2 wins, a draw and a defeat was the story of January for the Men. The Ladies progressed to the County Cup final, and the two Youth teams are pushing hard for top spot. I take a look at the upcoming weeks events.
What’s happening this week……
Saturday – TUFC v Wrexham @ Plainmoor (15.00 KO)
The big spenders from North Wales are in town as they look to push for automatic promotion. Armed with their new £300k signing, you’d fancy them to go up come May, anything less for them would be somewhat of an embarrassment. Torquay will look to get back to winning wins to keep their own play off hopes alive, and with another extended break, new signings could be a possibility.
A late Lemonheigh-Evans goal secured a point at the Racecourse back in October.
Saturday – Mangotsfield United U18’s v TUFC Youth U18’s @ South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (10.30 KO)
A six pointer at the top of the table as 3rd hosts 2nd. The young Gulls will look to build on last weeks impressive 10-0 victory. The two sides are separated by just 3 points as they chase down leaders Bridgwater.
Sunday – TUFC Women v Forest Green Rovers Women @ Speedwell Stadium, Stoke Gabriel FC (14.00 KO)
Looking to continue their fine form, the Ladies host FGR at Stoke Gabriel. The pair played out a 2-2 draw in September.
Sunday – TUFC Women Development v Signal Box Oak Villa Ladies @ GJ Churchward Memorial Ground (14.00 KO)
Fresh from the top of the table clash against Activate last weekend, the Ladies face another tricky test as 3rd placed Signal Oak come to town.
Birthdays
Sam Chaney – 26
The London born former midfielder will turn 26 on Tuesday. After a spell at Plainmoor, he went on to play for Enfield Town & Ware FC.
Alan Connell – 39
Saturday see’s former Gulls striker Connell turn 39. The ex Bournemouth front man had a solitary season at Plainmoor, scoring 7 goals.
On this day……
3rd February 2018 – Goals from McGinty, Dowling & Young, give the Gulls their first win since late November. A winless run stretching 9 games.
1st February 2014 – Portsmouth 0-1 Torquay. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
1st February 2011 – Torquay are docked 1 point and fined £10,000 for fielding Jake Robinson, who was ineligible for their match against Hereford due to the paperwork not being completed on time.
5th February 2007 – After just over 2 months in charge, with a win/draw/loss record of 2-5-8, Lubos Kubik is sacked as manager.
4th February 2006 – Floodlight failure hits on 83 minutes with the Gulls 2-0 up against Leyton Orient. After a long stoppage, and protests from the Orient management, who incidentally was one Martin Ling, the game restarts. Torquay hold on for a precious win.
3rd February 1996 – On loan Blackburn striker Simon Garner scores his one and only TUFC goal in a 2-1 home win over Fulham. Garner remains Rovers top goal scorer of all time.
4th February 1984 – Dave Webb is installed as Gulls manager, after Bruce Rioch leaves a few weeks earlier.
4th February 1933 – Don Welsh makes his debut for Torquay. He was brought out of the Navy, where he was due to serve a 3 year tour. He captained Charlton to FA Cup victory in 1947
A trip down memory lane..
Portsmouth 0-1 Torquay
Saturday 1st February 2014 – League Two
Venue: Fratton Park
Attendance : 15,474
United line up: Poke, Tonge, O’Connor, Pearce, Nicholson, Goodwin, Labadie, Lathrope, Bodin, Stockley, Benyon
In a season of so few highs, Chris Hargreaves’ men produced a fantastic display in front of 15,000+ fans on the South coast.
The Gulls legend was taking charge of his 3rd successive away game since being appointed in January. A win at Wimbledon and a loss at Oxford was the story of the first two weeks in charge. Pompey themselves were languishing in 18th, just 6 points ahead of the Gulls heading into this clash.
On loan Bournemouth striker Jayden Stockley went closest early on. His shot was parried just out of reach for the onrushing Benyon. The Gulls took the lead half way through the first period when Joss Labadie’s deflected cross found Billy Bodin at the back post who’s side foot shot went beyond Pompey keeper Trevor Carson, much to the delight of the travelling Yellow Army.
Predictably the Yellow goal was under siege for most of the second half, but a combination of heroic defending, Poke Brilliance and wayward Portsmouth shooting, saw the Gulls hold onto a valuable 3 points in their bid for survival.
In what could have been a catalyst for the season and the boost they needed, the Gulls managed just 5 more wins that season, two of which after relegation was virtually confirmed.
After a 5 year Football League sabbatical, at the end of the season, the Gulls were once again relegated to non-league.
TORQUAYTALK 
2 thoughts on “THE GULLS WEEK 31st JAN -6th FEB by Danny Burnell”