City fail to upset Hemel's home record!

Truro, having secured more away points than at home in the league took the arduous journey up to Hertfordshire to face high flying Hemel Hempstead Town with a significant 17 points that separated the two teams at kick off.

The first chance of the game fell in the way of the Tudors. Paul Kendall, Truro's captain, recklessly dived in to a challenge and earned himself a booking in the process early on. The free kick to follow saw Ben Mackey's low drive nearly tucked home from Dave Pearce.

It was the Tudors once more with the chance as a driving run from James Folkes gave room for Parkes to shoot, and his curling effort skimmed the top of the bar to the crowd’s dismay. Paul Kendall then dived in to another dangerous tackle; he was walking a very fine line. Talbot took the free kick and his tremendous strike was tipped over the bar by the visiting keeper. After a flurry of Hemel pressure the long awaited goal finally came for the Tudors. A perfectly waited ball in found Kieran Murphy and he was on hand to head home. 1-0.

The teams went into the break from a half where chances were few and far between.

The second half began where the first let off, with Hemel on top. Ben Mackey found himself with the ball at his feet and after going round the third player to the delight of the home support he struck, however his shot did not match the run as it flew into the stand.

It was almost a replica of moments ago, Mackey ran at the defence and once more he beat his man but this time his shot went wide. The second eventually came for the Tudors as Hutton's looping ball in was sweetly volleyed home by Dave Pearce in the 71st minute to double their advantage.

Ben Mackey was then replaced by Charie Mpi and he had an immediate impact. He went round the travelling keeper and fired it into the net to grab the third for Hemel in the 82nd minute. A good chance for Truro followed with Neil Slateford beating two men but his shot was inches wide of the mark. Dave Pearce was proving too much to deal with for Truro in the latter stages of the game and he crossed for Mpi. His bullet header was instinctively saved by the keeper.

The final whistle blew and the result was made ever so much sweeter for the home fans with the welcome news of local rivals Chesham losing at home to Burnham. This meant that Hemel went top of the Calor gas league after this hard fought victory.

City line up : Fisher, Tully (Daw 54), White (Green 78), Kendall, Pugh, Broad, Cooke, J Lowry, Watson, Eddy, Afful (Slateford 73).
Subs not used : Copp, Brokenshire

Yellow Cards : Kendall, Broad

City's MoM : Grant Fisher (pictured)

Hemel line-up: Walker, King, Connolly, Parkes, Murphy, May, Talbot (Allen), Hutton, Pearce, Mackey (Mpi), Faulkes (Berwick).
Subs not used : Hawkins, Maissiat.