- Hayfield (52')
City take a break from league action as John Askey’s side begin their Isuzu FA Trophy campaign across the border against Torquay United.
This will be the first time ever that the two sides have locked horns in a knockout match.
Truro go into the game occupying second place in the National League South standings whilst the Gulls sit fourth, just a point behind the Tinners.
Last time out, City made the long midweek trip to Boreham Wood and in a tight affair, were defeated 1-0.
Charles Clayden’s 48th minute strike was all that separated the two teams at a rain soaked Meadow Park.
However, City did more than enough to at least claim a share of the spoils.
Home custodian Nathan Rushmore, who was awarded the sponsors’ player of the match, made fins saves from Jaze Kabia, Yassine En-Neyah and Andrew Neal (pictured below).
In Opposition
The Gulls, under new owners, have made a solid start to their league campaign and have yet to taste defeat at Plainmoor.
The occupants of the Torquay dugout will need no introduction to City fans with Paul Wotton now inhabiting the Plainmoor hot seat.
The former Plymouth Argyle, Southampton and Yeovil midfielder was in charge of City from 2019 until earlier this year, when he opted to swap Cornwall for Devon.
Wotton managed Truro 158 times in all competitions (excluding the two covid-19 affected seasons), winning promotion from the Southern League, back to Step Two in May 2023.
Mike Edwards, who was part of Wotton’s coaching staff at Truro, also made the switch to Torquay over the summer.
In the home playing squad, both Ed Palmer and James Hamon, mainstays of the City side for many seasons, linked up with their former boss during the close season.
The Truro connections who will appear in yellow and blue also extend to Cody Cooke, who burst onto the scene as a midfielder in a City shirt a decade ago.
Penryn raised, Cooke left City in 2018 to join Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren and after spells at Weymouth and Bath City, became a high profile addition to Torquay’s ranks over the summer.
Last Time We Met
The last game between the two sides took place in early April, with City in the midst of their horror run of fixtures, which included playing 10 in 20 days.
Torquay were the first of four opponents the Tinners would face at their temporary home of Meadow Park, Gloucester, during the second week of April, with this game taking place on a Monday evening.
City then played Eastbourne (Wednesday), Yeovil (Thursday) and Maidstone (Saturday).
The week got off to a losing start for Truro with Torquay easing their relegation fears with a 2-1 win.
Goals from Arkell Jude-Boyd and Brad Ash gave Torquay a healthy interval lead.
It was one they kept hold of after the turnaround too, with City scoring in the dying embers through Ed Palmer – his final goal in a City shirt before joining Torquay.
Level at 90 Minutes?
There will be no extra-time if the game finishes all-square after 90 minutes. Progress into the third round will be decided by the lottery of penalty kicks.
Sir John’s View
On Tyler Harvey, who was substituted in Tuesday’s match at Boreham Wood:
“We think it’s his calf, although he was aching all over when he came off, so it could be one of many things. We have a cup game on Saturday and if we need to rest Tyler, then we have an opportunity to do that.”
On preparations for an FA Trophy game:
“We are stretched at the moment and if we wanted to give one or two (players) a rest, we can’t. I’m sure the players are happy to be playing as often as we can, so we certainly aren’t looking for any excuses currently.”
Matchday Information
Read our Away Days guide for Torquay United – Click Here
In this piece, we cover travel, directions, facilities at Plainmoor and ticket prices.
Follow the Match
Our official X (formerly Twitter) handle will have all the build-up, in-game action and post-match reaction.
The game is being broadcast live by BBC Radio Cornwall, with full commentary, via FM/DAB and BBC Sounds.
To listen around the world vis BBC Sounds – Click Here
