NL: Torquay United v Notts County 3pm 9th April 2022

This is one of the games I would prefer to lose, so we can put the idea of the playoffs to bed! 🛏 

Then we can start on the great clear out we’re all hoping/praying…ing…ing…ing for! On the subject of clear out, I have news on that front: it seems that Kosela (or whatever his bloody name is) is about to be given a three year extension to his contract, at the end of which he will become the longest serving TUFC player ever…good on him!

Clear out…my arse! 🤨

Team news - Opi does not make the bench…. Johnson in to replace him with Hall on the bench

Which one? - commentary alluded to the latter at start of game but never clarified it.

Despite hating listening, sounded an eventful half which got niggly with the ref not sounding to be good.

Well that certainly had the "wow" factor!!! An incredible performance and result for the Gulls today as we blew away big spenders and play-off hopefuls Notts County today. It was all about Torquay's clinical finishing today and I suggest those Lemonheigh-Evans and Little doubters have a good look at the highlights and see what they are capable of. None of Torquay's five goals were scruffy or lucky, they were all from excellent team moves and quality finishing. Little's opener was probably the pick of them and very few Torquay players over the years would have been capable of that. Little had the skill and vision to dink the ball over the keeper into the top corner when inside a crowded box. I can only think of players like O'Kane and Loram who would have been capable of that sort of thing. At the other end Torquay defended heroically at the back throwing bodies on the line and blocking so many chances.

It was a real blood and thunder match with loads of heavy challenges from both teams, loads of stoppages through injuries and bookings. There were 6 added minutes in the first half and 8 added minutes in the second half so it gives you a feel of what the match was like. There was plenty of abuse given out from the Popside to ex-Gull Cameron who was sidelined through injury but watching on. I don't really like the "sex offenders" reference to him in one such song but I suppose that is what some chants have descended to. It was interesting to see Cameron mixing with Torquay players after the final whistle on the pitch so hopefully it is all still good natured. Another ex-Gull Nemane came on at half time and showed his pace with the ball wide right. You do however wonder what sort of end product Nemane has.

The big turning point of the match was when Lemonheigh-Evans scored our third from a counter attack. Notts County had the upper hand in the second half and when they pulled back a goal at 2-1 you felt that Torquay would not hang on. At 3-1 Notts County fans starting leaving the ground and Torquay took control like they did in the first half spell when we scored our opening two goals.

We stood up to the physical battle and we blew them away with decisive passing and movement topped by quality finishing. It was a day to savor as a Gulls fan and up there with our best displays under Gary Johnson. There have been quite a collection of these highs under Gary Johnson and that is why he is so popular among Torquay fans. Torquay were clearly up for this one. I noticed just before kick-off Gary Johnson was giving final instructions as the players huddled around him whereas he normally takes a back seat. Let's face it "The Godfather" has been there and done this sort of thing for years and achieved.

Swanny, you can add Robin Stubbs and Rene Howe to your list of players capable of scoring one like that first goal.  

I saw similar goals from them both in away matches. Robin's goal was actually in a 2 - 3 defeat at Kenilworth Road, Luton way back in the '60's (who else witnessed that one?) and it is the one goal that I will always remember him scoring. Rene's was away at Burton in a 4 - 1 win and both were very similar being from the same side of the pitch and same angle.

I can now add Armani's to my own list!