The start of the Easter weekend saw me make a trip West to Cornwall and then Devon on the way home to take in four games in four different divisions and taking in four new grounds in the process, sadly the weather was pretty awful on Good Friday in Cornwall, but amazingly all the games did take place despite the deluge of rain that had fallen there, and in fact all four games over the two days went ahead so that was a relief, anyway after a 4am alarm clock on Good Friday, I headed West, three games on Friday and one on Saturday before the journey home, he is how those games went, it was an adventure for sure.....
Good Friday (April 18th)
Torpoint Athletic Vs Saltash United (Western League Premier, 11am)
The first port of call was The Mill, home of Torpoint Athletic, and they had a home game against local rivals Saltash United in the Western League Premier, both were not having the best of seasons, the hosts were down in 17th spot and a point behind their opponents who were one place and one point above them, both though were in no danger of going down, so this game was all about bragging rights.
Despite all the rain, the pitch was in superb condition and our fears of this game being called off on the way across from Essex were thankfully all in vain, so to our delight when we arrived after a five hour journey at 10am, there was no danger of this game not going ahead, so we settled down for hopefully a good battle between two sides who were only twenty minutes apart.
And a decent crowd of 205 turned out to watch this derby even though the weather was far from spring like, the hosts took only nine minutes to grab the lead when after Ryan Richards had broke clear, turned inside past a defender, and hit a shot which was blocked, James Rowe was on hand to fire the loose ball into the back of the net and give the home fans something to cheer early on.
Persistent rain and wind was the conditions for the majority of the contest, the remainder of the first period was scrappy at best as both teams tried to come to terms with the elements, and the hosts went into the half with a slender lead, but they were to increase this lead nine minutes into the second half, Joe Rapson broke clear and played a ball to Damerell who in turn crossed for Richards who fired home and the hosts now had a two goal cushion and looked likely to go on and win this game.
Things got more interesting though in the 73rd minute when Saltash grabbed a lifeline as a header back across goal was met by Payne who found the far corner, and suddenly the hosts lead looked a fragile, however despite some nervy moments for the home side and there supporters, they managed to hold on and take derby victory in the glooming conditions, a good start to the trip then, and one game down.
Full time Torpoint Athletic 2 Saltash United 1
Truro City Vs Torquay United (Vanarama National League South, 3pm)
This was a rather big game you could say, league leaders Truro against promotion chasing Torquay United, and it was a derby of sorts too, yes there is 90 miles between them but in terms of this division and this level, they are close together as many other games are a long long way away, and a sell out crowd of over 3,000 certainly suggested the enormity of this contest.
The Truro Sports Hub which is brand new this season does not have much in the way of cover, just a main seated stand which goes either side of the half way line, and a covered terrace behind one goal, which was packed out with noisy home support, the rest of us had to stand out in the open getting wet shall we say, I hear there is more work to be done on the facility so more cover would be helpful for sure, and more terracing too perhaps, it did have a unfinished feel to it, all the same the pitch again was excellent, so no issues with this game being on too.
Now the top six in the division were all in with a chance of winning the league still with three games to go, Truro held the cards going into this one and knew if they could win they would increase their chances of automatic promotion and the title, and in turn all but end Torquay's chances of winning the league themselves and having to at best settle for the playoffs.
The game though didn't live up to the billing quite frankly and failed to really excite if truth be told, the game though was decided by one moment of brilliance, and it came from Matt Jay twenty minutes into the second period, he received the ball on the right, cut inside, and fired a dipping effort into the far corner from outside the box, it was a superb goal and worthy of winning any game of football.
It won this one, and kept the visitors well in the title hunt, along with a few others, in fact only four points separate now leaders Worthing and sixth placed Boreham Wood with two games to go, so as title races go this is right up there!!! It should be an exciting end to the season, sadly this game was far from that but Torquay won't care a jot and take bragging rights too in the process, and are now level on points with now second placed Truro.
Full time Truro City 0 Torquay United 1
Wadebridge Town vs Camelford AFC (South West Peninsula League Premier West, 7pm)
The final port of call on Good Friday was Bodieve Park, home of Wadebridge Town, and they had a local derby against Camelford AFC, the sides are only ten miles apart so this was certainly going to be a well contested match although their wasn't anything riding on it, these sides sat 8th and 9th respectively heading into this one.
Now the club deserve a lot of credit for getting this game on, so much rain had fell during the day and prior to the day too earlier in the week, and although the pitch was heavy in places, it was in decent shape considering, and the club were rewarded with a bumper crowd of over 400, so that was a lovely gift for working so hard to get the game on.
A goalless first half ensued with the pitch holding firm despite the rain falling for pretty much the entire half, I was getting a soaking along with a few others standing across from the main stand raised up above the pitch with no cover, although I decided not to stand or sit undercover because I could take the rain and have a bit more space and freedom where I was, and it was a good view as well.
Things though weather wise deteriorated in the second half, the pitch was fast becoming more suitable for ducks or anything with webbed feet quite frankly, the rain was biblical and to say I was soaked was an understatement, but we were rewarded with a very entertaining second half more for the fact the sides were playing on a pitch more in turn with the 1980s, but it's rare you see a game played on such a surface now with mud, water etc, and they just rolled up their sleeves and got on with it, very refreshing.
Would we get a goal though, well with twelve minutes to go we got one, and it came from the visitors as a cross from the right found Cam Bidgood who sent a downward header beyond the keeper, but that lead didn't last long as the hosts fought back to level a few minutes later as Lloyd converted from close range.
I was glad the game finished all square as both sides deserved something from the game as a reward for dealing with horrendous conditions it has to be said, it cannot have been easy to play on that pitch, especially the second part of the second period when it was becoming a lake in places, kudos to the officials too who did so well and saw the funny side of it all as well, a decent contest played the right way, it was proper football and I loved it despite being soaked through by the end!!!
Full time Wadebridge Town 1 Camelford AFC 1
Easter Saturday (April 19th)
Tiverton Town Vs Gosport Borough (Southern League Premier South, 3pm)
The fourth and final game of this trip saw me pop in to Ladysmead, home of Tiverton Town, and they were desperate for the points in their battle against the drop, they were four points from safety heading into this one with just three games remaining, so winning was pretty much their only option now.
They were up against Gosport Borough from Hampshire who were not playing for anything other than to see how high they could finish in the table, they sat 11th and right in the middle of the division so a top ten finish was the only thing they were after now, but would they be motivated enough against a side who were going to be fighting for their lives.
The locals turned out in force too, over 600 of them, and I must say the ground is a great one, plenty of cover, seats, facilities for everyone to enjoy, it's a lovely little set up and a great way to finish this trip, would we get a game to match?
Gosport had most of the ball in the early exchanges but Tivvy were the ones to find the net first of all, midway through the first period a delightful ball in by Dylan Jones as perfect for Dan Koita to add a finishing touch from close range beyond the keeper and hand the hosts a vital lead, Gosport had chances as well as the hosts, one when a close range rebound was blasted so high over it cleared the netting behind the goal, it was a guilt edged chance.
Tivvy though held that slender lead into the second period and knew if they could grab a second goal then they could breathe a bit easier, they thought they had it when Parker swept home, but the flag had gone up, however just moments later in the 74th minute they did find a second, as after the keeper had fumbled an effort, Koita rounded him but seemed to take the ball to far to the left.
But, he duly back heeled the ball back across goal and into the net, it was cheeky but it was superb, and the hosts now had a two goal cushion to hold onto now and were around twenty minutes away from a huge result, could Gosport though spoil the party? They headed over another brilliant opportunity straight after the hosts second goal, and to be honest the visitors wouldn't score if they played until midnight, it was one of those days in front of goal for them.
Tivvy had chances to add a third but didn't, but they were more than happy with what they had, and after six minutes of added on time the whistle to signal a massive result for the home side, they are now just a point from safety with two games to go, the hopes of survival then are even bigger now, Gosport stay 11th, two points outside the top ten.
Full time Tiverton Town 2 Gosport Borough 0
A great trip then, good experiences gained, and some lovely venues visited, Ladysmead was my favourite for sure, a really good ground to visit, Torpoint & Wadebridge have their charm and character, Truro wasn't quite as enjoyable as the others if truth be told, yes the weather wasn't great but you can't have it all can yer, at least the sun shone on Saturday eventually, so it ended well!!!
Anyway hope you've enjoyed reading, many thanks for doing so, it mean's a great deal for you to take time out to read it, I certainly enjoy writing them for you all to read!!!
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