MEMORY LANE

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve looks back at a memorable away day from 2003

YEOVIL TOWN (A) 27/09/2003

After Torquay United missed out on the play-offs in Leroy Rosenior’s first season in charge and Yeovil Town won promotion to the Football League by winning the Conference in the 2002-03 campaign, the club’s first ever league meeting on September 27, 2003, was eagerly anticipated.

In addition to this, the local derby element also helped to increase the sense of importance of the game for both sides following Exeter City’s relegation from the Football League.

With the permanent addition of centre back Craig Taylor after a successful loan spell from Plymouth Argyle there was genuine hopes that United could improve on their 9th place finish and win promotion.

A promising start, which included a 1-0 away win over big spending Northampton Town on the opening day and a home victory over Lincoln City by the same margin, was followed by brief setback – that included back-to-back losses against Rochdale and Scunthorpe United.

However, a four-match unbeaten run, which included home wins over Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers helped to steady the ship before the Gulls headed to Huish Park to face the Glovers. Yeovil, then managed by Gary Johnson, were third in the Division Three table after winning their last four matches and a second successive promotion looked to be within their sights.

The opening minutes of the game saw the Gulls soak up plenty of pressure from the Glovers. However, it was the hosts who fell behind in the 15th minute when United hit Yeovil on the counter as Jo Kuffour ran at their defence, which was left lagging, before passing to David Graham who lifted his shot over Glovers’ keeper Chris Weale from 12 yards to score his seventh goal of the season.

For the remainder of the first half, United were a constant threat on the counter attack, as Graham, Alex Russell and Kevin Hill all went close. At the other end of the pitch, a clearance from Mike Williamson hit Brian McGlinchey, but landed safely in the arms of Gulls’ keeper Arjan Van Heusden. Moments later, Van Heusden was called upon to make a save with his legs to deny Yeovil striker Kirk Jackson.

The second half saw the Glovers once again put the Gulls under pressure, but in the 66th minute United doubled their advantage. A superb flowing move helped to tee up Lee Canoville for a cross which found Jo Kuffour who backheeled home United’s second of the afternoon.

In the closing stages of the game, Kevin Gall had an effort ruled out for a foul on McGlinchey and the late Adam Stansfield saw chance disallowed for offside, as United came away with all three points.

Torquay United (4-4-2): Arjan Van Heusden; Lee Canoville (Joe Broad), Steve Woods, Mike Williamson, Brian McGlinchey; Jason Fowler, Alex Russell, Matt Hockley, Kevin Hill; David Graham, Jo Kuffour