Torquay United Fans Forum

Nothing much more to add on a rare home game for me...each and every player was fantastic from start to finish. Wroe and Robbo were a little shaky at time but Carlisle offered so little it wasn't really a problem. O'Kane was a standout, as was Branno. Elliot absolutely ran himself into the ground too. Referee was absolutely diabolical today, but provided the best moment of the game when he finally gave a decision our way, he got a full standing ovation from the whole ground! Terrific atmosphere today as well - big congrats to everyone there, and here's hoping for that big tie in the next round!

John

Nothing much more to add on a rare home game for me...each and every player was fantastic from start to finish. Wroe and Robbo were a little shaky at time but Carlisle offered so little it wasn't really a problem. O'Kane was a standout, as was Branno. Elliot absolutely ran himself into the ground too. Referee was absolutely diabolical today, but provided the best moment of the game when he finally gave a decision our way, he got a full standing ovation from the whole ground! Terrific atmosphere today as well - big congrats to everyone there, and here's hoping for that big tie in the next round!

John

Very proud of the boys tonight. A fantastic win at a very hard ground to go and play at...i'm even more annoyed I couldn't make it now! If that's to be Benners last game for us, then thanks for the memories and what a fantastic servant. But I think the guys got a sensible head on his shoulders, and for that amount of money and considering the possible clubs rumoured, i reckon he might stick around.

Onwards and upwards!

John

Evening all! Great news that we're 2-1 up and playing well...thoroughly deserved for Wroe as well on the basis of his recent performances. Was hoping to make the game this evening but public transport and the freezing temperature (rather pathetically) put paid to that. Interesting listening to BBC 3 Counties up here who are doing updates on the game. The commentator is full of praise for our boys and how well we're playing, and was even more complimentary about our fans who are outclassing Wycombe's. They then cut back to the presenter who said 'yes but they are all a bit bonkers down that way'. How very dare he! (in my work I've come across BBC 3 Counties several times, they make Radio Devon seem like a professional outfit). COYY's!!!

John

To the best of my knowledge, Wolverton's old ground was demolished to make way for a new housing estate, but after a local news campaign, the stand (the oldest covered one in the world - built in 1899) is still there and will either remain as a monument or be moved somewhere else. It's a shame they moved ground really - I'm playing against Wolverton for my local side on Sunday! I quite agree about the people of MK not supporting their existing clubs - and living round these parts just makes me prouder to be a Gull!

John

Awayday wrote:I was there that night at the Hockey Stadium. If I remember rightly we didn't play particularly well, but Ward scored very early and very late in the first half, both long balls up the pitch for him to run on to.

MK Dons may be good for the community, but wasn't there already a Milton Keynes FC that were much lower down the league structure, which ended up being closed due to MK Dons taking over?

No we didn't play that well, but it certainly wasn't a game we deserved to lose! As for the club that folded, there was an MK City FC that played in the Southern League (or something like that) which managed to fold twice - once in the late 80s, and then again in 2003 after they'd reformed (not long before the Dons arrived). Whether it was connected to the Dons arrival I don't know. With MK being an amalgamation of lots of historic towns, like Bletchley, Newport Pagnell and Wolverton, there's plenty of football on offer at a similar level to MK City were at, so I don't think it's a massive disaster.

Living in Milton Keynes, I have quite a few mates who are MK Dons fans, and I think in all honesty that both sides would rather this potential tie had never happened. I'm as big a critic as anyone of the way Milton Keynes 'acquired' it's football club, and can only think how devastated I'd be if a similar thing were to happen to the club I love. But what they, and Pete Winkleman to some extent, must be praised for is the way they've thrown themselves into the community here. They are a constant face at public events, and in local schools, and make a real effort to attract young kids and families to home games with some very good offers. An aspect I daresay we could improve upon (although with this weekends prices, perhaps we've turned a corner).

Still, nothing can eradicate what they did to the club and it's fans in the first place, and I have massive admiration for AFC Wimbledon and what they've acheived. If it happens, it will be an intriguing tie. Just on a purely selfish level, I'd quite like to see the MK Dons win so that we can draw them in the 3rd round, and exact some revenge for the last time our two sides met (beginning of the 2005/6 season? At the now demolished National Hockey Stadium, Jamie Ward had put us 2-0 up at HT, only for us to lose 3-2 after some dodgy defending and some even dodgier refereeing! Anyone else on here there that night?).

John

Thanks for the kind welcome chaps, and I'm so sorry for my massive faux pas at the beginning of my report! Amended accordingly. Massive apologies! Not the best start to a first post - I blame the long journey back myself.

John

Hi all - my first post on here, and just back from this afternoons game. I'm a 2nd year university student at Westminster, living in Milton Keynes, and a Gulls fan since 1997 thanks to parents being from the bay. Decided after a year or so of reading posts that I should lose my torquayfans.com virginity with a match report from today's game.

Well what a horrible game that was! Arrived at a very cold Field Mill at 2.15 and wandered over to the ground with my Dad. A reasonable £10 got me into the ground, and quite a smart one it is too. Two tiered on one side, and modern one-tiered stands at either end...but a stand that makes our own grandstand look like Wembley on the far side! However, unhappy memories from previous visits (the postponement fiasco, and the 3-0 loss under Leroy) left me a little fearful. Watching the players warm up, the only absentee I couldn't account for was Guy Branston, injured apparently?

On to the game then, and a very cagey opening with both sides exchanging some early snapping tackles. Wroe, particuarly, was on the end of a crunching tackle that saw the offender booked, but, equally, Oastler was really getting stuck in for us as well. Mansfield were passing and moving nicely, and, a couple of times, our marking let us down a little bit at the back, allowing their wingers to flash low crosses in which thankfully no-one could connect with. The only time a connection was made was when a cross hit Charnock on the back which required a spectacular reflex from Bevan to prevent us going behind. We had a few chances of our own, Mansell sending a fizzing shot over the bar and, after a great headed flick on from Zebs, Benyon found himself through one on one but forced an excellent save from Pilkington in the Mansfield goal. But overall our passing game wasn't as good as theirs and we were looking suspiciously one-dimensional. Ramone Rose unfortunately went off after only 15 minutes, having had a few nice touches, and Billy Kee came on, which was a real dissapointment. Let's hope it's not too serious. Kee was impressive though, putting himself about excellently, and sent a couple of long range efforts wide after some neat build up play. And then, just as it looked as though we were getting back into it, Mansfield won a very soft free kick, the resulting effort looking as though it was going well over before dipping and clipping the crossbar. Hearts in mouths time!

So halftime came and in all honesty both sides were lucky to go in without conceding. It did feel like we weren't using our strength out wide though but that, if we could, we would be in with a chance.

The second half began at a ferocious pace with the Gulls, presumably after a real talking to by Bucks, set about Mansfield and really had them on the ropes. Oastler (I think) set up first Benyon, and then Nicho, for chances that they both hit straight at the impressive Pilkington. Then Zebs went on one of his runs where it looks as though he's completely out of control, but put in a great cross which Benyon headed straight at Pilkington. And then Nicky Wroe chipped in with an effort, picking up the ball from about 40 yards, beating 3 or 4 players, and then unleashing a shot that went well over in the end. Nicky then had another great chance from the edge of the box after a corner was cleared, but Pilkington again saved well down low to his right. Frenetic stuff, and it wasn't done yet! Robbo then had a great chance from another corner, but headed just wide of the near post. Zebs again went on one of his runs, and ended up putting in a cross-cum-shot that was cleared off the line by the Mansfield left-back.

At this point, Bucks bought on Stevens for the excellent Oastler and, a few minutes later, O'Kane on for Charnock (who also had a great game) who sadly limped off. However, with the team galvanised by the influx of pace that accompanied those subsitutions, we went at Mansfield again. After a free kick was cleared, O'Kane broke at speed and we were 3 v 3 - he played in Stevens with a superb ball. Danny cut inside (leaving their fullback on his arse) and shot low for the near post. Pilkington got down well though and made the save.

But he wasn't so lucky the next time. Again, O'Kane counter-attacked and played in Stevens once more. Again Danny cut inside but this time picked out Benyon at the far post with a great low cross. Elliot had time to control it, and then sent it accross Pilkington into the opposite corner...right in front of the Gulls fans!! Delirium from the travelling Gulls!!

Full time came very soon after, and, to rapturous applause, Bucks and his boys came over to celebrate with the fans what was a very ugly but hard-fought win! A result that was very harsh on Mansfield, I thought, but who cares!

Special mention to the travelling fans - we turned up in great number with 201 of us there, and sang our hearts out. Also special credit to the polite round of applause given when Tyrone Thompson came on for them. A nice touch. Mansfield's fans also did them credit as well - they sang constantly for 90 minutes and were very loud. Some good natured banter was had too. Their keeper Pilkington also deserves a mention, a great performance from him, and a top guy for applauding us Gulls fans at the end as well.

My ratings:
Bevan - 8 - Didn't have a massive amount to do but that reflex save from Charnock's deflection was world-class. Kept us in it and for that reason alone is worth a high rating!

Nicho - 7 - Was caught out a few times in the first half, but overall was very sound. Set pieces weren't as good as usual, but defended excellently.

Ellis - 6 - One of his quieter games. Marking was a little suspect early on, but picked it up as the match went on and did little wrong.

Charnock 7 - Took his chance to impress well. Had Mansfield's striker in his pocket most of the game, tackled well, and read the game nicely. Will be a shame to see him move on, if indeed he does.

Robbo - 8 - One of his best performances. Solid and dependable, kept their winger pretty quiet, and passed well out of defence too. Always a handful at corners as well!

Zebs - 7 - We didn't really utilise him enough. He terrified their fullback though, beat him constantly, and sent in some good crosses. Only complaint is that, for me, he didn't track back enough to help Robbo.

Wroe - 7 - Great to have him back to his old self. A real box-to-box performance. Helping out in defence, spraying around some lovely passes in the middle, and marauding forward well too.

Oastler - 7 - Really impressed by this lad. A tenacious midfielder who isn't afraid to get stuck into a tackle. A few wayward passes at times, but overall I'm delighted Bucks brought him in.

Mansell - 7 - His usual passionate self! Shouting at team-members, organising everyone, and really helping the youngsters through what was a very tough and physical game. Commited tackles, and a few fizzing shots as well.

Rose - 6 - Had 15 minutes before being stretchered off. A couple of nice touches but his afternoon was, dissapointlingly, cut short. Hope he's ok.

Benyon - 8 - Did not stop running all game, a constant menace for Mansfield. Won a suprising number of headers too. Took his goal brillantly. When you see the highlights, you'll see what a difficult chance it was and how well he did. Fantastic stuff.

SUBS:
Kee - 7 - Great performance from the lad and you can see his confidence is back after his goal from Tuesday. Put himself about well, made lots of runs off the ball, and had a few chances as well. Glad he's back on form.

O'Kane - 7 - Excellent cameo role - came on and ran at Mansfield's creaking defence and had a hand in the goal.

Stevens - 7 - Ditto above. Turned their fullback inside and out several times before having a hand in the goal as well.

Overall, a superb afternoon, and a great result!

Here's to many more posts, and up the Gulls!

John