Askey urges Truro City to push on for league title
Truro City manager John Askey said his side can "see the job through" and stay top of National League South as they prepare for Good Friday's crucial matches.The Tinners host fourth-placed Torquay United, while second-placed Worthing go to third-placed Eastbourne Borough. Just three points separate the top four sides as they aim for the one automatic promotion place on offer to the champions. "It's exciting. This is what you want to be involved in and hopefully we can see the job through," Askey told BBC Radio Cornwall. "But nobody is getting carried away, there's still a lot of hard work to be done."
While Torquay are a former English Football League side, this season represents a high watermark in the history of Truro City.No side from Cornwall has ever reached the fifth tier of English football before, but Askey said there will be more pressure on his opponents than his side. "It's a game that Torquay have got to win. Both teams are obviously trying to achieve something this season."I don't think there's been any real pressure on ourselves, it's tough when you're at a club like Torquay because expectations are so high."Where, for ourselves, it's been a bit of an exciting ride really, so hopefully we can continue, but if we don't we'll still enjoy it there."
Askey's side were one of the favourites for relegation at the start of the season and have a budget lower than any of their title rivals.But they have been on a tremendous run of form, winning nine of their past 12 games, including a key win over Worthing earlier this month, and losing only once in their past 15 games."The players, week in week out, have given everything," Askey said."I don't say that lightly, you won't get a better group of players."They have to put up with a lot with the travelling, our training facilities are not great, but week in, week out they really fight, and that's why we are where we are."If you do that it just shows where it can take you."He added: "I don't think there's ever been a league like there's been this season."It makes it all the more exciting, doesn't it, but with three games to go, to be at the top of the table with a great chance of getting automatic promotion is obviously where we want to be."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Finn Russell explains risky pass as Bath grab Premiership glory to end 29-year wait
West Country club return to the summit of the English game Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Twickenham belonged to Finn Russell and Bath as the Scot steered the West Country club back to the pinnacle of the English game. The stand-off turned in a performance of controlled excellence as they defeated Leicester Tigers 23-21 in the Gallagher Premiership final. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell kicked three penalties and two conversions but this game will be remembered for his stunning interception followed by a selfless/inspired/crazy (delete as appropriate) pass back inside to local boy Max Ojomoh who finished the move and put Bath firmly in the driving seat. Finn Russell poses with his children and the trophy after Bath's win over Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham. | Getty Images The Scotland fly-half looked as if he had the legs to score himself but playing in his team-mate meant an easier conversion. Russell said he was happy to give the glory to Ojomoh, the son of former Bath favourite Steve. 'He's a boy from Bath that grew up watching his dad lift the trophies, so it was his turn today and he got a try in the final, so that will live long in his memory, I think,' said Russell. For Bath coach Johann van Graan, it was a heart-in-mouth moment. 'Finn is always thinking ahead and I just knew he was going to pass but when he did I said 'Maxie you've got to catch this one!'' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Max Ojomoh of Bath celebrates with Finn Russell after scoring his side' second try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final against Leicester Tigers. | Getty Images The converted try put Bath 20-7 ahead with half an hour left but they had to endure some nervy moments in the final quarter after having a Guy Pepper try disallowed. Solomone Kata brought Leicester back to within a score with a try converted by Pollard but the Tigers were then reduced to 14 men when Dan Cole, playing his final ever game, was sin-binned for a late barge on Russell. The Scot kicked the subsequent penalty but Leicester came back again, Emeka Ilione's try giving them a late lifeline. Bath saw it out and it was appropriate that Russell had the final touch, booting the ball into the stand after the clock ticked past 80 minutes. It means Bath are back on their perch, treble winners and champions of England for the first time since 1996. Three short years ago this proud club finished rock bottom of the Premiership but the arrival of van Graan in 2022 and Russell a year later has transformed them. 'I think the main thing about this team is the circle we've got, the group, the players, staff, and we've got the whole city behind us,' said Russell 'I think myself and other players on the pitch, we can go out there and express ourselves, knowing that everyone's got each other's back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If you want to win stuff, that's potentially more important than individuals. When you've got each other's backs, and you know you can play your game without stress or making a mistake, that allows boys that freedom to go out and play.' For all his brilliance, Russell has had to endure barbs over the lack of honours he has won but that can now be put to bed. Ten years after helping Glasgow Warriors win the Pro12, he can add European Challenge Cup and Premiership winners' medals to his collection. Bath's second string also won the Premiership Cup this season to make it a unique treble. Cameron Redpath of Bath poses with the trophy after his team won the Gallagher Premiership final. | Getty Images Russell wasn't the only Scot to help propel Bath to glory. Cameron Redpath and Josh Bayliss were also part of the win over Leicester and the pair will now link up with Gregor Townsend's squad for the Pacific summer tour. They will be joined by the Tigers' Cameron Henderson who played well but couldn't stop the Bath juggernaut despite his team outscoring them by three tries to two. It was Leicester who struck first, punishing Bath for conceding an early scrum penalty. Pollard kicked it deep into the opposition 22 and, after a patient lineout maul, Jack van Poortvliet dived over. Pollard dispatched the conversion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bath looked slow out of the blocks but Russell kept them in touch with his first penalty and played his way into the game thereafter. He found Joe Cokanasiga with a kick-pass then, a minute later, created a yard for himself with a delightful dummy. Unfortunately, Cokanasiga spilled the pass and the chance was gone. Russell was then guilty of dropping the ball and appeared to throw it towards Julian Montoya in frustration. The Argentine hooker was playing his final game for Leicester and would soon find himself in the sin-bin but not before Bath had scored their first try. The ball went through the hands of the backs before a couple of quick pick-and-goes culminated in Thomas du Toit forcing himself over the line. Russell converted to nudge Bath 10-7 ahead. Bath's Finn Russell tries to squeeze between Leicester's Cameron Henderson, left, and Julian Montoya. | Getty Images Montoya was yellow-carded a couple of minutes later after he crashed head-first into Ted Hill with no sign of a wrap. It felt like a bit of momentum shift but the only points that Bath could plunder while the Tigers were down to 14 was Russell's second penalty - from 47 metres - with the final kick of the half. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The usually reliable Pollard was off target with a penalty attempt early in the second half and things got worse for the South African World Cup winner when he threw the interception pass to Russell. It was brilliant anticipation by the Scot who accelerated up the park and looked set to score before flinging it back inside to the grateful Ojomoh. It was classic Russell and he converted the try to push Bath 20-7 ahead. Pepper thought he'd put them out of sight but his score was disallowed for a knock-on by Will Muir, opening the door for a Leicester revival. Kata squeezed over and Pollard converted to reduce Bath's lead to 20-14 but then came Cole's late hit on Russell which saw the 38-year-old sin-binned. The penalty that followed extended Bath's advantage to 23-15 but the Tigers came back again and Ilione bulldozed his way over for their third try. Pollard's conversion made it a two-point game with four minutes remaining but Bath had enough in the tank to see out the final moments and were crowned champions for the first time in 29 long years. Scorers: Bath: Tries: du Toit, Ojomoh. Cons: Russell 2. Pens: Russell 3. Leicester: Tries: Van Poortvliet, Kata, Ilione. Cons: Pollard 3. Yellow cards: Montoya (Leicester, 29min), Cole (Leicester, 70min) Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bath: T de Glanville; J Cokanasiga, M Ojomoh, C Redpath, W Muir; F Russell, B Spencer (c); B Obano (F van Wyk 61), T Dunn (N Annett 68), T du Toit (W Stuart 61), Q Roux (J Bayliss 61), C Ewels (R Molony 68), T Hill, G Pepper, M Reid (A Barbeary 61). Replacements: T Carr-Smith, C Donoghue. Leicester: F Steward; A Radwan, S Kata, J Woodward (I Perese 50), O Hassell-Collins; H Pollard, J van Poortvliet (B Youngs 55); N Smith (J Cronin 70), J Montoya (c), J Heyes (D Cole 63), C Henderson, O Chessum, H Liebenberg, T Reffell (C Clare 30-39; E Ilione 55), O Cracknell (M Rogerson 72). Replacement: B Volavola. Referee: Karl Dickson.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Brian O'Driscoll caught up in furious Michael Cheika incident on live TV
Brian O'Driscoll caught up in furious Michael Cheika incident on live TV The former Australia boss was absolutely incensed with the officials at Twickenham This was the moment a furious Michael Cheika approached Brian O'Driscoll. (Image: TNT SPORTS ) Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll found himself caught up in the midst of a furious Michael Cheika rant in the Gallagher Premiership final. Bath faced Leicester Tigers in English rugby's showpiece event at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and Tigers boss Cheika was not happy with the officiating before half time. The clock was in the red with his side trailing by three points when he could be seen ranting and raving on the touchline. He initially headed down to one of his staff members to escort him away from speaking with a match official. After that, Cheika was visibly incensed and spoke with venom as he watched the game unfold. As he made his way back to the stands, the Australian could be seen approaching TNT Sports pundit O'Driscoll before walking off. The Irishman did not respond, simply smiling as Cheika walked off. The TNT Sports commentary team were surprised by Cheika's reaction. "Michael Cheika is absolutely raging," began commentator Alastair Eykyn. Article continues below "Is that all about that final decision? This will be the final play of this first half. "We'll find out what the trouble is, because Brian is all over it!" You can watch this all unfold below. Content cannot be displayed without consent It was heartbreak for Wales internationals Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith, who were on the losing Tigers side in the English capital as the game finished 23-21. The duo have been selected for the upcoming Wales squad set to tour Japan next month. Cheika joined Tigers on a one year deal in 2024, and while many fans may have hoped he would sign a new deal after a solid season in the English top flight, that isn't how it's played out. Article continues below The former Argentina head coach, who has also been touted as a candidate for the Wales head coach role, said he wanted to return home to Australia to prioritise his family in Sydney. In May, it was confirmed that former England international Geoff Parling would be replacing Cheika as head coach of Tigers. He's currently in an assistant role with Australia ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour this summer, but will join up with the club when his contract ends.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz alternative lined up as Prem star called ahead of Liverpool move
Florian Wirtz is on the verge of joining Liverpool for a English transfer-record fee of £116.5m and his club Bayer Leverkusen will have significant funds to replace the playmaker Bayer Leverkusen are targeting a move for Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert as a potential replacement for Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, according to reports. Liverpool have finally struck a £116.5million deal for Leverkusen's star playmaker after lengthy negotiations that saw three bids rejected, giving the Bundesliga a huge payday in what is a Premier League record buy. Leverkusen, who have just appointed ex- Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, will now be looking to redistribute some of that money into transfers and they should be able to make a few quality signings. One of those signings could be Kluivert, who has been identified by Ten Hag as "the perfect profile" to step in for Wirtz in the attacking midfield role, as reported by talkSport. According to the outlet, the German side have called Bournemouth to enquire about the player. Kluivert, the son of legendary Patrick, was one of the key figures behind Bournemouth's impressive season under Andoni Iraola as they finished ninth in the Premier League. The 26-year-old managed 12 goals and six assists in the top flight and now has a series of teams monitoring his situation. The report claims Bournemouth are not willing to sell Kluivert due to his importance to the team, having already lost key centre-back Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and with Milos Kerkez on his way to Liverpool. It goes on to say, however, that chief Bill Foley won't stand in any player's way if they receive an offer at the right price. Antoine Semenyo is another Bournemouth player generating interest, having been linked with a move to Tottenham. Kluivert cost around £9.6m when he joined Bournemouth from Roma in 2023, a huge bargain at the time, and he could now cost more than double that amount. He has played 75 times in the last two seasons, scoring 22. Should he arrive at Leverkusen, he will have a tough task of replacing Wirtz, a man who seemingly has the world at his feet after scoring 16 goals for the German club last season, assisting another 13. Wirtz has picked Liverpool over German rivals Bayern Munich and is set to become the latest player to arrive at Anfield this summer alongside Jeremie Frimpong, while Kerkez is expected to sign soon.
