Torquay United head into Saturday's FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Wrexham at the Launa Windows Stadium needing to overturn a single goal deficit.
Goals from Joe Clarke and Louis Moult gave the Red Dragons a goal two advantage before Ryan Bowman scored an all-important away goal for the Gulls.
Unlike Wrexham, who played out a goalless draw with Forest Green Rovers in midweek, Torquay had a free week thanks courtesy of the postponement of their Tuesday night fixture with Lincoln City.
If they require any inspiration ahead of what will be their fourth meeting with Wrexham this season, then the Gulls need look no further than their league clash against the Red Dragons in early October.
After going a goal down in the first half from Moult, Torquay levelled when a Louis Briscoe capped off a superb flowing move. It was then left to skipper Luke Young to score the winner with one of the finest goals seen at the Launa Windows Stadium with stunning strike from 35-yards.
Should Torquay overcome Wrexham, it will be the Gulls sixth appearance at Wembley - previous visits came in 1989, 1991, 1998, 2008 and 2009 - and it will be against either Bath City or North Ferriby United who compete in the other semi-final.
Manager Chris Hargreaves will also become the first person to lead Torquay to Wembley as both a player and as a manager - he captained the Gulls in their 2008 FA Trophy final appearance against Ebbsfleet United.
Thursday 26 February 2015
Sunday 22 February 2015
REID'S HAT TRICK OF HAT-TRICKS CLINCHES DERBY WIN
Reuben Reid chose the perfect time to score his hat-trick of
career hat-tricks – as he netted all three goals in Plymouth Argyle’s Devon
derby victory over Exeter City.
He opened the scoring for the Pilgrims in the 27th
minute before Aaron Davies equalised for the Grecians on the stroke of
half-time.
Reid restored Argyle’s advantage from the penalty spot on 57
minutes after his strike partner, Lewis Alessandra, was felled by Matt Oakley.
Despite being reduced to ten men, following the dismissal of
on loan midfielder Olly Lee, Reid was able to add a third for the Pilgrims on
71 minutes – thus ensuring that he became the first Plymouth Argyle to score a
hat-trick against Exeter since Ray Bowden in 1929.
The win was Argyle’s fourth league victory on the bounce,
which moves them up to sixth place in League Two and they are seven short of
the automatic promotion places.
Exeter, on the other hand, now find themselves in 13th
place and nine points adrift of the top seven.
Wednesday 18 February 2015
GRECIANS AND PILGRIMS SET FOR 70TH MEETING
Saturday's Devon Expressway derby between Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle will be the 70th competitive meeting between the two sides.
Those previous clashes have seen 26 wins for the Pilgrims, 19 wins for the Grecians and 24 draws.
As par the course of their recent clashes, there is something at stake for both sides, as the Grecians, currently in tenth place with 43 points, will be looking to win to get their play-off bid back on track.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims - in seventh place with 49 points - will be looking to record their fourth consecutive victory and further cement their own promotion bid.
In recent seasons, the Pilgrims have been battling against relegation when they have faced the Grecians, but now - under the guidance of John Sheridan - Argyle are beginning to look up instead of down.
Should Sheridan's men return victorious from St James Park on Saturday, then it will be the first time that they have completed the double over the Grecians since the 2001-02 campaign. That season, of course, was the campaign that saw Argyle win the Third Division title under Paul Sturrock.
That was the start of a period when there were no competitive meetings between the two sides, as Argyle then pushing on to reach the Championship, whilst the City were relegated the Conference in the following season.
Those previous clashes have seen 26 wins for the Pilgrims, 19 wins for the Grecians and 24 draws.
As par the course of their recent clashes, there is something at stake for both sides, as the Grecians, currently in tenth place with 43 points, will be looking to win to get their play-off bid back on track.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims - in seventh place with 49 points - will be looking to record their fourth consecutive victory and further cement their own promotion bid.
In recent seasons, the Pilgrims have been battling against relegation when they have faced the Grecians, but now - under the guidance of John Sheridan - Argyle are beginning to look up instead of down.
Should Sheridan's men return victorious from St James Park on Saturday, then it will be the first time that they have completed the double over the Grecians since the 2001-02 campaign. That season, of course, was the campaign that saw Argyle win the Third Division title under Paul Sturrock.
That was the start of a period when there were no competitive meetings between the two sides, as Argyle then pushing on to reach the Championship, whilst the City were relegated the Conference in the following season.
Tuesday 17 February 2015
GULLS SIGN CAMPBELL
Torquay United have boosted their attacking options ahead of their two-legged FA Trophy semi-final with Wrexham with the loan signing of John Campbell from Oxford United.
Campbell, 26, started his career as a Manchester City youth team player before returning to his native North East to sign for non-league side Newcastle Benfield.
He later returned to the professional ranks briefly with Darlington and then had spells with Bedlington Terriers and West Auckland.
However, it was a stint with Jarrow Roofing - a club that former Gulls Wes Saunders and Eifion Williams have both appeared for - earned him another shot at league football.
After scoring 18 goals in 14 appearances for Roofing, he agreed a deal with Oxford and he made his debut for the U's against Hartlepool United on December 20th 2014. Eight days later, he scored his first league goal against Plymouth Argyle.
Campbell will remain with the Gulls until the end of the current campaign.
Campbell, 26, started his career as a Manchester City youth team player before returning to his native North East to sign for non-league side Newcastle Benfield.
He later returned to the professional ranks briefly with Darlington and then had spells with Bedlington Terriers and West Auckland.
However, it was a stint with Jarrow Roofing - a club that former Gulls Wes Saunders and Eifion Williams have both appeared for - earned him another shot at league football.
After scoring 18 goals in 14 appearances for Roofing, he agreed a deal with Oxford and he made his debut for the U's against Hartlepool United on December 20th 2014. Eight days later, he scored his first league goal against Plymouth Argyle.
Campbell will remain with the Gulls until the end of the current campaign.
Monday 9 February 2015
THE STRANGE CASE OF ANDY KELLETT
This time last week, Andy Kellett was anticipating a return to Plymouth Argyle on loan from Bolton Wanderers, but instead he was loaned by the Trotters to Manchester United.
On the same day his former Argyle colleague Anthony O'Connor re-joined Argyle on a permanent deal, until the end of the season from Blackburn Rovers, Kellett, an attacking left-back by trade, was heading to Old Trafford as Red Devils manager Louis Van Gaal's only deadline day signing.
With several members of the Manchester United Under-21 side being loaned out to gain first team experience, their squad, which is coached by former Pilgrims midfielder Warren Joyce, was light on numbers.
So - by a twist of fate - Kellett, who made 15 appearances for the Pilgrims and scored once - away at Northampton, was handed a golden opportunity for a would-be professional footballer.
Tonight, he is amongst the substitutes for the Red Devils in their Barclays Under-21 Premier League match against Chelsea. His teammates for the night include: Victor Valdes, Tyler Blackett, Ashley Young and Nick Powell.
United boss Van Gaal has a history of giving youth a chance during his managerial, so - if he deems the situation to be right one - don't be too surprised if Andy features for the Red Devils' first team.
On the same day his former Argyle colleague Anthony O'Connor re-joined Argyle on a permanent deal, until the end of the season from Blackburn Rovers, Kellett, an attacking left-back by trade, was heading to Old Trafford as Red Devils manager Louis Van Gaal's only deadline day signing.
With several members of the Manchester United Under-21 side being loaned out to gain first team experience, their squad, which is coached by former Pilgrims midfielder Warren Joyce, was light on numbers.
So - by a twist of fate - Kellett, who made 15 appearances for the Pilgrims and scored once - away at Northampton, was handed a golden opportunity for a would-be professional footballer.
Tonight, he is amongst the substitutes for the Red Devils in their Barclays Under-21 Premier League match against Chelsea. His teammates for the night include: Victor Valdes, Tyler Blackett, Ashley Young and Nick Powell.
United boss Van Gaal has a history of giving youth a chance during his managerial, so - if he deems the situation to be right one - don't be too surprised if Andy features for the Red Devils' first team.
Sunday 8 February 2015
BOWMAN STRIKE SEES GULLS INTO LAST FOUR
Ryan Bowman maintained his record of scoring in every round of Torquay United's 2014-15 FA Trophy campaign, as he netted the Gulls' winner again FC United of Manchester.
Despite being the lowest ranked side left in the competition, FC United - who were formed in 2005 in response to the Glazer family takeover of Manchester United and play in the Northern Premier League- brought nearly 1,400 fans to the Launa Windows Stadium.
They proved to be stubborn opponents for the Gulls and it wasn't until in the 81st minute until Torquay were finally able to break down the visitors, and avoid an unwanted replay.
Midfielder Courtney Richards picked out Bowman who beat the offside trap and raced through to slot past FC United keeper David Carnell to seal Torquay's place in the last four.
Potential opposition for the Gulls in the semi-finals are: Wrexham - winners of the competition in 2013, or FC Halifax Town, North Ferriby United or either Dover Athletic or Conference South side Bath City.
Despite being the lowest ranked side left in the competition, FC United - who were formed in 2005 in response to the Glazer family takeover of Manchester United and play in the Northern Premier League- brought nearly 1,400 fans to the Launa Windows Stadium.
They proved to be stubborn opponents for the Gulls and it wasn't until in the 81st minute until Torquay were finally able to break down the visitors, and avoid an unwanted replay.
Midfielder Courtney Richards picked out Bowman who beat the offside trap and raced through to slot past FC United keeper David Carnell to seal Torquay's place in the last four.
Potential opposition for the Gulls in the semi-finals are: Wrexham - winners of the competition in 2013, or FC Halifax Town, North Ferriby United or either Dover Athletic or Conference South side Bath City.
Friday 6 February 2015
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
A memorable era came
to an end at Huish Park as Gary Johnson was dismissed as manager of Yeovil Town.
Since he was first
appointed as Glovers’ boss in 2001, Johnson has transformed the south Somerset
club’s journey from being non-league giant-killers to an established Football
League club.
Prior to his
arrival, Johnson had previously managed Cambridge United and Kettering Town,
before going on to become the head of Watford’s youth academy and manager of
the Latvian national side.
He took over a team
that had just missed out on promotion to the Football League at the expense of
Rushden & Diamonds and immediately set out to build a side capable of winning
promotion from the Conference.
In his first season,
he led Yeovil to the FA Trophy final where they defeated Stevenage 2-0 in the
final, courtesy of goals from Carl Alford and the late Adam Stansfield.
This proved to be a
platform for further success as they finally ended their 108-year stay in the
non-league wilderness by winning the Conference title with a record 17-point
margin.
Key players in this
side included skipper Terry Skiverton, Johnson’s son, Lee, and Gavin Williams.
The Glovers’ debut
season in Division Three proved to be a memorable, as they came within a
whisker of reaching the Play-offs – finishing 8th with a haul of 74
points. However, there was the consolation of a money-spinning televised FA Cup
tie with Liverpool.
The introduction of
Bartosz Tarachalski and Phil Jevons helped to make the difference in their
second season as a league club, which saw them lift the League Two title.
Johnson’s achievements
were being recognised from a distance as he accepted the offer of the Bristol
City manager’s job midway through the 2005-06 season.
He guided the Robins
to promotion from League One in the 2006-07 season, and – in the following
campaign - was 90 minutes away from leading them into the top-flight for the
first time since 1980.
The Robins faced
Hull City in the 2008 Championship play-off final, where they were beaten 1-0
by virtue of a Dean Windass strike.
Johnson left the
Robins following his dismissal in 2010, and later managed Peterborough United
and Northampton Town before returning to Huish Park in 2012.
His former skipper
Skiverton had been in charge of the Glovers, but he reverted to assistant manager
with his former assistants Nathan Jones and Darren Way remaining part of his
backroom staff. Although Jones later left to take up a Development Coach vacancy with Charlton Athletic.
The following season saw the Glovers shocked the footballing world by reaching the Championship for the first time in their history. After finishing 4th in League One, Yeovil won the 2013 League One play-off final as they beat Brentford 2-1.
Their stay in the second tier of English football proved to be a brief one, as they returned to League One after just one season as relegation was confirmed in their penultimate Championship fixture against Brighton.
This season the Glovers have found themselves fighting against relegation to League Two and – despite the brief highlight of a third round FA Cup tie against Manchester United – the Glovers decided to call time on Johnson’s season spell at Huish Park.
The reigns have once
again been passed to Skiverton who now has the challenge of repeating their
great escape of the 2008-09 season, when he was named as successor to Russell
Slade.
2001-02: Won
the FA Trophy with beating Stevenage Borough 2-0 at Villa Park.
2002-03: Won the Conference League title by a
record-breaking 17-point margin, taking the club into the Football League for
the first time in its 108 year history.
2003-04: Took the club to a money-spinning FA Cup Third Round tie against Liverpool that was screened live on BBC1.
2004-05: Won the League Two title, finishing three points above a Swansea City side now in the Premier League. Took the club to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup for only the second time in the club's history after they knocked out Championship side Rotherham United on their own patch by a 3-0 score line, giving them a trip to Premier League side Charlton Athletic, backed by around 4,000 travelling supporters.
2012-13: Gave the club its best League One finish in 4th place, ultimately seeing them beat Brentford in the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. Named the LMA Manager of the Year for League One.
2013-14: Gave the club it’s one and only (so far!) season at Championship level, with the club's fate only sealed on the 45th game of the season. Took the club to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup for only the third time in the club's history with an away match against Premier League side Southampton watched by 3,403 travelling supporters.
2014-15 Season : Took the club to a money-spinning FA Cup Third Round tie against Manchester United that was screened live on BT Sport.
Thursday 5 February 2015
WHEN THE GULLS BEAT THE RED DEVILS
With Torquay United due to meet FC United of Manchester in the FA Trophy Quarter-Finals this Saturday, we will now take a look back at a clash between the Gulls and the Red Devils that saw Torquay emerge victorious.
One of the mantra’s of the late Tony Boyce, who was Chairman of Torquay United between 1964 and 1984, was that any prospective manager of the Gulls should have three things: contacts, contacts and contacts.
In 1981, the then United manager Frank O’Farrell – in his second spell in charge of the Gulls following spells with Leicester City, Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national side – used his contacts to entice former West Bromwich Albion striker Tony Brown to Plainmoor.
It was a decade on from their previous visit to Plainmoor when O’Farrell brought his Red Devils side to play the Gulls in a pre-season friendly, which ended in a goalless draw.
Scotland defender Martin Buchan - who was brought to Old Trafford by O’Farrell in 1972 – was only survivor from that meeting to feature for either side.
Eight years later they returned to Plainmoor for a third visit, as part of the deal that took Lee Sharpe to Old Trafford in 1989 – which was also drawn – as the Gulls maintained their ‘unbeaten run’ against the Red Devils.
One of the mantra’s of the late Tony Boyce, who was Chairman of Torquay United between 1964 and 1984, was that any prospective manager of the Gulls should have three things: contacts, contacts and contacts.
In 1981, the then United manager Frank O’Farrell – in his second spell in charge of the Gulls following spells with Leicester City, Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national side – used his contacts to entice former West Bromwich Albion striker Tony Brown to Plainmoor.
Brown, who was also capped for England, wasn’t the only
former top-flight star with the Gulls at the time. Former Aston Villa, Derby
County, Everton and Scotland midfielder Bruce Rioch was combining playing with
acting as O’Farrell’s assistant.
As part of the deal to sign Brown, he was granted a
testimonial – which was to be played against Manchester United during the ‘big
freeze’ of 1981 that rendered many pitches across the country unplayable.
By a quirk of nature, Plainmoor was still relatively
unscathed and a match with the Red Devils was hastily arranged, along with
other friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.
The Red Devils – then managed by Ron Atkinson – sent down a
full strength squad, which included the likes of Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins,
Frank Stapleton et al. It was a decade on from their previous visit to Plainmoor when O’Farrell brought his Red Devils side to play the Gulls in a pre-season friendly, which ended in a goalless draw.
Scotland defender Martin Buchan - who was brought to Old Trafford by O’Farrell in 1972 – was only survivor from that meeting to feature for either side.
A crowd of over 7,000 poured into Plainmoor to witness the
occasion on December 7th 1981 and the Gulls took an early lead
through David Butler – a free transfer signing from Wolves - on five minutes.
Willie Young then doubled their advantage twelve minutes,
thanks to good work from Donal Murphy.
Brown then turned provider to increase their lead to three
when he set up strike partner Steve Cooper in the 20th minute.
Nine minutes later and Butler completed his brace as a major
shock appeared to be on the cards.
However, the Red Devils rallied in the second half to reduce
their deficit to two goals, as Wilkins and Lou Macari struck in the 48th
and 55th minutes respectively. Eight years later they returned to Plainmoor for a third visit, as part of the deal that took Lee Sharpe to Old Trafford in 1989 – which was also drawn – as the Gulls maintained their ‘unbeaten run’ against the Red Devils.
Torquay United 4
Butler (5), (29), Young (17), Cooper (20)
Manchester United 2
Wilkins (48),
Macari (55)
Monday 2 February 2015
GRECIANS BIGGEST MOVERS IN JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
Unsurprisingly, due to the windfall they received from the sale of Matt Grimes to Swansea City, Exeter City have been the biggest movers in the South West during the January 2015 transfer window.
One of the first acts of Grecians manager Paul Tisdale once the deal was completed was to turn the loan deals of Alex Nicholls and David Noble into permanent ones. He then moved to secure Clinton Morrison on a full contract; the former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker had been at St James Park on non-contract terms.
Ryan Harley also returned to St James Park after his contract with Swindon Town was terminated.
Tisdale then added further experience to his deal with the signing of former Bristol City and Yeovil midfielder James McAllister, after the Scotsman had spent a spell playing in India, and former Crewe and Morecambe midfielder Chris McCready.
The sale of Grimes to Swansea was Exeter's only departure of note other than Aaron Dawson, who has joined Torquay United on non-contract terms.
At Plainmoor, due to tight finances, Dawson has been the Gulls' only new addition other than French defender Olivier Guegen who has joined Chris Hargreaves' side, after recommendation on former Gulls' defender Guy Branston's talent-spotting website www.allaboutballerz.com
There have also been departures from Plainmoor as former right-back Durrell Berry, who had been with the Gulls on a non-contract deal, has agreed to sign for Cheltenham Town, who are - of course - managed by ex-Torquay boss Paul Buckle.
Elliot Benyon has also departed to Conference South side Hayes and Yeading on loan, whilst youngsters Niall Thompson, Daniel Sullivan and Jake Hutchings have been released, with Hutchings joining Scottish side Heart of Midlothian upon his release.
Plymouth Argyle have, thus far, made only one permanent acquisition in the form of striker Ryan Brunt on a free transfer following his release by Bristol Rovers. Pilgrims manager John Sheridan will hoping Brunt can carry on where he left off from his debut against Hartlepool United on Saturday when he scored his first goal for Argyle.
Sheridan was also trying to secure a permanent deal for Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender Anthony O'Connor, but the former Torquay United loanee opted to remain with his parent club Blackburn Rovers.
Another loanee Andy Kellett also returned to his parent club Bolton Wanderers, but midfielder Bobby Reid has re-joined the Pilgrims of a second loan spell from Bristol City.
Meanwhile, Marvin Morgan has departed Home Park and heads north to join Hartlepool United on loan, whilst Tom Flanagan, Olly Lee and Drew Talbot have joined on loan from Milton Keynes Dons, Birmingham City and Sheridan's former club Chesterfield respectively.
Finally, Yeovil Town have extended the loan deal of Stephen Arthurworrey from Fulham and signed former Mansfield Town midfielder Fergus Bell.
Striker Gozie Ugwu also joined the Glovers for a second spell, until the end of the season, following his release by Dunfermline. Youth loan deals were also agreed with Norwich City and Swansea City for Jamar Loza and Liam Shephard respectively.
The one notable departure from Huish Park so far is right-back Brendan Moloney, who has had his loan deal at Northampton Town into a permanent one.
One of the first acts of Grecians manager Paul Tisdale once the deal was completed was to turn the loan deals of Alex Nicholls and David Noble into permanent ones. He then moved to secure Clinton Morrison on a full contract; the former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker had been at St James Park on non-contract terms.
Ryan Harley also returned to St James Park after his contract with Swindon Town was terminated.
Tisdale then added further experience to his deal with the signing of former Bristol City and Yeovil midfielder James McAllister, after the Scotsman had spent a spell playing in India, and former Crewe and Morecambe midfielder Chris McCready.
The sale of Grimes to Swansea was Exeter's only departure of note other than Aaron Dawson, who has joined Torquay United on non-contract terms.
At Plainmoor, due to tight finances, Dawson has been the Gulls' only new addition other than French defender Olivier Guegen who has joined Chris Hargreaves' side, after recommendation on former Gulls' defender Guy Branston's talent-spotting website www.allaboutballerz.com
There have also been departures from Plainmoor as former right-back Durrell Berry, who had been with the Gulls on a non-contract deal, has agreed to sign for Cheltenham Town, who are - of course - managed by ex-Torquay boss Paul Buckle.
Elliot Benyon has also departed to Conference South side Hayes and Yeading on loan, whilst youngsters Niall Thompson, Daniel Sullivan and Jake Hutchings have been released, with Hutchings joining Scottish side Heart of Midlothian upon his release.
Plymouth Argyle have, thus far, made only one permanent acquisition in the form of striker Ryan Brunt on a free transfer following his release by Bristol Rovers. Pilgrims manager John Sheridan will hoping Brunt can carry on where he left off from his debut against Hartlepool United on Saturday when he scored his first goal for Argyle.
Sheridan was also trying to secure a permanent deal for Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender Anthony O'Connor, but the former Torquay United loanee opted to remain with his parent club Blackburn Rovers.
Another loanee Andy Kellett also returned to his parent club Bolton Wanderers, but midfielder Bobby Reid has re-joined the Pilgrims of a second loan spell from Bristol City.
Meanwhile, Marvin Morgan has departed Home Park and heads north to join Hartlepool United on loan, whilst Tom Flanagan, Olly Lee and Drew Talbot have joined on loan from Milton Keynes Dons, Birmingham City and Sheridan's former club Chesterfield respectively.
Finally, Yeovil Town have extended the loan deal of Stephen Arthurworrey from Fulham and signed former Mansfield Town midfielder Fergus Bell.
Striker Gozie Ugwu also joined the Glovers for a second spell, until the end of the season, following his release by Dunfermline. Youth loan deals were also agreed with Norwich City and Swansea City for Jamar Loza and Liam Shephard respectively.
The one notable departure from Huish Park so far is right-back Brendan Moloney, who has had his loan deal at Northampton Town into a permanent one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)