“It may sound an odd thing to say about a team that has scored 12 goals in their previous three games but it’s hard to see where the goals will come from in a team that couldn’t get its shots away with any confidence. Let’s hope that Jamie Barker can play the full 90 in midweek, that John Frendo regains his confidence and that Steve Gentle retains his whole hearted effort.” From Saturday’s Truro match report

How can such a turn around in fortunes be explained? And how could your reporter have been so wrong?

In terms of the wish list, Jamie Barker wasn’t available but it is pleasing to report that John Frendo most certainly regained his confidence and Steve Gentle continued to run his legs to water. And it’s probably true to say that while on Saturday everything that could go wrong did go wrong, on Tuesday night the reverse was true.

There was good news in the shape of Tony Burke, who was named on the bench rather than being out for another week.

The game started with City showing far more endeavour than they could muster at the weekend, Gentle heading over on five and Frendo falling foul of a wicked bounce that denied him a goal after Neil Midgley did well to pull the ball back to him on seven.

However, Frendo was at the heart of the action on eleven minutes when with his back to goal he was clattered by Stourbridge skipper Nathan Bennett in the penalty area, referee Mike George immediately awarding the penalty. Midgley stepped up and thumped the ball past Lewis Solly to open the scoring.

Two minutes later the Lilywhites showed their eagerness to attack when having defended a corner, Adrian Cambridge broke quickly down the left before sending in a deep cross which Solly managed to pluck out of the air before Frendo could intercept.

Meanwhile, the visitors managed to win a string of corners without ever threatening the city goal – and when they did, Zac Barrett was able to deal with the resulting header with some comfort.

City managed to get more shots away in the first 25 minutes than they managed all Saturday. Robbie Nightingale’s long range effort was slightly hopeful but Frendo’s turn and shot on 27 drew a decent save from Solly for a corner from which Dave Theobald put a header wide – call it a sighter for later.

Frendo’s evening improved even more when on 31 minutes he did well to turn his man and fire in a low, stinging cross directly at Gentle who managed to side foot it home from six yards. Two-nil and City were looking comfortable. That’s how the half ended with the home team having the better of it in all departments.

The second half opened with a James Krause running from deep, cutting through the Stourbridge defence before unleashing a swerving shot that went wide – but it was encouraging to see City having the confidence to attack from defence.

City’s third came courtesy of a deep cross from the left which found Midgley having to work a very tight angle on the right. His low drive was well placed and gave Solly no chance. At three-nil and with only a little over half an hour to go, it would be easy to imagine that the tie was decided. But when Stourbridge scored on the hour through Ryan Rowe the visitors found a little extra energy and began to attack in numbers. Another goal at this point might well have tipped the momentum and who knows what might have happened. When they appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty on 66, another referee might have seen it differently and Stourbridge would have been right back in the match.

But Lee Chaffey had other ideas. A deft first touch sparked off a run which took the defender deep into Stourbridge territory. The resulting cross from the left found Frendo, who coolly netted his first goal for City since October 7.  An excellent strike and more than a fair return for an evening of hard and willing support play.

By now the game was well and truly City’s. Theobald’s header from Cambridge’s corner on 75 gave him his first for the evening. He was saving his best until last, however. When Cambridge sent in a lowish corner from the right on 80, Theobald met the ball with perfect timing, volleying the ball past Solly with astonishing power. If a premier league striker had shown the same technique, fans would realise that was why he was paid so well every week. But when your number four meets a ball so sweetly is another matter – an outstanding finish and practically impossible to defend.

Tony Burke played a useful 30 minutes in his first appearance since Boxing Day. The defence looked solid – Theobald made one interception in the first half that was sharp as a thistle – and the midfield showed the type of creatively that was missing at the weekend. Whether City were 6-1 good is another matter; the gap between the two teams certainly didn’t feel that wide, but City did well to score at key moments – the fourth came at the time when the visitors were having their best spell. Stourbridge were certainly not a poor side but ran into a team that had much to prove.

Praise to referee Mike George who let the game flow, showed admirable common sense and kept his cards warm in his pocket.

I won’t tempt fate by suggesting that the Lilywhites are a goal scoring machine who will flatten anyone in their path…in fact, I’d be amazed if they can get a single shot away on Saturday. well, it worked well last time…