FL2: Torquay v Dagenham - 18 April 2014

The fact we are so near the end of the season would mean that IF we could win the next couple we would be totally back in with a chance. It would be a lovely problem for the club to have if we could somehow drag this to the last game. The world and his wife would descend on Plainmoor if it all went down to the Wycombe game.

That's the spirit! Rather go out fighting than out with a whimper!

Register

I don't know where you get that from Reg ?  I've read it through and couldn't see that Billy got a mention. Although the hack of a bookie does claim that an experienced hand such as Paul Bodin may be past his best. Celebrating his 50th birthday later this year, I suspect dear old Bodin Snr might be drawing that very same conclusion.

Alternatively, as I see a Paul Stockley also get's a mention, it could just be a case of calling everyone 'Paul' if you're not too sure of their correct First Christian name (it is Good Friday after all).  I'd love to see us win today, and then again on Monday at Sid James. Winning goals from Danny, Billy, or even the goalkeeper Paul Rice will be equally welcome (smiley face). 

Stevens on for Bodin.
I would luv it if Danny stuck one in!

Which branch?

Same old performance and same old result today I'm afraid against a very limited Dagenham team. Dagenham hardly did anything of note all game but won the match thanks to a gift of a penalty by the hapless Tonge. Torquay had plenty of pressure and indeed started the game brightly but you rarely expected them to actually score. Benyon, who like Tonge has been awful this season, had Torquay's best chance in the second half but fired over with their keeper to beat. This sums things up for me the fine lines between winning and losing - our defender gives away a needless penalty and our striker misses a 1-on-1. We have too many players not up to the required standard. Crowd 2,425, 100+ from Dadenham, sponsors MOTM and Twitter MOTM Ben Harding for a decent performance in central midfield.

The main talking points in the first half was when Coulthurst was fouled after a couple of minutes by Saah as the last man about 30 yards out. Saah got a yellow card and not a red as he was the the last man. Torquay were playing some good stuff. Cameron on the left looked dangerous and Cargill at left back looks quality. Mansell and Harding played well in central midfield and Coulthurst has great control and a bit of strength. Torquay's best chance was from a Cameron delivery that eventually fell to Pearce at close range. Sadly with the keeper already on the ground a goal looked certain but Pearce hit the ball tamely into the keeper's arms. Bodin went off injured and was replaced by Stevens. A feature of the game was when whenever a Torquay player beat a Dagenham one, he was brought down. I thought Dagenham were a pretty ugly team.

The second half evened out more with neither team threatening, it was mainly a midfield battle with few chances. On 67 minutes, Tonge should have cleared the ball in the penalty area, hestitated and ended up bringing down their player. Torquay did try and forced several corners, Benyon missed our clearest chance, time eventually ran out. Yeoman and Chappel came on for Tonge and Cameron and Torquay went to 3 at the back. With torquay pressing for an equalizer Dagenham should have wrapped it up but Rice saved a 1-on-1.

At full-time I was impressed with the home fans who politely clapped off our team. No booing our nasty gesturing, perhaps something premier team fans could learn from. Again we gave it our best shot, but we cannat score and give away easy goals. It's been like this all season and thankfully the season is nearly at an end. I doubt I will be going to our last home match.