City lifted by Wort's brace

WITH relations between these two clubs a little strained following the events of recent weeks, this Carlsberg SWL match was always going to have an added edge about it and so it proved as Truro City extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.

On a sodden Kernick Road pitch this game was more about effort rather than football, but the result was all-important and with City nicking the spoils they lifted themselves off the bottom of the table and swapped places in the league with Athletic.

Athletic had to work hard against a determined and well-organised back three of Dean Harris, Mike Cain, and Greg Butcher, but when they did open up the City defence their efforts were either poor or they were caught offside. In fact, Athletic never really learned their lesson as City caught them out time and again with the offside flag becoming a major feature of the match. Overall Athletic were the victims of their own lack of discipline.

Athletic's chances suffered an early setback when Dave Wilkinson was caught bya late challenge from Mike Cain, but unfortunately Wilkinson had to be taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle. Cain was booked was by referee Calvin Matthews.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled in a goalless first half, but Matthew Drummond looked menacing in the 28th minute until City were rescued after a great tackle from Cain.

Minutes later it was Athletic's turn to breath easy after a spell of pressure when Rusty Rowson's cross was only partially cleared. It fell to Paul Baldwin who thumped in a shot that produced a great save by Andy Avery.

Athletic made the early running in the second half with Burchell finding himself through into the box opened up before him, but a great last-ditch tackle from Butcher halted the danger.

Drummond beat several defenders on a good run before crossing into the box where Proctor and Willey both had shots blocked before the ball was deflected for a corner.

Butcher was the busier of the two 'keepers as Penryn had much the better of the early second half exchanges but the game swung dramatically in the 58th minute when City snatched the lead from their first real attack of the half. The ball was only partially cleared to the edge of the box where it fell to Luke Wort, who was having a quiet game. He quickly gained control and in a split second drilled the ball into the far corner of the net to put City in front.

Athletic missed a golden opportunity of equalising a minute later when City's offside trap failed to snare its prey, but as Phil Willey closed in on goal he lobbed the ball high over the bar as Butcher raced out to narrow the angle.

City's Baldwin was yellow carded in the 61st minute and from the free kick it needed a superb clearance by Harris to prevent Drummond from cashing in

Chris Davey came on for Richard Young in the 69th minute, but a minute later Athletic were back on level terms when Drummond had the simplest of nod-ins after Steve Jewell had headed the ball back across the face of the goal from a Burchell corner.

Five minutes later City missed one of the best chances of the match when Wort found Rowson out wide. When Rowson delivered the ball into the feet of Matt Salmon just six yards from goal there would have been only one outcome, but inexplicably Salmon made a real hash of his effort and even failed to hit the target.

Williams and Rowson were both booked, but it had little effect on Rowson who fired in a vicious shot from which Avery made another fine stop.

Just when it looked as if the match would end in a draw Baldwin delivered a cross into the box which Wort only half got hold of, but it hit Lee Oldfield's heel and was deflected into the net for an 82nd minute winner.