Torquay United Fans Forum

Talking of youngsters, our young keeper, Aaron Ibbetson. I'm sure I read in the Herald/on our website that some Premiership teams were looking at him.

Again, my memory might be a bit fuzzed, but if it's true, then fair play to the club for getting him at such an age; I just hope we can fulfill his potential..

Southampton Gull wrote:We had only two regular first team players so it hardly constitutes a side packed with them, of the others with first team experience, they have only a handful of starts between them, The City players with first team experience have played at a higher level so in this case it represents a really good result in my opinion.

I agree.

Although I also agree with the argument that we are fielding a stronger team in the reserves league than others is valid, if you look at the team we fielded against Exeter it was probably the weakest we've put out all season. I would say it was a fair(ish) comparison, and we still won.

I'm pleasantly surprised with the quality of young players we've got. I had feared that the older bunch wouldn't be up to Senior Football - after all, if we were picking lads up at 15/16, you had to wonder why they hadn't been snapped up by City and Argyle. It wouldn't have surprised me if if had taken a few years for the first few "golden boys" to come through. But Halpin, Yeoman and Palmer seem to be making a decent enough impression and the other lads coming through seem to be able to play a bit as well. I would say that is testament to the coaching they have received.

We had only two regular first team players so it hardly constitutes a side packed with them, of the others with first team experience, they have only a handful of starts between them, The City players with first team experience have played at a higher level so in this case it represents a really good result in my opinion.

Playing Devils advocate for a second, whilst results like this are encouraging there is an obvious reason why we fayre so well. Our squad is much smaller than virtually every other we come up against. As a result, more often than not, our 'reserve' side contains more 'first-teamers' than the opposition. How many of those City players have played for the senior side? It looks like a side that lacks experience...?

Just a thought but is the first name of Exeters no 17 today God by any chance ? ...............God Olly Knowles...............Sorry about that ......

ST holders are liable for the £3 entry fee.
Players and staff sit in the directors' box, mere mortals occupy the Family Stand end of the Grandstand and the standing area in front of it as far down as the tunnel.
About 50 today, maybe 70 at a push, but it seemed less busy than previous games where I have seen 150.

It's an excellent opportunity to see and speak to the first team and staff (if you are so inclined). Also, it's nice to see the progress of some of the youngsters. Ray Spear and Saul Halpin are both becoming excellent players.

Regards today's match specifically...

Macklin looked tasty, flagged offside twice when he was level at worst, but for this, could have had a goal. Lathrope also looked good. Understandably, the stand out performer for us was Danny Stevens. Continually went past 4 and 5 men, tried a couple of nice backheels which came off. The guy with the floppy hair (striker, looks like a blonde Joe Barlow from a distance) is big and strong now and physically is first team material if not quite in execution. LRT seemed keen to have the ball from Scotty B whenever we had a goal kick.
Not really relevant to us, but ECFC were rubbish in the final third. Kept insisting that they were capable of Robin Van Persie style millimetre perfect through balls which, inevitably and without exception, were hit 400 times too hard and ran harmlessly out of play. Jake Thompson certainly looked incredibly lucky to get paid to play L1 football, since on that performance, he wouldn't have made our reserve side. One cross damn near cleared the Family stand.

Matt.

I am not blaming anyone on this forum, far from it, but communication on reserve games is really poor, as far as I can remember the match was not even mentioned on the tannoy on Saturday? by the time I read this posting, it was too late to change my plans, otherwise I would have gone.

Can anyone answer the following

- Is entry free for season ticket holders?
- Is just the main stand or family stand open?
- What sort of crowds do they get?

I ask because years ago, when Torquay Reserves used to play in the western league, I clearly remember going to matches where there were aound 200 watching.

Comfortable win really. Exeter were very poor going forward apart from there number 14 no one really stood out tbh. Jake Thomson was useless aswell.

Double done over them so the bragging rights go to the Yellows of Devon even if it is only the reserves.

Gulls (4-4-2): 1 Scott Bevan; 5 Scott Taylor, 25 Ed Palmer, 2 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, 3 Ryan Wilson; 19 Danny Stevens, 24 Ashley Yeoman, 22 Damon Lathrope, 17 Saul Halpin; 9 Ray Spear, 14 Lloyd Macklin. Substitutes: 6 TJ Lang, 8 Aaron Kudi, 13 Aaron Ibbetson, 15 Kirtys MacKenzie.

Exeter (4-5-1): 1 Artur Krysiak; 2 Josh Searle, 6 Jack Furzer, 3 Scott Bennett, 4 Elliott Frear; 14 James Norwood, 7 Aaron Dawson, 8 Dan Weston, 5 Chris Shepperd (16 Roger Ingham 74), 10 Jake Thomson; 11 Tom Nicholls (15 Ethan Phillips 74). Substitutes: 12 Jake Goslin, 13 Paul Gibbins, 17 Olly Knowles.

Thomson was back at plainmoor!

Another good win and it means we have completed all our home games with a 100% success rate ! *

Not only that but it almost certainly means we have sown up the League title as well - an excellent result given that this is the first time in years we have run a reserve side!

By my reckoning we only need a win and a draw from our remaining three (away) games to guarantee the title - but it may well be we have enough points already!

http://full-time.thefa.com/Table.do?div ... on=9560885

Another trophy (hopefully) to go in the "cabinet" .... and of course, there's always the Devon Bowl !

* It appears that we have been awarded a 1-0 home win over Bournemouth as they failed to raise a team!

Match report on official site.

Any news on this?

I was going to put those but Ellis has played a lot recently and Danny also plays every game - albeit sometimes from the bench.

Don't forget Mark Ellis and Danny Stevens - they need to keep match fit too.

Richinns wrote:With our current squad size - I hope its a 5 a side game!

Most likely youth players will play

I can see the following pro's playing:
potter(depending if he will start Saturday?)
Rowe turner
Palmer
Yeoman
Halpin
Lathrope
Macklin

Plus possible trials? Doubtful.