A 48th minute strike from Danny Stevens gave Torquay United club league record equalling 11th away win and boosted their automatic promotion bid.
Stevens' strike just after the break proved to be enough to separate the two sides and gave the Gulls a temporary four point cushion over Shrewsbury and Crawley going into Saturday's fixtures.
Following Saturday's matches, that four point advantage became three as the Shrews and Red Devils both drew their respective games against Aldershot and Burton Albion.
They now only trail Swindon by two points as the Robins shared the points in their encounter with Bristol Rovers as the League Two promotion race hots up going into the closing stages of the regular campaign.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Thursday, 29 March 2012
GULLS AIMING TO EQUAL RECORD AT UNDERHILL
Torquay United head into Friday night's encounter against Barnet at Underhill seeking a victory, which would maintain their promotion challenge and equal a club record.
Three points against the Bees would increase the gap between themselves and fellow promotion chasers, Shrewsbury Town and Crawley, to four points until 5pm on Saturday at least.
It would also see them equal a club league record of 11 away wins in a season, which was set in Cyril Knowles's first campaign in charge in the 1987-88 season.
The Gulls reached the Division Four Play-Off final during that campaign, which they lost to Swansea City 5-4 over two legs.
However, in the present day, Martin Ling's side are currently second in the League Two table and have automatic promotion firmly in their sights.
Anyone who knows the history of the encounters between these two teams will no doubt be aware of the final day relegation decider that the two sides contested in the 2000-01 season.
Torquay came out on top that day winning 3-2, courtesy of goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham, with a Stuart Jones penalty save thrown in as well. Similar heroics on Friday night will see the Gulls take a closer step towards the possibility of a fourth automatic promotion, and sixth promotion overall.
Three points against the Bees would increase the gap between themselves and fellow promotion chasers, Shrewsbury Town and Crawley, to four points until 5pm on Saturday at least.
It would also see them equal a club league record of 11 away wins in a season, which was set in Cyril Knowles's first campaign in charge in the 1987-88 season.
The Gulls reached the Division Four Play-Off final during that campaign, which they lost to Swansea City 5-4 over two legs.
However, in the present day, Martin Ling's side are currently second in the League Two table and have automatic promotion firmly in their sights.
Anyone who knows the history of the encounters between these two teams will no doubt be aware of the final day relegation decider that the two sides contested in the 2000-01 season.
Torquay came out on top that day winning 3-2, courtesy of goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham, with a Stuart Jones penalty save thrown in as well. Similar heroics on Friday night will see the Gulls take a closer step towards the possibility of a fourth automatic promotion, and sixth promotion overall.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
GRITTS GOES FULL CIRCLE ON WHITE TIGERS' DEBUT
During his career, Martin Gritton has gained the unique distinction of having piled his trade as a footballer in the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
Although born in Glasgow, Gritts was raised in the Duchy and first came to prominence with Cornish side, Porthleven, who he helped to reach the Quarter Finals of FA Vase in the late 1990's, for whom he combined playing for with completing a Degree in Sports Science at Portsmouth University, which alerted Plymouth Argyle to his potential.
Gritts joined the Pilgrims in the 1998-99 season but, unfortunately, never established himself as a regular at Home Park and was loaned out to Yeovil Town and Shelbourne before he arrived at Plainmoor as one of Leroy Rosenior's first signings as Torquay United manager.
After initially joining the Gulls on loan, Gritts netted on his debut for Torquay against Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the 2002-03 before the move was later made permanent.
He enjoyed a productive debut season at Plainmoor and finished the season as the Gulls' top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions and was runner-up in the club's Player of the Year award behind Alex Russell.
The following season saw him in and out of the team due to injury, but he still managed to score four goals in 31 appearances, which included the decisive in a 1-0 win away at fellow promotion contenders, Hull City, as the Gulls clinched automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign with a 2-1 win over Southend United.
This would prove to be Gritts' last full season at Plainmoor as he headed north to join Grimsby Town in December 2004.
Spells with Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Macclesfield Town and Chesterfield then followed before he returned to Plainmoor for a second spell when Paul Buckle signed him on a six-month loan deal from the Spireites on the eve of the 2009-10 season.
However, his second spell with the Gulls, which was hampered by injury, didn't prove to be as fruitful as his first and returned to the B2net Stadium in January 2011 without finding the back of the net.
After a brief stint with FC Chester, Gritts was back in the South West again later on that campaign as he signed a short-term deal with Yeovil Town, where he made two appearances before leaving Huish Park again in the summer.
Stockport County were his next port of call, a spell which briefly saw him work under former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann, before he headed back to Cornwall recently to sign for Truro City. It is also worth noting this is a very different Truro City to the one that he faced during his days at Portheleven, following their rapid rise through the football pyramid under the ownership of Kevin Heaney, which now sees them completing in the Blue Square Bet South.
His debut for the White Tigers proved to be a memorable one as he found the score sheet in their 3-0 home win over Thurrock and another highlight in a career, which in a geographically sense, has almost gone full circle.
Although born in Glasgow, Gritts was raised in the Duchy and first came to prominence with Cornish side, Porthleven, who he helped to reach the Quarter Finals of FA Vase in the late 1990's, for whom he combined playing for with completing a Degree in Sports Science at Portsmouth University, which alerted Plymouth Argyle to his potential.
Gritts joined the Pilgrims in the 1998-99 season but, unfortunately, never established himself as a regular at Home Park and was loaned out to Yeovil Town and Shelbourne before he arrived at Plainmoor as one of Leroy Rosenior's first signings as Torquay United manager.
After initially joining the Gulls on loan, Gritts netted on his debut for Torquay against Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the 2002-03 before the move was later made permanent.
He enjoyed a productive debut season at Plainmoor and finished the season as the Gulls' top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions and was runner-up in the club's Player of the Year award behind Alex Russell.
The following season saw him in and out of the team due to injury, but he still managed to score four goals in 31 appearances, which included the decisive in a 1-0 win away at fellow promotion contenders, Hull City, as the Gulls clinched automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign with a 2-1 win over Southend United.
This would prove to be Gritts' last full season at Plainmoor as he headed north to join Grimsby Town in December 2004.
Spells with Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Macclesfield Town and Chesterfield then followed before he returned to Plainmoor for a second spell when Paul Buckle signed him on a six-month loan deal from the Spireites on the eve of the 2009-10 season.
However, his second spell with the Gulls, which was hampered by injury, didn't prove to be as fruitful as his first and returned to the B2net Stadium in January 2011 without finding the back of the net.
After a brief stint with FC Chester, Gritts was back in the South West again later on that campaign as he signed a short-term deal with Yeovil Town, where he made two appearances before leaving Huish Park again in the summer.
Stockport County were his next port of call, a spell which briefly saw him work under former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann, before he headed back to Cornwall recently to sign for Truro City. It is also worth noting this is a very different Truro City to the one that he faced during his days at Portheleven, following their rapid rise through the football pyramid under the ownership of Kevin Heaney, which now sees them completing in the Blue Square Bet South.
His debut for the White Tigers proved to be a memorable one as he found the score sheet in their 3-0 home win over Thurrock and another highlight in a career, which in a geographically sense, has almost gone full circle.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
GRECIANS SNAP UP RICKETTS AND GOW
'Have boots, will travel', that is the career story of Exeter City's two latest recruits, Rohan Ricketts and Alan Gow, who have agreed deals that will keep them at St James' Park until the end of the season.
Former Arsenal and Tottenham midfielder Ricketts, 29, also counts Barnsley and Wolves amongst his former clubs in a career that has seen him ply his trade in countries as diverse as Canada, Hungary, Moldova and the Republic of Ireland.
His career highlights include two FA Youth Cup wins whilst with the Gunners and a Irish League title, which he won with his most recent club, prior to his arrival at St James' Park, Shamrock Rovers.
Ex Rangers forward Gow, also 29, is no stranger to the South West after spending the 2009-10 campaign with Plymouth Argyle before he was released at the end of the season.
Since then, he returned to Scotland to join Motherwell before moving back to England to sign for Notts County. He then headed East to join Indian side East Bengal before agreeing to join the Grecians.
Former Arsenal and Tottenham midfielder Ricketts, 29, also counts Barnsley and Wolves amongst his former clubs in a career that has seen him ply his trade in countries as diverse as Canada, Hungary, Moldova and the Republic of Ireland.
His career highlights include two FA Youth Cup wins whilst with the Gunners and a Irish League title, which he won with his most recent club, prior to his arrival at St James' Park, Shamrock Rovers.
Ex Rangers forward Gow, also 29, is no stranger to the South West after spending the 2009-10 campaign with Plymouth Argyle before he was released at the end of the season.
Since then, he returned to Scotland to join Motherwell before moving back to England to sign for Notts County. He then headed East to join Indian side East Bengal before agreeing to join the Grecians.
ARGYLE BRING IN BIG FLETCH
Plymouth Argyle manager Carl Fletcher has moved to strengthen his attacking options by bringing in his namesake and former colleague, Steve Fletcher, from Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season.
Steve, 39, is the Cherries all-time record appearance holder after turning out 714 times for the club and also has a stand named after him at the Fitness First Stadium.
He joins a roster of strikers that currently includes Nick Chadwick, Alex MacDonald, who is on loan from Burnley, Warren Feeney, another former Bournemouth of 'Big Fletch' and youngsters Matt Lecointe and Jared Sims.
Both Steve and Carl were part of the Bournemouth side that won promotion from Division Three during the 2002-03 season after beating Lincoln City 5-2 in the Division's Play-Off final.
He also scored the winner for the Cherries in their 2-1 league victory over the Pilgrims in January of last year.
Steve, 39, is the Cherries all-time record appearance holder after turning out 714 times for the club and also has a stand named after him at the Fitness First Stadium.
He joins a roster of strikers that currently includes Nick Chadwick, Alex MacDonald, who is on loan from Burnley, Warren Feeney, another former Bournemouth of 'Big Fletch' and youngsters Matt Lecointe and Jared Sims.
Both Steve and Carl were part of the Bournemouth side that won promotion from Division Three during the 2002-03 season after beating Lincoln City 5-2 in the Division's Play-Off final.
He also scored the winner for the Cherries in their 2-1 league victory over the Pilgrims in January of last year.
Monday, 19 March 2012
IN RECOGNITION
Following their respective successes at the weekend, Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle are well represented in the latest Npower League Two Team of the Week.
Gulls' duo Kevin Nicholson and Rene Howe were both selected for their roles in helping Torquay defeat Burton 4-1 at the Pirrelli Stadium. The result moves the Gulls up to second in the table, ahead of tomorrow night's trip to the County Ground to face leaders Swindon Town.
The Pilgrims' midfielder Paul Wotton is also included after he scored the only goal of the game in Argyle's 1-0 win over Torquay's fellow promotion chasers, Shrewsbury Town, at Home Park.
Gulls' duo Kevin Nicholson and Rene Howe were both selected for their roles in helping Torquay defeat Burton 4-1 at the Pirrelli Stadium. The result moves the Gulls up to second in the table, ahead of tomorrow night's trip to the County Ground to face leaders Swindon Town.
The Pilgrims' midfielder Paul Wotton is also included after he scored the only goal of the game in Argyle's 1-0 win over Torquay's fellow promotion chasers, Shrewsbury Town, at Home Park.
The Full Team:
Jamie Young - Aldershot Town
Michael Spillane - Dagenham & Redbridge
Cian Bolger - Bristol Rovers
Connor Essam - Gillingham
Kevin Nicholson - Torquay United
Jordan Obita - Gillingham
Paul Wotton - Plymouth Argyle
Ashley Westwood - Crewe Alexandra
Medy Elito - Dagenham & Redbridge
Rene Howe - Torquay United
Gary Alexander - Crawley Town
Sunday, 18 March 2012
JOHNSON JUNIOR HELPS KILLIE UPSET CELTIC
Lee Johnson, son of Yeovil Town boss Gary, played a key role in helping Kilmarnock defy the odds by beating Celtic to lift the Scottish League Cup.
Johnson junior, who left Huish Park in 2006 after spending five years with the Glovers, came off the bench for Kille as a 20th minute substitute for Danny Buijs and provided the cross for Dieter Van Tornhout to score the game's decisive goal with six minutes to go.
It is the first time that Kilmarnock have won the Scottish League Cup final and it will be a double celebration in the Johnson household as Gary's Yeovil have now moved up into the top half of the League One table following their 2-1 win over Walsall on Saturday.
Johnson junior, who left Huish Park in 2006 after spending five years with the Glovers, came off the bench for Kille as a 20th minute substitute for Danny Buijs and provided the cross for Dieter Van Tornhout to score the game's decisive goal with six minutes to go.
It is the first time that Kilmarnock have won the Scottish League Cup final and it will be a double celebration in the Johnson household as Gary's Yeovil have now moved up into the top half of the League One table following their 2-1 win over Walsall on Saturday.
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