Torquay United Top 100 Matches

[wivelgull]

I was there - and it was great! This is how I always think of United: glory!glory!glory! - and Robin Stubbs!

[stefano]

Thanks for the write up Stefano, you've brought the memories flooding back. I remember standing in the packed Popside for that game and it was indeed sad that we fell away so badly at the end of the season. Does my memory serve me right in thinking that the Swansea Town match was one of the last with old cow shed still standing or was the mini stand already there?

Of course, after being so successful, we couldn't hang on the Frank O'Farrell and that was the last consistently good team that we had. It seems that since then we've been like a damned cactus, flowering every 10 to 15 years and lying 'dormant' in between times!

Absolutely right. The mini stand was constructed during the summer break at the end of that season. The cowshed was the pits but what a great atmosphere. No we couldn't go back to it. But surely no problem reminiscing fondly?

[Plymouth Gull]

Thank you for the excellent write up there Stefano - really helps to paint a picture for us fans who weren't around then!

JOINT 72nd: Ebbsfleet United 1 - 0 Torquay United - 2007/08

4 points, 2 votes (3+1)

FA Trophy Final
Saturday 10th May 2008
Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 40186

Torquay: Martin Rice, Lee Mansell, Chris Todd, Steve Woods, Kevin Nicholson, Roscoe D'Sane, Chris Hargreaves, Steve Adams, Chris Zebroski, Tim Sills, Lee Phillips. Subs: Chris Robertson, Kevin Hill, Matt Hockley, Danny Stevens, Elliot Benyon.

Ebbsfleet scorer: Chris McPhee

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One of the last few defeats to feature on the list, though I feel this is one that has reason to make it here. This was United's first appearance in an FA Trophy Final, and also our first appearance at the newly built Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately, events that preceded this match meant that it felt very much as a second-fiddle sort of match - it was not the playoffs. Still, Paul Buckle sent out his strongest side to try and win the clubs first National trophy, but we were outdone by an ex-Gull, Chris McPhee. He had seen a penalty saved beforehand, but McPhee was not to be denied as he slid the ball home from a cross by John Akinde, right on half time. Torquay could not claw themselves level in the second half and missed out on the silverware. The match will also be remembered for Kevin Hill breaking the clubs all-time appearance record, coming off the bench in the final minutes.

Highlights:

[Plymouth Gull]

JOINT 72nd: Crawley Town 0 - 1 Torquay United - 2011/12

4 points, 2 votes (3+1)

League 2
Saturday 3rd March 2012
Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 3361

Torquay: Bobby Olejnik, Joe Oastler, Mark Ellis, Angus MacDonald, Kevin Nicholson, Damon Lathrope, Lee Mansell, Eunan O'Kane, Danny Stevens, Ian Morris, Rene Howe. Subs: Taiwo Atieno, Martin Rice, Nathan Craig, Ryan Jarvis, Lathanial Rowe-Turner.

Torquay scorer: Eunan O'Kane

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Winning a game away at Crawley a year on from the FA Cup debacle was a sweet victory. Both sides were pushing for promotion but we had had a couple of poor results prior to this match, I think. We went to the south-east, followed by 500 odd Gulls, and came back with the 3 points courtesy of a relatively late goal by Eunan O'Kane. This match was one of the best results of this campaign, and kicked March off in the best possible way. Rather frustratingly, it was Crawley who ended up getting promoted through the third automatic spot, after a rather chaotic last two match days involving the two sides.

[samuel]

The Ebbsfleet game. Memorable for being so absolutely crap. I also remember thinking how poorly treated Kevin Hill was at the end of his tenure. I was still suffering from the effects of the previous weeks game which I don't like talking about.

[Bloggy]

Spooky! This was featured in the Matchday Programme on Saturday... page 35!

[wivelgull]

Kevin Hill? Don't you mean Kevvy Knill, Alan Knill's brother?

[Plymouth Gull]

JOINT 70th: Macclesfield Town 3 - 3 Torquay United - 2010/11

5 points, 1 vote

League 2
Saturday 19th March 2011
Moss Rose
Attendance: 1556

Torquay: Scott Bevan, Lee Mansell, Chris Robertson, Guy Branston, Kevin Nicholson, Damon Lathrope, Ben Pringle, Craig Stanley, Gavin Tomlin, Jake Robinson, Chris Zebroski. Subs: Eunan O'Kane, Danny Potter, Lathanial Rowe-Turner, Mark Ellis, Saul Halpin, Lloyd Macklin, Ronan Murray.

Macclesfield scorers: Tyrone Barnett, Colin Daniel, Hamza Bencherif
Torquay scorers: Jake Robinson (2), Guy Branston

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I must admit when this one came in I was a tad confused as I couldn't recall it (although I imagine it would have been a memorable game if I'd been there). Alas, United, on the cusp of the playoffs at the time of the match, travelled to Macclesfield who were struggling towards the foot of the table. In typical United fashion, we found ourselves 2-0 down at half time, and looking like we'd fall behind in the race for the top 7. A goal from Jake Robinson soon after half time got us back in contention, but the hosts restored the two-goal advantage five minutes later through Bencherif. With 15 minutes left, Robinson got his second, scoring from the spot. The clock was hitting the 91st minute when we grabbed the equaliser, as Guy Branston headed home from a throw in.

The point moved us into the playoff positions, where we stayed that season.

[Plymouth Gull]

JOINT 70th: Torquay United 3 - 2 Weymouth - 2007/08

5 points, 1 vote

Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 25th September 2007
Plainmoor
Attendance: 3548

Torquay: Simon Rayner, Paul Hinshelwood, Mark Ellis, Scott Laird, Kevin Nicholson, Tony Bedeau, Matt Hockley, Kevin Hill, Chris Zebroski, Lee Phillips, Tim Sills. Subs: Ishmael Welsh, Danny Wring, Danny Stevens, Lee Mansell, Martin Rice.

Torquay scorers: Chris Zebroski, Lee Phillips, Kevin Hill
Weymouth scorers: Nick Crittenden, Conal Platt

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Another late comeback is next up. 3500 fans turned up to watch Torquay against relatively local rivals Weymouth for this BSP meeting. United would go top of the league with a win. Weymouth took a shock lead on 4 minutes, and held that for close to an hour. Zebroski equalised for the hosts, before Conal Platt put the visitors ahead shortly afterwards. As the clock ticked towards the final 15 minutes, Lee Phillips levelled. The momentum was with Torquay now and Gulls stalwart Kevin Hill scored the winner in the final minute of normal time, taking the Gulls to the top of the division.

[gateman49]

I remember the 3 -3 Macclesfield match well.

My wife and I were on our way to the Lake District for a holiday and she wouldn't normally want to go to any match but I managed to persuade her to divert off the M6 for the game. We arrived early after one emergency stop for me to relieve myself in a hedge, I had to pretend to be admiring the view every time a car went by, very difficult when in full flow.

I asked where we could get a bite to eat and was directed down the hill towards town. We must have walked a mile before we crossed a railway bridge to find a very unprepossessing pub. In we went and, of course the conversations stopped when they heard a southern accent. Actually they were very friendly and when I asked what food they had the landlord said that they had meat and gravy pies (or was it onion?). That didn't sound too exciting so I asked where they were supplied from (on reflection, I don't know why I asked such a daft question). The landlord said his mother made them so we thought we may as well have one each. Surprise surprise, they were great!

After a long walk back up the hill, in we went and the match started to go wrong from the beginning. However, we made a remarkable recovery in the second half and Branston's header wasn't the last action as we could and should have won it with the last kick but the chance went begging.

I can recommend the Lake District as well!

[Orange Gull]

The Macclesfield game was one of my choices. By far the best encounter between the two teams that I've ever seen, although I've only seen three such meetings. We looked down and out at half time but came roaring back in the second half with two goals to equalise, only to go behind again but get the final goal of the game in the last few minutes to draw level. Highlights are on the Gulls Player here http://www.player.torquayunited.com/arc ... eason=2010

[Plymouth Gull]

JOINT 70th: Torquay United 2 - 1 Middlesbrough - 1966/67

5 points, 1 vote

Division 3
3rd December 1966
Plainmoor
Attendance: 4701

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I can find the Middlesbrough line up but no luck for our side. John Hickton scored for Boro. Hoping for another Stefano report here!

[Plymouth Gull]

JOINT 70th: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 4 Torquay United - 1997/98

5 points, 1 vote

Division 3
7th February 1998
Goldstone Ground
Attendance: 2083

Torquay: Kenny Veysey, Andy Gurney, Chris Leadbitter, Jamie Robinson, Jon Gittens, Alex Watson, Gary Clayton, Leon Hapgood, Kevin Hill, Rodney Jack, Jason Roberts. Subs: Tony Bedeau, Steve McCall, Paul Mitchell

Brighton scorer: Peter Smith
Torquay scorers: Jason Roberts (2), Andy Gurney, Rodney Jack

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The 97/98 is one of the campaigns I wish I had been around to follow as it is certainly one of the more memorable years in Torquay United's history. This result away at Brighton is next on the list, and unsurprisingly so, judging by the result. I can't say I know how Brighton were doing in this season, but we were fighting towards the right end of the table. This match was the third of eight consecutive wins between January and March. We fell behind to BHA in the 24th minute, before Jason Roberts equalised not long before half time. It was level at half time, before Torquay blew their south coast rivals away in the second half. Firstly, Andy Gurney scored, before Roberts doubled the advantage. Cult hero Rodney Jack added the gloss with a fourth goal in the final minute.

[Bloggy]

This one's mine. A wonderful day out whilst I was living in London... but it was at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium (not Goldstone)! Handing out Capital Gulls leaflets before kick off. Jack and Roberts were awesome going forward. Great day.

[stefano]

JOINT 72nd: Torquay United 2 - 1 Middlesbrough - 1966/67

5 points, 1 vote

Division 3
3rd December 1966
Plainmoor
Attendance: 4701

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I can find the Middlesbrough line up but no luck for our side. John Hickton scored for Boro. Hoping for another Stefano report here!

This was a game that seemed to give the team some belief with a win against one of the top teams in the division and with crowds above 20,000 every week in the 3rd tier clearly a much bigger club than ourselves. After promotion the previous season we had got off to a mixed start. A resounding 3-0 win at home to Reading was a great start but we were inconsistent, suffering a couple of heavy defeats but also beating Walsall 5-2 with Robin Stubbs getting 4. At the end of November we were mid-table not in danger of relegation but also with no thoughts of promotion. A 5-0 Plainmoor win against Colchester United set us up nicely for our next league game against high flying Middlesbrough (albeit there was the little matter of a 2-1 away defeat at 4th tier Aldershot in between those two games in the FA Cup).

A brilliant battling display saw Torquay win 2-1 with goals from Alan Kirkman and Ronnie Barnes, and Barnes winner at the Babbacombe end into the roof of the net was shown every weekend on tv for the next couple of years!

Gradually some consistency had been found, and the team gradually got themselves into 2nd place with only 5 games to go behind clear leaders Queens Park Rangers. Unfortunately it all fell away at that point, and we lost 4 of the last 5 games, the penultimate game of the season being a 4-0 thrashing at Middlesbrough who themselves were promoted in 2nd place. We slipped to 7th, but it was very tight at the top and had we won rather than lost our final two games we would have been promoted to the 2nd tier of English football for the first time.

TORQUAY: John Dunn, Eric Burgess, Bill Kitchener, John Benson, Alan Smith, John Bond, Doug Clarke, John Smith, Robin Stubbs, Alan Kirkman, Ronnie Barnes.

The attendance of 4701 was to increase to 14000 during the end of season push for promotion!