Match Overview
Truro City make the long trip north to face York City at the LNER Community Stadium in the Enterprise National League this teatime – 5.30pm, writes Ronan Tregoning.
The Tinners head into the weekend buoyed by a spirited 2-0 victory over Wealdstone on Tuesday evening, a result that underlined their resilience and ability to fight to stay in the division. That performance will give John Askey’s side confidence as they look to build momentum and pick up points on their travels – something that uas eluded the Tinners so far this term.
The Minstermen return to league duty following cup disappointment last time out. The Yorkshire side were on the wrong end of an Isuzu FA Trophy upset, exiting the competition on penalties against Clitheroe, and will be eager to respond with a strong showing back in the National League.
Prior to that setback, York had been in formidable form, winning all six of their previous matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding just eight.
With Truro aiming to carry confidence from their latest success and York determined to reassert their league credentials, today’s encounter promises to provide another serious examination for both sides.
Opposition View
Pre-season title favourites, York City have once again set their sights firmly on promotion and remain among the leading contenders in the National League.
Significant expectation surrounded the Minstermen at the start of the campaign, but an early-season change in the dugout saw Adam Hinshelwood depart, with Stuart Maynard appointed to lead the club forward.
Since Maynard’s arrival, York have continued to demonstrate the qualities that marked them out as title challengers. Well organised and physically strong, the Minstermen are difficult to break down and possess the depth and quality required to sustain a push at the top end of the table. Their ability to manage games and impose themselves in key moments has been a consistent feature of their season.
At both ends of the pitch, York remain in frightening form.
Defensively disciplined and efficient in possession, but it is their attacking threat, particularly through Ollie Pearce, that has them flying high. The striker finished as the National League’s top goalscorer last season and is once again on course to retain that honour, continuing to lead the line with authority and clinical finishing – one of the main reasons the Minstermen are by far the top scorers in the league.
York’s blend of experience, organisation and goals makes them one of the division’s standout sides, and a stern test for any opponent they face.
Last Time We Met
Truro’s first National League fixture on home soil will be remembered as a night of mixed emotions, as a historic occasion ultimately ended in defeat to pre-season title favourites York City at TR4.
Watched by a crowd in excess of 3,000, the Tinners more than held their own for long periods before late goals handed the visitors a 2-0 victory.
Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Truro started brightly and almost made the perfect opening inside the first minute when Dominic Johnson-Fisher narrowly failed to latch onto a through ball. Chances were limited in a tight, cagey contest, but the hosts created the clearer openings before the break.
The pattern remained much the same after the interval, with York gradually increasing the pressure as the game wore on. Dan Lavercombe denied Ollie Pearce as the visitors searched for a breakthrough, but the deadlock was finally broken in the 83rd minute when Mark Kitching forced the ball home after a partially saved effort.
A second goal followed shortly after, as substitute Josh Stones swept in to seal the points and bring a frustrating end to a landmark evening for the home side.
While the result was a disappointment, the performance underlined Truro’s ability to compete at Step One level. On a night of historic significance for Cornish football, there was enough on display to suggest the Tinners belonged on the National League stage.
From the City Camp
City boss John Askey, pictured below, has been speaking the the media ahead of today’s game.
To listen via BBC Sounds – Click Here
Connections
A man who needs no introduction is ‘Sir’ John Askey, who provides one of the most compelling links between York and Truro.
Askey first established his reputation at Macclesfield Town, where he served in a variety of roles, including reserve-team, youth-team and first-team management.
Despite significant financial challenges, he oversaw one of the most remarkable achievements in the club’s history by guiding the Silkmen to the National League title in 2017–18, securing promotion back to the Football League on a modest budget.
His time at Moss Rose also included an FA Trophy final appearance at Wembley, against today’s opponents, and consistent top-half finishes, cementing his standing as a proven builder of competitive sides.
His success at Macclesfield earned him a move into the Football League with Shrewsbury Town, though the step up proved challenging. Taking charge during a period of major squad turnover, Askey was unable to replicate the club’s previous momentum and departed after a short spell.
A return closer to home followed at Port Vale, where he steadied a struggling side, oversaw a major squad rebuild and guided the Valiants away from relegation danger, narrowly missing out on the play-offs during the first pandemic-curtailed campaign.
Askey later moved back into non-league football with York City, initially arriving in November 2021 in a temporary support role before taking over as interim manager. He went on to mastermind a remarkable turnaround, lifting York from mid-table obscurity to promotion via the National League North play-offs in 2022, delivering success in the club’s centenary year and at their new stadium.
His impact was immediate and decisive, earning Manager of the Month honours and restoring belief before his departure the following season with York competing in the National League.
Following a brief spell with Hartlepool United, where he battled against relegation in difficult circumstances, Askey arrived in Cornwall in the summer of 2024 to take charge of Truro City.
Appointed with the expectation of a relegation fight, he instead delivered a historic campaign, guiding the Tinners to the National League South title and promotion to the fifth tier for the first time in Cornish football history.
The 61-year-old became just the second manager after Mark Cooper to win promotion from each level of the National Legaue.
He was named Manager of the Season, with Askey once again demonstrating his ability to exceed expectations, bringing his journey full circle as he now prepares to face a club where he previously enjoyed one of his most memorable successes.
Match Information
Read our ‘Away Days’ feature, comprehensive guide for City fans making the trip to the LNER Stadium this afternoon – Click Here
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 as part of their ‘Super Saturday’, with live and uninterrupted commentary across all platforms.
All platforms include FM, DAB in Cornwall and on BBC Sounds. To listen via BBC Sounds, if you have a smart speaker, just ask it to play BBC Radio Cornwall.
The game is also being streamed via the National League’s official broadcast partner DAZN
To purchase a subscription and stream – Click Here
