Important Wednesday Wins for Truro & Swindon Supermarine

The race for the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South title looks like it’s going to be an exciting one as the leadership changed hands again after Truro City’s win on Wednesday night.

The White Tigers edged out Hanwell Town 1-0 at Bolitho Park to complete the `double` over the Geordies, having beaten them 3-1 away on the opening day of the season.

The visitors were sitting in mid-table ahead of kick-off but with a chance still of mounting a top five challenge if they can put a run together.

Star of the show in the early stages of the game was the Geordies` new loan goalkeeper from Queen Park Rangers, Matteo Salamon.

He made decent saves from Ben Adelsbury and Finlay Craske before the visitors went up the other end and forced a penalty in the 17th minute when Kain Adom was brought down in the area by Adelsbury.

But Tom McElroy’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by James Hamon.

Just before half-time, Adom struck the woodwork, only to turn and see a linesman’s flag raised.

So, 0-0 at the break and it was Hanwell rather than the title chasers who looked the livelier side thus far.

However, the deadlock was broken after 56 minutes – and it was the White Tigers who were celebrating when a Rocky Neal header from a corner wasn’t dealt with fully by Salamon and Adelsbury was on hand to fire home the loose ball.

The QPR man was in action again soon after when he prevented Tyler Harvey from doubling Truro’s lead, winning a one-on-one situation.

But Paul Wotton’s side held firm to record the win and return to the top of the table, a point in front of Weston-super-Mare, who possess two games in hand.

Wednesday’s other game saw Swindon Supermarine move into seventh place, four points behind the play-off places, after beating second-from-bottom Hartley Wintney 1-0 at the Webbswood Stadium.

Lee Spalding’s side were quickly out of the traps and the Row had to be thankful for the agility of goalkeeper Marcin Brzozowski for keeping them in the game, twice saving well from Ryan Campbell.

But he could do little to prevent `Marine from taking a 26th minute lead when leading marksman Harry Williams pounced on a scramble in the box to poke home from close range.

Just shy of the hour-mark, Williams was denied a second when he was thwarted by Brzozowksi when going in one-on-one.

The visitors had a good spell midway through the second half with Zidan Akers and Harry Cooksley causing problems for the home defence.

James Harding missed a golden opportunity to put the game to bed late on, but the `Marine substitute sent a free header wide of the post.

But Supermarine claimed the points to maintain their play-off challenge, whilst The Row remain three points behind third-from-bottom Hendon, who have four games in hand.