Torquay United return to Vanarama Conference action on Tuesday night as their management team of Chris Hargreaves and Lee Hodges pit their managerial wits against a Barnet side managed by Martin Allen, a manager whom they both played under during their careers.
Gulls boss Hargreaves spent one season under Allen, also known by his nickname 'Mad Dog', at Brentford during the 2004-05 campaign, during which time the Bees reached the Play-offs in League One, where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals, after finishing fourth in the league.
His assistant Hodges briefly played under Allen at whilst at Reading, when the current Barnet manager was assistant to Alan Pardew, before he was brought to Home Park by Paul Sturrock during the 2000-01 season.
The match itself, which is being broadcast live on BT Sport, will be the Gulls' first visit to the Hive, Barnet's new ground, which they moved to at the start of last season, and the occasion will rekindle memories of many previous encounters between the two sides at Underhill- including the final day decider between the two sides in the 2000-01 season, which Torquay won 3-2.
Nevertheless, after experiencing six losses in their last seven in all competitions, the Gulls will be looking to arrest that decline; and if they are able to do so on Tuesday night it could prove to be an encounter as equally memorable as that May day meeting at Underhill in 2001.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Sunday, 2 November 2014
GRECIANS TO FACE REID THE YOUNGER, WHILST ARGYLE PLOUGH A FYLDE
Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle begin their FA Cup campaigns against northern non-league opposition next weekend.
The Grecians, who haven't reached the third round of the competition since they took Manchester United to a replay in the 2004-05 season, face Northern League side Warrington Town, who are managed by Shaun Reid- the younger of brother of former Pilgrims' manager Peter Reid, who is currently managing AFC Mumbai in the Indian Super League.
Reid also had a brief spell as assistant to his elder brother at Home Park whilst the Pilgrims were in Administration in 2011.
The game will be screened live on BBC2 on Friday night (November 7th).
Meanwhile, Argyle will be hosting AFC Fylde, the current leaders of the Vanarama Conference North, who have a manager who knows a thing or two about cup giant-killings.
The Coasters are managed by former Tranmere Rovers defender Dave Challinor, whose infamous long throws proved to be an important weapon as they reached the final of the 2000 Worthington Cup- where they lost to Leicester City- and enjoyed numerous another cup runs, which saw them claim numerous Premier League scalps including Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Southampton and Everton.
However, Pilgrims' boss John Sheridan has enjoyed great pedigree in cups, as both a player and as a manager, having helped Sheffield Wednesday win the Rumbelows Cup in 1991- in which he scored the winning goal- and he also guided Chesterfield to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in 2011, where they beat Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town; so he will be keen to avoid a potential banana skin.
The Grecians, who haven't reached the third round of the competition since they took Manchester United to a replay in the 2004-05 season, face Northern League side Warrington Town, who are managed by Shaun Reid- the younger of brother of former Pilgrims' manager Peter Reid, who is currently managing AFC Mumbai in the Indian Super League.
Reid also had a brief spell as assistant to his elder brother at Home Park whilst the Pilgrims were in Administration in 2011.
The game will be screened live on BBC2 on Friday night (November 7th).
Meanwhile, Argyle will be hosting AFC Fylde, the current leaders of the Vanarama Conference North, who have a manager who knows a thing or two about cup giant-killings.
The Coasters are managed by former Tranmere Rovers defender Dave Challinor, whose infamous long throws proved to be an important weapon as they reached the final of the 2000 Worthington Cup- where they lost to Leicester City- and enjoyed numerous another cup runs, which saw them claim numerous Premier League scalps including Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Southampton and Everton.
However, Pilgrims' boss John Sheridan has enjoyed great pedigree in cups, as both a player and as a manager, having helped Sheffield Wednesday win the Rumbelows Cup in 1991- in which he scored the winning goal- and he also guided Chesterfield to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in 2011, where they beat Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town; so he will be keen to avoid a potential banana skin.
NICHO HAUNTS GULLS ON HALLOWEEN WEEKEND
Torquay United received a reminder of campaigns past on Halloween weekend 2014, as former left-back Kevin Nicholson scored the decisive goal in their defeat at Kidderminster Harriers.
Marvin Johnson opened the scoring for Harriers after four minutes before Nicholson- who was released by the Gulls in the summer after seven years and over 300 appearances- struck with a free-kick in the 26th minute.
United produced a late rally as Australian defender Aaron Downes headed home a Luke Young corner in the 89th minute to score his fifth goal of the season- the Aussie had managed to find the back of the net four times for the Gulls in the 2013-14 campaign- before Young almost snatched a point in injury time with a free-kick that Kidderminster keeper Danny Lewis turned behind for a corner.
The result now means the Gulls have conceded 18 goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, of which Torquay have lost six, a sequence which has seen them drop to 12th in the Vanarama Conference table.
With former Plymouth Argyle right-back Durrell Berry now on board on non-contract terms, manager Chris Hargreaves now has a week and a half until his side are next in action when they travel to leaders Barnet.
Marvin Johnson opened the scoring for Harriers after four minutes before Nicholson- who was released by the Gulls in the summer after seven years and over 300 appearances- struck with a free-kick in the 26th minute.
United produced a late rally as Australian defender Aaron Downes headed home a Luke Young corner in the 89th minute to score his fifth goal of the season- the Aussie had managed to find the back of the net four times for the Gulls in the 2013-14 campaign- before Young almost snatched a point in injury time with a free-kick that Kidderminster keeper Danny Lewis turned behind for a corner.
The result now means the Gulls have conceded 18 goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, of which Torquay have lost six, a sequence which has seen them drop to 12th in the Vanarama Conference table.
With former Plymouth Argyle right-back Durrell Berry now on board on non-contract terms, manager Chris Hargreaves now has a week and a half until his side are next in action when they travel to leaders Barnet.
Friday, 31 October 2014
HARGREAVES TO FACE FORMER TEAMMATE IN NEXT MANAGERIAL TEST
Shortly before Torquay United’s Conference Play-off final
victory in 2009 over Cambridge, Chris Hargreaves was one of four special guests
at a question and answers evening held at Plainmoor.
The evening was organised the club’s Supporters Trust and
Hargreaves’ fellow guests of honour included former manager Frank O’Farrell, ex
goalkeeper Kenny Allen and club record appearance holder Kevin Hill.
During the course of the evening, which was also attended by
several members of the first team squad at the time, Hargreaves quipped that he
would not regard himself as a Torquay United legend unless he had helped the
club win something.
Fast forward to the final itself and Hargreaves captained
the Gulls to victory over the U’s, scored the opening goal of the match - which
United won 2-0, as Torquay bounced back into the Football League after an
absence of two years.
Now- in 2014- as manager of the Gulls, Hargreaves will no
doubt be aware if in the future if he is to be held in the same regard as
manager, he needs to achieve some success with the Gulls.
The last Gulls’ promotion winning captain to take on the
manager’s job- Wes Saunders, who led Torquay to their Division Four Play-off
triumph against Blackpool in 1991- enjoyed a two-and-a-half year spell in
charge, between 1998 and 2001, which ultimately proved to be unsuccessful as he
was sacked by the then Gulls’ Chairman Mike Bateson and replaced by Colin Lee.
However, prior to taking on the manager’s role, Saunders had
spent five years working for his family’s clothing firm. Hargreaves, in
contrast, had spent the time between the end of his playing days in 2010 and
his appointment at Plainmoor earlier this year learning his trade as coach of
Exeter City’s Under-16’s and working under Eddie Howe at AFC Bournemouth as
first team coach.
It is fair to say that Hargreaves had done everything that
he could to prepare himself for his first managerial vacancy.
Next up for Hargreaves’s Gulls is a trip to Kidderminster
Harriers, who include one of his team-mates from those two years spent battling
to get United out of the Conference, Kevin Nicholson.
After making over 300 appearances for United over seven
years, Nicholson was released by Torquay following relegation from the Football
League.
Over the course of those seven years, Nicholson’s ability
from set pieces proved to be an important weapon in United’s armoury, but the
Gulls have now found a player whose delivery from dead balls is every bit as
dangerous in Luke Young, who returns to the Gulls’ side after missing last
week’s FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round defeat at the hands of Aldershot Town.
Friday, 24 October 2014
WILLAND UP FOR THE CUP
All eyes will be on the Stan Robinson Stadium tomorrow as Willand Rovers, the lowest ranked club left in the FA Cup, host Gosport Borough, of Conference South, as they aim to reach the first round of the competition for the first time ever.
Willand, managed by Scott Rogers- who scored the winning goal for Tiverton Town in their FA Vase final against Bedlington Terriers in 1999, have made it through five rounds of the competition having beaten Radstock Town, Odd Down, Saltash United, Blackfield and Langley- after a replay- and Aveley.
As the sole representative in the cup from the Toolstation Western League, Willand are the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
Their opponents, Gosport Borough, play three leagues above them in Conference South and, like Rovers, they are also bidding to reach the first round proper for the first time in their history.
To reach this stage of the competition 'The Boro' have beaten Larkhall- also of the Western League- and Maidenhead United, after a replay.
Willand, managed by Scott Rogers- who scored the winning goal for Tiverton Town in their FA Vase final against Bedlington Terriers in 1999, have made it through five rounds of the competition having beaten Radstock Town, Odd Down, Saltash United, Blackfield and Langley- after a replay- and Aveley.
As the sole representative in the cup from the Toolstation Western League, Willand are the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
Their opponents, Gosport Borough, play three leagues above them in Conference South and, like Rovers, they are also bidding to reach the first round proper for the first time in their history.
To reach this stage of the competition 'The Boro' have beaten Larkhall- also of the Western League- and Maidenhead United, after a replay.
Sunday, 19 October 2014
DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES LEAVE GULLS STUCK
Following yesterday's defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town, Torquay United have now conceded 14 goals in their last five Vanarama Conference fixtures.
The Gulls fell behind to a strike from Lenell John-Lewis strike in the 38th minute before Luke Young equalised with a sweetly struck from the edge of the box five minutes later to score his sixth goal of the season.
Grimsby then provided a sucker punch to the hosts as Craig Disley restored their lead-following a misjudgement by goalkeeper Martin Rice- on the stroke of half-time.
In the second half, the Gulls levelled when Aaron Downes headed home a corner from Young to score his fourth of the season on 61 minutes.
However, the Mariners hit back again when a header from John-Lewis crept over the line- despite the best efforts of Torquay keeper Rice- to complete his brace in the 70th minute, which ensured that the visitors returned home to Humberside with all three points.
It could be argued that the Gulls could have been three goals ahead before John-Lewis opened the scoring for the Mariners, as Luke Young (twice) and Ryan Bowman forced fine saves from James McKeown in the opening exchanges.
But, it could also be argued that Grimsby could have scored a third shortly after Downes' equaliser- when Scott Neilson- the grandson of the former Spurs and Wales winger, Cliff Jones- raced through on goal and fired a shot straight into the arms of Rice.
Nevertheless, Torquay's record in their last five Vanarama Conference reads: Played five, won one, drawn 0, lost four, scored ten and conceded 14.
This alarming slump has now seen the Gulls drop down to ninth place in the Vanarama Conference table , and what was looking like a promising promotion bid is in danger of becoming derailed.
It now leaves manager Chris Hargreaves with some serious food for thought.
The Gulls fell behind to a strike from Lenell John-Lewis strike in the 38th minute before Luke Young equalised with a sweetly struck from the edge of the box five minutes later to score his sixth goal of the season.
Grimsby then provided a sucker punch to the hosts as Craig Disley restored their lead-following a misjudgement by goalkeeper Martin Rice- on the stroke of half-time.
In the second half, the Gulls levelled when Aaron Downes headed home a corner from Young to score his fourth of the season on 61 minutes.
However, the Mariners hit back again when a header from John-Lewis crept over the line- despite the best efforts of Torquay keeper Rice- to complete his brace in the 70th minute, which ensured that the visitors returned home to Humberside with all three points.
It could be argued that the Gulls could have been three goals ahead before John-Lewis opened the scoring for the Mariners, as Luke Young (twice) and Ryan Bowman forced fine saves from James McKeown in the opening exchanges.
But, it could also be argued that Grimsby could have scored a third shortly after Downes' equaliser- when Scott Neilson- the grandson of the former Spurs and Wales winger, Cliff Jones- raced through on goal and fired a shot straight into the arms of Rice.
Nevertheless, Torquay's record in their last five Vanarama Conference reads: Played five, won one, drawn 0, lost four, scored ten and conceded 14.
This alarming slump has now seen the Gulls drop down to ninth place in the Vanarama Conference table , and what was looking like a promising promotion bid is in danger of becoming derailed.
It now leaves manager Chris Hargreaves with some serious food for thought.
Sunday, 5 October 2014
FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN SEES GRECIANS LOOKING UP RATHER THAN DOWN
It's often said in football that winning can change everything, and that is something that is no more evident than at Exeter City at the moment.
Not that long ago, the Grecians found themselves in the League Two relegation zone and the possible threat of a return to the Conference was a genuine fear for the St James Park faithful.
Some fans even launched an online petition to remove long serving manager Paul Tisdale from his post, such was the strength of feeling in certain quarters.
However, after four consecutive wins against Cambridge United, Tranmere Rovers, Bury and- most recently- Dagenham Redbridge have lifted City up to 14th in the table.
New signing Graham Cummins has made a big difference- scoring three times in nine appearances, and loan signing Alex Nicholls- prior to his recent recall by the Cobblers- has also given the Grecians a different dimension.
The progress of youngsters Christy Pym and Matt Grimes also points to a brighter future as well, as the duo retained their places in Aidy Boothroyd's England Under-20 squad after making their debuts against Romania last month.
Not that long ago, the Grecians found themselves in the League Two relegation zone and the possible threat of a return to the Conference was a genuine fear for the St James Park faithful.
Some fans even launched an online petition to remove long serving manager Paul Tisdale from his post, such was the strength of feeling in certain quarters.
However, after four consecutive wins against Cambridge United, Tranmere Rovers, Bury and- most recently- Dagenham Redbridge have lifted City up to 14th in the table.
New signing Graham Cummins has made a big difference- scoring three times in nine appearances, and loan signing Alex Nicholls- prior to his recent recall by the Cobblers- has also given the Grecians a different dimension.
The progress of youngsters Christy Pym and Matt Grimes also points to a brighter future as well, as the duo retained their places in Aidy Boothroyd's England Under-20 squad after making their debuts against Romania last month.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)