National League South: Truro City 3-3 Weston-super-Mare

TRURO City added another point to the tally in their National League South relegation battle after a hard fought 3-3 draw at home to bottom of the table Weston-Super-Mare, writes Cameron Weldon.

Coming off the back of a heavy 5-0 away defeat to Stockport County in the FA Trophy last time out Truro were looking for a response against a Weston side that have improved in recent weeks, picking up four points from their last three games.

In a lively opening period at Treyew Road, in which both teams had a number of chances it was Truro who had the first. With just five minutes played debutant Michael Herve tried his luck with a chip from twenty-five yards that rattled the cross bar.

That chance came back to haunt the home side as just minutes later Jennison Myrie-Williams was fouled outside the Truro box and the resulting free kick from Eli Phipps was slotted brilliantly into Rivers near post for 0-1.

More chances followed for the visitors, first with Marlon Jackson heading narrowly wide before a long-distance strike from full back George Nurse called Rivers into action.

Despite Weston’s early dominance it took City just over ten minutes to find their equaliser. A corner whipped in by Connor Riley-Lowe was attacked by skipper Jamie Richards and with or without a touch it made its way into the back off the net. There was controversy over the scorer but what mattered was that the White Tigers were level.

Chances were of a plenty for the two sides as the game started to open up. Jackson was halted by Rivers after a nicely timed ball from Nurse, while up the other end Herve, who signed on the eve of the game from National League side Solihull Moors had a shot drag wide of the post.

Herve couldn’t be kept quiet for long. From a corner, Alex Battle had a shot deflected that fell kindly to the feet of the former Paris Saint-Germain academy product who finished from close range to give the White Tigers the lead.

Truro were unable to go into the break ahead though as some confusion in the City backline resulted in a poor clearance that Jennison Myrie-Williams took full advantage of, with his shot fired low into the corner.

Meaning the two sides went in level at half time.

Michael Herve celebrates a debut goal for the White Tigers. Pic: Josh Miller

Unlike the first half Truro were out of the blocks quickly after the break. With just two minutes gone in the second half Niall Thompson charged at the Weston backline and got his cross away, which was cleared out to Herve who slotted in his second of the game on his debut.

Truro could have and perhaps should have made it four just moments later. Battle sent Jared Lewington through on goal, but his chip was blocked by Weston keeper Luke Purnell for a corner.

Missed chances came back to cost Truro again. Phipps who had been a threat for City’s backline all afternoon did well out wide and his pull back found Myrie-Williams who poked the ball in off the post to equaliser for the Somerset side.

With half an hour to play it was the away side that looked the more likely to find a winner. Nurse had an effort crucially blocked from Tyler Harvey, and from the resulting corner Phipps volleyed over the bar.

Harvey Rivers was called into action once again this time by Hill, who’s shot was superbly tipped over the bar by the City keeper.

Harvey then had a late chance to win it himself when he managed to turn and get his shot away, but his effort was straight at Purnell and never really worried the Weston keeper.

Another point on the board for the White Tigers as they remain 18th in the table. Next up for them, is a trip to Wiltshire to face Chippenham Town next Saturday.

Truro: Rivers, Thompson, Riley-Lowe, Grimes, Richards (c), Rowthorn, Herve (Booth 78), Battle (L Rooney 68), Hurst, Harvey, Lewington.

Weston-super-Mare: Purnell, Byrne, Nurse, Cane (c), Parsons, Harrison, Phipps, Diallo, Jackson, Myrie Williams (Lucas 67, Llewellyn 79), Hill.

Attendance: 403