Ian Pethick

Get through this tie, get an away draw for the last 16 in the London/SE area, and I'll be there.

Exactly as you would expect when you get to the post Xmas, last 32, stage of the Vase. Big crowd and big atmosphere will be needed at Bickland Park.

Does anybody know what the specification of the new pitch will be? Lots of detail about the new ground and timelines, but nothing about this . Some quick Googling of the Desso Grassmaster hybrid system which you mention, reveals a cost of around £500,000 to install. A big investment indeed. York City's new LNER Community Stadium, which they share with York Knights Rugby League club, has this playing surface.

Hayes & Yeading v Parkway already off. Hardly surprising, temperatures barely above freezing in London today. Forecast to be even colder tomorrow

Reported that Andy Collings has left Buckland. No idea if it was decision or the manager's, but looking on from the outside it seems like surprising news. Always seemed to be highly rated.

Rugby League is a great sport and, if promoted properly, can see it getting decent support in Cornwall during the summer months when it has a clear run with no counter attractions. Might not be so popular with the groundstaff who use the close season to rest and repair the playing surface (Older's opinion would have been useful here).

Positive news that the ownership issue is now settled. The role of the Cornish Pirates though in keeping Truro City alive, and in good health, should be acknowledged. As ever though, as with any football club changing hands, beware of false prophets. Getting the ground finished, keeping the team in the NLS (and moving it forward), together with engaging locals and getting them through the turnstiles, is going to require a lot of money and hard work. Time, as ever, will tell.

Barnstaple v Falmouth is the eye catching tie, but Hartpury Uni v unbeaten Clevedon looks pretty interesting as well. The students sit 3rd in their league, and have only lost 1 match, memories as well of them upsetting fancied Mousehole at Trungle in last season's Vase.

I guess results will dictate. Staying in the NLS for next season, and making a strong start, will attract crowds. Really important last 2/3rds of the league season coming up, vital that they avoid relegation. Is the issue of the club's ownership up for discussion at this event? Specifically regarding the widely rumoured takeover stories that have circulating for a while now.

Guess that unless the player is on contract, there's nothing much you can do. Being suspended at one level, yet being able to play at another, is a complete farce though and needs looking at.

This season's Western League Prem has 10 of the 18 clubs based in Devon and Cornwall. Bridgwater, Street and Wellington aren't that much further into Somerset. The travelling isn't exactly extreme. Listening to the podcast, most clubs have accepted and embraced it (even started to enjoy the day out).

For the good of both Parkway and Truro, surely the ground share arrangement can't be allowed to go into a 4th season. Sounds like it won't be needed, but some comms and PR from City are desperately needed. Understand the deadline for the National League and Southern League (hopefully not in this case) to know where they will be playing next season is the 1st April 2024. Less than 6 months away now.

You have Cam Wheldon on the podcast every week, and it does seem that he often appears to be in the dark about what is going on behind the scenes (especially regarding the ground). Not a good position for a person with the title "Head Of Media." Does sound like from what you say that a new PR person is incoming, they will have a big job on their hands rebuilding interest and enthusiasm for Truro City with the people of Cornwall. We don't want a new football facility with barely anybody occupying it.

Nice to read a good news story about The Ashes. In addition to Kieran O'Melia (who sounds like a star in the making), I have heard lots of good things about Tyler Love-Holmes, as well as having a full season with Millbrook under Macca Brown last campaign, he was part of the successful Parkway under 18's side (along with Dylan Jones) so would think he is on Parkway's (and other Southern League clubs) radar. Jordan Ewing has already moved upwards to Bideford, so would think the challenge will be in keeping this side together. Speaking of young Ashes players, does anybody know what has happened to Callum Merrin? He was spoken about as a young player to watch to last season, moved on to St Blazey in the summer, and seems to have disappeared.

My, you're a tease Dave.

Yes, my mistake. It's a 5th defeat from the last 6 games in the league.

If it's along the same lines as the Southern League, highest ranked team plays the final at home.

Know it's looking way ahead, and counting many chickens, but not many sides would fancy going to Bickland for a promotion play off match.

5th straight league defeat for Mousehole and their star striker moving on, too early to call it a crisis?

Chelmsford 1 Truro 2 What an away win, just what was needed. Bit of a smash and grab after Chelmsford were well on top for the first half. Ollie Sanders and Ed Palmer were rocks at the back, and what a finish by Harvey Greenslade for the winner. Bloody terrible ground (football should never be played in the middle of an athletics track) and bloody freezing. Now to brave the train home from Essex, looking forward to thawing out with a glass of red and Saturday night curry.

Wonder if Mousehole jumped the gun by announcing this? He is now listed as a Parkway player on the Southern League site though.

Rob Farkins has been a great centre half on the local scene, and a legend and leader at Parkway. He was in decline though when they let him go 3 seasons ago. Seems like a walking red card for Buckland these days.

People expressed doubts about whether he was good enough for Falmouth, he proved them wrong. People were surprised when he went to Mousehole and asked if he was good enough, he proved himself down there. Time will tell at Parkway, but he seems to me to be a player that is willing to give it a go out of his comfort zone.

Yes, leaves Mousehole a bit short up front. Must be another striker coming in. Parkway do need a goalscorer, present 4 have got 8 league goals between them so far. Not many around in this part of the country, so Lee Hobbs has rolled the dice on JBE. He's got 9 league goals this season, but step 4 to 3 is a big step up.

Well, Torpoint now have a vacancy for a left back.