Falmouth Town vs Truro City match report

The sides annually meet in the Aubrey Wilkes trophy in pre season and five first half goals for the visitors ensured they would take this years trophy.

Ryan Brett scored twice alongside goals from Rio Garside, Tyler Harvey and Dan Rooney.

The F Troop were out in full force, choosing the football over the beach but despite the scoreline they failed to be subdued, with loud chants creating a great atmosphere for Town's second pre season game of the season.

Falmouth Town supporters in the Packet End

Truro dominated the opening proceedings and took the lead in the 13th minute. A corner was cleared away only to former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Rooney, who skilfully managed to get the ball out of his feet and shoot through a crowd of bodies into the corner.

Ryan Barnes in the Falmouth goal made great save to deny Conor Riley Lowe from close range in the 23rd minute. Moments later however, City doubled their lead as Brett beat his man and finished into the bottom corner.

That was the first of a flurry of goals following a water break as Truro added two more within five minutes, Garside scored from inside the box following good work from Niall Thompson down the right side, before Brett added his second. A thunderbolt from twenty yards that flew into the top right corner.

In the 36th minute Harvey got what was to be the last goal of the game after Town lost possession in their own third, the striker belted the ball into the open goal to send the side who currently play their home matches in Devon into a commanding lead.

After the break Falmouth came out the stronger of the two sides but failed to make their chances count. Forward Alex Wharton was a thorn in the side of Truro constantly harassing the defenders.

He forged a great opportunity to get the home side back in the game in the 55th minute. A nice interchange with Tim Nixon opened up space for the striker but his curling effort was well saved by James Hamon.

Alex Wharton runs at the Truro defence

Just as it looked like Falmouth were edging back into the game Truro won a penalty in the 65th minute when Niall Thompson was clumsily brought down. Harvey stepped up and powered his shot to the keepers right but Barnes did superbly well to keep parry the ball out and save the rebound.

The heat began to take its toll on the players despite the drinks break as the game petered out, it allowed for the away side to coast to victory despite some late Falmouth pressure.

Falmouth Town manager Andrew Westgarth was disappointed with how his side played: "I'd like to thank Paul (Wotton, Truro Manager) for getting the fixture on, it is a good test for us a good marker as to where we are at, we have had two friendlies which have been good for minutes in the legs but today was a real good gauge of where we at. I thought we were disappointing today, we didn't give a good account of ourselves and I'm disappointed with the goals we conceded."

It was Town's first game back at Bickland Park since a midweek game in November 2020 and Westgarth relished being back in front of the home fans:"I love being here, I said to the boys before the game if you can't get up for this you shouldn't be playing football. I was fearful about the numbers because of covid situation and with the weather but they always create a good atmosphere.