Monday 5 November 2012

CUP RUNNETH OVER

The FA Cup involvement of the South West's four professional sides came to an end at the weekend as they all exited the competition at the first round stage.

Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle both bowed out to non-league opposition in the form of Harrogate Town and Dorchester Town respectively whilst Exeter City and Yeovil Town returned from their respective journeys to Bury and Preston North End with defeats.

A first half strike from Chibuzor Chilaka enabled Harrogate to avenge their cup exit at the hands of Torquay in the 2005-06 season.

Meanwhile, at the Avenue Stadium, Exeter City loanee and former Plymouth Argyle junior Jake Gosling scored the decisive goal for Dorchester, which secured victory for the Dorset side, in a tie that was broadcasted live on ESPN.

This condemned the Pilgrims to their second cup defeat against non-league opposition in the space of two years, in a game which they were reduced to ten men after nine minutes following the dismissal of Conor Hourihane.

Former Yeovil defender Efe Sodje scored the decisive goal in Exeter's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bury, before he was dismissed for receiving a second yellow card, whilst ex-Torquay centre back Chris Robertson was amongst the scorers for Preston North End in their 3-0 victory over a Yeovil Town who were reduced to ten men after Ed Upson received his marching orders.