

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Phil Lafferty, Darren Redding, Mark Symons, Darren Tallon, Steve Allen, Damian Stevens, Steve Wherry, John Burrows, Shaun Cooper, Mark Damerell

Sub Used – Tristan Wood

An incredible first round Jewson South Western League Cup replay saw Truro go out of the competition at the first hurdle after reaching the last two finals. They took the lead through Steve Wherry, but trailed 3-2 at the break and former City player Andy Bowker made it 4-2, before Shaun Cooper gave Truro hope with their third goal. The visitors then went 6-3 up before goals from Cooper and Stevens gave City more push. But they could not force the tie into extra time and were made to pay for some suicidal defending. St Austell scorers were Charlie Legg (3), Bowker (2) and Charles Kylie. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1995-1996

1st Round – Okehampton Argyle (A) W 4-0 (Bleasdale 10, ??, Wherry 40, Stevens 60) Sat 23 Sep

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Chris Webb, Dave Ford, Justin Norman, Graeme Kirkup, Nigel Pugh, Ian Gosling, Steve Wherry, Damian Stevens, Adrian Bleasdale, Tristan Wood

Subs Used – Mark Damerell, Darren Redding

Assists – Gosling 10, 40

Although unable to repeat their opening day 9-0 league win, Truro eased into the quarter-finals of the Jewson South Western League Cup with this comfortable first round victory at Simmonds Park on Saturday. In a one-sided encounter, Truro dominated throughout and if it was not for the Okehampton keeper could well have reached double figures. City won almost at will against a plucky but limited Okehampton side, who look set for a very difficult season. It took Truro just ten minutes to take the lead, when midfielder Adrian Bleasdale scored with a looping far post header from Ian Gosling’s corner. Bleasdale then made it 2-0 when he poked the ball home following a goalmouth scramble. Five minutes before half-time, striker Steve Wherry found the net for the first time since scoring four at Okehampton in that first game back on August 19. He ran on to a Gosling through ball before slipping the ball under the advancing keeper. With the tie as good as won, Truro understandably eased off a little in the second period, scoring only once more on the hour when Damian Stevens found the net after the ball ran loose. Manager Leigh Cooper took the chance to bring on Mark Damerell and Darren Redding for Justin Norman and Tristan Wood as City cruised into the next round. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Launceston (A) D 1-1 (Stevens) Mon 1 Jan

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Chris Webb, Darren Redding, Tristan Wood, Dave Ford, Nigel Pugh, Ian Gosling, Steve Wherry, Damian Stevens, John Burrows, Mark Damerell

In a cracking game between two well matched teams the result was in doubt until the final whistle. Truro went ahead just before half time when Damian Stevens netted with a fierce drive following a free-kick. But Launceston came back well after the break and Mike Doel put them level from Shane Powell’s cross. Former Truro player Shaun Cooper was denied by outstanding City keeper Dennis Annear and right on time, Mark Damerell clipped the top of the bar with a rasping drive. It was the fourth meeting between the two clubs already this season, with Truro knocking Launceston out of the Cornwall Senior Cup, again after a replay. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Replay – Launceston (H) D 0-0 Sat 20 Jan

Team – Dennis Annear (GK), Chris Webb, Darren Redding, Adrian Bleasdale, Graeme Kirkup, Nigel Pugh, Dave Ford, Steve Wherry, Damian Stevens, John Burrows, Mark Damerell

Sub Used – Justin Norman

Truro’s fixture crisis deepened with the abandonment of Saturday’s Jewson South Western League Cup quarter-final replay. Referee Dave Hooper called the game off at the end of normal time, rather than play the scheduled 30 minutes of extra time. He ruled the Treyew Road pitch was not fit for the match to continue. There was little doubt the decision was the correct one. By the end of the 90 minutes, areas of the pitch had been reduced to little more than a quagmire. The tie will now be replayed at Truro, possibly on Saturday, February 17, unless Launceston agree to play under lights in a midweek game. The abandonment just adds to the club’s fixture pile-up, which is threatening to sabotage their hunt for glory in all four of the county’s major competitions. The pitch, last Saturday, was the only winner. The gruelling encounter placed a premium on stamina and strength rather than pure footballing skill. A single goal always looked likely to settle the result between two evenly-matched teams. Truro and Launceston have now met five times this season, with four of the games ending in draws. This time, it was Truro who came so close to clinching victory. Their most dangerous player, Mark Damerell, twice hit the post. Damerell could only watch in disbelief as his 61st minute snap shot hit the inside of Steve Nute’s right-hand post, only to roll tantalisingly along the goal line before being cleared. In the first half, the former Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City winger had struck the woodwork from close range after a goalmouth scramble. Launceston again cleared the ball off the line. In a game dominated by defences, chances were scarce. The pitch took its toll of the players. Truro suffered an early blow. The in-form Damian Stevens had to go off after just nine minutes with a leg injury. His place was taken by Justin Norman, who, as expected, has turned down a move to Falmouth Town. Norman made a lively contribution on the gluepot of a pitch, but it was not a day for attackers. Truro’s defence was again impressive, Graeme Kirkup made a welcome return to central defence after more than a month out with a hamstring injury. Keeper Dennis Annear handled well under pressure, but never really had to make a serious save, such was the protection of his defence. Left back Darren Redding was outstanding. However, Annear was glad to see Mike Doel blast over Launceston’s best chance of the game 17 minutes from time when he should at least have hit the target. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Second Replay – Launceston (H) L 1-2 (Damerell 85) 2 Mar

Team – Bobby Wignall (GK), Tristan Wood, Darren Redding, Justin Norman, Steve Allen, Nigel Pugh, Ian Gosling, Steve Wherry, Adrian Bleasdale, John Burrows, Mark Damerell

City saw their hopes of a league and cup double ended as they lost 2-1 at home to Launceston in a scrappy quarter-final replay. A fine Shane Powell goal gave Launceston a 1-0 half-time lead. An Adrian Bleasdale own goal made it 2-0, before Mark Damerell scored direct from a corner five minutes from time. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1996-1997

1st Round – Torpoint (A) W 1-0 (Rowe 16) Sat 21 Sep Ian Baker sent off

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Damian Stevens, Nigel Pugh, Steve Allen, Darren Redding, Mark Damerell, Mark Rowe, John Burrows, Adrian Bleasdale, Steve Wherry, Justin Norman

Truro moved into the quarter-finals of the Jewson South Western League Cup at The Mill on Saturday, but only after surviving a “bizarre” minute of refereeing decisions which ended with new ‘keeper Ian Baker being sent off. Leading 1-0 thanks to a superb 16th minute free-kick from Mark Rowe, City looked in total command when referee Colin White became the focal point of the game in the 68th minute. First, he harshly penalised Baker for time-wasting, awarding Torpoint an indirect free-kick in the area when the ‘keeper seemed to be waiting for players to move upfield before clearing the ball. Torpoint took the kick quickly and White then awarded the home side a penalty after he adjudged Charlie Legg had been brought down, when the striker seemed simply to have fallen over the ball. But Baker produced a brilliant save, diving low to his right to push away Mike Shannon’s spot kick for a corner. However, referee White was still not finished, as he then sent off Baker as the Truro ‘keeper pushed Andy Gammon. Damian Stevens took over in goal and went on to have a fine game, bringing off several important saves to deny Steve Williams and Darren Northcott. With the referee playing some 11 minutes of stoppage time, Stevens kept out the home side for more than 30 minutes to bring Truro a well-deserved victory. They could even have added to their tally, with the tireless Steve Wherry and Justin Norman both being foiled by former ‘keeper Andy Gammon. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Bodmin Town (A) D 3-3 (Wood 5, Bleasdale 14, Damerell 82) Tue 4 Feb

Assist – Damerell 5

City made an explosive start with Tristan Wood putting them ahead after just five minutes when he headed home a left wing cross from Mark Damerell. Damerell also had a part in City’s second goal nine minutes later, when his low shot was fumbled by Bodmin keeper Paul Hicks and Adrian Bleasdale followed up to score. However, in the second half Bodmin, who included three players from Tiverton and one from Taunton in their line-up, began to dominate. And it was Tiverton’s Steve Daly who pulled a goal back just on the hour following a free-kick. Chris Hawke equalised 10 minutes later and Micky Fallon then looked to have won the tie for the home club after being put through. Truro, though, refused to surrender and Damerell earned a replay with an ice-cool finish from a difficult angle eight minutes from time. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Replay – Bodmin Town (H) W 2-0 (Bleasdale 28, Burrows 51) Sat 15 Feb

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Steve Allen, Nigel Pugh, Graeme Kirkup, Darren Redding, Tristan Wood, Mark Rowe, Adrian Bleasdale, Mark Damerell, Steve Wherry, Justin Norman

Sub Used – John Burrows

Assists – Damerell 28, 51

Against a Bodmin side shorn of their Western League contingent, Truro had relatively few problems in moving into the semi-finals of the Jewson South Western League Cup with this replay win at Treyew Road on Saturday. When the two teams met at Bodmin in the first game earlier in the month the Priory Park club included three players from Tiverton and one from Taunton, and City were delighted to come away with a 3-3 draw after a classic cup tie. But on Saturday, Bodmin were unable to bring in any reinforcements and Truro’s place in the last four was rarely in doubt. They now take on Porthleven in the semi-final at Falmouth on Tuesday, April 15, with the winners qualifying for a place in the May 5 final against either Falmouth or Liskeard. On a sticky pitch Truro took the game to Bodmin from the start, with Tristan Wood hitting the outside of the woodwork with a snap shot. Steve Wherry should have put City ahead after 17 minutes when he burst clear only to see his effort blocked by the legs of Bodmin keeper Simon Bertenshaw. Bodmin were content to defend in depth and try and hit Truro on the counter-attack, but rarely threatened an impressively solid home defence. With Mark Rowe pulling the strings in midfield, it was virtually all Truro, but they needed a goal to show from their superiority and it came after 28 minutes. Rowe and Mark Damerell worked a short corner well on the right and Damerell teed up Adrian Bleasdale whose low drive gave Bertenshaw no chance. Bodmin came out full of determination at the start of the second half, only for Truro to score the crucial second goal six minutes into the second period. It was scored by substitute John Burrows, who had just come on for the injured Steve Allen. Burrows finished superbly after Damerell’s astute pass gave him the chance to clip the ball past Bertenshaw. It was just the cushion Truro needed as they were happy to sit on their lead, with Bodmin lacking the ability to put on any sustained pressure. Burrows was denied a second goal by Bertenshaw’s miraculous point-blank save after 75 minutes, while Truro keeper Ian Baker did well to deny Chris Hawke and Wood had to clear a Kevin Greenwood header off the line as Bodmin mounted a late rally. However, there was little doubt that Truro were worthy winners playing the better football throughout with an excellent all-round team performance. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – Porthleven (A) W 3-1 (Norman 21, Damerell 31, Bleasdale 65) Tue 15 Apr

Truro City bounced back from their disastrous home league defeat by Bodmin on Saturday, to reach the final of the Jewson South Western League Cup with a deserved 3-1 semi-final win over Porthleven at Falmouth Town on Tuesday evening. For the Fishermen it was another crushing blow in a centenary season which had promised so much and may end in despair. Porthleven started well enough without really threatening before City took the lead with their first meaningful attack after 21 minutes. Skipper John Burrows flicked a long ball on to Justin Norman and he shot crisply across Dave Philp into the far corner. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Norman crossed from the right for Mark Damerell to beat the helpless Philp with a first time right-footed shot. It got worse for Porthleven 20 minutes after the break when Philp made a hash of clearing Mark Hope’s back pass and Adrian Bleasdale slipped the ball into the empty goal. Although Bradley Swiggs pulled a goal back for Porthleven seven minutes from time it came too late to really matter, as City booked their place in the May 5 final at Newquay against Falmouth Town. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Final – Falmouth Town (N) L 2-3 (Burrows 47, 85) Mon 5 May

A goal five minutes from the end of extra time by Falmouth skipper Andrew Street clinched a thrilling, if disjointed Jewson South Western League Cup final at a windy Newquay on Monday. With the game looking to be heading for a replay, Truro failed to clear an Andy Wright cross and the ball fell kindly to the unmarked Street, whose first time volley gave stand-in Truro keeper Bobby Wignall no chance. There was to be no way back for Truro, who had done tremendously well to take the game into extra time after a disastrous start which saw them go 2-0 down after just four minutes. It took Town just three minutes to go ahead, when City defender Tristan Wood headed Wright’s testing cross into his own net past a bemused Wignall, who was playing instead of the injured Ian Baker. A minute later, Truro lost possession and Justin Ashburn pounced to fire an unstoppable rising 25-yard drive into the top corner. With the wind at their backs Truro tried to come back, but their finishing was poor, and Town could have added to their lead with City twice having to clear the ball off the line following corners. However, it took Truro just two minutes of the second half to get back into the game, when Falmouth failed to clear the ball and skipper John Burrows flashed this shot past Town keeper Steve Taylor. This spurred Truro on and they came desperately close to an equaliser when Burrows’ 81st minute header hit the post and Steve Wherry completely missed the rebound. But with just five minutes left of normal time a bizarre goal brought Truro level. Justin Norman’s sliced shot seemed to be drifting out of play, but was brought back by the wind and when Taylor was unable to control the ball under challenge by Burrows, the Truro striker forced the ball over the line. All Town’s appeals that the ball had gone out of play came to nothing and the match went into extra time. Falmouth looked the more dangerous in extra time with Cansfield delaying too long after racing clear when City defender Steve Allen misjudged a long ball which bounced over his head. With both teams tiring, a winner looked unlikely until Street’s last-gasp goal condemned City to yet more disappointment as they had to settle for runners-up in both the league and cup to their arch-rivals. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1997-1998

1st Round – Newquay (H) W 3-1 (Bleasdale 10, Burrows 42, 48) Sat 20 Sep

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Rob Troon, Graeme Kirkup, Nigel Pugh, Mark Gammon, Nigel Thwaites, Chris Tomlinson, Adrian Bleasdale, Darren Redding, John Burrows, Damian Stevens

Subs Used – Justin Andrew, Steve Wherry

Assists – Thwaites 42, 48

Truro were never in any real danger of not winning this first round Jewson South Western League Cup tie at a windswept Treyew Road on Saturday. But Newquay, who came into the game without a point from any of their six league games, put up a good fight and did become the first club to score against City this season. Truro had gone 415 minutes without conceding a goal until 10 minutes into the second period. City were leading 3-0 when a wind-assisted long ball caused confusion in the home defence, with keeper Ian Baker rushing off his line, giving Newquay striker Martin Lentern the chance to head over him into the net. But Lentern was injured scoring the goal and had to be substituted. In the first half it had been one way traffic as City penned Newquay back into their own half for virtually the entire 45 minutes. Truro could easily have had more than their two first half goals. The first came after 10 minutes when the ball fell to Adrian Bleasdale just outside the area and his shot gave young Newquay keeper Bill Holland no chance as it flew into the top corner. Only a superb goal line clearance by Dominic Evans denied John Burrows a goal and Darren Redding headed wide from Damian Stevens’ cross. Evans again denied Stevens a goal with a clearance off the line and Holland saved well with his legs from Chris Tomlinson’s shot. It was not until three minutes before the break that Truro managed to increase their lead when Thwaites crossed from the right to give Burrows a simple goal. The same combination provided Truro’s third goal three minutes into the second half, with Burrows scoring. They were unable to add to the tally with Evans for the third time clearing a shot off the line. Newquay battled well enough, but Baker did not have to make a meaningful save as City ran out comfortable winners. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Quarter-Final – Penzance (A) D 2-2 (Troon 20, Baker 60) 1 Jan

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Rob Troon, Nigel Pugh, Darren Tallon, Damian Stevens, Nigel Thwaites, Chris Tomlinson, Adrian Bleasdale, Darren Redding, John Burrows, Steve Wherry

Sub Used – Justin Andrew

Both clubs lived to fight another day as they produced an entertaining game, despite the horrendous weather which lashed this New Year’s Day Jewson South Western League Cup quarter-final meeting at Penlee Park. It was amazing that the game was played at all, and both teams and referee Peter Foxwell deserve plenty of credit for ensuring the match was completed. Certainly, City boss Leigh Cooper was full of praise for the referee. “I thought the ref handled the conditions very well. The rain and wind was horrendous and, bearing in mind the conditions, a draw was probably a fair result,” he said. Truro who were against the wind in the first half, suffered an early blow when they lost midfielder Chris Tomlinson in the opening minute with a thigh injury which is likely to keep him out for two to three weeks. His place was taken by Justin Andrew, with John Burrows moving back to the midfield, where he went on to have an outstanding game. Penzance nearly went ahead when Chris Mather hit the post after 15 minutes, but five minutes later it was Truro who took the lead, when defender Robert Troon scored from close range following a corner. Penzance came back with an equaliser five minutes before half time, when a wind-assisted 30-yard shot from Ryan Bushby was well saved by City keeper Ian Baker, only for the ball to fall to Mather, who followed up to score. There was no further first half scoring as Truro turned in a terrific display against the elements, and then went ahead on the hour with a “freak” goal from keeper Ian Baker. His long clearance flew on the wind and bounced just outside the Penzance area where it took off into the top corner of the net past opposite number Paul Williams, who was standing in for the ill Dennis Annear. Truro were by now dominating, and should really have gone on to win the game, with Darren Tallon having a header cleared off the line and Williams saving well from Steve Wherry and Burrows. But with five minutes left, Penzance, from their only real chance of the half, earned a replay. James Bent slipped veteran striker Gerry Westlake through and he finished well past Baker to earn Penzance another chance in the replay, which will be played at Treyew Road on Saturday, January 31. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Replay – Penzance (H) W 4-1 (Kirkup 23, Thwaites x2, Burrows 56) Sat 31 Jan

Team (3-5-2) – Ian Baker (GK), Rob Troon, Nigel Pugh, Darren Tallon, Darren Redding, Damian Stevens, Nigel Thwaites, Adrian Bleasdale, Graeme Kirkup, John Burrows, Justin Andrew

Sub Used – Steve Rowson

Truro City snuffed out any chance of a Jewson South Western League Cup quarter-final upset with three first-half goals in a pulsating replay at Treyew Road. The hosts dug out a 2-2 draw in atrocious conditions at Penlee Pak on New Year’s Day, and maintained their treble bid with an excellent performance in near perfect conditions on Saturday. The game started with gusto. The visitors, who have a good record against City, were quick to the tackle and young striker James Bent was a potent threat in the opening exchanges. It was he who instigated the first goalmouth incident after 11 minutes. He spun Robert Troon on the halfway line and dashed 40 yards at a backpedalling defence. But his attempt to thread the ball through was cleared by the sliding boot of Darren Redding for a corner, which came to nothing. The visitors deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes when Bent produced a delicious 20-yard lob volley over the head of the advancing Ian Baker. But Penzance’s superiority began to diminish as Graeme Kirkup, playing in an unaccustomed midfield role, took a firm left-footed grip on the game. Bent had hardly finished celebrating when City hit back. Justin Andrew crossed from the right, the ball eluded the first defender and bounced off Kirkup’s knee into the corner. It proved to be his least convincing touch of the game, as he continued to produce a delightful range of passes and a clutch of crunching tackles that City substitute Chris Tomlinson would have appreciated. The second goal brought controversy. Redding’s corner fell to Adrian Bleasdale who switched the ball back to Redding for a second attempt. He beat his man and curled a dangerous ball to the back post, where it was headed back across goal by a Penzance defender. Nigel Thwaites headed the ball back in, and despite Lee Bushby’s attempted goal line clearance, referee Peter Foxwell was perfectly positioned to award the goal. City took charge five minutes later when admirable industry from Kirkup set up Thwaites for his second. Redding’s corner missed everyone but Kirkup sprinted to retrieve the ball before it crossed the touchline. He swung in another cross, Andrew flicked on and Thwaites rasped it home from six yards at the back post. Penzance’s challenge fizzled out in the second period, and a John Burrows header from Damian Stevens’ pinpoint cross killed off any hopes of a fightback in the 56th minute. Truro were content to play possession football and the thrust of the game was lost, as Penzance rarely threatened. The introduction of striker Mark Rapsey resulted in more play into City territory, but the visitors were well beaten. Cup-tied goal machine Andy Waddell watched and enjoyed his team’s progress into the semi-finals – but perhaps not too much! West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Semi-Final – Wadebridge (N) W 3-2 (Andrew 7, 65, Troon 44) Tue 31 Mar

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Graeme Kirkup, Darren Tallon, Nigel Pugh, Damian Stevens, Rob Troon, John Burrows, Darren Redding, Steve Rowson, Steve Wherry, Justin Andrew

Subs Used – Matt Moore

Depleted Truro reached their second final of the season as they survived an anxious last 10 minutes to beat Wadebridge in an entertaining Jewson South Western League Cup semi-final at Newquay’s Mount Wise on Tuesday. It was an especially creditable performance by City, who were without a number of first choice players for various reasons. Chris Tomlinson (suspended), Adrian Bleasdale (work), Nigel Thwaites (work) were all unavailable, while Andy Waddell, Jeff Babb and Danny McTighe were all cup-tied. Into the starting line-up came Rusty Rowson and Justin Andrew and both had influential games, with Andrew scoring two cracking goals. His first came after just seven minutes when he cut in from the left and fired in a right-foot shot which hit the inside of the far post before finding the net. With the wind at their backs Truro continued to control play with Rowson having an excellent first half playing behind the front two of Andrew and Steve Wherry. City though were grateful to keeper Ian Baker two minutes later when he bravely dived at the feet of Nick Olsen with Martin Cook putting the follow-up effort over the bar. It was Truro’s only real scare of the first half and right on the interval they increased their lead when Robert Troon rose superbly at the far post to meet Darren Redding’s left wing corner and power an unstoppable header past the helpless Gears. It looked like the killer blow, but Wadebridge had other ideas and 11 minutes into the second period pulled a goal back. Steve Green’s long throw from the left was flicked on by Kevin Nancarrow for Gareth Plumb to slide the ball home at the far post. Truro though came back well and restored their two goal advantage after 65 minutes when Andrew’s superbly-struck first time low drive from the angle of the area gave Gears no chance. But with 10 minutes left City defender Nigel Pugh was penalised for handball in the area as he tried to control the ball and received a booking from referee Brian Long. Former City player Stuart Casey converted the spot kick to set up a frantic finale with Truro just managing to hold out as Wadebridge forced a series of late corners. After the game City boss Leigh Cooper was delighted with his team’s performance. “The lads who came in did really well. It was a victory for the club.” West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

Truro City played in black & white

Final – Bodmin Town (N) L 1-2 (Wherry 90 + 3) Mon 4 May

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Rob Troon, Graeme Kirkup, Nigel Pugh, Damian Stevens, Chris Tomlinson, Adrian Bleasdale, Mark Gammon, Darren Redding, Nigel Thwaites, John Burrows

Subs Used – Steve Wherry, Dominic Pullen, Justin Andrew

Truro’s two league defeats against Bodmin this season have probably cost them the Jewson South Western League title, and on Monday at St Blazey the Priory Park club made it an unhappy treble for City by beating them in the final of the League Cup. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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1998-1999

1st Round – St Blazey (A) L 1-2 (Babb 15) Sat 26 Sep

Team – Ian Baker (GK), Damian Stevens, Rob Troon, Darren Redding, Graeme Kirkup, Steve Allen, Adrian Bleasdale, John Burrows, Justin Norman, Jeff Babb, Steve Wherry

Subs Used – Danny McTighe, Lee Harvey, Mark Damerell

In-form striker Glynn Hooper took just four minutes to head St Blazey ahead against last season’s losing finalists Truro City in Saturday’s Jewson South Western League Cup first round clash at Blaise Park. Hooper was well placed to head home a pin-point centre from Graeme MacMillan. But the home side’s joy was shortlived as the visitors hit back eight minutes later. Good work from Justin Norman found striker Jeff Babb, who in turn wrong footed Saints defenders before drilling the ball past Dave Philp from the edge of the box. However the lively Hooper continued to be a thorn in City’s side. On numerous occasions he threatened the visitors’ goal – his best effort when he hit the bar following a cross from right-back Sean Sullivan. Trevor Mewton’s side however booked their place in the next round when a Mark Rowe corner was headed home from close range by midfielder Matt Salmon.

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1999-2000

1st Round – Millbrook (A) L 2-5 (Stevens, Wherry) Sat 25 Sep

Team – Danny Carveth (GK), Phil Lafferty, Rob Troon, Justin Miles, Steve Allen, Anthony Wood, Chris Webb, Damian Stevens, Steve Bayley, Justin Andrew, Steve Wherry

Truro City boss Chris Webb has vowed to step up his search for new players after this heavy Jewson South Western League Cup first round defeat at Mill Park on Saturday. Webb, who is in his first season in charge of the club’s first team, believes the time has come to look to bolster his youthful squad. “We need some more experience and it is time some of the players pulled their socks up or I shall have to look elsewhere”, he said. He added that the players should have adjusted by now to the demands of playing at a higher level. But there were few signs of that against Millbrook as some poor defending cost City any chances of a good result. And to make matters worse it was former Truro striker Justin Norman who did most of the damage with a hat-trick as he clinically punished City’s errors. After a bright start, Truro found themselves 2-0 down after just 20 minutes when Norman profited from flick ons by another former City player Lee Harvey to beat Danny Carveth in the visitors’ goal. To their credit though, Truro refused to crumble and Anthony Wood put skipper Damian Stevens through and he found the net to give City hope. Five minutes later Truro were back on level terms when Wood this time sent Steve Wherry clear and he lobbed the ball home to make it 2-2. But City’s joy was short lived as just before the interval, naïve defending allowed Wayne Hillson a free header from a corner to put Millbrook 3-2 up at half time. After the interval Truro enjoyed their best spell of the game as they created a string of chances, but failed to take any of them with Stevens, Webb, Wherry and Matt Moore all guilty. They were to prove costly misses as Norman completed his hat-trick after City had lost the ball in midfield and then 10 minutes from time Wayne Tregenza put the result beyond doubt with Millbrook’s fifth goal after being put clear by Chris Todd. West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

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2000-2001

Preliminary Round – Holsworthy (A) W 4-3 (Wherry x3, Bayley) 6 Sep

1st Round – Torpoint Athletic (A) D 3-3 (Young, Troon, Stevens) 30 Sep

Replay – Torpoint Athletic (H) L 3-4 (Stevens, Young, Webb) 11 Nov

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2001-2002

1st Round – Penryn Athletic (H) L 3-4 (Cilia 11, Trethewey 37, C. Wolstencroft 70 pen) Chris Webb sent off

An extra time winner from Mark Rapsey steered Penryn Athletic into the quarter-finals of the Carlsberg SWL Cup at Treyew Road on Saturday. City looked to be well on their way to victory when they led 2-0 in the first half, but two goals in three minutes right on half-time turned the game on its head as Athletic eventually hit back to snatch the spoils. City opened the scoring after 11 minutes when a free kick from Chris Webb was helped on by Chris Davey and with Athletic finding it difficult to deal with the ball it fell for Dave Cilia to crack his shot past Andy Avery into the corner of the net. Athletic hit back with a good one-two between Steve Wherry and Steve Jewell, but Jewell knocked his shot wide of the upright and Lee Oldfield outflanked the City defence for former City assistant manager Steve Wherry to send his shot goalwards which Peter Davey, somehow, managed to clear off the line. Athletic fell further behind in the 37th minute when Avery came out to collect a cross, but failed to make it and left Mark Trethewey with the simple task of rolling the ball past Avery into the unguarded goal. Just when it looked like City would go into the break with a two goal lead Athletic hit back with a goal in the 43rd minute when Martin Day and Wherry opened up the City defence with a one-two for Wherry to draw a defender and roll the ball across the face of the goal for Rapsey to stab it in at the far post. Athletic weren’t finished and right on the half-time whistle, with the ball running out over the touchline, Mike Cain needlessly pushed Tim Hooper into the hoardings and from Mark Ford’s free kick towards the back of the goal Wherry tried to hook the ball down and somehow managed to loop it up under the bar and into the roof of the net. Despite the setbacks City began the second half quite brightly and looked the better side as they attempted to regain the initiative. Athletic weathered the pressure and missed a gilt edged chance of taking the lead when Rapsey broke clear and fed Martin Day who slipped a pass into the path of Wherry who failed to make contact with the ball. Athletic took the lead for the first time in the 55th minute when Ford’s nicely weighted free kick found Wherry whose header ballooned up into the air and dropped down into the goal underneath the bar. With 20 minutes to go City were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after new signing Martin Gale from St Austell was penalised for a handling offence, Chris Wolstencroft made no mistake with the spotkick as he easily beat Avery. Athletic’s Yusuf Akkulak came on for the final 15 minutes and made an impressive contribution as the sides tried to avoid another 30 minutes of extra time. It was Akkulak who was involved in helping to set up the winner two minutes into the second period of extra time when he made a timely tackle to win possession as City tried to break out and slipped a pass to Rapsey who turned and hit his shot out of the reach of Ayres and inside the far post. In the final minutes City’s misery was made complete when player/manager Chris Webb was sent off for remarks made to an assistant referee. Somerset County Gazette

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2002-2003

Preliminary Round – Penzance (H) D 1-1

Match abandoned after 115 minutes as referee was injured

Rematch – Penzance (H) L 1-3 (Rapsey)

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2003-2004

1st Round – Wadebridge (A) L 2-4 (Salmon 55, Rowson) Oct

Team – Andy Butcher (GK), Greg Butcher, Dean Harris, Chris Davey, Matt Salmon, Chris Wolstencroft, S. Hawke, Ben Goldring, Luke Wort, Liam Heenan, Steve Rowson

Truro City’s Carlsberg SWL first round cup tie left a bitter taste in the mouth for managers Robbie Stephens and Les Gilbert after their side went down 4-2 in controversial fashion at Bodeive Park. Speaking at the weekend Stephens was extremely vocal in his condemnation of the penalty decision that changed the whole course of the tie with just five minutes of the match remaining. “We were almost there,” said Stephens. “The side had worked it’s socks off to get a result and it’s a result we should have had but was taken away from us by what I can only describe as a terrible decision. Dean Harris was penalised for bringing down John May in the box, but the only person who thought it was a penalty was the referee. I saw and heard him speak to the assistant referee who told him there was no contact and that it was not a penalty and that prior to the incident the player in question was also in an offside position. But he was adamant he was going to award the penalty and that effectively gave Wadebridge the game. After they scored our side was so deflated, there was only going to be one winner. Our boys had gone so close and then had it snatched away from them by a penalty that never was. I was gutted – sick – that we left that ground with nothing. They can report me, do what they like, but as far as I am concerned we were robbed of a result.” The first half of the game had little to commend it with neither side managing to get the better of the windy conditions. It was City who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when a powerful shot by Steve Rowson was parried by Mark Gears only for Matt Salmon to react smartly and knock in the loose ball. Wadebridge squared the tie at 1-1 when Danny O’Hagan headed in May’s corner, but within a minute City looked to be heading into the second round when they snapped up a second goal with Luke Wort having a shot parried by Gears only for Rowson to tap the loose ball into the net. It was then that the controversial penalty incident came with James Cudmore rapping in the spot kick to send the tie into extra time, but with the equaliser coming when it did – and in such controversial circumstance – there was only going to be one winner. O’Hagan headed Wadebridge into the lead from May’s cross and they wrapped up victory with O’Hagan completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Somerset County Gazette

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2004-2005

1st Round – Bodmin Town (H) W 3-1 Oct

Team – Bobby Wignall (GK), Mike Cain, Dean Harris, Greg Butcher, Kayne Trevaskis,

Just hours before kick-off the Truro City management team must have thought their Carlsberg SWL Cup run was over before it had even begun when their team preparations were totally disrupted. Going into the tie on the back of three poor results was not the ideal scenario in the first place, but missing three players was a real hammer blow. The first casualty was goalkeeper Andy Butcher who went down with flu and had to be replaced by club chairman Bobby Wignall, but it was then learnt that Richard Young and Luke Wort were both carrying injuries that wouldn’t enable them to play for any meaningful length of time and were therefore consigned to the substitutes’ bench. The late changes meant that second team youngster Kayne Trevaskis was called up for his first full start for the club’s Carlsberg SWL side. “I must admit I wasn’t feeling too confident at that stage of the day,” said joint manager Les Gilbert. “Bodmin are a very strong outfit and everything appeared to be going against us in the build-up to the game, but then we go and turn in one of our best performances of the season. It was a remarkable display and I thought we fully deserved our victory. I felt the big difference was that we played as a team whereas Bodmin, full of very good individual players, played as individuals and not a team. At the back our three of Mike Cain, Dean Harris and Greg Butcher were superb with the midfield working hard and being very combative all over the park. To be honest, this result shows just how frustrating this job can be because after losing three games against teams I think we should have beaten, we then go and produce a result like this.” Somerset County Gazette

Quarter-Final – Tavistock (A) W 2-1 (Rowson 55, C. Davey 85) Jan

Team – James Moody (GK), Robin Teagle, Chris Davey, Matt Salmon, Steve Rowson

Semi-Final – Liskeard Athletic (N) L 1-2 15 Mar

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2005-2006

1st Round – Bodmin Town (H) L 1-2 (Ash 5)

Team – Paul Hider (GK), Jake Ash, Fergus Nevin, Ross Pope, Mike Cain, Lee Beer, Darren Burchell, Reinier Moor, Mike Roberts, Andy Bowker, Jonny Ludlam

Subs Used – Chris Davey, Carlton Farnham, Rob Francis

Just as in the Durning Lawrence Cornwall Charity Cup tie a couple of weeks ago, Bodmin Town came from behind to defeat Truro City in a tense Carlsberg SWL Cup first round tie at Treyew Road on Saturday. City took an early lead, but were unable to build on it in what proved to be a fractious game, especially in the first half. The only reason that it became fractious was down exclusively to the players with referee Jim McCaffery doing his level best to keep all 22 players on the pitch. In time honoured tradition it was the usual scenario of untidy fouls sparking off the usual posse of players shoving and pushing and getting involved in situations that they had no business involving themselves. The referee may not have pleased either City or Town management camps, in fact, it would have been even more remarkable if he had. No-one will ever agree with all the decisions, but to the neutral he handled it well under considerable and needless pressure. You often hear the moan from all and sundry that “it’s a man’s game”, but as soon as it becomes physical and competitive the attitude of the “men” on the pitch changes dramatically. Granted, there were one or two challenges that certainly required a stern rebuke from the official, but do they want a man’s game or a game that has no contact? Well, there’s always knitting! It had all started so brightly for City who included Dutch striker Reinier Moore, a new signing from Tiverton Town, with a goal after just five minutes. Darren Burchell cracked in a low, driven diagonal free kick and Jake Ash ghosted in to sidefoot the ball into the net to stun visitors Bodmin. A minute later City could have established a real stranglehold on the game with a free kick from Burchell, but Mike Cain headed over the bar from close range. The opening stages were played at a frantic pace and Bodmin looked certain to equalise in the eighth minute when City were at sixes and sevens, but somehow Ryan Fice managed to hit the post from six yards with the goal beckoning. Five minutes later Town were back on level terms when Town were awarded a free kick and Fice drilled a superb 25-yard shot into the net to give Paul Hider no chance. There then followed three minutes of unpleasantness with Ryan Fice involved on both occasions. He was a victim of a heavy tackle from Darren Burchell that left him in a heap and that was followed by Fice mowing down Jake Ash a couple of moments later which earned him a booking. Each incident attracted a gathering of players eager to join each other in discussing the relative merits of the incident. Andy Bowker had a half chance, but saw his shot deflected into the side netting and Town’s Gilbert had a great chance from just six yards but couldn’t quite stretch to get the ball. Eight minutes before half-time Ryan Honey got himself booked and minutes later he almost put Town ahead from a quickly-taken free kick. It caught out City, but Lee Beer rescued his side with a goal-line clearance. Four minutes before half-time Jonny Ludlam mistimed a challenge on Fice and following the now-customary exchange of views of either side, Ludlam was cautioned. The second half, by comparison, never quite matched the first in terms of incident and passion, but with the decisions less questionable it merely left the players to resort to the sort of language that many had been led to believe was now outlawed. But then, the odd swear word you can accept if the players actually behave in an acceptable manner. Gilbert almost put Town ahead in the opening minutes when his shot through a crowd of players brought a superb save from Hider, but then it was the turn of the Town incumbent, Jason Chapman, who pulled off a fantastic one-handed save from Darren Burchell’s cracking drive from outside the box. Town were left exposed in the 63rd minute when Ash dummied Burchell’s free kick, but Roberts’ close range shot was deflected into the side netting. With neither side impressive in front of goal, the all-important winner came with 14 minutes to go when Gilbert was put away along the flank and crossed to the far post where Huw Morgan managed to force the ball into the net despite an effort by Fergus Nevin to keep it out. It was a fine move and worthy of winning a match, which for the first hour looked to be Truro’s, but who couldn’t turn possession into chances or goals. Somerset County Gazette

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Most South Western League Cup Goals

24 – Neil Imrie *

15 – Keith Hawkey

14 – Steve Wherry

9 – Colin Chegwyn

8 – Colin Slade

8 – Basil Steer

8 – Damian Stevens

8 – Des Webber

7 – Dave Davies

7 – Johnny Wardle

7 – OWN GOALS

6 – Adrian Bleasdale

6 – John Burrows

6 – Vince Dillon

4 – Shaun Cooper

4 – Mark Damerell

4 – Johnny Kendall

3 – Nigel Brabyn

3 – Colin Fice

3 – Geoff Peach

3 – Darren Robison

3 – Steve Tabb

3 – Rob Troon

3 – Chris Webb

2 – Justin Andrew

2 – Len Ellery

2 – Steve Massey

2 – Mark Rapsey

2 – Steve Rowson *

2 – Nigel Thwaites

2 – Dave Waters

2 – Rich Young

1 – Michael Allen

1 – Jake Ash

1 – Jeff Babb

1 – Ian Baker (GK)

1 – Steve Bayley

1 – Des Coad

1 – Chris Davey *

1 – Graeme Kirkup

1 – Justin Norman

1 – Mark Rowe

1 – Matt Salmon

1 – Ben Slater

1 – Martin Sullivan

1 – Darren Tallon

1 – Mark Trethewey

1 – Wannell

1 – Chris Wolstencroft

1 – Tristan Wood

* Denotes there’s possibly more goals to add

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Appearances & Goals

Jake Ash – 1 app (1 start – 0 subs) – 1 goal

Lee Harvey – 1 app (0 starts – 1 sub) – 0 goals

Reinier Moor – 1 app (1 start – 0 subs) – 0 goals

Ben Slater – 3 apps (3 starts – 0 subs) – 1 goal

Nigel Thwaites – 4 apps (4 starts – 0 subs) – 2 goals

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