BTFC travel to play Truro City this week-end in the long awaited kick-off to the new season. Following the thrilling treble winning campaign of 2017-18, the Blues renew acquaintance with the National South League. After a solitary season in 2012-13 at this level, before relegation back to the Isthmian Premier, the Blues are considerably better equipped to compete this time round.
On release of fixtures three weeks ago, the draw, sending Billericay Town on opening day to Cornwall to play the ‘White Tigers’, garnered a lot of attention. With relief that the longest trip of the season – a hefty 302 miles away – had avoided the dreaded mid-week slot, plans were quickly hatched by the BTFC faithful for a summer week-end away. Just two weeks before the match, logistics would shift somewhat with news of a 107 mile switch in venue to Torquay.
The late change reflects Truro City’s decision to ground-share at Plainmoor, home of Devon side, Torquay United. With the Cornish club’s ground at Treyew Road sold to developers, and requirement to quit the local site by 31st July, an alternative location for matches had to be found. With Torquay United also in the National South this season, BTFC’s first away-day of the new campaign serves as a dress rehearsal for a second trip to Devon in cooler climes on 3rd November.
The medium-term plan is for Truro City to share a new “Stadium for Cornwall”, which, when built, will be located on the outskirts of Truro. Vacating Treyew Road ensures the club receives the £2m that it will need to contribute as its share of the bill for the proposed £14.4m Stadium for Cornwall. Along with Truro City FC, the new stadium will house the Cornish Pirates rugby team and facilities for Truro & Penwith College. The aim is to return to Truro for the 2019-20 season.
Truro begin their fourth consecutive campaign in the National South having been promoted via the play-off’s from the Southern League Premier in 2014-15. On the pitch, the White Tigers enjoyed an eventful campaign last season, finishing in a very creditable 7th position. Last year’s play-off run, which ended with defeat at Hampton and Richmond, saw the team achieve a club record number of points and wins at National South level. Furthermore, for the first time, Truro reached the 1st round of the FA Cup. A 3-1 loss at League One, Charlton Athletic, saw 996 fans travel to London in the first Cornish foray to the opening round since 1969.
Truro City manager, Lee Hodges, is a former Plymouth Argyle player, accumulating 222 career appearances for the Pilgrims. Hodges is now manager at Truro City and, since June 2016, is now in his second spell at the Cornish club. His first spell as the man in charge was between 2010 and 2013 when he found himself in the unusual position of being appointed player manager whilst being at the club on loan. His first departure came as the club faced financial problems.
This coming season looks to be a stern test for the management team at Truro City. Emulating the White Tigers level of achievement last year looks to be very challenging. Putting to one side the disruptive effect of the shift in home games to Devon, Truro have seen a number of their best performers in the last campaign exit. These include striker Cody Cooke, Billericay-bound central defender, Ben Gerring, and midfielder, Aaron Lamont, who returns to London to re-join ambitious Isthmian Premier side, Kingstonian. First team goal-keeper, and England ‘C’ international, Tom McHale has attracted interest from the Scottish Premier League and is not expected to sign a new contract.
In my view, the biggest loss is the departure of leading scorer, Cooke, who notched 14 times in the League last season. After being successfully converted from midfield to a striking role by boss, Lee Hodges, Cooke’s achievements have attracted covetous glances from Football league clubs. With over 250 games for City, and a degree in sport from Plymouth University to secure his future, no one begrudges the local lad, 25, for taking up the fantastic opportunity of a two year contract to play professionally at Scottish Premier League outfit, St. Mirren.
Fresh from signing a two year contract, manager Lee Hodges is going nowhere though and, after a slow start, has been busy securing talent for the new campaign. Included among those retained are tough tackling central defender, Ed Palmer, centre-back and longest serving player, Jamie Richards, wide-man, Niall Thompson, and experienced midfielder, Ben Harding. With a preference for a 3-5-2 system, options were triggered to extend deals to young wing-backs Connor Riley-Lowe and Billy Palfrey. Busy midfielder, Noah Keats, and livewire striker, Tyler Harvey are also confirmed as Truro City players for 2018-19.
In terms of new arrivals, striking options have been reinforced by the arrival of ex-Plymouth Argyle striker, Louis Rooney, signed from Irish side, Linfield. Hodges has also raided South Devon for two of the most promising Non-League prospects in the area in striker, Jared Lewington, and attacking winger, Lloyd Gardner. Lewington is physically strong, offers good movement, and impressed in a six month spell at Southern league Premier South side, Tiverton Town. Gardener makes a big jump from step five, Buckland Athletic, but is rated.
Truro City tend to include players with Exeter City or Plymouth Argyle connections and regularly take bright, academy prospects on loan. This season is no exception and incoming players include teenage Exeter City midfielder Max Smallcombe and 19 year old defender, Alex Hartridge, who appeared regularly last year. Both played in the Exeter City side that visited Treyew Road in pre-season and handed out a 0-6 defeat. Looking slightly further afield, Bristol City academy has furnished goal-keeper, Jojo Woolacott, and teenage midfielder, Tom Richards.
In contrast to Billericay Town’s impressive pre-season, Truro City’s friendly results have been mixed with expected wins against lower League sides, Cullompton Rangers and Bodmin, followed by home defeats to Exeter City and Cardiff U-23’s. Although an honourable 1-1 draw was earnt versus Swansea City U-23’s, the recent 2-1 reverse at South West Peninsula Premier side, Falmouth Town, was something of a shock. Having triumphed 6-0 in the same fixture 12 months ago, the result against a team four divisions lower in the pyramid offered a reminder that the side this season is not as strong as the previous campaign.
Based on strategy last season, and indications from pre-season, we think Truro City will line up in 3-5-2 formation versus Billericay Town on Saturday. Our best estimate of likely team is a back three including Palmer, Richards, and Hartridge or Kelly, flanked by speedy full-backs, Riley-Lowe and Thompson. We expect to see the experience of Ben Harding within what looks a relatively young midfield that could include talented teenager, Max Smallcombe, and the promising, Noah Keats. We could also see the first experience of step two football for speedy winger, Lloyd Gardner. In attack, Truro may field both or either of the new look front-line of Rooney and Lewington. Lively front-man, Tyler Harvey, who weighed in with 11 League goals last year, could instead get the nod to start.
In what has been a successful pre-season for Billericay Town – with the highlight being the away win at National League, Maidstone United – the Blues go to Devon in very good form. The 0-4 home defeat against a very talented West Ham U-23 side should not change anyone’s view that the Blues are well prepared.
With several formations being deployed in pre-season, I think that a fluid 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 system seems to be in favour for the Blues at present. With Truro expected to field the 3-5-2, it will be interesting to see if Blues elect to counter by matching up, employing single striker, or run with their preferred set-up. Based on what I have seen in pre-season, nine of the first X1 pick themselves with the final two pieces dependent on formation/tactics employed.
With Billericay Town looking much stronger than last year in every department, and Truro City appearing to be weakened by key departures and the distraction of the change in ground, I think the Blues should go into this game with confidence that a very good start to the campaign can be achieved. It’s a long trip but it should be worth the mileage if the lads return with three points.
Billericay Town FC Last Starting Line Up (V West Ham U-23’s)
Strizovic, Eyong, Howells, Doe, Gerring, Deering, Modeste (’69 Emmanuel),
Walton (’51 Waldrren), Robinson (’69 Cunnington), Coombes, O’Hara.
Truro City Last Starting Line-Up (V Falmouth)
Atkinson, Thompson, Palfrey, Palmer, Hartridge, Riley-Lowe, Smallcombe, Gardner, Keats (’70 Booth), Rooney (’64 Lewington), Turner (’45 Copp).
