Much-anticipated Good Friday clash sees two of the National League South’s top sides do battle in Cornwall
A crucial Easter period sees United head for the Truro City Stadium tomorrow, as the 4th-placed Gulls travel to face the NLS leaders.
With Worthing (2nd) also making the trip to Eastbourne (4th), it promises to be a pivotal afternoon in a remarkable 2024/25 title race, where dreams of promotion with be enhanced for some, and dashed for others.
Who’s the Boss?
John Askey was appointed as Truro City manager in June 2024, after Paul Wotton left the Tinners to take over at Plainmoor.
After hanging up his boots, Askey had two spells in charge of the Silkmen with the second of those, between 2013 and 2018, resulting in Macclesfield returning to the Football League, despite severe financial constraints.
His achievements with Macclesfield resulted in a managerial move to Shrewsbury Town and then to Port Vale.
Askey returned to non-league circles in 2021-22 with York City and he led the Minstermen out of National League North.
After leaving York in 2022, he briefly returned to management with Hartlepool United and then onto Truro City for the 2024-25 season.
How have they been doing?
City have certainly made the most of their return to Cornwall, with the Tinners currently leading the way at the top of National League South, with their tally of 83 points from their 43 outings only matched by Worthing, with City currently taking top spot by virtue of their superior goal difference.
Having never played at non-League’s top table before, and having plied their trade in the old South Western League – tier eleven of English football’s pyramid – as recently ago as 2006, hopes are high that Truro may be set to fulfil that ambition over the coming days and weeks.
Player to Watch
Talismanic hitman Tyler Harvey remains the main man at Truro, and he’s once again amongst the goals in 2024/25 – juts as he has been for the majority of his career.
Having begun at his hometown club, Plymouth Argyle, a permanent move to Wrexham failed to bring out the best in him, however their loss has undoubtedly been Truro’s gain, as despite a spell with Bath City, Harvey has gone on to make Truro his home since, and has averaging a goal every two games in a Tinners shirt to boot.
Played for Both
Former Torquay trainee Ed Palmer returned to Plainmoor last summer, after following The Gulls’ boss in making the switch from City to United.
Having begun his career by progressing through The Gulls’ youth ranks before turning professional, central defender Palmer went on to become a mainstay in the backlines of Tiverton, Taunton and Weymouth amongst others, before a move to Truro City saw Ed link up with Wotton for the first time.
His form for the Cornish side last term saw him gain many admirers, and having built up a wealth of experience since leaving the English Riviera in 2011, 33 year-old Palmer’s return to where it all began has seen him become a regular and popular member of this season’s promotion push, making 34 appearances and scoring 2 goals.
Previous Encounter
Truro City 1- 2 Torquay United | Vanarama National League South | Monday April 8th 2024
As Gulls fans won’t need remaining, United were in a desperate battle at the wrong end of the table twelve months ago, with their eventually successful survival bid aided by a priceless away victory against Truro in Gloucester.
First-half strikes from Arkell Jude-Boyd and Brad Ash put United in charge, and although current Gull Palmer pulled one back for the ‘hosts’ late on, Torquay held on for what proved to be a hugely important victory.