FACQ3: Exeter City v Torquay United 2pm 22/10/23

I spent a pleasant afternoon at the Exwick sporting hub watching this FA Cup tie in the autumnal sunshine. Slightly spoilt by the tradesmen working on the new seating area to bring the ground up to the appropriate regulations meaning there was a bit of noise but more importantly, a quarter of the length of the only side you could stand at was taped off.

Good to catch up with the usual suspects watching TUWFC but also pleasantly surprised to see Barton Downs, formerly of this parish that many long-term members and lurkers will remember well. Only a brief catch up as only saw him towards the end of the game but understand that this is now his local football ground!

As for the game, Exeter completely dominated in the first half, showing their quality and putting us under a lot of pressure with an injury time goal making it four. Really pleased to see that Torquay heads did not drop and they gave it a good go in the second half and could have scored one or two goals with some better more assertive finishing. Frustratingly Exeter scored at the other end after just one such opportunity and an injury time goal made it 7-0!!!! Being a cup game, it is only the result that matters though. A captain’s performance from Tracey Cross today held the side together well supported as usual by Tee Kaptein and noticeable that some of the younger players are growing into this league now.