Truro City fans are expected to turn out in force for today’s “must-win” Blue Square Bet South home game against basement side Thurrock at Treyew Road (3pm).
City boss Lee Hodges has set his charges – buoyed by the midweek arrival of popular former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United striker Martin Gritton – a 45-point safety target.
Fifteenth-placed City have 39 points in the bag ahead of three games against sides below them in the 22-team table.
Hodges said: “I have said from the outset that March would be a massive month for the club. I also set the players a target of winning nine points.
“We beat Boreham Wood last time out at home to get three of them and we have Thurrock at home and then Staines away next Saturday.
“I still believe that another six points will see us safe; it should be enough.”
City host fourth from bottom Havant & Waterlooville on the first Saturday in April. “These are three big games for us and the quicker that we can get six points, the better,” Hodges added. “I would like to think we can start with a win over Thurrock. That would be a great lift ahead of going to Staines. And, yes, because of that, it is a must-win game.”
City were pipped 2-1 at play-offs chasing Basingstoke Town on Tuesday, when Cornwall-raised Gritton – newly released by Stockport County and therefore a free agent – made his City bow.
Hodges said: “Obviously, bringing Gritts in was a big lift to everyone. He chased everything for the first 60 minutes, and I thought it best to bring him off because I wanted him as fresh as possible for the Thurrock game.
“There were some outstanding performances from the lads again – they were back on it, and we had to be because we were up against Delano Sam-Yorke, who is one of the best players I have seen in this league this season.
“Stewart Yetton got another goal and could have possibly had a second after he made it 2-1. He is back on form and then, late on, Scott Walker’s free-kick came back off the inside of the post. If that had gone in, it would have been justice, because their first goal should have been ruled out.
“If we play like we did at Basingstoke, and home to Boreham Wood, then we can win. If we play like we did at Tonbridge, we won’t. It really is as simple as that.”
Hodges is hoping strikers Andy Watkins (chest infection) and Isaac Vassell (knee) will be fit to rejoin the squad.
Truro City (from): Chenoweth; McConnell, Adams, Walker, Ash, Afful, Watkins, Broad, Cooke, Martin, Kelly, Yetton, Pugh, Hayles, Vassell, Gritton.
Injured: Sandercombe, Hodges, Watts.
Source: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Hodges-ready-win-home-clash/story-15609966-detail/story.html
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