FAT 2nd Round Torquay Utd v Rushden 10th Jan 2009

Pitch inspection at Plainmoor at 11:30am - surprised they have left it that late, but guess the temperatures have not risen as much as expected.

The game is on as the ground has passed a pitch inspection.

Well, we've had snow up in Ealing this morning. The only match near to me thats on is QPR V Coventry. Its the sort of game that doesn't fill me with a shread of excitement. Fulham V Blackburn likewise, plus its 30 quid pay on the gate!!

Torquay lined up with one change (Plummer in for the suspended Sills) and what look like a very weakened Dustbins side - goal feast beckons me thought - how wrong I was.

I think our one shot on target was from a Hodges free kick which the 'keeper tipped onto the post and out for a corner.Dustbins on the other hand had a plethora of chances and could have been 3 or 4 nil up at halftime.

Bevan seemed to have an injury as Nico took the goal kicks and wasn't putting a big effort when kicking. Plummer looked out of sorts upfront with Green but tried.

The main think the first half bought home was how much we missed Sills up front and how much we need a Sills type player in reserve. Perish the thought if Sills gets injured.

Dsane had a shoulder injury and was replace by Benyon with Plummer moving to the wings. This seemed to give us a bit more poke up front (shame he wasn't on the bench) but still Dustbins spurned chance after chance.

The goal came in the 70th minute after some good work by Plummer who crossed and after a goal mouth scramble was put in by Greavsie.

Still Dustbins missed chances and could have (on a good day) have put 10 passed us.

Again thought the Ref and the popside lino were clueless and shouldn't be allowed any where near a football match.

MOM was give to Bevan for some outstanding and match winning saves. Crowd was 1700 or so.

January window - Sills type player.

I went to the game on my own today, so I have not had the benefit of being able to chat about the game, in the car on the way home, so I will just put in my report, what I can remember.

First thing to say is that we have a new sponsor for the main stand, where once the City Link Banner sat of the roof, we now have a new banner for Torbay Golf Centre, this is a golf range in Grange Rd Paignton, good to see a local company coming up with some sponsorship.

Now that dear merse said that anyone who felt away fans without tickets should not be allowed on the ground, were just jobs-worths, well we had one today at Plainmoor. 2.45pm I was in my normal place on the popside near the halfway line and standing in front of me was StuartB and chelstongull, talking away as we do. Then steward no 04 in his orange jacket, walked up to the boys and told them to get behind the rail.

Well Stuart was polite to him, little Dave wanted to have words, I mean they were not blocking the walkway, just makes me mad at times how you get treated in grounds at times.

It was a very cold afternoon and the crowd was up on what it would have been, if the Coventry game was not all ticket, not the most exciting game you will see, but we played some really nice football at times. We could have been behind after only two Min's, a Rushden forward found himself in the box unmarked, but his shot was weak and went straight to Bevan.

It was not long before the Carlisle haters were shouting out abuse, he did play a few poor passes and one near the halfway line he played back to our defense who were on the edge of our box, but it went to a Rushden player, but nothing came of it.

We missed Sills up front today, having him in the center gives Green the freedom to run onto the balls Nico plays down the line, he did make some runs, but as he was playing the Sills role, we did not see as many runs as we have of late.

The ref was really poor and gave nothing for a clear and big push on Hargreaves in their box, also Dsane had a good shout for a penalty, but nothing was given again. Carlisle had a good chance on the edge of the box, but completely mis kicked the ball. Rushden had chances and had plenty of pace on the break, but Woods and Hodges dealt with most things well.

Not to sure about Plummer, he did one great turn early in the first half, but seemed unable to beat his man on many occasions, but he did pass the ball well when a pass was on, he was smaller than I expected as well.

Second half we once again played some nice passing football and as the game went on Carlisle was finding his passes much better and showed what a good player we know he can be. Green worked hard up front and some good balls were played by Carlisle into the box, but no one could get on the end of them.

Green hit a few hopeful shots from outside the box and Mansell hit a sweet volley also from outside that their keeper had to tip over the bar. I hate to see players sent off, but a red card should have been shown to a Rushden player, we jumped with Wroe and with so much intent, put his elbow in Wroes face, but he was only given a yellow card.

Dsane make a good run into the box, beating one man but getting tackled by a second player and went down hard on his shoulder, he had to go off and Benyon came on for him. Benyon was straight into the action and showed some good strength on the ball at times and this stage of the game we looked in control, but always at danger from Rushden on the break.

Danny came on for Plummer, who got a good round of applause and Danny was soon making good runs and taking on defenders. I will have to hope someone from the familystand can describe the goal, as I could not what was going on, there seemed a big goal mouth scramble going on, their keeper was on the floor and a few players, I could not see if the ball had gone over the line. It was strange as the ref gave the goal, but the goal line scramble was still going on.

For £10 a good afternoons entertainment, but was so glad to get home and back in the warm, its a job done thankfully, as we really didn't want to have to go up there for any replay.

Isn't Kenny Veysey involved with the golf centre, with Martin Ruth the former professional at Torquay Golf Club? I know Martin is a Torquay fan as well.