Ian Pethick

With Truro City Res already in the SWPL also Mousehole Devs being contenders near the top of the St Piran League and possibilities to join them, what do people on here think about the this league potentially being a home for more club second teams? Helston are strong candidates for promotion this season, so it would also make their devs eligible to play at a higher level (even though they are well off the pace in the St Piran West). Falmouth could also fall into this category. Know that people worry about the credibility of the competition, and the chance of sides being able to field higher step players (perfectly legally) in certain games

Doubt that Dave Pearse will be without a club for too long. A warning for all clubs in the SW though, most of whom them are basically skint, desperately short of volunteers and would welcome any cash laden "messiah" coming in and promising the world (didn't Penzance have a close call with such an individual a few seasons ago?). Several non league outfits in other parts of the country have succumbed to the charms of these types, who have then wreaked havoc and left them in a sorry state. Was having a discussion with someone at work recently regarding the state that his local club, Billericay, had been left in after it had been taken over by a high profile local businessman, treated as his play thing and then dumped.

The next home match could be interesting.

On the occasions I saw Truro last season, he was the difference. Gets into little pockets of space, hard to pick up and always positive. Best game I saw last season was Hayes v Truro, a 7 goal thriller which City won, Sullivan and Porter were sensational. Goes back to what was said earlier though, teams at this level have smart people who will work you out and come up with a plan to stop you playing. They will know all about the likes of Sullivan, Porter, Neal and Harvey. The question is now, does Paul Wotton have a plan to counter this and the players to carry it out?

Not much in the way of goals coming from anybody. Only 1 in the last 4 matches, last 3 have been score less.

Never a dull moment in the Western League these days. No idea what this means for Buckland, but always seemed to be a strange arrangement having a football director (whatever that means at a step 5 club) who's based in Ireland.

If he can see it, you'd like to think the Truro City management team would as well.

And quite an amazing statement released by the club; "After 7 years as Player Manager/ Manager (2 yrs. covid break) the club has not achieved promotion. This season results so far have been good but not great. The 3 losses costing the club 9 points and over £10k in costs are not acceptable to our new owner Ian Davis. Ian is a very keen football supporter and wants the club to be promoted and has made this decision with a heavy heart but feels it’s very necessary that new blood is introduced to the club to give it the push it currently needs. Ian has invested a considerable amount to get the club clear of debt and has improved the grounds and the facilities and only wants what’s best for the club. It’s all about the club not any one person." Sounds like the new owner sees himself as a Todd Boehly type character. Bridgwater fans should be very afraid.

Lee Hodges does seem to get rather airbrushed out of City's recent history. Took them to within 2 wins of step 1 football, and also the 1st round proper of the FA Cup.

Perhaps they've just been worked out? In pre season, a poster on this forum pointed out that sides at this level employ analysts. No doubt everybody is now aware of how they play, and any weaknesses. The threadbare state of the squad currently does make it difficult to switch players and playing styles around. I'm planning to make the trip over to Chelmsford v Truro this Saturday. Will be interesting to compare them to the side I saw narrowly lose to Braintree earlier in the season.

You're right in that a run in the Trophy would get some confidence and form going again, and a "home" draw against a National League big boy would potentially be a money spinner. Just not sure that Truro have the resources to fight on two separate fronts this season, NLS survival is everything. Paul Wotton certainly sounded very down in his post match comments, does feel like a long and difficult last 2/3rds of campaign is ahead of them.

The Helston- Penzance tie up was similar in feel, but never seemed to get going and is not talked about now.

Think that was the whole ethos behind their development team. Players would be signed to Tavi, and train with them, but would be farmed out for game time.

League survival is the sole focus now. A small consolation from being out of the FA Trophy is that it could help to reduce pressure on the Bolitho Park pitch.

Bit of a fright today for runaway leaders Liskeard.

Jake Ash is in the worst spell of his short managerial career, must be some deep thinking and head scratching going on. Notice a new name on the bench today for Mousehole Kamani McFarlane. A quick Google reveals that he's a right winger who was previously playing for Essex Isthmian League North side Waldon & Tiptree. Wonder if time is running out for a few current players, and that changes could be in the offing?

4th straight league defeat for Mousehole, and a 6th league win on the spin for Tavistock, moves Stuart Henderson's team above them in the table.

Parkway v Didcot is off.

Good points. My impression of this Falmouth side under Andy Westgarth is that it's a pretty settled squad. Doesn't appear to have been much of a churn in the past few seasons.

One concern would be that he doesn't seem to stick around too long with clubs. Think he had a short spell with Bideford and then Bodmin, before joining Helston.

100% Cornish?😁

Small matter of Nailsea getting past Hartpury first. Remember them beating Mousehole at Trungle in last season's Vase.

Hopefully they were cleared for use and payment made. Mate of mine works in the music industry, tells me copyright infringement is a costly business.

Would think that Parkway v Didcot on Saturday must be doubtful as well. Have to feel for the Bolitho ground staff, maintaining a pitch surface fit for step 2 and 3 clubs in the face of near constant torrential rain for the last few weeks, is a hell of a task. Fear that we're heading towards the annual March/April fixture pile up for both home clubs.

Will Callum Martindale stick around long enough to receive his club tracksuit this time?