FA CUP SECOND ROUND PREVIEW 2021-22

Cambridge United versus Exeter City

After overcoming Bradford City in their re-arranged first round replay, Exeter City travel to Cambridge United in the second round of the 2021-22 FA Cup. 

Both sides have faced the domestic game's elite in the last few seasons, the U's faced Manchester United in the 2014-15 season while the Grecians famously took Liverpool to a replay in the 2016-17 campaign. 

In the current season, City are aiming to emulate Cambridge by winning promotion from League Two, the U's finished third in League Two in the 2020-21 campaign and the Grecians are currently in contention for automatic promotion from the fourth tier at the time of writing. 

Their meeting will probably also rekindle memories of their 2008 Blue Square Premier Play-off encounter, which saw City book their return to the Football League with a 1-0 win. 

Yeovil Town versus Stevenage 

The BBC cameras will be heading to Huish Park on late Saturday afternoon as Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll prepares to do battle with his former club Stevenage. After going unbeaten in the National League during November the Glovers will be looking to add the Boro to their list of FA Cup scalps for the 2021-22 season which includes Weymouth and Yate Town. 

Meanwhile Boro manager Paul Tisdale will want to see an improvement on his first game in charge, which saw Stevenage lose on penalties to Sutton United in the EFL Trophy.

Rochdale versus Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle will once again be featuring on ITV as they travel to Rochdale in the second round. The Pilgrims needed a replay to see off fellow League One side Sheffield Wednesday. 

Both Dale and Argyle are set to receive £60,000 each in broadcast fees and also a further £34,000 in prize money should they progress to the third round, where a lucrative tie against a Premier League awaits the winner.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FC HALIFAX TOWN

 1. 'Gary time' - but not as we know it. 

Throughout Gary Johnson's reign as Torquay United manager, the Gulls have become famed for scoring winning goals and equalising goals in what has become known as 'Gary time'. 

However, on Saturday against FC Halifax United almost overturned a three goal deficit in the dying minutes of the game, as Klaidi Lolos proved to be a 'super sub' to pull a goal back before Armani Little struck with a long range effort to leave the Plainmoor faithful dreaming of a late comeback. Sadly, it wasn't be as they ran out of time to complete what had previously seemed liked the least likiest of comebacks.Nevertheless, United's two late goals shouldn't paper over the cracks - as their display in the build up to those two goals meant that they were unable to take advantage of them when they arrived.

2. Billy Waters returns to haunt the Gulls. 

By scoring Halifax's third and, ultimately, decisive goal, Billy Waters joined a list of former players to have scored against the Gulls on their return to Plainmoor. Jo Kuffour netted a brace for Gillingham in the 2011-12 season, Ryan Jarvis was on target for York City in the 2013-14 campaign and current assistant manager Aaron Downes was on the score sheet for a Cheltenham Town side managed by Gary Johnson in the 2015-16 season. 

Waters' effort against the Gulls was his 13th of the season for the Shaymen, which is more than the eight he managed in all competitions for United in 2020-21. It is also more than the player that he was signed to replace Jake Hyde has managed for Wrexham.

3. Armani approaching double figures. 

By netting United's second goal of the afternoon against the Shaymen, Armani Little has now taken his goal scoring tally for the 2021-22 campaign to nine. Little is not only one goal short of reaching double figures, he is also five goals short of the 14 goals that last season's top scorer Asa Hall managed over the course of the 2020-21 season. 

4. Klaidi Lolos gives Gary Johnson something to think about. 

In his post-match interview, Gary Johnson admiited that he had a lot to think about, and one of those could be whether to give Klaidi Lolos more game time or not. Lolos' introduction certainly livened up the Gulls' display and he always looked as though he could make something happen once he came on. His goal was just rewards for his efforts and it will be interesting to see if it results in him getting more game time from Johnson. Lolos' strike also takes his goal tally to three, making him United's joint second top scorer with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans. 

5. The elephant in the room. 

Yesterday's result now leaves the Gulls' four points off the relegation zone (United are in 17th place on 18 points, with Southend United occupying the final relegation spot in 21st place on 14 points). 

With an away game against Weymouth coming up next weekend and then the visit of Stockport County to Plainmoor before their festive double header against Yeovil Town, which either side of a trip to Eastleigh, United need to return to winning wins and quickly. 

6. A fine refereeing display. 

Referees in the National League often don't get a good press, so when one of the men in black produces a good display they deserve some credit. Yesterday referee Ryan Atkin proved himself to be one of the better refereeing performances witnessed at Plainmoor in recent years. Unlike many referees, Atkin was neither 'card happy' or 'whistle happy' and let the game flow, and made the right calls for the majority of the time.

EUNAN'S BEAUTY TEN YEARS ON

Ten years ago, Torquay United recorded their first league win over Plymouth Argyle since 1972, with a display inspired by two stunning long range strikes by Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane. 

Going into their first meeting of the 2011–12 season, it was fair to say that the Gulls and the Pilgrims were experiencing contrasting fortunes – both on and off the pitch. 

United had narrowly missed out on promotion to League One after losing 1-0 to Stevenage in the League Two Play-off final at Old Trafford at the end of the previous season. This was swiftly followed by the departure of manager Paul Buckle to Bristol Rovers, and former Leyton Orient and Cambridge United manager Martin Ling was appointed as his successor. 

By contrast the Pilgrims had been relegated from the Championship to League Two in successive seasons, thus ensuring that they would be facing a spell in the basement division of the Football League for the third time in their history. Their second relegation (in 2010-11) was in no small part down to a ten-point penalty that they received for entering Administration in February 2011. 

In October 2011, a takeover was finalised by local businessman James Brent, which brought them out of Administration. Whilst they were in Administration, the club’s staff had been forced to defer their wages in full for a period of seven months. 

Like United, Argyle also had a new manager in charge as Carl Fletcher was appointed as player-manager in September 2011 by their then Chairman Peter Ridsdale, after the dismissal of Peter Reid. Following their relegation, the Pilgrims’ struggles had continued as they slipped to the foot of the table and found themselves ten points adrift of safety at the time of Reid’s departure.

Plymouth went into the match with a much depleted side as player-manager Fletcher, Conor Hourihane and Robbie Williams were all missing through suspension, whereas Ling had the luxury of a fully fit Gulls’ squad to choose from. 

The first half – in keeping with the traditions of many local derby matches – proved to be a war of attrition. The only chance of note fell to Pilgrims’ wide man Luke Daley on 30 minutes, which was comfortably turned away by Torquay keeper Bobby Olejnik. 

The second half proved to be a completely different affair. Within two minutes of the restart, the Gulls’ Irish midfield talisman O’Kane fired home a stunning opening strike from distance after Argyle defender Curtis Nelson headed a cross from Rene Howe straight into his path. 

If his first goal was merely a good goal, then O’Kane’s second – two minutes later – was a fusion of beauty and intelligence as he looked up, spotted Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu off his line and struck from 40-yards to double the Gulls’ lead with one of the finest goals ever seen at Plainmoor. In an instant, Torquay were firmly in the driving seat and a first league win in nearly four decades over the Pilgrims appeared to be within their grasp. 

Danny Stevens later added a third for the Gulls before Will Atkinson pulled a goal back for Argyle as Torquay eventually ran out as 3-1 winners. In addition to being the Gulls’ first league victory over the Pilgrims in nearly 40 years, it was also their biggest ever win against them as well. 

When the two sides met again at Home Park on 2nd January 2012, Torquay completed their first double over the Pilgrims since the 1971–72 season. United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Lee Mansell and Billy Bodin, whilst future Gulls’ midfielder Luke Young replied for Argyle with his first goal in senior professional football. 

United then went on to reach the Play-offs where they were beaten by Cheltenham Town over two legs. Meanwhile, Argyle were forced to wait until their penultimate home game of the season with Oxford United to secure their League Two status, which they did with a 1-1 draw. 

Torquay: (4-3-3) Olejnik; Oastler, Ellis, Saah (Robertson 26), Nicholson; Lathrope, Mansell, O’Kane; Stevens, Bodin (Morris 75), Howe 

Plymouth: (4-4-2) Larrieu; Bignot, Nelson, Gibson, Bhasera; Daley (Vassell 76), Young, Walton, Atkinson; Sutherland, Feeney (Lecointe 53) 

Attendance: 3,983 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DOVER ATHLETIC

 1. Armani Little at the double. 

By netting a brace against Dover Athletic, Torquay United stand-in skipper Armani Little has now increased his tally for the season to seven goals. Little opened his account for United in the 34th minute when he fired home a low drive from 25-yards and clinched United's 'Gary-time' winner (more on that later) on 90 minutes after Dover failed to clear a cross from sub Jake Andrews. 

Although the announcement of Little as man of the match earned a mixed reception, he is now United's top scorer by some distance. Little's fellow midfield schemer Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is next highest on the Gulls' leading scorer's list with three - and being a club's leading scorer is quite an achievement for a midfielder. Last season, Asa Hall topped United's goal scoring charts with 14, and Little is now half way towards emulating that feat. 

In addition to this, Little is also United's top assist makers so far this season with six. 

2. 'Gary-time' strikes again. 

In the 2020-21 campaign, United made a habit of snatching late goals in what became known as 'Gary-time'. Little's late winner against Dover was the second time that the Gulls have clinched victory in the 90th minute, the other occasion came last month against Southend United when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who missed the match for personal reasons, slotted home to secure a 1-0 win for United. 

3. Fourth straight win at home. 

After losing their opening three home league encounters (Altrincham, Woking and Grimsby Town), United have now secured a fourth successive league victory at Plainmoor. Their win over Dover follows a run of home wins which includes wins over Southend United, Wealdstone, King's Lynn Town. It was also witnessed by a season high attendance of 2,892 - which included a number of NHS staff who received free tickets as part of one of the club's community days. Hopefully more of them will decide to come back again later in the season. 

4. Keelan O'Connell impressed on the wing. 

One of United's stand-out performers, particularly in the first half, was winger Keelan O'Connell. In the opening 45 minutes, O'Connell often switched flanks to good effect with Byron Moore, who was making his first start for the Gulls, and at times he was arguably United's greatest attacking threat in the opening period. Four minutes before half-time, he teed up Klaidi Lolos for a close range effort that forcd a smart save from Dover keeper Adam Parkes. 

5. A substitute replacing a substitute. 

On 59 minutes, United manager Gary Johnson replaced Byron Moore with Chiori Johnson, but three minutes later the Gulls' was forced to bring Chiori Johnson off as he pulled up with an achilles tendon injury. Jake Andrews ended up becoming the replacement for a replacement and if anyone knows the last time that occurred, please send in their answers!

6. Sinclair Armstrong featured for Republic of Ireland Under-19's. 

While his teammates were securing an important three points in the National League, United's QPR loanee Sinclair Armstrong was featuring for the Republic of Ireland Under-19 side against their Bosnia-Herzegovina counterparts. The Irish drew 1-1 with right attacking midfielder Johnny Kenny scoring his second goal in as many games, in a match that Armstrong played the full 90 minutes as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

LOWE HOPING GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES FOR THE PILGRIMS

Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe will be hoping good things can come in threes for the Pilgrims as they head to Accrington Stanley this weekend. 

Lowe, 43, will be taking charge of his 100th EFL match as Pilgrims boss when Argyle face Stanley at the Wham Stadium, and it will also be his first game in charge since he won the League One manager of the month award for October 2021. 

Over the course of the month, Lowe oversaw a run of four wins and two draws - as he beat off competition from Oxford United manager Karl Robinson and Rotherham United boss Paul Warne. 

It is the second time that he has won during his reign in charge of the Pilgrims since he arrived from Bury in the summer of 2019, Lowe had previously won the League Two award in February 2020 - shortly before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Under his guidance, Argyle's EFL record reads won 43, drawn 21 and lost 31 - and Lowe will be looking to add a 44th victory against Accrington. 

FA CUP FIRST ROUND PREVIEW 2021-22

Bradford City versus Exeter City

Exeter City will cross swords with former Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams when they travel to Bradford City in the first round of the FA Cup. 

Both sides have some recent pedigree in the competition, the Bantams famously knocked Chelsea out the cup in the 2013-14 season and the Grecians took Liverpool to a replay in the 2016-17 campaign. 

Matt Taylor's side head into the tie having lost only once in 15 games and are also eight league places higher than Bradford (Exeter are 4th in League Two, the Bantams are 12th) and confidence will be high amongst the Grecians' camp.

Sheffield Wednesday versus Plymouth Argyle

For the second time this season Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe will face one of his former clubs as the Pilgrims travel to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield Wednesday - for a fixture that will be broadcast live on ITV1 on Sunday.  

Lowe spent the 2011-12 season at Hillsborough and helped Wednesday to win promotion from League One under his fellow Scouser Dave Jones. 

The two sides faced each other last September at Home Park, and Argyle came away as 3-0 victors. However, the Owls, who are managed by former Torquay United defender Darren Moore, will be going into the tie in confident mood following a 3-0 win over Sunderland in midweek.

Yate Town versus Yeovil Town

After beating local rivals Weymouth in the fourth qualifying round, Yeovil Town will be looking avoid becoming the latest cup scalp to be claimed by Southern Premier League South side Yate Town. 

The Bluebells will be competing at the first round stage for the first time since 2012 and have already defeated National League opposition in the form of Dover Athletic in the cup this season.  

Nevertheless, the Glovers, who faced Manchester United in the competition in the 2014-15 and 2017-18 seasons respectively, will be doing everything they can to avoid falling to an upset.

GULLS' RESULT MARRED BY CROWD TROUBLE

Both Torquay United and Wrexham are working with police following crowd trouble which marred the recent National League encounter between the two sides. 

The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw after a late header from former Wales Under-21 midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans secured a point for the Gulls after the Red Dragons had taken an early lead through Harry Lennon.

It was after Lemonheigh-Evans had equalised for the Gulls that the incidents in question occurred and the Torquay United Supporter's Trust received reports of 'coins, plastic and glass bottles and cigarettes being thrown at Torquay fans'. 

Wrexham have confirmed that there were reports of 'unacceptable incidents and behaviour' and Torquay United have made an official complaint to the National League and informed the FA. 

In addition to this, the Red Dragons also released the following statement:

"Wrexham AFC regrets to say we are aware of reports of unacceptable incidents and behaviour at our match against Torquay United, directed towards opposition supporters, by a very small minority of attendees at the game,

"We would like to reassure the supporters of both teams that we are reviewing footage and working with North Wales Police to identify those responsible.

"Such behaviour will not be tolerated at the Racecourse Ground and those identified will face the strictest punishments available to the club. You are not welcome at our football club. The safety of all people attending games at the Racecourse Ground is of paramount importance.

"We would like to thank the 242 Torquay supporters who made the long return trip from Devon to north Wales for the game, and our true fans who supported us in great numbers once again."

The fixture also marked the first home game attended by Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny since their takeover of the club in February 2021.