rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 23, 2016 8:38:30 GMT
So a nice stress free match to watch where we can all bask in the afterglow of a successful relegation battle! The perfect way to celebrate this is to rack up another win and the crowd will be roaring the team on and Nico certainly won't want to take the foot off the accelerator.
Team news is that with MacDonald suspended, Exodus Geohaghan may make a return if Smith is still struggling with his ankle. Racchi is now available for selection and will be interesting to see how he fits in with a resurgent Young now pulling the strings in midfield again.
Former manager Paul Cox makes his first visit back to Plainmoor since his resignation and while his haul of 10 points from 10 games was respectable I do wonder how he will be received?
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Post by gateman49 on Apr 23, 2016 18:10:17 GMT
He was received like this by me for one:
I was really pleased to see Paul Cox embrace Kevin at full time and then come back out after the match and stand in the home dug out when the team and Nicho were taking a bow.
He could have just disappeared but he did what I thought was a brave thing. I know that many don't think much of him but he stepped in when we had nobody and created a team to start off the season.
It's very different now but that isn't the point as each manager will mould a squad in his own personal style.
Hats off to you today, Paul.
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Post by Swanny on Apr 23, 2016 19:02:19 GMT
There was plenty of entertainment today and a bit of a shame Barrow equalized in added time. A draw was probably a fair scoreline. Barrow had the better chances in the 1st. half and led 1-0 but Torquay having made their 3 subs in the 2nd. half took control and seemed to be heading for a win. Anyway, a great atmosphere and a decent crowd of 2,874 with 100 or so from Barrow and everyone went home happy.
Most of the home crowd stayed behind after the match to celebrate the players lap of honour around the perimeter of the pitch. The supporters stayed off the pitch and there were plenty of handshakes exchanged and photos taken and a speech given by Nicholson. I thought it was very sporting that Paul Cox stood by the home dug-out and applauded our lap of honour. I noticed as well at the final whistle Nicholson and Cox had a handshake and big hug so it was good to see everyone ending up on friendly terms after all the trauma that's happened this season.
I thought Barrow looked very strong in the 1st. half. As you would expect from a Paul Cox team, they were strong, pressed the game and were very dangerous from set pieces, long throws included in their armoury. Barrow had countless corners in the 1st. half and it was mainly thanks to Moore, Torquay survived. There were numerous times the ball was in dangerous areas in our box and yet Barrow's goal was from a freak dodgy kick from Moore that hit Exodus on the back and went to their striker. He lobbed Moore beautifully. Torquay did create some decent chances as well at times, the pick being Harrad's audacious lob when their keeper was not in goal from way out that clipped the far post.
Ajala replacing Rees in the 2nd. half gave us more attacking impetus and Ajala did some great tackling as well. Richards scored arguably our goal of the season with an amazing shot from about 30 yards out into the top corner. A couple of minutes earlier I was just remarking to my son how anonymous Richards was! Torquay went up a gear and Chaney who replaced Allen showed delightful skill on the ball. Racchi who replaced Young showed his normal poise on the ball. Torquay's 2nd. goal was a beautifully worked goal. Chaney fed the ball to Butler on the left and his low cross was turned in powerfully by Blissett with a defender on him. Plainmoor erupted again and we were all in party mood. Barrow scored in added time and you have to say that during the whole match they had loads of chances so I cannot complain too much.
Today was a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy ourselves. Today's result was not so important but nevertheless the performance and quality of our goals were proof how far the team has progressed from those horrible dark days a few months ago. And well done to Paul Cox, his recent interview and his attitude today was very touching I thought. He seems an honourable person to me. I feel Barrow will be strong contenders next season.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 23, 2016 19:21:36 GMT
Yes, fair play to Paul today!
Overall a good game of football played in front of over 2800 fans and a pity that we couldn't quite hold on for the win after two cracking goals that deserved all three points!
I thought Barrow looked a good outfit and they certainly shaded the first half and created the most opportunities but without being overly clinical in their finishing. Ironically, the two best chances came from a mistake by both keepers. A through ball for Allen to run on to was half cleared by their keeper but only to Harrad but his first time shot bounced across the goal and just wide! At the other end, after collecting the ball and from the edge of the area, Moore mis-kicked the ball into the back of Exodus midway between the area and halfway for their striker to latch onto the ball and delicately chip over the stranded Moore who was gutted by his elementary mistake!
The second half began with Nico substituting Ajala for Rees for a more balanced 4-4-2 and we certainly upped the tempo to get back in to the game. From a free kick, Gerring should have buried a free header on the six yard line but steered it wide. He had another chance from a corner but it was stopped by the defender on the line and in the corner of the goal.
The goal when it came was worth waiting for. Blissett got hold of the ball and drawing defenders to him passed to Richards who shot from 25 yards out with an accuracy that just grazed the inside of the post as Plainmoor erupted! We certainly seemed to have the upper hand and the second goal was even better. A lovely flick from the recently introduced Chaney set Harrad clear on the left side channel and his pass to Blisset was inch perfect for him to steer the ball into the net on the edge of the six yard box to send the home fans into rapture!
It looked like we had done enough as we headed into injury time but our make shift defence was not up to the task as a long ball was collected by their striker and his footwork was too good for Exodus as he made room in the area to hit the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Their striker then proceeded to run up to the pop side to celebrate his equaliser to the ire of the home support! We had time for a free kick and corner but it was not to be although it was an entertaining afternoon...
The security had been beefed up to prevent a pitch invasion and after walking off the pitch the manager and players came back on to receive the applause from a very grateful and relieved home crowd. Nice speech from Nico.
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Apr 23, 2016 19:52:41 GMT
Couple of points regarding the rules of the game and whether there were applied correctly today by the short and overweight 'ref':
1. If a player 'makes' a tackle with one or more feet with studs showing resulting in the 'defending' player having to jump out of the way to avoid a broken leg - why is that not a foul and/or a card?
2. If the opposing team score and openly celebrate in front of the home fans, is that not 'incitement' and a card should be produced?
Paul Cox - he can stick it up his ar*e.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 23, 2016 22:21:33 GMT
I really did wonder about that challenge.....
And very obvious from the family stand at the other end of the pitch! Compare that with Allen's card with a slight block on the left hand touchline just past the half way line which gained a yellow.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 10:06:18 GMT
He might be able to read the prepared script written for him by Cameron & The Remainians, and he might have succeeded in his desire to get the bust of Churchill removed from the White House, but we didn't let Obama totally spoil our Plainmoor party on Saturday. With Torbay proudly proclaiming itself as one of the most staunchly pro Brexit regions in Britain, it was no surprise that O'Bomber's threats and scare stories were met with a two fingered 'Bugger Off Barry' response from locals in the Bay. The unfortunate side effect being that our American goalkeeper, Brendan Moore, who has to go out to walk his dog at least 4 times a day, will have been told on countless occasions just where his President can stick his E.U propaganda message. Yesterday, poor Brendan couldn't have failed to notice that the few 'USA' USA' chants that could be heard at Plainmoor were far more muted than usual. The anti Obama hostility had clearly transmitted itself to our young keeper, to the extent that he made an uncharacteristic hash of a kick downfield, the ball cannoning off Exodus, and being picked up by Barrow's Tomlinson who executed a perfectly judged lob into our goal which left our American keeper floundering like Obama with a broken autocue. Things had started off so well. Nathan Smith being presented with the diminutive 'Young Player of the Season' trophy, as well as the much more impressive Player of the Season' shield. If, in addition, there was an 'Individual Piece of Skill' award, then this season it would have been won by Ben Gerring for the shimmy, feint, drag back, and turn, that he performed in the 30th minute of yesterday's game, and which left his confused opponent with tangled legs. And so we reached half time with the score reading Gulls 0 Obama 1. Duncan won the 50/50 money by presenting ticket No.09037. While ticket No.09373 enabled Jamie to have three cracks at hitting the crossbar; he succeeded with his final attempt. All the while this was happening, the 'hosemen' waited patiently on the pitch for someone to make the necessary adjustments to the stopcock, allowing them to refresh the Plainmoor turf. We played some good attacking football again in the early parts of the second half, but still couldn't seem to find a breakthrough. That is until Courtney Richards unleashed another of his specials that threatened to break the Barrow net as he put us level. For those who can't wait for the highlights, I'd recommend a Youtube viewing of the 1978 Holland v Italy clash to get an idea of the power and accuracy of Courtney's long distance shooting. Incidentally, any package calling itself 'highlights' that doesn't feature the Gerring turn, would be criminal. More stylish combination play lead up to a close range goal from Nathan Blissett to give us the lead, but, just when it felt as though there could only be seconds to go, Cook showed good composure to slot home an equaliser for Barrow. In truth, it was no less than Barrow deserved; they look a very effective team, and our defence, missing the combined talents of Durrell, Nathan Smith, and Cap'n Angus wasn't at it's strongest. Taking that into account, and bearing in mind their limitations, my choice for MOM would have gone to either Ben Gerring or Exodus. Of course ideally it would have been nice to round off the Plainmoor season with a win. The fact that we didn't had more to do with the White House than the Barrow training ground. Let's take our revenge on June 23rd.
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Post by gateman49 on Apr 24, 2016 10:53:29 GMT
Alpine, perhaps you could keep this board to football matters rather than your politics
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 24, 2016 13:42:48 GMT
Alpine, perhaps you could keep this board to football matters rather than your politics I normally read his posts with a smile on my face as he has his own satirical perspective on events that I would just leave to other members to conclude as to whether some of his connections fit seamlessly into the grand scheme of things. I cannot recall any USA chants yesterday at the game so maybe there is a valid point buried somewhere in there!
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Post by gateman49 on Apr 24, 2016 15:19:30 GMT
I used too as well, but there you go.
In my view there's a place for everything.
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Post by loyalgull on Apr 24, 2016 18:04:08 GMT
I must admit too enjoying alpine joes writings on the forum and like him will vote out on June 23rd not that is anything to do with tufc ,but I must be going totally Mutt and Jeff as I not once heard chants of USA USA yesterday,maybe it's time I got hearing aids
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Apr 24, 2016 23:18:12 GMT
Perhaps the silent majority didn't want to let the loud minority know yesterday. My own political views are vastly different to alpine's and whilst his innuendo is usually more subtle - perhaps common sense taking the upper hand is increasing the desparation - the humour is always there. I always look forward to his match reports and photos. I loved the Seale Hayne Rebellion saga and even yearned for Cap'n updates in the year after Judas left for our nearest league rivals. Keep it coming alpine, I say. Loving the photo of Verma seemingly reading the game plan. Go Brendan!! Although I'd prefer it if you stay.
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