A final loan report of the season
City fan Exiled Grecian takes one final look at the Grecians away from St James Park.Connor Riley-Lowe
Truro City, National League South (Joined in July, six-month loan extended until the end of the season)
Truro hosted Maidstone United in front of a 1,011 crowd at Treyew Road last Wednesday in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals. They immediately found themselves under the cosh and struggled with the visitors' direct style of play throughout the match. Alex Flisher's (not to be confused with former City triallist Alex Fisher) long throws were causing the White Tigers' defence all sorts of problems and on twenty-nine minutes provided the opener for Maidstone. Truro had initially dealt with the throw in, but Joe Healy, ten yards out and with his back to goal, lashed a stunning overhead kick past Martin Rice to break the deadlock. The hosts improved in the second half, but squandered their best chance to equalise on fifty-four minutes, when Aaron Bentley volleyed over from six yards out. And it would prove costly as, just two minutes later Flisher took advantage of some sloppy defending by Bentley and smashed home from outside the box. Truro pushed forward for the remainder of the game but, despite their numerous chances, they couldn't find a breakthrough.
Connor returned to the starting line-up for the second leg on Sunday. Truro attacked from the off and came close through Dan Green, Cody Cooke and Aaron Dawson, but Maidstone keeper Lee Worgan was in fine form all afternoon. The visitors lost skipper Arran Pugh through injury early in the second half and, despite carrying a real goal threat, it was Flisher who broke the deadlock for Maidstone. The midfielder took advantage of Truro pushing forward with a quick counter attack which ended the contest with fifteen minutes left on the clock.
Connor was replaced on sixty-three minutes by former Grecian Les Afful as Steve Tully's men went looking for a way back into the tie. He finishes the season having played forty-two times for the Cornish outfit.
Stats
League: 35 starts, 2 goals, 2992 minutes.
FA Cup: 3 starts, 252 minutes.
FA Trophy: 4 starts, 258 minutes.
Last game
8th May: Maidstone 1-0 Truro, played 63 mins.
Matt Jay
Truro City, National League South (Joined in January, one-month loan extended until the end of the season)
Matt played every minute across the two play off games. He helped set up Truro's best chance in the first leg, delivering a fine cross for Matt Wright in stoppage time. Wright's header bounced off the ground and hit the crossbar before going out for a goal kick. Matt also played well in the second leg, playing an influential role in Truro's best moves.
Matt finishes the season having played twenty-nine games across both of his loan spells, scoring eight goals in the process.
Stats
Truro City:
League: 22 appearances, 17 starts, 6 goals, 1553 minutes.
Hayes & Yeading United:
League: 6 starts, 2 goals, 540 minutes.
FA Trophy: 1 start, 90 minutes.
Last game
8th May: Maidstone 1-0 Truro, played 90 mins.