Plymouth Argyle's hopes of securing a top three finish are now considered extremely difficult by manager Derek Adams.
The Pilgrims slipped to a 3-2 home defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge, in which Argyle were three goals down by half time, severely dented their top three hopes - especially as promotion rivals Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers both won.
This now means that there is now no margin for error from Adams' side as anything other than all the six available points from their next two games - Cambridge away and Hartlepool at home - will mean that they will be forced to settle for a Play-off spot.
In addition to this, the fifth placed Pilgrims - who currently have 77 points - will be relying on at least one of the Pirates, who have 79, Oxford United, on 80 points, and Accrington, the league's surprise package with 81 points, to slip up in their final two games.
At the recent PFA awards, Argyle did have something to celebrate when skipper Curtis Nelson was named in the League Two team of the season. Nelson, who is also the Pilgrims' longest serving, could yet have something else to celebrate - depending on how the season pans out.
Monday 25 April 2016
Wednesday 20 April 2016
WHERE DOES THIS GREAT ESCAPE RANK FOR THE GULLS?
After Torquay United retained their National League status after beating Bromley last Saturday, we will now look at where the Gulls' campaign rates alongside their other great escapes of previous seasons.
When United went into their league fixture with fellow strugglers Boreham Wood on February 20th, they were rooted to the bottom of the Vanarama National League with 20 points to their name; they were also 12 adrift from safety and all seemed lost.
The possibility of the Gulls playing in non-league regional football for the first time since the 1926-27 season, the year before they were successfully elected to the Football League, seemed very real indeed.
With a lack of money since Thea Bristow stood down as chairman and closed her chequebook and falling attendances hovering around the 1,800 breakeven figure quoted by new chairman David Phillips, the odds were well and truly stacked against United.
Since Kevin Nicholson's appointment as permanent successor to Paul Cox, they had only shown glimpses of form, in a 4-1 win over promotion chasing Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day and a brief run in the FA Trophy.
However, they managed to come away from West London with a 1-0 win thanks to a Nathan Blissett effort, which sparked a revival in their fortunes and - 14 games later - they sealed their survival by beating Bromley 2-0 with two games to spare of the regular season. In the process, Nicholson added his name to a list that includes Stuart Morgan, Neil Warnock, Colin Lee and Ian Atkins.
Unlike other great escapes, this season's offering didn't quite go down to the wire in the same way as the 'Bryn the Police Dog' game against Crewe of 1986-87 or the 'do or die' final day clash against of 2000-01.
For pure drama, the Crewe game surely rates as the greatest - especially when you consider the Gulls trailed twice and their second equaliser came in injury time added on after Jim McNichol was infamously bitten by Bryn.
And with the Barnet game, had United lost to their opponents from North London - they won 3-2 with goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham. Throw in a first half penalty save from Stuart Jones in between the second and third goals and some resolute defending in the final 10-15 minutes, and it made for a nail-biting contest.
Striking parallels can be found between the 1992-93 and 2005-06 campaigns instalments, as they both came within two years of a promotion winning season - the 1990-91 Play-off winning campaign and the automatic promotion season of 2003-04 under Leroy Rosenior - and a year after relegation from League One or its equivalent.
The architects of these escapes - Neil Warnock and Ian Atkins - did so in a short space of time; it took Warnock 17 games after he replaced Paul Compton and Atkins remarkably did so in six following a period of initially working as a consultant to John Cornforth before taking over the reigns himself.
They both achieved these feats by winning away at Carlisle in the penultimate game of their respective seasons. In 1992-93, a 1-0 win secured at a Duane Darby goal and in 2005-06 - a 2-1 win with a header from Kevin Hill and a Jo Kuffour strike proved to be enough; on both occasions plenty of 'backs to the wall defending' was also required to.
When you consider what was at stake in all five of the aforementioned campaigns, the relegations would have occurred had the Gulls not achieved their objectives could have severely hampered the club in the future and the damage inflicted on the club could have proved to be terminal.
Which is especially true of United's escape of the current campaign, as relegation would have seen the club play at a level that they wouldn't have graced since the 1920. Conference South football would have been an incredibly hard sell by the club to a south Devon public that had witnessed the Gulls experience two relegations in the space of three years, with another year of struggle prior to that.
One thing that United's great escape campaigns do all have in common is that they have all left the Gulls' faithful wondering ' how the hell did we manage to get out of this then?'
When United went into their league fixture with fellow strugglers Boreham Wood on February 20th, they were rooted to the bottom of the Vanarama National League with 20 points to their name; they were also 12 adrift from safety and all seemed lost.
The possibility of the Gulls playing in non-league regional football for the first time since the 1926-27 season, the year before they were successfully elected to the Football League, seemed very real indeed.
With a lack of money since Thea Bristow stood down as chairman and closed her chequebook and falling attendances hovering around the 1,800 breakeven figure quoted by new chairman David Phillips, the odds were well and truly stacked against United.
Since Kevin Nicholson's appointment as permanent successor to Paul Cox, they had only shown glimpses of form, in a 4-1 win over promotion chasing Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day and a brief run in the FA Trophy.
However, they managed to come away from West London with a 1-0 win thanks to a Nathan Blissett effort, which sparked a revival in their fortunes and - 14 games later - they sealed their survival by beating Bromley 2-0 with two games to spare of the regular season. In the process, Nicholson added his name to a list that includes Stuart Morgan, Neil Warnock, Colin Lee and Ian Atkins.
Unlike other great escapes, this season's offering didn't quite go down to the wire in the same way as the 'Bryn the Police Dog' game against Crewe of 1986-87 or the 'do or die' final day clash against of 2000-01.
For pure drama, the Crewe game surely rates as the greatest - especially when you consider the Gulls trailed twice and their second equaliser came in injury time added on after Jim McNichol was infamously bitten by Bryn.
And with the Barnet game, had United lost to their opponents from North London - they won 3-2 with goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham. Throw in a first half penalty save from Stuart Jones in between the second and third goals and some resolute defending in the final 10-15 minutes, and it made for a nail-biting contest.
Striking parallels can be found between the 1992-93 and 2005-06 campaigns instalments, as they both came within two years of a promotion winning season - the 1990-91 Play-off winning campaign and the automatic promotion season of 2003-04 under Leroy Rosenior - and a year after relegation from League One or its equivalent.
The architects of these escapes - Neil Warnock and Ian Atkins - did so in a short space of time; it took Warnock 17 games after he replaced Paul Compton and Atkins remarkably did so in six following a period of initially working as a consultant to John Cornforth before taking over the reigns himself.
They both achieved these feats by winning away at Carlisle in the penultimate game of their respective seasons. In 1992-93, a 1-0 win secured at a Duane Darby goal and in 2005-06 - a 2-1 win with a header from Kevin Hill and a Jo Kuffour strike proved to be enough; on both occasions plenty of 'backs to the wall defending' was also required to.
When you consider what was at stake in all five of the aforementioned campaigns, the relegations would have occurred had the Gulls not achieved their objectives could have severely hampered the club in the future and the damage inflicted on the club could have proved to be terminal.
Which is especially true of United's escape of the current campaign, as relegation would have seen the club play at a level that they wouldn't have graced since the 1920. Conference South football would have been an incredibly hard sell by the club to a south Devon public that had witnessed the Gulls experience two relegations in the space of three years, with another year of struggle prior to that.
One thing that United's great escape campaigns do all have in common is that they have all left the Gulls' faithful wondering ' how the hell did we manage to get out of this then?'
Sunday 17 April 2016
DOCKYARD DERBY DELIGHT FOR PILGRIMS
Devon derby despair became Dockyard derby delight for Plymouth Argyle as they producing a stunning late comeback to beat fellow promotion contenders Portsmouth.
A fortnight ago, two late goals from Ollie Watkins - including one deep in injury time - had condemned the Pilgrims to defeat against local rivals Exeter City, but - on this occasion - two goals in the last ten minutes saw Argyle clinch victory.
Michael Smith's 37th minute effort looked to have been enough to help Pompey see off Argyle, but the Pilgrims struck back through Jamille Matt in the 84th minute.Two minutes later, substitute Gregg Wylde scored Argyle's second, which sent the 2,405 of the travelling 'Green Army' into raptures.
The result lifts the Pilgrims to within a point of Bristol Rovers, who occupy the third and final automatic promotion spot.
Next up for Argyle is a trip to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night before a home fixture with already relegated Dagenham & Redbridge, and with the Pilgrims now engaged in a three-way fight for third place with the Pirates and Accrington Stanley a return of three points from both matches is a must.
A fortnight ago, two late goals from Ollie Watkins - including one deep in injury time - had condemned the Pilgrims to defeat against local rivals Exeter City, but - on this occasion - two goals in the last ten minutes saw Argyle clinch victory.
Michael Smith's 37th minute effort looked to have been enough to help Pompey see off Argyle, but the Pilgrims struck back through Jamille Matt in the 84th minute.Two minutes later, substitute Gregg Wylde scored Argyle's second, which sent the 2,405 of the travelling 'Green Army' into raptures.
The result lifts the Pilgrims to within a point of Bristol Rovers, who occupy the third and final automatic promotion spot.
Next up for Argyle is a trip to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night before a home fixture with already relegated Dagenham & Redbridge, and with the Pilgrims now engaged in a three-way fight for third place with the Pirates and Accrington Stanley a return of three points from both matches is a must.
ONCE THE DUST HAS SETTLED - A BIG DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE
Once the dust has settled at the end of the 2015-16 campaign
for Torquay United, the incoming board - who are currently concluding a
takeover of the club – will need to make a decision over the future of manager
Kevin Nicholson.
Nicholson also made good use of the loan market to bring Josh Rees from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Brendan Moore from Fleetwood Town.
This could prove to be important to the Gulls’ future reputation – especially as the emergency loan system is due to be scrapped next season and any bigger clubs looking loan out young players will be looking to send them out in the during the transfer windows to clubs who will look after their development.
If anyone is fully aware of the importance of the club to the locality, then Nicholson has a greater sense of this than most – as, whilst still a player at Plainmoor, he ran a five-a-side football league with former team-mate Lee Mansell.
And now he has completed the job he was brought in to do, he now has surely earned the right to build on the foundations that he has helped to lay and, hopefully, he and the club can reap the benefit of them in the future.
Since the beginning of February, Nicholson has overseen a
remarkable turnaround after three years of decline and mis-management; it is also
likely that his achievements wouldn’t have gone unnoticed across the Vanarama
National Conference.
Before United kicked off against Boreham Wood on February 20th
2016, they were rooted to the bottom of the division and 12 points adrift of
safety. Now, 14 games later, the Gulls have since retained their National
League status – at a time when the spectre of regional non-league football for
the first time since the 1926-27 season was looming large – with two games to
spare.
After moving a number of players off the wage bill in the
January transfer window, including Dan Lavercombe (who he sold to Wigan
Athletic and then loaned back), James Hurst and Louis Briscoe; he then signed
Nathan Blissett and Shaun Harrad – two of his former team-mates from his days
at Kidderminster Harriers and Notts County respectively – to bolster his attack
and drafted in wide man Iffy Allen from Yeovil Town.
Perhaps his most important signing has been former
Huddersfield Town midfielder Danny Racchi whose role as a deep-lying playmaker
in front of the back four has given the Gulls a more solid look, and he has made a
big difference to a midfield area where Luke Young had been badly missed until
his recent return. Nicholson also made good use of the loan market to bring Josh Rees from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Brendan Moore from Fleetwood Town.
This could prove to be important to the Gulls’ future reputation – especially as the emergency loan system is due to be scrapped next season and any bigger clubs looking loan out young players will be looking to send them out in the during the transfer windows to clubs who will look after their development.
It is also worth mentioning that Nicholson concluded his
transfer business for the month with a profit believed to be in the region of
£47,000.
Off the field, Nicholson has also played a key role in
helping to improve the club’s image within the local community, which have
included a Pool and Darts night at the Galaxy Centre in Torquay, where many
players were in attendance. If anyone is fully aware of the importance of the club to the locality, then Nicholson has a greater sense of this than most – as, whilst still a player at Plainmoor, he ran a five-a-side football league with former team-mate Lee Mansell.
And now he has completed the job he was brought in to do, he now has surely earned the right to build on the foundations that he has helped to lay and, hopefully, he and the club can reap the benefit of them in the future.
Saturday 16 April 2016
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR NICHOLSON
It was a case of mission accomplished for Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson, as the Gulls defeated Bromley to secure the vital three points they needed to retain their National League status.
Skipper Angus MacDonald opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he headed home a Luke Young corner.
MacDonald later received his 15th booking of the season, which means he now misses the Gulls' remaining two fixtures against Barrow and Guiseley.
The Ravens were reduced to ten men in the second half when Ali Fusieni received a second yellow card on 50 minutes.
United made certain of the points five minutes from time through a free-kick from Courtney Richards, which ensured that the Gulls reached the 50 point with their ninth win in 15 matches.
As Boreham Wood and Guiseley have to play each other next week, the outcome of that match will prevent at least one of them from overhauling United's points tally - Boreham Wood have 44 points, whilst Guiseley have 46.
The Gulls had been 12 points adrift as recently as February 20th, so for Nicholson to have overseen the transformation that he has done is a truly remarkable feat.
Skipper Angus MacDonald opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he headed home a Luke Young corner.
MacDonald later received his 15th booking of the season, which means he now misses the Gulls' remaining two fixtures against Barrow and Guiseley.
The Ravens were reduced to ten men in the second half when Ali Fusieni received a second yellow card on 50 minutes.
United made certain of the points five minutes from time through a free-kick from Courtney Richards, which ensured that the Gulls reached the 50 point with their ninth win in 15 matches.
As Boreham Wood and Guiseley have to play each other next week, the outcome of that match will prevent at least one of them from overhauling United's points tally - Boreham Wood have 44 points, whilst Guiseley have 46.
The Gulls had been 12 points adrift as recently as February 20th, so for Nicholson to have overseen the transformation that he has done is a truly remarkable feat.
Wednesday 13 April 2016
YOUNG'S SPECTACULAR RETURN
Luke Young marked his first start for Torquay United in over a year by scoring the opening goal in the Gulls' 2-0 over relegation rivals Altrincham.
The former Plymouth Argyle starlet, who was marking his first full 90 minute appearance for the Gulls since March 28th 2015, struck with a long range effort from the edge of the penalty area on 17 minutes to give the Gulls the lead.
It was his first league goal since he netted against Grimsby Town on October 18th 2014, which was the last of the six goals that he scored during the 2014-15 campaign.
Torquay manager Kevin Nicholson had been using him sparingly since he made his first substitute appearance on Easter Saturday, since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in pre-season, but this was the first occasion when he had included him in his starting eleven.
Altrincham's best chance of an equaliser came in the 36th minute, when he had an effort turned behind for a corner by United's on loan American keeper Brendan Moore.
The Gulls put the result beyond doubt on 59 minutes when Shaun Harrad read a Nathan Blissett flick-on to slot home past Alty keeper Tim Deasy.
United now have 47 points and are six points clear of the relegation zone with three games to play, which will be away to Bromley, home to Barrow before a long trip to Guiseley on the final day.
If Young could find the target again in any of those three games, it will help round off what will be a memorable comeback for the club.
The former Plymouth Argyle starlet, who was marking his first full 90 minute appearance for the Gulls since March 28th 2015, struck with a long range effort from the edge of the penalty area on 17 minutes to give the Gulls the lead.
It was his first league goal since he netted against Grimsby Town on October 18th 2014, which was the last of the six goals that he scored during the 2014-15 campaign.
Torquay manager Kevin Nicholson had been using him sparingly since he made his first substitute appearance on Easter Saturday, since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in pre-season, but this was the first occasion when he had included him in his starting eleven.
Altrincham's best chance of an equaliser came in the 36th minute, when he had an effort turned behind for a corner by United's on loan American keeper Brendan Moore.
The Gulls put the result beyond doubt on 59 minutes when Shaun Harrad read a Nathan Blissett flick-on to slot home past Alty keeper Tim Deasy.
United now have 47 points and are six points clear of the relegation zone with three games to play, which will be away to Bromley, home to Barrow before a long trip to Guiseley on the final day.
If Young could find the target again in any of those three games, it will help round off what will be a memorable comeback for the club.
Sunday 10 April 2016
ALL EYES ON ALTRINCHAM
On Grand National weekend, Torquay United remain on course to complete their great escape, as the Vanarama National League enters its final furlong, despite losing by a single goal against Tranmere.
A second half header from Michael Higdon secured the points for Rovers, who are managed by former Gulls' midfielder Gary Brabin, but results elsewhere went in United's favour and a win on Tuesday against fellow strugglers Altrincham would ensure that the Gulls are all but safe.
Their great escape seemed to have come to a possible dead end over the Easter weekend, when they lost 5-0 at Dover - a defeat that was compounded by a broken leg sustained by Durrell Berry - before going down to a solitary goal against Eastleigh.
However, a surprise 2-1 win away at Gateshead and a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Chester FC followed and now another win against Altrincham would move the Gulls six points clear of the drop zone and up to 17th in the table.
With four games to go, survival is very much within United's reach after being bottom of the division at the beginning of February, but seven wins in the last 13 league fixtures has helped to transform their fortunes.
A second half header from Michael Higdon secured the points for Rovers, who are managed by former Gulls' midfielder Gary Brabin, but results elsewhere went in United's favour and a win on Tuesday against fellow strugglers Altrincham would ensure that the Gulls are all but safe.
Their great escape seemed to have come to a possible dead end over the Easter weekend, when they lost 5-0 at Dover - a defeat that was compounded by a broken leg sustained by Durrell Berry - before going down to a solitary goal against Eastleigh.
However, a surprise 2-1 win away at Gateshead and a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Chester FC followed and now another win against Altrincham would move the Gulls six points clear of the drop zone and up to 17th in the table.
With four games to go, survival is very much within United's reach after being bottom of the division at the beginning of February, but seven wins in the last 13 league fixtures has helped to transform their fortunes.
Sunday 3 April 2016
WATKINS AT THE DOUBLE FOR GRECIANS
If Devon Expressway derbies between Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle are played for another 100 years, the day when Ollie Watkins netted twice in the last ten minutes for the Grecians will still be talked about for the whole of that time.
The Pilgrims looked to have done enough to take all three points when Jamille Matt netted his third goal in as many games, but City starlet Watkins equalised with a long range effort, which beat Argyle keeper Luke McCormick at his near post, before adding a second deep in injury time with a wonder strike that found the top corner.
It was a result that could be a destiny defining game for both sides, as the result saw the Pilgrims drop out of the top three and moved the Grecians to within two points of the Play-off zone.
As well as being the 66th league meeting between the two sides, it was also their third meeting of the current campaign and there is now the increased possibility that number could rise to five if they were to meet each other again in the Play-offs.
In most seasons in League Two, 70 points is usually enough for secure a Play-off place and 80 points is normally the amount required to obtain an automatic promotion berth.
At the time of writing, the Grecians are currently in 10th with 59 points - so therefore would require at least another 11 points from their remaining six league matches to seal a top seven finish. Argyle, on the other hand, are in fourth place with 71 points - and are only kept out of the top three on goal difference by Bristol Rovers.
Another 11 points for the Pilgrims could also be enough to ensure them of a return to League One without having to go through the lottery of the Play-offs.
Argyle's next two fixtures include a home encounter with AFC Wimbledon who - like Exeter - are also chasing a Play-off position and a 'Dockyard Derby' with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, who also have a good chance of achieving automatic promotion themselves - and these two fixtures could go a long way to deciding their end of season fate.
The Pilgrims looked to have done enough to take all three points when Jamille Matt netted his third goal in as many games, but City starlet Watkins equalised with a long range effort, which beat Argyle keeper Luke McCormick at his near post, before adding a second deep in injury time with a wonder strike that found the top corner.
It was a result that could be a destiny defining game for both sides, as the result saw the Pilgrims drop out of the top three and moved the Grecians to within two points of the Play-off zone.
As well as being the 66th league meeting between the two sides, it was also their third meeting of the current campaign and there is now the increased possibility that number could rise to five if they were to meet each other again in the Play-offs.
In most seasons in League Two, 70 points is usually enough for secure a Play-off place and 80 points is normally the amount required to obtain an automatic promotion berth.
At the time of writing, the Grecians are currently in 10th with 59 points - so therefore would require at least another 11 points from their remaining six league matches to seal a top seven finish. Argyle, on the other hand, are in fourth place with 71 points - and are only kept out of the top three on goal difference by Bristol Rovers.
Another 11 points for the Pilgrims could also be enough to ensure them of a return to League One without having to go through the lottery of the Play-offs.
Argyle's next two fixtures include a home encounter with AFC Wimbledon who - like Exeter - are also chasing a Play-off position and a 'Dockyard Derby' with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, who also have a good chance of achieving automatic promotion themselves - and these two fixtures could go a long way to deciding their end of season fate.
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