United take on Cornish neighbours Truro City at Plainmoor this afternoon, as Gary Johnson’s side look to bounce back from Saturday’s reverse at Chelmsford.
With the White Tigers in confident mood following their 1-0 home win over Havant & Waterlooville last weekend, The Gulls will no doubt need to be on top form to get three festive points in their continued challenge at the top of the National League South table.
Who’s the Boss?
Playing home matches in the city of Plymouth certainly hasn’t troubled Truro manager Paul Wotton, who established himself as a club legend at League One Plymouth Argyle during the course of two spells at Home Park which saw him amass nearly 500 appearances and over 60 goals over a combined total of some 17 years.
Wotton has been in the dugout at Truro for over four years now, with the club one of a number to see their progress stall as a result of the early curtailment of 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns. However, promotion glory came their way in due course, with last year’s success seeing them regain their place in the sixth tier once again.
How have they been doing?
Having gained 28 points from their 21 outings so far, City currently find themselves in 19th position, just five points and two places above the dreaded bottom-four.
However, the Cornish side have played up to three games less than some of their rivals, and with the recent news of takeover – and with it, genuine plans for a return to their home county – raising spirits amongst City’s long-suffering supporters, few would best against them having a strong second half to the 2023/24 campaign.
Player to Watch
Talismanic hitman Tyler Harvey remains the main man at Truro, with fans delighted, and relieved, to hear that his immediate future lies with Wotton’s side.
Having begun his career, like his boss, at his hometown club, a permanent move to Wrexham failed to bring out the best in the Plymouth-born striker, however their loss has undoubtedly been Truro’s gain, with Harvey averaging a goal every two games in a White shirt.
Played for Both
Midfielder Matt Buse enjoyed a two-year spell at Plainmoor, which was never short of drama.
Having enjoyed a marvellous breakthrough season in 2019/20, during which he won the National League’s Player of the Month award soon after his first goal for the Club secured a late, late winner at home to AFC Fylde, the former Taunton Town man’s was more of a testing affair.
With the Covid pandemic largely putting paid to loan spells at Bath and Chippenham, Buse’s determination to play a part in United’s bid to secure EFL promotion ended in the most heartbreaking of circumstances, as Buse’s decisive spot-kick narrowly missed the target, and with it secured promotion for Promotion Final opponents Hartlepool.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United v Truro City, December 26th, 2018
Goals from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala, Asa Hall and Saikou Janneh secured a 4-2 victory over Truro City in front of a magnificent 3863 crowd at Plainmoor.
Although Tyler Harvey’s opener did give Gary Johnson’s NLS leaders a brief shock, United were 3-1 up by the interval, an once that lead was extended further in the second period, theresult was no longer in doubt, despite future Gull Jared Lewington’s late reply for City.
Torquay United v Truro City | 26/12/2023 3pm KO | Plainmoor TQ1 3PS