Written by: Reece Sullivan
Truro City 1 (Kabia, 11) Hemel Hempstead Town 0
Credit: Club Photographer, Jemma Sear (@_photosbyjem)
In what would prove to be a tricky afternoon for The Tudors down in the South-West, our Cornish hosts would come out on top in a 1-0 defeat on the road.
In a tie that would be majorly affected by treacherous weather conditions, Jaze Kabia's back post finish would prove to be the decider which would put an end to The Tudors' unbeaten start to the 2024/25 season.
As we neared 3 o'clock, the 30mph winds showed no signs of stopping, which ultimately forced Hemel Hempstead to be playing against the tricky conditions in the first half. Using this to their advantage, Truro made use of Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain's long throw ability which proved to be a threat all afternoon.
In the opening five minutes, The hosts would see a lot of the ball in which a long throw-in from Oxlade-Chamberlain would create the first opportunity of the game. Sam Sanders rose highest to direct a header goal wards which proved to be un-troubling for Craig King in the Tudor net.
As The Tudors looked to get going, Truro took advantage of the slow start. Again, that dangerous long throw from Oxlade-Chamberlain would land right on the penalty spot, in which a failed clearance from Hemel Hempstead would fall to Kabia who was there to put Truro ahead inside the opening 11 minutes.
As the first half went on, chances were minimal for either side. A yellow card for the goal scorer, Kabia, after continued penalty appeals for Truro, would be the first of eight bookings which would follow during the afternoon.
Craig King was forced into a smart stop on the half hour mark, in which Alfie Cerulli would then go down the other end, and have the best opportunity of the game for Hemel. Cutting onto his right foot on the edge of the Truro box, his bending effort took a deflection which narrowly went wide of the right post.
Credit: Club Photographer, Jemma Sear (@_photosbyjem)
A second half that was littered with yellow cards, our South-West opponents held their shape, and dealt with the conditions well. Chances were few for both teams in the second period, with Brandon Barzey having the Tudors' best chance of the second half after getting on the end of a George Williams cross, only being able to poke the ball wide of the mark.
As the game went into the closing stages, Hemel looked to apply more pressure on their opponents, only for Truro to respond to the pressure and perform their game plan well.
Concluding the game, this would be both the first loss of the season for The Tudors, and the first goal conceded away from home. Time to bounce back and look towards Dorking Wanderers away next weekend.
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