Gary Johnson’s men return home for their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening, as Truro City head to Plainmoor.
Although it’s all about preparing for the big kick-off on August 21st at this stage, Saturday’s 2-0 victory was an excellent way to get a new era underway, with United’s charges – old and new – showing up well, and the side will be looking to produce more of the same when the White Tigers arrive in town
Who’s the Boss?
Having attained legendary status at Plymouth, following two spells at Home Park totalling seventeen years, 43 year-old Paul Wotton has endured something of a frustrating period during his time in charge of Truro, with both of his previous campaigns in charge being called early, due to the Covid-19 pandemic causing havoc at Southern League level.
A fine career representing Argyle, Southampton, Oxford and Yeovil seems to have provided Wotton with the prefect apprenticeship ahead of taking on his first role in the dugout, and he will be looking for his team to covert their promising starts to 2019/20 and 2020/21 into a successful full season this time around.
Player to Watch
Talismanic hitman Tyler Harvey has once again led the way for the Cornish outfit, after returning to the Club following a brief third spell at Bath City.
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
Popular ‘keeper James Hamon’s solitary appearance for The Gulls was also one of the briefest – as he came on to the field deep into injury time during United’s victory at Solihull Moors last season, following Shaun MacDonald’s late red card in a 2-1 success.
Highly-rated by all at Truro, Hamon also spent a large part of his career at local rivals Exeter City, making 37 appearances during a six-year spell at St. James Park.
Previous Encounter
The two sides served up a festive treat in front of 3,863 supporters on Boxing Day 2018, as title-chasing United rode out 4-2 winners against relegation-haunted City, during a season in which both sides played their home matches at Plainmoor.
Johnson’s men didn’t have it all their own way, with Harvey giving the tenants an early lead over their landlords, however The Gulls responded with a devas ting eight-minute spell, in which Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Kalvin Kalala and Asa Hall all registered their own ‘Goal of the Season’ contenders. A fourth from Saikou Janneh just after the break looked to set things up for a one-way second period, however future Gull Jared Lewington reduced the arrears late on, to give a level of respectability to the scoreline.
TUAFC v Truro City | 27/07/2021 7.45pm KO | Plainmoor TQ1 3PS