On a day when Sutton's decision to sack reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw might have come back to haunt them against Torquay United, the U's managed to come away from Plainmoor with all three points.
Shaw had been dismissed by the club after he was filmed eating a pie during the live television coverage of their fifth round FA Cup tie with Arsenal, an incident which is being investigated by the Gambling Commission due to a bookmaker placing odds of 8/1 of him doing so.
First choice keeper Ross Worner was forced off after 18 minutes after injuring himself trying to save Luke Young's 40-yard strike in the 14th minute. This prompted right-back Simon Downer to take over between the sticks, but despite this Torquay were unable to add to their tally as they went at the half-time break at 1-1 as Roarie Deacon equalised for the visitors.
In the second half, the Gulls finally managed to find a way past Downer 19 seconds after the restart when Brett Williams slotted the ball under the stand-in keeper from close range to score his sixth goal of the season - making him United's top scorer for the season outright with six goals.
However, just when the Gulls seemed to be in the ascendency, Sutton struck back as Maxime Biamou equalised with a shot that hit the under side of the bar and Gulls' defender Sean McGinty's head before going in.
With ten minutes to go, it turned out to be Torquay's inability not to test Downer more, rather than Sutton's dismissal of Shaw, that came back to bite them on the backside as Sutton defender Dean Beckwith turned home a free-kick from Nicky Bailey to seal the win for the visitors - only their second victory on the road this season.
The result leaves the Gulls just one point above the drop zone and with games against Solihull Moors and Guiseley coming up next, it's a worrying position to be in.
Sunday 26 February 2017
Thursday 23 February 2017
GULLS GEAR UP FOR SUTTON CLASH
After make headlines for facing Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round and subsequent 'Pie-gate' incident involving reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw, Sutton United return to National League action against Torquay United on Saturday.
Whilst Paul Doswell's side were busy preparing for the visit of the Gunners' to their Gander Green Lane home on Monday night, the Gulls picked up a creditable goalless draw away to Play-off chasing Barrow who, of course, are managed by former Torquay boss Paul Cox.
Whether Saturday will be a good time for the Gulls to be facing Sutton is open to conjecture, but interestingly enough a season on from Sutton's run to the fourth round in the 1988-89 season (when they beat Coventry City en route) they were eliminated from the competition by United.
After beating Basingstoke Town in the first round, the Gulls drew 1-1 with Sutton in their second round meeting, with John Uzzell on target.
In the replay at Plainmoor, Torquay triumphed 4-0 with Phil Lloyd, Jimmy Smith (twice) and Matt Elliott all finding the target, which set the Gulls up for a third round tie at home to West Ham United that they won 1-0 thanks to a Paul Hirons' effort.
However, Sutton did manage to get revenge on Torquay in the second round of the competition in the 1993-94 season when they won 1-0 courtesy of an Ollie Morah strike. Morah would later have a brief spell with the Gulls in the following season.
Whereas 105 places in the football pyramid separated Sutton and Arsenal, only one position lies between them and the Gulls as the two sides are in 17th and 18th place in the National League table respectively.
It's a factor that adds an extra level of importance to the occasion.
Whilst Paul Doswell's side were busy preparing for the visit of the Gunners' to their Gander Green Lane home on Monday night, the Gulls picked up a creditable goalless draw away to Play-off chasing Barrow who, of course, are managed by former Torquay boss Paul Cox.
Whether Saturday will be a good time for the Gulls to be facing Sutton is open to conjecture, but interestingly enough a season on from Sutton's run to the fourth round in the 1988-89 season (when they beat Coventry City en route) they were eliminated from the competition by United.
After beating Basingstoke Town in the first round, the Gulls drew 1-1 with Sutton in their second round meeting, with John Uzzell on target.
In the replay at Plainmoor, Torquay triumphed 4-0 with Phil Lloyd, Jimmy Smith (twice) and Matt Elliott all finding the target, which set the Gulls up for a third round tie at home to West Ham United that they won 1-0 thanks to a Paul Hirons' effort.
However, Sutton did manage to get revenge on Torquay in the second round of the competition in the 1993-94 season when they won 1-0 courtesy of an Ollie Morah strike. Morah would later have a brief spell with the Gulls in the following season.
Whereas 105 places in the football pyramid separated Sutton and Arsenal, only one position lies between them and the Gulls as the two sides are in 17th and 18th place in the National League table respectively.
It's a factor that adds an extra level of importance to the occasion.
Sunday 12 February 2017
MID-SEASON SEISTA PAYS OFF FOR ARGYLE
The local bragging rights firmly belonged to Plymouth Argyle as they completed the double over local arch rivals Exeter City, in a week in which they jetted off to Spain for a mid-season break.
Following their 1-0 victory away at Cambridge United last week, Argyle manager Derek Adams took his side to Spain, and the benefits of preparing in a warmer climate were there for all to see as the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead by half-time.
Goals from Matty Kennedy and Ryan Taylor, who were both making their home debuts for the Pilgrims, gave Argyle a two-goal cushion before Exeter nearly pulled a goal back before the half-time interval as leading scorer David Wheeler headed against the bar.
Had Wheeler been able to convert his effort, he would have set a new club record for the Grecians for scoring in eight consecutive games.
The Pilgrims added a third in the second half from the penalty spot as Jake Jervis converted from the spot after he had been upended by Grecians' keeper Christy Pym, as City suffered their first loss since the middle of November.
It was also the first time that Adams had secured the double over the Grecians since he took charge.
The win moves Argyle to within three points of League Two leaders Doncaster Rovers and the Grecians are now four points behind third-placed Carlisle United.
Following their 1-0 victory away at Cambridge United last week, Argyle manager Derek Adams took his side to Spain, and the benefits of preparing in a warmer climate were there for all to see as the hosts raced into a 2-0 lead by half-time.
Goals from Matty Kennedy and Ryan Taylor, who were both making their home debuts for the Pilgrims, gave Argyle a two-goal cushion before Exeter nearly pulled a goal back before the half-time interval as leading scorer David Wheeler headed against the bar.
Had Wheeler been able to convert his effort, he would have set a new club record for the Grecians for scoring in eight consecutive games.
The Pilgrims added a third in the second half from the penalty spot as Jake Jervis converted from the spot after he had been upended by Grecians' keeper Christy Pym, as City suffered their first loss since the middle of November.
It was also the first time that Adams had secured the double over the Grecians since he took charge.
The win moves Argyle to within three points of League Two leaders Doncaster Rovers and the Grecians are now four points behind third-placed Carlisle United.
Thursday 9 February 2017
GULLS LOOKING TO HIT RIGHT NOTES WITH KEATING
In their bid to strengthen their league position in the Vanarama National League, Torquay United have snapped up Ruairi Keating - nephew of former Boyzone singer Ronan - on non-contract forms.
Keating junior, 21, has appeared in the League of Ireland for Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Galway United and has also represented the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy level.
He joins the Gulls after being recommended to manager Kevin Nicholson by former Leicester City manager Micky Adams who managed Keating at Sligo Rovers in 2015.
Over the years a number of players have proved to be a hit in English football after moving across the Irish Sea from the League of Ireland; a list that includes Everton's Seamus Coleman, Shane Long and Wes Hoolahan - all of whom who have gone on to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
Like Keating, Coleman also appeared for Sligo before moving to Everton for £60,000 in 2009.
As well as Coleman, Keating can also draw inspiration from another Sligo old boy - current Hartlepool United striker Padraig Amond.
After featuring for Shamrock Rovers, Kildare County and Sligo Rovers, Amond had a spell in Portugal with Pacos de Ferreira before moving to England where he played for Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United.
If Keating - who is set to make his debut for the Gulls along with fellow new signing Myles Anderrson, who joined United following his release by Barrow - can emulate any of the aforementioned quarter, then he will definitely prove to be a big hit at Plainmoor.
Keating junior, 21, has appeared in the League of Ireland for Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Galway United and has also represented the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy level.
He joins the Gulls after being recommended to manager Kevin Nicholson by former Leicester City manager Micky Adams who managed Keating at Sligo Rovers in 2015.
Over the years a number of players have proved to be a hit in English football after moving across the Irish Sea from the League of Ireland; a list that includes Everton's Seamus Coleman, Shane Long and Wes Hoolahan - all of whom who have gone on to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
Like Keating, Coleman also appeared for Sligo before moving to Everton for £60,000 in 2009.
As well as Coleman, Keating can also draw inspiration from another Sligo old boy - current Hartlepool United striker Padraig Amond.
After featuring for Shamrock Rovers, Kildare County and Sligo Rovers, Amond had a spell in Portugal with Pacos de Ferreira before moving to England where he played for Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United.
If Keating - who is set to make his debut for the Gulls along with fellow new signing Myles Anderrson, who joined United following his release by Barrow - can emulate any of the aforementioned quarter, then he will definitely prove to be a big hit at Plainmoor.
A DATE WITH DESTINY
Saturday's Devon Expressway derby clash between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City could prove to be a destiny defining fixture for both sides.
The Pilgrims go into the match in second place in the League Two, whilst the Grecians, who are currently on 12-match unbeaten run, are fourth in the table and looking to mount a challenge for the top three automatic promotion spots.
As the in-form side going into the game, City possess a number of potential match-winners in leading scorer David Wheeler, who recently set a club record of scoring in seven consecutive matches, Reuben Reid, who will be returning to Home Park for the first time since he was released at the end of last season and Ollie Watkins who recently attracted interest from several Championship sides including Aston Villa and Derby County.
Argyle, who embarked on a mid-season break in Spain following their 1-0 victory away at Cambridge United last Saturday, have ten goal leading scorer Graham Carey to call upon to produce a moment of magic. New signing Antoni Sarcevic, who joined from Shrewsbury Town in the January transfer window, will also be looking to follow up his debut goal against Cambridge with another fine display against the Grecians. Jake Jervis will also be looking to add to the eight goals that he has scored this season.
Whilst City have found the back of the net 48 times and Argyle have done so on 45 occasions, the two sides also possess two of the meanest defences in League Two. The Grecians have also conceded 29 times this season, whilst the Pilgrims have conceded 30.
It also probably comes as no surprise then that both sides contain arguably two of the best goalkeepers in League Two in the shape of Christy Pym and Luke McCormick respectively. Also worthy of a mention is the centre-back partnerships of Troy Brown and Jordan Moore-Taylor for the Grecians and the Pilgrims' duo of Yannick Songo'o and Sonny Bradley.
In what will be the 89th competitive meeting for the two sides, it could also prove to be one of the most talked about for many years to come.
The Pilgrims go into the match in second place in the League Two, whilst the Grecians, who are currently on 12-match unbeaten run, are fourth in the table and looking to mount a challenge for the top three automatic promotion spots.
As the in-form side going into the game, City possess a number of potential match-winners in leading scorer David Wheeler, who recently set a club record of scoring in seven consecutive matches, Reuben Reid, who will be returning to Home Park for the first time since he was released at the end of last season and Ollie Watkins who recently attracted interest from several Championship sides including Aston Villa and Derby County.
Argyle, who embarked on a mid-season break in Spain following their 1-0 victory away at Cambridge United last Saturday, have ten goal leading scorer Graham Carey to call upon to produce a moment of magic. New signing Antoni Sarcevic, who joined from Shrewsbury Town in the January transfer window, will also be looking to follow up his debut goal against Cambridge with another fine display against the Grecians. Jake Jervis will also be looking to add to the eight goals that he has scored this season.
Whilst City have found the back of the net 48 times and Argyle have done so on 45 occasions, the two sides also possess two of the meanest defences in League Two. The Grecians have also conceded 29 times this season, whilst the Pilgrims have conceded 30.
It also probably comes as no surprise then that both sides contain arguably two of the best goalkeepers in League Two in the shape of Christy Pym and Luke McCormick respectively. Also worthy of a mention is the centre-back partnerships of Troy Brown and Jordan Moore-Taylor for the Grecians and the Pilgrims' duo of Yannick Songo'o and Sonny Bradley.
In what will be the 89th competitive meeting for the two sides, it could also prove to be one of the most talked about for many years to come.
DEVON EXPRESSWAY DERBY BY NUMBERS
Ahead of Saturday's Devon Expressway Derby between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, we will now take a numerical look at the match.
2 - Number of Devon Express Derby victories that Derek Adams has overseen as Plymouth Argyle manager.
4 - Number of Plymouth Argyle managers that Paul Tisdale has faced as Exeter City manager (Peter Reid, Carl Fletcher, John Sheridan and Derek Adams)
5- Number of players in current squads who have played for both clubs (Exeter's Luke Croll and Reuben Reid have played for Argyle, whilst Gary Sawyer, David Fox and Ryan Taylor have been with the Grecians in the past).
7 - Number of successive wins recorded by the Grecians which they will be looking to add to.
8 - Number of goals scored by Grecians' leading scorer David Wheeler in Exeter's last seven games.
10- Number of away wins secured by Exeter City that they will be looking to add to on Saturday.
12- Number of games since Exeter City last tasted defeat in a competitive league game (November 19th, 2017 versus Carlisle United at Brunton Park).
28 - Number of competitive victories Exeter City against Plymouth Argyle.
35 - Number of competitive victories by Plymouth Argyle against Exeter City.
45 - Number of miles that separate St James' Park from Home Park travelling via the Devon Expressway.
48 - Number of points won by Exeter City in the 2016-17 season thus far.
57 - Number of points won by Plymouth Argyle in the 2016-17 season thus far.
2 - Number of Devon Express Derby victories that Derek Adams has overseen as Plymouth Argyle manager.
4 - Number of Plymouth Argyle managers that Paul Tisdale has faced as Exeter City manager (Peter Reid, Carl Fletcher, John Sheridan and Derek Adams)
5- Number of players in current squads who have played for both clubs (Exeter's Luke Croll and Reuben Reid have played for Argyle, whilst Gary Sawyer, David Fox and Ryan Taylor have been with the Grecians in the past).
7 - Number of successive wins recorded by the Grecians which they will be looking to add to.
8 - Number of goals scored by Grecians' leading scorer David Wheeler in Exeter's last seven games.
10- Number of away wins secured by Exeter City that they will be looking to add to on Saturday.
12- Number of games since Exeter City last tasted defeat in a competitive league game (November 19th, 2017 versus Carlisle United at Brunton Park).
28 - Number of competitive victories Exeter City against Plymouth Argyle.
35 - Number of competitive victories by Plymouth Argyle against Exeter City.
45 - Number of miles that separate St James' Park from Home Park travelling via the Devon Expressway.
48 - Number of points won by Exeter City in the 2016-17 season thus far.
57 - Number of points won by Plymouth Argyle in the 2016-17 season thus far.
Thursday 2 February 2017
JANUARY PROVES TO BE FRUITFUL MONTH FOR ARGYLE
The month of January might have finished January 2017 with a defeat away at Yeovil Town but there is plenty for the Pilgrims to be positive about.
Aside from their FA Cup third round ties against Liverpool, which saw them hold the Reds to a goalless draw at Anfield before losing to a Lucas Leiva header at Home Park, which were worth £1million to Argyle.
The Pilgrims have also received a couple of useful windfalls in the transfer window.
They earned themselves a sell-on clause percentage from the transfer of former skipper Conor Hourihane from Barnsley to Aston Villa, which was believed to be in the region of £2.5million, and they would receive another £300,000 from the sale of young left-back Ben Purrington to Rotherham United.
However, manager Derek Adams also moved to strengthen his squad with the acquisitions of Nathan Blissett from Torquay, Jakob Sokolik from Yeovil Town, Antoni Sarcevic from Shrewsbury Town on permanent deals in addition to the loan signings of Ryan Taylor and Matthew Kennedy from Oxford United and Cardiff City respectively.
Perhaps most importantly, Adams has managed to hold on to midfield talisman and leading scorer Graham Carey although the Irishman has yet to agree to extend his stay at Home Park beyond the end of this season.
Adams' Exeter City counterpart Paul Tisdale is probably equally to have been able to hold on to Grecians starlet Ollie Watkins, despite interest from several Championship teams, and it promises to be an exciting Devon Expressway Derby when the two sides meet on February 11th.
Aside from their FA Cup third round ties against Liverpool, which saw them hold the Reds to a goalless draw at Anfield before losing to a Lucas Leiva header at Home Park, which were worth £1million to Argyle.
The Pilgrims have also received a couple of useful windfalls in the transfer window.
They earned themselves a sell-on clause percentage from the transfer of former skipper Conor Hourihane from Barnsley to Aston Villa, which was believed to be in the region of £2.5million, and they would receive another £300,000 from the sale of young left-back Ben Purrington to Rotherham United.
However, manager Derek Adams also moved to strengthen his squad with the acquisitions of Nathan Blissett from Torquay, Jakob Sokolik from Yeovil Town, Antoni Sarcevic from Shrewsbury Town on permanent deals in addition to the loan signings of Ryan Taylor and Matthew Kennedy from Oxford United and Cardiff City respectively.
Perhaps most importantly, Adams has managed to hold on to midfield talisman and leading scorer Graham Carey although the Irishman has yet to agree to extend his stay at Home Park beyond the end of this season.
Adams' Exeter City counterpart Paul Tisdale is probably equally to have been able to hold on to Grecians starlet Ollie Watkins, despite interest from several Championship teams, and it promises to be an exciting Devon Expressway Derby when the two sides meet on February 11th.
WILLIAMS TOPS CHARTS WITH FAB FIVE FOR GULLS
When netting his late strike in injury time against Gateshead, Brett Williams became Torquay United's joint top scorer in the process with five goals.
David Fitzpatrick had given the Gulls the lead in the first half before Paddy McLaughlin pulled one back from the penalty spot for Heed on 54 minutes. Paul Rooney restored the Gulls' lead five minutes later prior to Williams' superb solo effort.
The goal puts the former Aldershot man level as the Gulls top scorer for the current campaign with Dan Sparkes.
It was also Williams' third goal in as many games which - I know it's early days yet - puts him four behind the club record jointly held by Sammy Collins, Carl Airey and Rene Howe of seven.
However, it was not such a good afternoon for the Gulls' new loan signing, and Williams' former Forest Green Rovers teammate, Aaran Racine.
One of two debutants - the other being right-back Jared Hodgkiss, who joined on loan from Kidderminster Harriers - in the Gulls' side Racine was forced off after 54 minutes with an anterior cruciate ligament injury following a challenge on Gateshead substitute Luke Hannant, forcing Gulls boss Kevin Nicholson to delve back into his contacts book.
David Fitzpatrick had given the Gulls the lead in the first half before Paddy McLaughlin pulled one back from the penalty spot for Heed on 54 minutes. Paul Rooney restored the Gulls' lead five minutes later prior to Williams' superb solo effort.
The goal puts the former Aldershot man level as the Gulls top scorer for the current campaign with Dan Sparkes.
It was also Williams' third goal in as many games which - I know it's early days yet - puts him four behind the club record jointly held by Sammy Collins, Carl Airey and Rene Howe of seven.
However, it was not such a good afternoon for the Gulls' new loan signing, and Williams' former Forest Green Rovers teammate, Aaran Racine.
One of two debutants - the other being right-back Jared Hodgkiss, who joined on loan from Kidderminster Harriers - in the Gulls' side Racine was forced off after 54 minutes with an anterior cruciate ligament injury following a challenge on Gateshead substitute Luke Hannant, forcing Gulls boss Kevin Nicholson to delve back into his contacts book.
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