Following their respective results last night and this afternoon, the fates of Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle for the 2010-11 season remain unresolved.
The Gulls played out an entertaining goalless draw with League Two Championship contenders at Plainmoor, with Player of the Year Guy Branston having two headers cleared off the line.
Results elsewhere leave Torquay needing a win over Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium next weekend to ensure their presence in the Play-Offs.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle go into their Bank Holiday Monday meeting with Southampton needing a win to keep their hopes of staying in League One alive after losing 1-0 to Exeter City at St James Park.
A James Dunne strike in the opening minute of the second half saw the Grecians clinch their second win out of three meetings with the Pilgrims this season, which leaves Argyle needing to beat the Saints on Monday.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Friday, 29 April 2011
ARGYLE VERSUS CITY PART THREE
The stakes will be high tomorrow for Plymouth Argyle when they travel to St James Park for their midday meeting with Exeter City .
It will be the third time that the two sides have faced each other this season and a win for the Pilgrims would further boost their chances of staying in League One.
The Argyle side that will face the Grecians will be a much changed team from the one that defeated them 2-0 at Home Park in December when the Pilgrims won 2-0 with Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring both goals.
Wright-Phillips himself has since moved to Charlton Athletic, whilst Craig Noone, who provided the assists for both his efforts, departed for Brighton and Hove Albion. They were followed out of Home Park by Reda Johnson who headed north after being snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday.
A ten point deduction for entering Administration followed, but wins over Dagenham and Redbridge and Milton Keynes Dons over the Easter weekend have given the Pilgrims a fighting chance of beating the drop.
Exeter, on the other hand, saw their Play-Off chances ended by a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday and now find themselves playing for pride and the opportunity of equalling or bettering their highest ever league finish of eighth place in League One.
It will be the third time that the two sides have faced each other this season and a win for the Pilgrims would further boost their chances of staying in League One.
The Argyle side that will face the Grecians will be a much changed team from the one that defeated them 2-0 at Home Park in December when the Pilgrims won 2-0 with Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring both goals.
Wright-Phillips himself has since moved to Charlton Athletic, whilst Craig Noone, who provided the assists for both his efforts, departed for Brighton and Hove Albion. They were followed out of Home Park by Reda Johnson who headed north after being snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday.
A ten point deduction for entering Administration followed, but wins over Dagenham and Redbridge and Milton Keynes Dons over the Easter weekend have given the Pilgrims a fighting chance of beating the drop.
Exeter, on the other hand, saw their Play-Off chances ended by a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday and now find themselves playing for pride and the opportunity of equalling or bettering their highest ever league finish of eighth place in League One.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
GULLS FACE SPIREITES IN CRUCIAL ENCOUNTER
In the first game in the Football League following the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Torquay United take on League Two leaders Chesterfield at Plainmoor needing a win to strengthen their Play-Off challenge.
Two points from their Easter weekend against Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion ended the Gulls' automatic promotion ambitions, but their Play-Off chances are still very much alive.
A win over the Spireites would move Torquay up to 5th in the table overnight, but the overall outcome of their 2010-11 campaign won't be known until after their final game of the season against Rotherham United.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield go into the game needing a win to help them to clinch the League Two title. An Easter Monday defeat at the hands of second placed Bury now means that extra importance is placed on what result they had get in South Devon.
Tomorrow's encounter will also see four of the division's PFA Team of the Season on show as Gulls' defender Guy Branston lines up against his fellow nominees in the form of Chesterfield's Tommy Lee, Danny Whitaker and Craig Davies.
Two points from their Easter weekend against Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion ended the Gulls' automatic promotion ambitions, but their Play-Off chances are still very much alive.
A win over the Spireites would move Torquay up to 5th in the table overnight, but the overall outcome of their 2010-11 campaign won't be known until after their final game of the season against Rotherham United.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield go into the game needing a win to help them to clinch the League Two title. An Easter Monday defeat at the hands of second placed Bury now means that extra importance is placed on what result they had get in South Devon.
Tomorrow's encounter will also see four of the division's PFA Team of the Season on show as Gulls' defender Guy Branston lines up against his fellow nominees in the form of Chesterfield's Tommy Lee, Danny Whitaker and Craig Davies.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
TALKING YEOVIL #16
At the turn of the year, Yeovil Town found themselves in the League One relegation zone and it seemed as though their stay in the third tier of English football was going to come to an end after six years.
However, after making a number of astute loan signings during January and adding a few more experienced permanent signings, Terry Skiverton has steered the Glovers away from the drop zone.
They currently lie in 18th place in League One and the possibility of equalling or bettering last season's 15th place finish is now a realistic possibility.
Planning for next season is already under way with Skivo announcing that he already has in mind which players he wants to offer contracts to. He has also announced that he is interested in securing the services of on loan Manchester City winger Andrew Tutte, after the young wide man scored his first goal for Yeovil on Easter Monday against Peterborough United.
It was the second time in three days that the Glovers had picked up points against a top six side after Shaun MacDonald scored a dramatic late leveller against Bournemouth.
If Yeovil can take that form into the 2011-12 campaign, they could turn out to be a force to be reckoned with.
However, after making a number of astute loan signings during January and adding a few more experienced permanent signings, Terry Skiverton has steered the Glovers away from the drop zone.
They currently lie in 18th place in League One and the possibility of equalling or bettering last season's 15th place finish is now a realistic possibility.
Planning for next season is already under way with Skivo announcing that he already has in mind which players he wants to offer contracts to. He has also announced that he is interested in securing the services of on loan Manchester City winger Andrew Tutte, after the young wide man scored his first goal for Yeovil on Easter Monday against Peterborough United.
It was the second time in three days that the Glovers had picked up points against a top six side after Shaun MacDonald scored a dramatic late leveller against Bournemouth.
If Yeovil can take that form into the 2011-12 campaign, they could turn out to be a force to be reckoned with.
Monday, 25 April 2011
TRURO MAKE HISTORY WITH FIFTH PROMOTION
Truro City became the first team in the history of English football to win five promotions in six years when they clinched the Zamaretto Southern Premier title with a 3-0 win over Banbury United.
Les Afful, Barry Hayles and Andy Watkins were on target for Lee Hodges' side, who will be playing in the Blue Square South next season.
This is the latest chapter in the remarkable rise of a team that were playing in the Jewson South Western League as recently as 2006.
Since then, they have gained promotion through the Western League and they also won the FA Vase in 2007.
This latest promotion means only two leagues separate Truro from the Football League.
Les Afful, Barry Hayles and Andy Watkins were on target for Lee Hodges' side, who will be playing in the Blue Square South next season.
This is the latest chapter in the remarkable rise of a team that were playing in the Jewson South Western League as recently as 2006.
Since then, they have gained promotion through the Western League and they also won the FA Vase in 2007.
This latest promotion means only two leagues separate Truro from the Football League.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
ALLAN BROWN 1926-2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of former Torquay United manager Allan Brown at the age of 84.
Allan made his name as a player with Blackpool and his team-mate included Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. He also won 14 caps for Scotland.
He managed the Gulls from January 1969 to October 1971 after he was appointed to succeed Frank O'Farrell. Coincidently, Allan had applied for the job that O'Farrell left Plainmoor to take, the Leicester City manager's job, before he arrived at Plainmoor.
Prior to taking charge of United, he had managed Wigan Athletic and Luton Town.
After taking charge of Torquay, Allan found himself busy in the transfer market, bringing in players such as John Rudge from Carlisle United for £7,000 and Tommy Mitchinson from Aston Villa for £6,000. He also sold fans' favourite Robin Stubbs to Bristol Rovers in a deal worth £12,000.
Under Allan's guidance, the Gulls finished 6th, 13th and 10th in the 1968-69, 1969-70 and 1970-71 seasons respectively.
In the 1970-71, they recorded their last league double over Plymouth Argyle to date.
Allan left Plainmoor early in the 1971-72 campaign after publicly stating in a post-match interview: "This team will get me the sack!"
Neverthless, during his tenure in charge of the Gulls, he had made the club in the region of £100,000 in transfer fees in a period that saw the average attendances at Plainmoor shrink from 9,000 to 6,000.
His post Plainmoor career saw him manage Bury, Nottingham Forest, where he was the predecessor of Brian Clough, and Southport.
He also had two spells as manager of Blackpool as well as a stint in Kuwait.
We would like to pass on our sincere condolenses to his family, friends and former team-mates.
Allan made his name as a player with Blackpool and his team-mate included Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. He also won 14 caps for Scotland.
He managed the Gulls from January 1969 to October 1971 after he was appointed to succeed Frank O'Farrell. Coincidently, Allan had applied for the job that O'Farrell left Plainmoor to take, the Leicester City manager's job, before he arrived at Plainmoor.
Prior to taking charge of United, he had managed Wigan Athletic and Luton Town.
After taking charge of Torquay, Allan found himself busy in the transfer market, bringing in players such as John Rudge from Carlisle United for £7,000 and Tommy Mitchinson from Aston Villa for £6,000. He also sold fans' favourite Robin Stubbs to Bristol Rovers in a deal worth £12,000.
Under Allan's guidance, the Gulls finished 6th, 13th and 10th in the 1968-69, 1969-70 and 1970-71 seasons respectively.
In the 1970-71, they recorded their last league double over Plymouth Argyle to date.
Allan left Plainmoor early in the 1971-72 campaign after publicly stating in a post-match interview: "This team will get me the sack!"
Neverthless, during his tenure in charge of the Gulls, he had made the club in the region of £100,000 in transfer fees in a period that saw the average attendances at Plainmoor shrink from 9,000 to 6,000.
His post Plainmoor career saw him manage Bury, Nottingham Forest, where he was the predecessor of Brian Clough, and Southport.
He also had two spells as manager of Blackpool as well as a stint in Kuwait.
We would like to pass on our sincere condolenses to his family, friends and former team-mates.
Monday, 18 April 2011
GRECIANS STRENGTHEN PLAY OFF BID
Following their win over Leyton Orient, Exeter City now lie five points off the League One Play-Off zone, leaving Grecians’ fans dreaming of possibly being involved in the end of the season showdown.
Exeter came out on top against fellow Play-Off hopefuls Orient 2-1 with veteran striker Jamie Cureton scoring twice.
This victory leaves the Grecians level on points (61 points) with their East London opponents, but one place behind them on goal difference, three points behind seventh placed Rochdale and five behind Bournemouth who occupy the final Play-Off spot that the four sides are currently battling it out for.
With four fixtures remaining, which include a home clash with Oldham Athletic, a trip to Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday, the eagerly awaited Devon Derby clash with Plymouth Argyle before travelling to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the campaign.
To stand any chance of making the top six, the Grecians will probably need to secure at least ten points from the 12 they currently have to play for, which will mean they will need to win at least three of those remaining four matches.
It could also mean that the outcome of their season will come down to a final day decider. However, this is something that Exeter have become used to under Paul Tisdale.
In the 2007-08 season, they clinched promotion to the Football League via the Play-Off after beating Cambridge United at Wembley.
The following campaign saw them defeat Rotherham United on the final day of the regular 2008-09 season, which the Grecians secure automatic promotion from League Two.
These feats were followed up on the final day of last season when Exeter defeated Huddersfield Town to secure their League One status.
It is also worth noting that a top eight finish would see the Grecians equal or better their highest ever league finish.
Exeter came out on top against fellow Play-Off hopefuls Orient 2-1 with veteran striker Jamie Cureton scoring twice.
This victory leaves the Grecians level on points (61 points) with their East London opponents, but one place behind them on goal difference, three points behind seventh placed Rochdale and five behind Bournemouth who occupy the final Play-Off spot that the four sides are currently battling it out for.
With four fixtures remaining, which include a home clash with Oldham Athletic, a trip to Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday, the eagerly awaited Devon Derby clash with Plymouth Argyle before travelling to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the campaign.
To stand any chance of making the top six, the Grecians will probably need to secure at least ten points from the 12 they currently have to play for, which will mean they will need to win at least three of those remaining four matches.
It could also mean that the outcome of their season will come down to a final day decider. However, this is something that Exeter have become used to under Paul Tisdale.
In the 2007-08 season, they clinched promotion to the Football League via the Play-Off after beating Cambridge United at Wembley.
The following campaign saw them defeat Rotherham United on the final day of the regular 2008-09 season, which the Grecians secure automatic promotion from League Two.
These feats were followed up on the final day of last season when Exeter defeated Huddersfield Town to secure their League One status.
It is also worth noting that a top eight finish would see the Grecians equal or better their highest ever league finish.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)