ON THIS DAY

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

PLYMOUTH (A) 2012

Aside from a couple of wins in the EFL Trophy – the Autoglass Trophy and the Auto Windscreens Shield to be precise – Torquay United hadn’t won a competitive fixture against Plymouth Argyle since they completed the double over the Pilgrims in the 1971-72 season.

However, all of that changed on November 19, 2011 when, after being inspired by a brace of long range strikes by Irish midfielder Eunan O’Kane, the Gulls defeated Argyle 3-1 at Plainmoor.

So when they met again on January 2, 2012, at Home Park, United had the chance of completing a significant milestone in their sights.

Both sides went into the game experiencing contrasting fortunes, as the Gulls were just outside the play-offs, while the Pilgrims were near the foot of the table having only exited Administration in the previous October.

United had the better chances in the first half with central defender Mark Ellis flashing a header just wide from O’Kane’s 10th-minute corner.

In the second half, the Gulls drew first blood when a free-kick from the highly rated O’Kane was headed back across goal in the 58th minute by Chris Robertson and found Billy Bodin who opened the scoring.

Six minutes later, Gulls skipper Lee Mansell doubled Torquay’s tally in front of 1,938 away fans in a bumper 12,836 derby crowd at Home Park when he connected with a cross from O’Kane to fire home.

Basement side Argyle threatened a comeback when future United captain Luke Young scored his first senior goal, helping skipper Simon Walton’s far post header over the line following Warren Feeney’s deep cross from the right in the 72nd minute.

Ten minutes later recalled Young seemed set to restore parity but United central defender Robertson made a superb lunging block to deflect the youngster’s goal-bound shot over, as the Gulls held on to secure the win.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

OTHER MEMORIES

2014 – Knill gets the chop

Alan Knill is sacked as manager after a 2-0 defeat at Plymouth, with the club firmly in a relegation battle.

2021 – Late loss at Huish Park

Luke Wilkinson’s last-minute winner gave Yeovil a dramatic comeback victory over the league leaders at Huish Park.

BIRTHDAYS

Matt Green (37) TUFC: 2008-10 – Appearances 36, Goals 5

Aman Verma (37) TUFC: 2015-17 – Appearances 71, Goals 3

James Sharp (48) TUFC: 2005-06 – Appearances 38, Goals 0

LAST TIME

02/01/22 – Yeovil Town 1-2 TUFC – National League, Attendance 3866

Dan Holman’s glorious late strike from a tight angle gave Torquay a 2-1 win at Yeovil.

The hosts looked like they would extend their long unbeaten home run when Jordan Barnett opened the scoring after 66 minutes.

However, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans equalised before Holman struck in the 89th minute to inflict a first loss on the Glovers at Huish Park since October 9.

It was a fourth victory in five league games for Torquay as they looked to mount a challenge for a play-off spot.