TT BLOG

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

Steve looks back at a memorable Play Off Semi Final victory

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL – 12/06/2021

After missing out on the National League title to Sutton United, Torquay United were forced to settle for a play-off spot in the 2020-21 season.

Unlike their previous play-off campaigns where they had faced a two-legged semi-final before contesting the final at Wembley, the Gulls were facing a one-off semi in which they had home advantage against Notts County.

During the course of the season, United had faced the Magpies behind closed doors, which included a goalless draw at Meadow Lane followed by a highly entertaining 2-2 draw at Plainmoor that saw the Gulls recover from being two goals down through an effort from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and an injury time equaliser from Ben Wynter – despite being reduced to ten men.

United boss Gary Johnson made one change to the side that drew 0-0 away at Altrincham as Danny Wright returned from injury to replace Jake Andrews in the starting line-up.

Returning striker Wright gave Torquay a dream start with just 30 seconds on the clock as Dean Moxey throw to Joe Lewis, and his curling cross found Wright eight yards out. The header was helped in by a deflection off County’s Adam Chicksen, but it sent a sun-soaked Plainmoor crowd into raptures.

Wright’s return was a closely-guarded secret in the run-up to the game, and he couldn’t have hoped for a greater impact.

Torquay continued on the front foot and pushed forward at every opportunity and visiting keeper Sam Slocombe needed to be quick off his line to deny the impressive Lemonheigh-Evans as Torquay pushed on in search of a second goal.

However, County levelled matters before the break when Ruben Rodrigues headed home at the near post.

Wright restored the Gulls’ lead in the opening minutes of the second half, sweeping in a Randell cross, but Adam Chicksen quickly levelled the scores again.

With no further score in the 90 minutes, the game went into extra time.

United skipper Asa Hall gave the home side the lead for the third time with a stooping header in the 100th minute, and in stoppage time at the end of the first period Dean Moxey scored United’s fourth from the penalty spot to seal the Gulls’ passage to the final at Ashton Gate against Hartlepool United.

TORQUAY LINE-UP: Covolan; Wynter, Lewis, Sherring, Moxey; Randell, Little, Hall (Buse 106), Cameron (Andrews 79); Lemonheigh-Evans; Wright (Kimpioka 91)