ON THIS DAY
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Steve Harris
@steveharris84
BIRMINGHAM (H) 2006
At the end of the 2004-05 season, following their relegation from League One, footballing and economic realities meant that the Gulls said goodbye to their star performers. Midfield maestro Alex Russell and leading scorer Bayo Akinfenwa signed for Bristol City and Swansea City respectively, whilst the team-mates they left behind said hello again to League Two.
However, the Gulls were unable to reproduce the magic of their previous spell in the division and the season proved to be something of a struggle.
Nevertheless, United found some form of respite in the FA Cup where they defeated Harrogate Town – then of National League North – in the first round, following a penalty shoot-out in the replay.
Notts County were dispatched in round two, with a 2-1 win at Plainmoor thanks to a brace from Tony Bedeau, and the Gulls’ reward was a home tie with Birmingham City, then of the Premier League.
It was the third time that United had faced the Blues in the competition, having lost 7-1 9 in the third round in the 1955-56 season before enacting a measure of revenge in the 1991-92 first round, which saw the Gulls win 3-0 at Plainmoor.
Torquay’s dream of completing an upset was alive from the seventh minute when they thought they had taken the lead.
Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor rose high to try and collect a cross from Martin Phillips but dropped the ball as he was challenged by Kevin Hill. Bedeau was on hand to slam the ball into the net from eight yards but the whistle had already gone before he connected, as referee Kevin Stroud had adjudged Hilly to fouled Taylor.
Jermaine Pennant, the most impressive player on show, saw his shot flash wide following a deflection and Heskey missed a great opportunity when he fired over from just six yards as Torquay struggled to deal with the resulting corner.
For the remainder of the first period, the Gulls hardly got into the Blues’ half as the visitors attempted to enforce their superiority. However, they were unable to take their chances.
Whatever Gulls boss Leroy Rosenior said to his team during the interval, they took his words in. They emerged with confidence and took the game to their Premiership opponents.
Bedeau’s shot was saved by Taylor after he made a swift break but that was only a sign of things to come.
The Blues had a massive let off five minutes after the break when Woods tried his luck from 25 yards, only to see his shot come back off the bar.
Lawless was then allowed to wrestle his way through and Taylor had to dive and deny the full-back.
Rather than making sure such breaks did not happen again, the Birmingham defence allowed Torquay even more space.
They had a good call for a penalty turned down when it appeared Kevin Hill was hauled down by Nicky Butt but the referee waved the appeals away.
It looked like United would be the more likely to hit the strike which would prevent a replay.
Julian Gray missed a great chance for Birmingham after Walter Pandiani’s shot was blocked while Taylor flicked out an arm to deny substitute Connell.
In the replay, the Blues emerged victorious with a 2-0 win courtesy of a brace from Finnish striker Mikael Forssell.
Torquay (4-4-2): Andy Marriott; Alex Lawless, Adam Lockwood, James Sharp, Anthony Lloyd; Martin Phillips, Steve Woods, Matt Hewlett, Jo Kuffour; Tony Bedeau (Alan Connell 81), Kevin Hill
Attendance: 5,974
OTHER MEMORIES
1956 – Cup thrashing
Torquay’s heaviest FA Cup defeat in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup, 1-7 vs Birmingham City.
2008 – Gulls record
The Gulls achieve a club record 24th League game without failing to score (Burton Albion 1-2 home loss). Details here.
BIRTHDAYS
None
LAST TIME
07/01/23 – TUFC 1-0 Halifax – National League, Attendance 1975
Asa Hall’s second-half goal gave United victory over Halifax at Plainmoor to boost their National League survival hopes.
Torquay saw an early penalty shout for a foul on Aaron Jarvis overturned by an offside flag.
The Gulls eventually broke the deadlock with 18 minutes left when captain Hall headed the ball in after a corner had been nodded back across the Halifax penalty area.
The Shaymen saw a late chance for striker Millenic Alli saved by goalkeeper Mark Halstead as Torquay held out to move within two points of safety.
COYY – STEVE
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