It has been a good ten days to be a Truro City football supporter.

Fans have seen them go top of the Zameretto Southern League premier division as well as beat Bishops Cleeve in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

However, arguably the best news to come out of Treyew Road recently has been Barry Hayles’ decision to extend his stay at the club beyond the one-month non-contract deal he agreed to in mid-September.

Having watched Hayles in his opening game against Bideford, on September 21, I wasn’t sure if the former Fulham striker was going to be at Truro City longer four weeks.

He struggled in that match. Losing his aerial battle with former Plymouth Argyle team-mate and Bideford centre-half Paul Hendall and looking a yard short of the pace.

However, all too often, as football fans we expect too much too soon and the unpredictability of the game makes fools of those who set themselves up as judge and juror without examining the evidence properly.

It was optimistic, and a little silly, to think that Hayles was going to come into the side on his debut, hit the back of the net and terrorise the opposition defenders with his power, despite not having played competitively for more than four months. Of course he needed games to regain his fitness. And as it happened not that many either, as my next trip to Treyew Road, four games later, saw a completely different performance.

It was against Halesowen and Hayles was the focal point of the Truro attack, as his hold up play and strength caused problems for an inexperienced visiting back line. He also got his first goal for the club, coolly lifting a shot over stand-in keeper Nick Milton to cap off a fine 6-0 victory.

This was a different Barry Hayles and a different Truro City. As City boss Lee Hodges has said Hayles gives them another option up front. Supporters will recognise that while Les Afful, Andy Watkins and Stewart Yetton are very skilful and quick on the ball, they aren’t the biggest centre-forwards in the League. Hayles however is a ‘bully’ up front; big, powerful and very difficult to deal with.

Following the Halesowen match, Hayles’ form continued to get better. Three days later he scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win over Cirencester that took Truro City top of the league.

And while he didn’t feature in Saturday’s win against Bishops Cleeve, supporters travelling to watch City at Leamington this Saturday will be looking forward to seeing the former Premier League striker in action.

Yes the Hayles storm is gathering and if his form and fitness continues to improve then the silver lining could be that the big name player will match big ambition amongst supporters at Treyew Road by getting them promoted. Although that might be falling into the trap of asking for too much too soon again.

What do you think? Have you been impressed with Hayles start to his Treyew Road career? Do you think he could be the key to Truro City’s promotion push? Leave your comments below.