⚪️ Chelmsford loss ‘does not define our season’ — Truro chief Wotton
Plus, ‘No complaints’ about Cribbs draw, says Mousehole boss Ash, Falmouth’s fantastic FA Vase run comes to an end, and Helston return to action to resume title charge
⬇️ In today’s newsletter ⬇️
⚪️ Chelmsford loss ‘does not define our season’ — City chief Wotton
🟢 ‘No complaints’ about Cribbs draw, says Mousehole boss Ash
🟡 Falmouth’s fantastic FA Vase run comes to an end
🔵 Helston return to action to resume title charge
Enjoy. 〓〓
⚪️ Chelmsford loss ‘does not define our season’ — City chief Wotton
By Gareth Davies at Meadow Park
Boss Paul Wotton says Truro City’s 4-1 loss against Chelmsford will not define his side’s season.
After a morale boosting 2-0 win over Taunton Town in their previous encounter, it was back down to earth with a bump for City against the Clarets, who cut Yeovil Town’s lead at the top to nine points.
George Alexander converted two penalties — one in each half — for Chelmsford, with the visiting side’s tally completed by goals from Cameron James and Ody Alfa.
After falling behind after just six minutes, Tyler Harvey equalised for City in fortunate circumstances but Chelmsford hit back to lead 3-1 at the break, before adding a fourth goal in the second stanza.
“I thought Chelmsford were a better team than us, although this result won’t define our season,” Wotton told trurocity.co.uk. “(Chelmsford) are fast, sharp and they are second in the table for a reason. We are where we are in the table for a reason too.
“We had the worst possible start, conceding a penalty that wasn’t a penalty in my opinion. We have conceded five penalties in our last four games and only one of them was a penalty, but we reacted really well.
“We pressed well to get our goal, albeit with an element of luck to it. But then in the first half, James Hamon has made some top drawer saves because we were ill-disciplined, playing too wide, playing as individuals and that just isn’t us.
“We conceded the second and third goals, looking lacklustre and heavy legged — I didn’t like us at all.
“We changed things at half time and it is OK to say we moved the ball better, but the game is over. Chelmsford were a threat every time they went forward, but we stuck in and tried our best.
He added: “Sometimes, you have to hold your hand up and say ‘we were beaten by the better team’. Chelmsford are a better team than us but as I said, this result does not define our season because we have a different objective to Chelmsford.
“We need to draw a line under (this game), recover and get ready for a game on Tuesday night against Weymouth.”
🟢 ‘No complaints’ about Cribbs draw, says Mousehole boss Ash
By Pablo Woolls-Blanco at Trungle Parc
Mousehole manager Jake Ash had ‘no complaints with the result’ after his side were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Cribbs.
The Seagulls ended a run of five games against the league’s top four with a draw against third-placed Cribbs through a stoppage-time equaliser from Tim Nixon.
Mousehole started in dominant fashion, and opened the scoring in the seventh minute, when Mark Golsdworthy pounced onto a sloppy back-pass from Jacob Spence before rounding Boyd Mcintosh in the Cribbs goal and slotting into an empty net.
But the home side’s dominance slowly faded, with Cribbs finding an equaliser in the 36th minute through Ryan Crouch, who headed in from a corner.
Ash’s side struggled to regain their early momentum in the second half, and were made to pay when Jacob Brown pounced onto a long ball before coolly slotting into the near corner, with 67 minutes on the clock.
Mousehole were then reduced to ten men when Josh Storey was given his marching orders, but two minutes into stoppage time, substitute Tim Nixon was on hand to fire home an emphatic equaliser for the side from west Cornwall.
“No complaints with the result in the end.” Ash said. “I didn’t feel like we ever really got going today. I thought we started okay — not bad, but then I thought we were pretty passive in lots of our play and allowed Cribbs into the game.
“[It was] brilliant from Nicko [Nixon] at the end — truth be told, I don’t really think we looked like scoring so it was a bit of a get out of jail, but I think it was the right score. I think both teams will feel like they could have done more in different circumstances.
“The boys have done well to get the point, but on reflection, I think we could have been better in lots of aspects of our play. With ten men, I suppose you have to put that into context, the boys have done well to find a way to get a goal. We’ll dust ourselves down and go again.”
🟡 Falmouth’s fantastic FA Vase run comes to an end
By Matt Friday
Falmouth Town’s stellar run in the FA Vase was finally halted at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday.
Knowing that victory against the Essex Senior League outfit would equal St Austell’s memorable run to the semi-finals in 2015 and take them to within one round of the Wembley showpiece, it proved to be one round too far for Andrew Westgarth’s side.
After a balanced but goalless opening 45 minutes in Essex, it was the home side who took control just after the hour when Harry Talbot steered the ball past Town custodian Morgan Coxhead.
Town did their best to respond but the fatal blow to their hopes of reaching a maiden semi-final was dealt when Max Gnandi was brought down in the box, with Talbot sending Coxhead the wrong way from the spot to clinch progression for Rovers.
Although there will be disappointment at Bickland Park that a massive opportunity to emulate St Austell’s run — or even that of 2007/08 winners Truro City — has passed them by, there is still plenty to look forward to for Westgarth and co.
Town will be big favourites to triumph in the Cornwall Senior Cup with Step 6 sides Newquay, St Austell and Liskeard Athletic left in the competition, with the Bickland outfit also in a very good position to claim at least a play-off place in the Western League, with a tilt at the title still a distinct possibility.
And with that first-ever promotion to the Southern League still on the cards, it may be true that one opportunity to create history may have gone, but there is every chance that Town will be making some more between now and the end of this season.
🔵 Helston return to action to resume title charge
By Matt Friday
After a rain-enforced 35-day spell on the sidelines, Helston Athletic finally returned to the pitch on Saturday to continue their march towards the Western League title.
Matt Cusack’s side returned to action one point clear at the top of the table, and that is where the Blues remain after running out 3-0 winners at Street.
Jordan Copp gave Helston a slender advantage at the break at The Tannery, with Tom Payne putting the visitors firmly in control shortly after the turnaround before Copp capped off Helston’s 19th win in 24 league games with his tenth of the campaign late on.
A 3-0 victory for second-placed Clevedon Town at home to play-off hopefuls Barnstaple Town keeps the Seasiders one point off Cusack’s charges, albeit having played two games more than Helston.
Elsewhere in the Western League, St Blazey suffered a second successive 3-1 reverse inside three days, this time at Shepton Mallet.
Meanwhile, Millbrook’s game at home to Ilfracombe was abandoned at half-time with the Bluebirds leading 2-0.
Follow us on X: @sportscornwall
Follow us on Facebook: @cornwallsportsmedia
Follow us on Instagram: @cornwallsportsmedia
Visit our website: cornwallsportsmedia.co.uk
