We have produced two wins on the bounce after we defeated Truro City 2-0 on Tuesday night at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
Our result came after our electric Isuzu FA Trophy match away to Dover Athletic, where we scored FOUR goals in regular time before going through on penalties.
Tuesday’s contest was a little less chaotic, as we managed to keep our first clean sheet since our 0-0 draw away to Slough Town last month.
Though a clean sheet didn’t look especially likely during the opening period, as the visitors were in charge of much of the possession and created more clear-cut chances early on.
We did, however, manage to not only hold on, but also enter halftime in the lead.
The manner in which we scored could have been considered fortunate, as Truro defender Sam Sanders deflected Dan Roberts’ cross into his own net six minutes before the break.
The second goal was also scored unconventionally, Calvin Brooks tapping in from close range following a scramble inside the box.
Though we would have to spend the last portion of the game with 10 men following Jordon Thompson’s sending off, Truro never looked like threatening our goal as we ran out comfortably the better side.
Whilst we remain in 17th-place following the result, beating 21st-place Truro ensures that we are now SIX points adrift of safety, albeing having played three games more.
This marks an improvement from this time last season, where we had collected just 15 points after the same number of games.
We entered Tuesday’s outing having made just two changes to the starting line-up, Brooks coming back from his suspension in place of Cheshire, alongside Joel Rollinson, standing in for the suspended Tom Bearwish.
It wouldn’t be long into the match before Truro had their first chance, and may have taken the lead had Jared Thompson not produced a piece of exceptional goalkeeping just six minutes in.
The shot-stopper was somehow able to tip Dan Rooney’s effort onto the bar.
Whilst our first clear-cut opportunity eight minutes later, Olu Durojaiye only saw his shot deflect behind for a corner.
However, it wouldn’t be long until the visitors had another chance, Dan Sullivan firing just over.
We had not been able to create an abundance of opportunities during the first half, so when we did go 1-0 just six minutes before halftime, one may have been forgiven for suggesting it was against the run of play.
The goal did not come without a slice of luck either, as Sanders was unfortunate to put Roberts’ cross into his own net.
That incident of good fortune was enough to ensure that we ended the half in the lead, as the visitors were unable to muster anything positive for themselves before the break.
Perhaps the first notable action of the second half came 12 minutes in, when Jmaes Melhado lunged into a challenge which saw Leo Hamblin come out the more damaged player.
The incident sparked a heated exchange between both sets of players, with referee Lisa Benn having to calm the players down.
Her approach worked, with Melhado being the only player cautioned for the original foul.
By this point we appeared in control, and eventually grabbed a second goal after 65 minutes.
Following Brandon Goodship’s initial corner, there appeared to be a scramble inside the box, both sides trying to win the ball.
Brooks, though, would react, netting from close range to double our lead.
We could have added a third just seven minutes later, when Roberts was unfortunate to hit the post.
The forward was put under pressure by James Hamon and attempted to slide the ball under the Truro goalkeeper.
Roberts could have added a third again not long after, when he found himself one-on-one with Hamon one more time.
However, instead of firing towards the back of the net, he lost possession as he attempted to square the ball across goal.
Our missed chances then began to look costly ten minutes from full time after Thompson was sent off for a second bookable offence.
However, we managed to prevent the visitors from having any golden opportunities, as we had done for much of the second half, ending the match as 2-0 winners.
Before the game, Wilkinson expressed his desire to see his players pick up wins playing on a Tuesday night.
For the first time in the league this season, they managed to do just that.
Match report
by Jack Webb
