Carter: 5-1 scoreline was a bit harsh on us

Moneyfields manager Dave Carter felt the final scoreline of 5-1 in their FA Trophy first round proper defeat to Truro City was a harsh reflection on his side.

The hosts made a dream start with striker Steve Hutchings netting inside a minute to mount real hopes of upsetting their one division higher visitors.

But Truro replied two minutes later through Andrew Neal before four second-half strikes saw them ease through in the end in terrible conditions at Dover Road.

Moneys did provide the Cornish side with some problems - particularly in the first half - but failure to add a second goal would ultimately come at a cost for the hosts.

But boss Carter says there were plenty of positives to take, despite what turned out to be a heavy defeat in the end.

In what was their first match more than a month, he felt his side's fitness levels understandably began to drop on a tough pitch.

Truro's quality eventually told as they netted three times in a sevenminute spell from 74 minutes.

Carter said: 'I don’t think it was a 5-1 game.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I think they were the better side, fitness showed in the end on a heavy pitch and their little bit of quality shone through in the end.

‘We pushed to get back in the game and left ourselves a little bit open and their quality came through.

‘We had good chances in the first half, we were unlucky not to get a second.

‘It was a free-hit for us, we knew they were going to be a good side, it was disappointing to be five.

'I was pleased with the lads, pleased with some of the football we played on a difficult pitch.'

Reflecting on Moneyfields' run, Carter believes it's an experience they can build on.

They came through two rounds - beating both Basingstoke Town and Kidlington - to reach the first round proper for the first time in the club's history.

For that, Moneys received £5,475 in prize money while there was a decent turnout at Dover Road - 237 - for the Truro tie.

And Carter sees those finances as an additional bonus for the club in tough times because of the coronavirus outbreak.

‘It’s not the result we wanted but it’s nice to get a little bit of money,' added Carter.

‘We probably weren’t going to win the cup but it’s the furthest we’ve ever got and it looked like we had a few in here.'

■ Locks Heath emerged from lockdown in style with a 6-0 victory at Winchester Castle to stay second in the Senior Division of the Hampshire Premier League.

Fleetlands are up to third after a 5-1 victory at Liss.

HPL reports appear in tomorrow’s edition of The News.

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