Saturday 12 January 2008

FA Trophy Round 2

County more than matched the Blue Square Conference Premier promotion chasers in their general play but it was the Gulls who progressed to the last 16 of the Carlsberg FA Trophy as they edged the game in the vital areas of concentration and composure.

But there were positive aspects to County’s performance in a generally satisfactory day because this was a terrific cup-tie played in front of a well-behaved crowd which whipped up a superb atmosphere.  It could be argued that a strong County performance was still not enough to defeat the Gulls, but as a yardstick of the progress made on and off the field in the Peter Beadle – Scott Young era, there were plenty of encouraging signs.

It was Torquay who were first to strike and their fifth minute goal seemed to take everyone by surprise and was greeted with a deafening hush.  Speedy winger Danny Stevens delivered a cross from the right which deceived Glyn Thompson, who has hardly erred all season, and nobody tracked the run of midfielder CHRIS HARGREAVES who popped up at the far post to poke home the loose ball.

MARK DODDS was making a rare appearance at the back in place of the suspended Lee Jarman and ‘Fireman Mark’ turned up at the right place at the right time to volley home a seventh minute reply.  A long throw-in from Ian Hillier was won by Julian Alsop in the air to set up the chance.  Torquay relied on a very direct game with long balls forward from midfield seeking out the head of top scorer Tim Sills, with Elliot Benyon and the wide players Stevens and Chris Zebroski always a danger as they hunted for the proceeds.

But with Dodds and Hillier doing a fine job in looking after Sills, County were not to be outdone and Alsop caused pain for United’s debut making Michael Poke for which the on loan keeper from Southampton needed lengthy treatment.  Alsop looked fortunate to escape a caution for the challenge but referee James Linington, kept a tight grip without resorting to the postering of previous whistlers who have recently visited Spytty Park.  The Isle of Wight based official was given no option on the stroke of half-time though when Zebroski brought down Lee Fowler with a tackle from behind and became the first name in his notebook.

If County had looked a little overawed in the opening few minutes of the game, they had certainly overcome their anxiety by half-time and they started the second period strongly with some delightful flowing football.  A break down the left by Hughes set up the best move of the match in the 59th minute with a superb crossfield pass picking out Charlie Griffin who had providing his strike threat from the right wing position usually occupied by injury victim Jason Bowen.  Griffin made perfect first time contact but Poke pulled off an impressive block though the keeper was fortunate that Alsop’s follow-up header was directed straight at him.

There was no doubt now that County were in the ascendancy and a second goal would have been richly deserved.  It almost came in the 62nd minute when Hughes and Alsop linked superbly but again Poke made a fine save from the shot from Hughes from 15 yards.  The crowd were raising the roof by now but they were once again silenced as County were caught off guard in the 70th minute.  The excellent Stevens burst down the right in the break and once again the untracked HARGREAVES was unmarked at the far post to finish and give the Gulls a lead against the run of play.

Alsop had rolled back the years with a display of endeavour and non-stop effort but he followed Zebroski into the referee’s notebook, presumably for persistent fouls, and Hughes briefly lost his cool to suffer the same fate.  Alsop gave way to Jermaine Clarke who has been carving a reputation for scoring important goals, and after Gulls substitute Darren Mullings had picked up a card for a foul on Damon Searle, Richard Evans had a chance which unfortunately fell to his right foot.

Torquay were hardly posing an attacking threat by now but they were able to deal with County’s pressure.  Sam O’Sullivan entered the fray after a three-month injury absence to replace left-back Searle as Beadle went for broke, but the winger was understandably rusty after his break and picked up a caution for badly mistimed challenge.  United substitute Leslie Thompson also picked up a card as the visitors tried to close out the game before time was called.

County had a rousing reception from their fans though, and on another day they would have achieved a positive result even against a side as professional and capable as Torquay.  Beads suggested that full-time training was the difference as United were switched on throughout, but he was right to acclaim his side who probably played the better football for long periods of the game.

So as the old cliché of being able to concentrate on the league now comes into play.  County now have to address the task of reaching Blue Square Premier where they would face challenges like this on a regular basis.  The signs from this game, against one of the best teams in non-league football, are that they would have nothing to fear.

Good luck to Torquay for the future in their bid to restore league football to the Devon resort, and in the rest of their FA Trophy campaign.  Best wishes also to Gulls left-back Kevin Nicholson who needed a hospital visit after gashing his head in an accidental clash with Zebroski.

Man of the Match

County: Mark Dodds (excellent at the back and a fine goal).

Torquay: Danny Stevens (provider of two Torquay goals and a high class performer).

Special mention: Ian Hillier (also very good at the back – as usual).

© Colin Jeremiah