Unbeaten City crush Town

FACING what was expected to be a stiff examination of their credentials, Truro City made short work of fifth-placed Toolstation Western League division one side Ilfracombe Town with an emphatic victory.

In a week when yet again only one game was playable, City were firing on all cylinders as they collected three points and cut Portishead's lead at the top of the table to five points with seven games in hand.

That City are in that position is down in no small way to the co-operation of Porthleven Football Club who, realising City's plight, stepped in to offer their Gala Parc ground facilities.

It is not the first time that Port chairman Neil Clark has offered to help out and City manager Dave Leonard was quick off the mark to offer his thanks to the club.

"Porthleven's pitch was absolutely fantastic. It was wet, it was soggy, but I have personally got to thank the people of Porthleven Football Club committee for allowing us to play here," he said after the game. "It is a credit to sportsmanship and football especially when you hear about all the bad things in football. Everybody wants to just take a look at this and from a Truro point of view we really appreciate everything."

City's director of football, Chris Webb, echoed the manager's sentiments: "I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank Porthleven Football Club for all they did for us to ensure that City's unbeaten run continued. We had the bonus of a fine performance allied to some attractive football, especially in the second half."

City always had a strong grip on this match and after 12 minutes they created their first real effort when a cross by Gosling found Shane Tolley whose effort was turned away by the impressive Steve Oliver.

Further efforts by Chris Reski and Stewart Yetton were bundled away, but City weren't going to be denied and the opening goal came following a Gosling corner. Although partly cleared, Smith's cross found Jake Ash who scored with a neat shot.

Ilfracombe tried to break down City's defence, but found little change from the meanest defence in the league whilst at the other end several half chances were created for Tolley, Marcus Martin and Kevin Wills.

Six minutes before half time City put together a great move involving Ash, Martin and Broad who picked out Yetton eight yards from goal to coolly pick his spot and leave Oliver stranded.

Just four minutes later after a mix up involving Martin, Ilfracombe were handed a lifeline when visiting skipper Kevin Darch scored with a chip shot that sailed over Stevenson's head into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.

City, as they have done on many occasions this season started the second half strongly and after 49 minutes Yetton found Tolley who whipped the ball out to Gosling who slammed his shot into the net.

After 55 minutes Ilfracombe saw Stevenson turn the ball around the post from a free kick on the edge of the area and this seemed to be the game's turning point.

The "White Tigers" Power saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the line and on 64 minutes a Gosling corner found Martin who swept the ball into the net.

It was Gosling again who turned provider after 80 minutes when from another corner the 'keeper misjudged the flight and Reski ran in to score and complete yet another fine performance.

With City entering an important stage of the season Webb was keen to praise the players for their efforts: "I would just like to thank all the players for creating what could well be a club record. They have not lost a game since September 30th away to Frome in the league Cup over Three months ago.

On Saturday City entertain league leaders Portisehead, kick off 3 pm.

n City's Jolly's Combination League side are back in action when they visit Wendron, kick off 2.30 pm.

City: Dan Stevenson, Jake Ash, Tom Smith, Graeme Power, Chris Reski, Ian Gosling, Joe Broad, Marcus Martin, Kevin Wills, Stewart Yetton, Shane Tolley: Subs: Glyn Hooper, Andy Watkins, John Routledge.