I GREATLY enjoyed a four match groundhopping extravaganza in beautiful Cornwall over Easter.
The 320 mile road trip down to my hotel took six hours. I stayed near Redruth for two nights. Here are the details…
Match 1
St Day 3-1 Penzance
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When: Good Friday 18th April 2025
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Kick-off: 11.30am
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Where: Vogue Park, Vogue Hill, St Day, Cornwall, TR16 5NQ
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Competition: Walter C. Parson Peninsula League Premier West Division
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Attendance: 416
St Day are in their first year at Step 6 of our National League System having gained promotion as champions of the St Piran League Premier Division West.
They were unbeaten throughout last season establishing a 12 point margin over second place. St Day itself is a village of 4,500 residents.
Ground Description: The stand-out attribute is a two storey building behind one goal. This contains the dressing rooms, clubhouse bar and an upstairs viewing balcony. A covered stand offering 50 individual chairs straddles the halfway line.
Programme Details: A 12 page homespun effort priced at £1.
The Match: 13th versus 4th. St Day cantered to victory thanks to strikes by Kyle Marks two (16, 23 minutes) and Jacob Cleverly (32 mins). Curtis Smith grabbed Penzance’s consolation 11 minutes into the second half.
Match 2
Truro City 0-1 Torquay United
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When: Good Friday 18th April 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Truro City Stadium, Truro Sports Hub, West Langarth, Threemilestone, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9AN
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Competition: Vanarama National League South
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Attendance: 3,306
On leaving St Day, it was a five mile and 15 minute drive to Truro City’s new stadium.
This opened back in August thereby terminating four years of nomadic groundsharing existence after their long-established Treyew Road home was vacated for redevelopment in 2020/21. Truro is a cathedral city with 23,000 residents.
Ground Description: A huge 1,200 space car park leads up to the turnstiles. There is a seated stand for 300 on one side (‘Eden Hot Tubs Stand’) and a covered terracing catering for 500 home fans behind one goal (‘The Aqua Rod Eastern Stand’).
The rest of the arena is uncovered. Torquay’s noisy supporters were accommodated on open terracing next to the stand. However, the seating allocation will shortly be extended and additional covered standing installed too.
Programme Details: A lavish 56 page glossy colour production. On sale for £3, entitled ‘The Citizen’ and packed full of interesting reading.
The Match: Three points separated these sides ahead of a vital 1st versus 4th all-ticket sell-out encounter. Played in windswept rainy conditions before a record crowd, there was very little to choose between these two title chasing sides.
Indeed, football odds had suggested a tight contest. One moment of quality decided matters when Torquay’s Matt Jay curled a glorious 25 yard shot into the top corner on 65 minutes.
Match 3
Nanpean Rovers 6-0 Roche
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When: Easter Saturday 19th April 2025
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Kick-off: 11am
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Where: Victoria Bottoms Playing Field, Fore Street, Nanpean, Cornwall PL26 7YE
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Competition: Kernow Stone St Piran League Division One East
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Attendance: 436
A true bucket list ground that I’ve always wanted to visit! The picturesque bowl shaped venue was constructed in 1936 in the valley of a reclaimed china clay pit.
Just 1,000 people live in the tiny village of Nanpean. Heavy overnight rain put the match in doubt but club volunteers worked tirelessly on the playing surface from dawn onwards to clear extensive puddles.
Ground Description: Steep grass banking surrounds three sides of the pitch with rambling pathways at various levels disappearing into the bushes. Spectators can actually stand on the roof of one of the two ancient covered enclosures!
Programme Details: A duplicated 8 pages which sold at £3 inside the clubhouse.
The Match: My first dip into this league where 2nd entertained 16th (rock bottom) at Step 8 of the Non-League Pyramid. Therefore anyone holding sports betting knowledge would have fancied Nanpean to triumph.
Accordingly, their marksmen were Callum Oldham two (4, 36 minutes), Scot Brown (35 mins) and Leo Best three (84, 86, 90+1 mins).
Match 4
Launceston 0-1 Callington Town
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When: Easter Saturday 19th April 2025
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Kick-off: 6pm
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Where: Pennygillam, Pennygillam Way, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7ED
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Competition: Walter C. Parson Peninsula League Premier West Division
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Attendance: 603
The 38 mile journey from Nanpean took 42 minutes so I had plenty of time to go for a three course meal prior to this early evening kick-off.
Pronounced locally as “Lahnson”, the town’s population is 9,200.
Ground Description: Tucked away in an industrial estate. The main feature is a 150-seater stand on three rows incorporating sections of covered standing at either end.
I was surprised to see an electronic scoreboard next to the clubhouse. A vast wind turbine dominates sightlines towering behind the stand.
Programme Details: Entitled ‘Clarets’ to reflect the home side’s colours. Priced at £2 for a well-presented 24 pages.
The Match: Bottom (16th) versus 6th. Finley Skews fired the game’s only goal for Callington in the 32nd minute.
The People: My thanks to the South West Peninsula League for a brilliantly organised groundhop weekend particularly secretary Phil Hiscox and chairperson Janina Augustynowicz – two magnificent Non-League football ambassadors.
I am also indebted to Truro City media officer Gareth Davies who set up an interview with their club chairman/CEO Eric Perez for my Non-League Paper column.
Football grounds visited: 2,633.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
