Torquay.v.Alfreton Sun 4th

Post by **Dave** » 03 Jan 2015, 13:51

Sunday see us reach the end of the five match festive run of fixtures, Christmas is always a time in the football calendar that separates the men from the boys and sadly from the four games so far our team has managed just two draws, although I will say the team can considered themselves unfortunate not to get the rewards they deserved, but for Benyon's injury time equaliser being disallowed on boxing day and the penalty that clearly never was on new years day, we would have had a six point haul, and be sat 5th in the play-off zone.

Alfreton visit Plainmoor Sunday, they need no introduction, our team were soundly beaten 4.2 at the Impact in October in our clubs only pervious meeting, it was our first game in front of the BT Sport cameras and to be fair we completely embarrassed ourselves, a bizarre decision to go with Richards at centre back, rather than young specialist centre back Hutching's or the much taller and experienced Harding seemed to cost us the game, as even to rub salt into the wounds, Hawley scored twice if my memory serves me right.

The Reds gained promotion to the conference premier division finishing as conference North champions in 2010-11, in their three seasons in the non-league top flight Alfreton have gained a 15th-13th and last seasons 11th place finish in the final table suggested that The Reds had become an established conference premier team, however at this seasons half way point their sat in the relegation zone seven points adrift and look set for the drop.

Alfreton are sat 18th in the current form table; L-L-W-W-L-L

Last time out for Alfreton was boxing day (Lincoln away) after their new years clash with Lincoln was postponed, they lined for their 3.2 away defeat as follows;

01 Willis
26 Byrne
15 Keane
05 Graham
03 Rowe-Turner
27 Johnston (Hicks - 83' )
02 Wood
12 Shaw (Sheridan - 84' Booked )
11 Howell (Stevenson - 79' )
10 Bradley Booked
23 Hawley

Torquay will at least go into this clash with Alfreton with two available centre backs, however MacDonald will be suspended and I think although not sure it will be two games, as I'm sure this is his second sending off, Martin Rice returned to the squad after Illness, but an assured performance from Seabright should be enough for him to keep his place.

Torquay are sat 19th in the current form table; L-W-L-L-D-D.

Last time out lined for the 1.1 draw away to Bristol Rovers as follows;

23 Seabright
03 Cruise
04 Downes
21 MacDonald Dismissed after an earlier booking
29 Berry
12 Chapell (Briscoe - 72' Booked )
08 Young
10 Ajala
06 Harding
09 Bowman
24 Ofori-Acheampong (Pearce - 84' )

Credit where it's due, our team played very well on new years day, possibly up their with some of this seasons best performances, however we've seen this a lot of late, as I've said, one good performance in every five games isn't going to be good enough for the play-offs. No doubt the team let themselves down big style up at the Impact, that's all the motivation they should need to go out and set the record straight on Sunday ( really, no disrespect meant to our visitors )

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 03 Jan 2015, 14:23

Think I will go to this one and should have a car full. I actually think we have been exceedingly unlucky over the Xmas period.
Had to play the conditions as well as BR on boxing day but were denied a point in the end. We totally mugged off in the return game as well. Probably should have won at Welling as well.
As luck goes Alfreton had their last game called off which could give them an advantage and I wonder if Luke Young will make this game as he has been struggling with a thigh injury.
Having said all that its a must win game - we are due a couple of soft penalties and three red cards for the opposition so no doubt we will lose to a soft decision again.

Dockers Pal · Post by **Dockers Pal** » 03 Jan 2015, 20:08

I hope that the Manager/coach and players have learnt thae lessons from the previous Alfreton game, and indeed all the other matches where we have played the smaller clubs because we have been poor more often against them, ensure that our midfield isn't out-muscled and aim to play the game as much as poss in the Alfreton half. I also hope Seabright keeps the keepers spot. I guess Odofin will be on the bench to cover the CB spot.
A win would be appropriate.

lucy6lucy · Post by **lucy6lucy** » 03 Jan 2015, 20:29

Dockers Pal wrote:I hope that the Manager/coach and players have learnt thae lessons from the previous Alfreton game, and indeed all the other matches where we have played the smaller clubs because we have been poor more often against them, ensure that our midfield isn't out-muscled and aim to play the game as much as poss in the Alfreton half. I also hope Seabright keeps the keepers spot. I guess Odofin will be on the bench to cover the CB spot.
A win would be appropriate.

More a requirement than appropriate

Burnhamgull · Post by **Burnhamgull** » 03 Jan 2015, 20:32

I'll be there with the kids for a belated Christmas "treat".......

I've apologised in advance to them for what they're about to witness.........

Gullscorer · Post by **Gullscorer** » 03 Jan 2015, 22:53

Anything less than a thumping convincing win with bags of goals for the Gulls tomorrow is unthinkable..

Post by **Louis** » 05 Jan 2015, 10:16

Small match topic due to site issues. Sorry about that.
Would be very grateful if we could get some match reviews posted please guys.

taxilady · Post by **taxilady** » 05 Jan 2015, 10:33

Disappointing yet again. Thought that Aldershot was our low point of the season until I went to Braintree.Welling was abit better, particularly in the second half; in the first half we couldn't string two passes together (you know, the basics !!!!!). Rovers matches have been much commented on : we seemed to see Torquay field entirely different teams, but the players had the same names ! I'm learning not to expect much; was disappointed that Hargreaves has seemed to attach most of the blame for yesterday's performance onto Toby Ajala for being 'greedy' at the end; whereas, for most of the afternoon I thought he was our outstanding player ( & also was at the Mem). Playing so many matches in a short time won't have helped (yes, I know it's the same for everybody ..except,tellingly, Alfreton), but most of the time we seem to field clones of potentially good players. Seeing as it's still technically the festive season :bah humbug !!!

Behind-the-Gulls · Post by **Behind-the-Gulls** » 05 Jan 2015, 10:41

Very poor quality match.Our players lacked energy throughout and tempo rarely raised.
Alfreton were there for the taking and after Chapell's goal looked like we would at least get a very ugly win.
Ajala's total selfishness cost us,failing to square the ball to Bowman who would have had a tap-in, in injury time.
Out of nothing Alfreton sub hits an unstoppable 20 yarder and we've thrown away another two points against another team at the bottom of the table.
Play-offs looking a remote possibility on this showing.
Only plus was best performance for some time from Chapell.

PlainmoorRoar · Post by **PlainmoorRoar** » 05 Jan 2015, 10:48

I couldn't go yesterday but listened to the last 20mins on the radio

Sounds like a disappointing follow up from the BR away performance

Am i right in thinking that if they don't score and it ends 1-0 no-one really mentions the performance that much and we move on?

Neal · Post by **Neal** » 05 Jan 2015, 10:59

Gullscorer wrote:Anything less than a thumping convincing win with bags of goals for the Gulls tomorrow is unthinkable..

l

Oooops!!

I know this is a silly statement as there is always statistically hope and you have to have it. But IMHO I don't think we will reach the playoffs this season. In fact my prediction of 8th place which I made on day 1 of this season I reckon will be spot on.

Personally, I think there is only 1 player of league 2 std, and we all know who that is. There are a handful of conference std and the rest south or below.

Lets see how Benners gets on at H&Y, about his level I think. Together with many more in our squad.

However, Im not blaming CH, he has his hands tied with the disaster signings of useless Knill, and has no budget to improve. Next season will be when I will judge CH on a team that will be entirely his own making.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 05 Jan 2015, 11:16

Extremely disappointing yesterday. A turgid performance in the first half, a bit better in the second. Highlights were a first class goal for Chappell, creation of a few golden chances that were wasted. Chappell and Ajala looked good, some other players pedestrian at best.

Haven't been for a while, had some health problems. Have to say that it felt like the fans had one steward each. It saddens me to see an army of stewards, supervisors and various response personnel. The prospect of any trouble yesterday was tiny. It isn't great to watch a game being stared at every couple of minutes by somebody in a hi viz jacket, quite intimidating. Have the club got this right? Is this ALL necessary to comply with the law?

PlainmoorRoar · Post by **PlainmoorRoar** » 05 Jan 2015, 11:20

Neal wrote:l

Oooops!!

I know this is a silly statement as there is always statistically hope and you have to have it. But IMHO I don't think we will reach the playoffs this season. In fact my prediction of 8th place which I made on day 1 of this season I reckon will be spot on.

Personally, I think there is only 1 player of league 2 std, and we all know who that is. There are a handful of conference std and the rest south or below.

Lets see how Benners gets on at H&Y, about his level I think. Together with many more in our squad.

However, Im not blaming CH, he has his hands tied with the disaster signings of useless Knill, and has no budget to improve. Next season will be when I will judge CH on a team that will be entirely his own making.

kevgull · Post by **kevgull** » 05 Jan 2015, 15:23

PlainmoorRoar wrote: CH / Board have had 52 games since his appointment and we are still sinking to unknown Conference depths.
I don't want excuses, I want results!

kevgull · Post by **kevgull** » 05 Jan 2015, 15:23

PlainmoorRoar wrote: CH / Board have had 52 games since his appointment and we are still sinking to unknown Conference depths.
I don't want excuses, I want results!

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