29 January 2012

Watkins earns priceless win for City

Source: This is Cornwall, by Rhod Mitchell.

Truro City 2 Staines Town 1
Two goals from striker Andy Watkins saw City come back from a goal down to earn a crucial Blue Square Bet South win at Treyew Road on Saturday.

It was City's first home win since beating Tonbridge Angels on November 19 and only their fifth in the league all season before their own suporters.

But it looked an all too familiar story when a defensive mix-up allowed Mark Mark Nwokeji to give the struggling visitors the lead after 66 minutes.

However, City fought back superbly and levelled eight minutes later when Arran Pugh headed on a left wing corner from Les Afful for Watkins to apply the finishing touch from close range for his 125th goal for the club.

And City's comeback was deservedly completed a minute from time when Watkins volleyed home a superb winner at the far post after substitute Scott Palmer had flicked on a Scott Walker free-kick.
Palmer and fellow substitute Daniel Carne were one three City debutants, alongside keeper Ollie Chenoweth who has signed on a 28-day loan from Plymouth Argyle after injuries to Tim Sandercombe and Tom Brooks.

The first half was largely uneventful with both sides restricted to half chances.

For Truro, Joe Broad forced a good save out of Rhys Evans after some fine approach play with a back heel by Watkins setting up the chance for the midfielder.

Watkins also might have done better after Scott Walker found him space on the left of the area but the home striker shot tamely at Evans.

At the other end, Ali Chaaban went close to breaking the deadlock when he rolled his shot just wide.
The visitors began the second half well and Chenoweth had to produce a fine save to keep out Tom Kavanagh's close range effort. But it was poor Truro defending which gifted them their goal when confusion between Steve Adams and Barry McConnell allowed Nwokeji to score a simple goal.

But to their credit Truro refused to crumble and earned a pricelss win which took them three points closer to their aim this season of survival at this level.

Truro City: Chenoweth; McConnell, Pugh, Adams, Walker; Afful, Ash (capt), Broad (Martin (78), Cooke (Carne 68), Hayles (Palmer 82), Watkins.
Yellow cards: Broad, Hayles.
Staines Town: Evans; Jackson, Thompson, Gordon (capt), Dolan (Butler 90), Kavanagh, Wheeler, Risbridger, Nwokeji, Chaaban, Everitt. Subs (not used): Scarlett, Taylor, Tyrell, Charles-Smith.
Yellow cards: Nwokeji, Risbridger.
Goals: Nwokeji (66) 0-1, Watkins (74) 1-1, (89) 2-1.
Referee: Richard Martin ((Bristol).
Crowd: 512

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