Attention switches to the FA Trophy, as United make the long trip east to face ‘The Angels’. This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, who will both be trying plot their way to Wembley for the final in May. Tonbridge sit 18th in the National League South, with 2 league wins to their name this season. Angels beat Canvey Island in the last round to set up this third round clash.
Saturday – Paulton Rovers U18’s v TUFC Youth U18’s @ Paulton Rovers FC (10.30 KO)
After a fantastic 2-1 away at Mangotsfield last weekend, the second placed Gulls are on the road once more, this time with a trip to Paulton. Rovers have struggled this season with 10 losses from their opening 11 games, and sit bottom of the league
Sunday – Ilminster Town Ladies v TUFC Women @ Archie Gooch Pavilion (14.00 KO)
After facing top of the league Sherborne last week, the Ladies face any tricky away fixture, this time at second placed Ilminster. The sides drew 2-2 back in September.
Birthdays
Ryan Dickson – 35
The former utility man will turn 35 on Tuesday. He had 2 spells at Plainmoor, 11 years apart! He is currently plying his trade at Truro.
Chris Waddle – 61
When the Gulls snapped up the 62-capped ex England international, many eyebrows were raised. He only appeared 7 times for Torquay before moving onto Sheffield Wednesday. He turns 61 on Tuesday.
Lee Thorpe – 46
Another ex-Gull celebrating his birthday on Tuesday is Lee Thorpe. The striker’s goals were pivotal in providing the great escape in 2006.
Steve Woods – 45
A Torquay United legend in his own right, Woods made over 250 appearances for the Gulls over a 8 year spell. The defender scored some crucial goals in his time, including that opener at Roots Hall! Woodsy turns 45 on Wednesday.
Paul Buckle – 51
Love him or hate him, Buckle gave United fans one of the best day’s in their history, when United ran out winners in the Play-Off final. Bucks turns 51 on Thursday, and is currently in the States working in a Technical Adviser role with Hartford Athletic.
On this day……
15th December 2020 – Torquay suffer their first home defeat of the campaign , as Dagenham win 1-0 at Plainmoor in front of a restricted crowd.
13th December 2014 – A Ryan Bowman double helps Torquay dispatch Bishops Stortford 5-0 away in the FA Trophy.
15th December 2009 – In a match that was played at Macclesfield’s Moss Rose, United ease into the FA Cup third round with a 4-0 win over Stockport. Elliot Benyon scoring a hat-trick.
17th December 2005 – Bristol Rovers 0-1 Torquay. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
17th December 1994 – After signing on loan from Derby, Dean Sturridge scores on his debut in a 2-1 win over Lincoln.
14th December 1991 – Torquay’s John Uzzell is left with a fractured cheekbone and broken eye socket after a collision with Brentford’s Gary Blissett. Uzzell never plays again.
13th December 1969 – Torquay draw 2-2 with Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, and in the process set a club record for most consecutive draws. Eight in a row!
14th December 1968 – After 3 years at the helm, Frank O’Farrell takes charge of his last Torquay match (1st stint), a 2-1 defeat to Crewe. He would return to Plainmoor 8 years later, via Leicester, Man Utd, Cardiff & Iran.
14th December 1929 – United record their only away win of the season as they beat Gillingham 2-0.
15th December 1923 – Percy Varco nets a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers Reserves, his last goals before he secures a £200 move to Aston Villa.
A trip down memory lane..
Bristol Rovers 0-1 Torquay
Saturday 17th December 2005 – League Two
Venue: Memorial Ground
Attendance: 6,061
United line up: Marriott, Hockley, Lockwood, Taylor, Lloyd, Lawless, Garner, Hill, Phillips, Bedeau , Kuffour
Subs: Woods, Sako, Connell, Robinson, Coleman
The Gulls came into the game off the back of third straight league draws, and no league win since the start of October. United were rock bottom and in serious danger of relegation, even at this stage of the season. With just 16 points and 3 wins all season, they travelled up the M5 on a chilly December afternoon to face a Rovers side in 13th place.
Torquay infamously used in excess of 40 players in the 05/06 season, and the tinkering continued at the Mem. Lockwood, Lawless & Lloyd were all on loan, and from the very early stages, United were on the back foot.
The ever reliable Marriott in goal performed heroics to keep Rovers at bay, as it seemed a matter of when, not if, the Gas would break the deadlock. But as darkness crept in and the sun set in the mid afternoon winter sky, it was 6’7 substitute Morike Sako who provided the moment of magic 2 minutes from time. His jinking solo run paved the way for him to lash home a thunderbolt from 30 yards out, crashing into the net and send the travelling Yellow Army (including one extremely happy 13 year old Bristol schoolboy) into ecstasy!
The moment of magic from the big German can be re-lived below!
TORQUAYTALK 
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