chelstongull
TFF member
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Favourite Player: Jason Fowler
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Post by chelstongull on Nov 18, 2009 21:41:30 GMT
Well done to all concerned - wish I had been there.
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merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Nov 18, 2009 22:01:26 GMT
 I need to go to bed but what a night of football................ First up the surreal sight of 15,000 troops separating the field of play from the crowd in Khartoum as Algeria spark off a fiesta in N7 by reachng the World Cup Finals beating Egypt in a play off. The Paddys are enjoying Frogs' legs in Paris prompting the missus to sulk off to bed. ;D ..................and that fantastic Youth result ~ well done to all concerned, a very proud moment! I'm staying up for extra time and possible penaltries now .............."Come On Ireland!"
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 18, 2009 22:15:13 GMT
Early starts in the morning, up far to late on the forum and a windy old Wednesday night, its no wonder I had to think about going out to watch the game tonight.
So glad I did and at the end tufc01 and I both agreed it was the best game we have watched at Plainmoor all season. I was so took back by the quality on display by both teams, no hoof ball, just good passing football and very impressive tackling.
The only thing missing at the moment is the polish, but that will come and if Merse thinks the youth training at the Prems clubs is good, I can tell him our club has got it spot on as well.
The game could have ended up with a much higher scoreline than it did, our keeper made some first class saves during the game and the Norwich keeper also had to pull off some good saves.
We took the lead for a corner, the ball came in and it looked like the ball was flicked on by one of our players and went in at the far post and may have clipped the post on the way in.
Our lads sure can break with pace, but did not always make the right decisions when running into the Norwich box, wanting that extra turn when a shot was on. Still they are things they were learn and for effort and work rate they ran out worthy winners.
It was close to going into extra time at the death, the ball fell to a Norwich player who shot for the far post from just inside the left hand side of our box. I thought it was going in for sure, but it rolled just past the post.
As the players came off they were given great applause and if they progress they way I would expect them too, they will get many more great nights like tonight.
Well done to all those who work with our youth, well done the club for having a youth set up, I loved watching our boys tonight, when is the next game?
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Post by ohtobeatplainmoor on Nov 18, 2009 22:29:30 GMT
Well Well - that was well worth turning-up for!
Just got back. I really enjoyed the match - and I believe that most of the 546 (I under-estimated with my initial guess!) will have done so as well.
Norwich started very quickly out of the blocks - they won a succession of several corners that we seemed to find impossible to clear.
After the initial 15 minutes or so I felt we started to impose ourselves on the match. Halpin looked very tricky at times (although didn't reach the heights he did in the PSF I saw him in, but nonetheless showed some glimpses of real talent) and we drew the first save of the match from their keeper.
Our goal was deserved - a cross that Nicho would be proud of and glanced inside the far post from number 3 Westcott (sp?) <EDIT> - the HE website state that it was he that scored the goal direct from the freekick. I thought it got a touch from someone - still, a goal's a goal!
I think that this was the first time I've seen the youth side since it has been rebanded and certainly youth football of any description for a while.
My first half impressions of Norwich were that they looked very neat on the ball, they had good awareness and could pick their team-mates out with excellent passing and they looked incisive - until they got into the final third and then they seemed to fizzle-out.
I wondered from the first few minutes where there was going to be a real gap in abilities between the teams.
We looked like we didn't have the same ability through the team that Norwich did early-on (and that is not a critisism), certainly with regards to passing, tight control and awareness - but we really had some excellent qualities - discipline, excellent covering by team-mates, committment, great attitude and real endeavour. These qualities allowed us to gain confidence and bring-out the abilities of our players and while we never completely got a stranglehold on the game, we never caved-in and gave as good as we got - probably more so in terms of chances.
I hope that with the involvement of Stuart Gibson as the Skills Coach we will bring these players and future players to even higher standards. Such an arrival at the set-up can only be a very positive thing.
I think that we would all imagine that Norwich would step-up in the second half and in some ways they did. However, we came close on several occaisions to notching a second - including some great last ditch tackles and a top-quality save from Jed Steer - an England youth international. Sometimes it was frustrating that they took too many touches on the edge of the area or missed a team-mate in space, but you couldn't be critical of this team and their performance tonight.
Our keeper (who otherwise didn't have much to do) pulled-off a couple of saves towards the end as Norwich ramped-up the pressure to equalise, but we often looked so dangerous on the break. Saul Halpin sometimes looks like he drifts out of the game, but he showed fantastic acceleration, pace and strength to beat the right back and we looked more likely to score than them, but 1-0 always felt a bit uncomfortable.
Another thing I would say about both sets of players is that they played it in such a creditible spirit. They threw the ball back to each other, the tackles were fair (and only very few fouls), no diving and no back-chat to the ref. Only Halpin overstepped the mark by kicking the ball away - and he was promptly booked.
Whatever happens to these young players in their attempts to carve-out professional careers, I believe that this night will give them a huge personal boost and great memories for years to come. You could see what it meant to them at the final whistle.
As Capitalgull and JM said - this is an excellent result for all involved in the youth set-up and I hope that they are very proud.
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Post by Budleigh on Nov 18, 2009 23:12:02 GMT
That was a truly memorable evening... As tense a final ten minutes as any football league game.
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Post by stefano on Nov 19, 2009 0:32:56 GMT
Just back from a thoroughly entertaining evening which saw our youth team progress in the
FA Youth cup and was well worth the effort going straight from work and missing my dinner! A high level of enthusiasm, skill, and tactical awareness and this win over a good Norwich side will do wonders for their confidence.
I was motivated to attend as it is exactly 40 years since I was lucky enough to play for United in the same competition and I haven't watched the youth team since (indeed in many of the intervening seasons we haven't even had a youth team).
The performance tonight reflects great credit on everybody involved with the youth set up and holds a lot of promise for the future. The deserved result will have them looking forward to the next round, another home tie.
My experience of the competition saw us lose after 3 games to Argyle, well before penalties were introduced to settle cup ties. At Plainmoor Stuart McGowan put us ahead after 2 mins and although Argyle had the greater possession with our midfield and defence playing well their chances were limited. Mike Dowling equalised for Argyle 10 minutes from the end from a penalty then Ian Twitchin nearly snatched it for us in the last minute but hit the post.
For the replay at Home Park the following week Don Mills changed it around a bit bringing in Robbie Robbins in goal and pushing our goalie from the first game, Scottish triallist Bob Gray, up front. A similar game followed with Argyle having the greater possession but being closed down before they got a sight of goal. Phil Sandercock put us ahead after 65 minutes with a 35-yard free kick into the roof of the net at the Devonport End, and I thought that would be it as I could not see where they would find a way through. Five minutes from the end though they again scrambled an equaliser, bloke called Chapman I think. Extra time and no further goals, so a toss of the coin saw us back at Home Park the following week where we lost 3-1.
Bitterly disappointing at the time as we had the chance to win the first two games, but on reflection not a bad effort as the Argyle team were all full-time or apprentice professionals. We had two apprentices (Phil Sandercock and Stuart McGowan), one triallist (Bob Gray), and the rest were amateurs (including Ian Twitchin & Robbie Robbins who both of course went on to play for the Gulls in the Football League).
As a defender myself I always felt Robbie Robbins was the best keeper I ever played in front of, and I played with a few good ones including Paddy Roche who went on to play for Manchester United and Gulls favourite from the late 60's Andy Donnelly.
I have 'lurked' on the TFF for a while enjoying the good level of debate and the (normally!) good natured banter. I have noticed that many who do a first post do a brief introduction for the members, you will probably have worked out that I am 57, and I started supporting Torquay at the start of the 1963/64 season. I was brought up in Newton Abbot and was an old friend and football team mate of Merse who I know everybody is familiar with. Like many on the site I have had periods when I have had to follow from afar, working in Belfast for a year, Italy for four years, as well as playing and in the 90's having four seasons as secretary of a South Western League club. All things that conspired to keep me away from Plainmoor, but this is one of my best seasons for many years for the opportunity to get to games, and I am particularly pleased that I made the effort tonight.
Well done again to the youngsters and let's see if we can have an even bigger attendance for the next round ....
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merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Nov 19, 2009 4:07:15 GMT
In these days of proper youth development programmes, I am sure "Stefano" would have been one of the first on the squad list as a bone fide trainee rather than playing as an "amateur" as he had to in those days both for the youth team and the reserves at Plainmoor. In my opinion the one thing he lacked was enough of a change of pace, a bit of acceleration on the turn over the first few yards should the player he was marking posses that inbuilt component to his game...................something that keeps many a good player from achieving professional status and the higher one hopes to go in the game, the more that factor is important. Mention of Bobby Gray, brings back painful memories for me as it was he who took my place in the Newton Spurs Youth Team of that season on reaching the final of the Devon County Youth Cup. Having played in the previous rounds it hurt to lose my outfield place to a "goalkeeper" ~ and a Scottish goalie at that! Bob was number three youth keeper behind Rob Robbins and Pat Roche at the time, and as far as I know returned to Scotland to play at Aberdeen and then made a bit of a name for himself playing in the Highland League.................as a striker! Stuart McGowan beat you to it in posting on this forum "Stefano". The son of a former Weymouth FC chairman (Matt McGowan) took to the debate when we were facing The Terras in the BSP. Training for the Newton Spurs youngsters such as "Stefano" and myself used to be at Plainmoor on Tuesday and Thursday evenings together with the Torquay United amateurs, mainly behind the old Mini Stand or on the perimeter track and up and down the terracing. Occasionally, just occasionally if the evening was frosty so that we wouldn't leave any tell tale divots; we would get out on the pitch using the lights of the stands as illumination. We were coached by Don Mills and Geoff Cox and we were often joined by Plainmoor's oldest pro' at the time, Dougie Clarke a fitness fanatic who would turn up for extra training. They were tremendous guys and occasionally the fearsome trainer Harry Topping would be there too bawling accross the empty ground as we attempted to con him that we were running faster than we really were down the far side of the track from the tunnel by moving our arms faster than the movement in our legs warranted; but I reckon old Harry had seen it all before and wasn't taken in for a moment. Mind you if "FO'F" happened to be around, none of us had the bottle to mess around then! After training, there would be just time for a long soak in the communal bath in the cosy little dressing rooms under the grandstand before walking down Bronshill and St Marychurch Roads to Castle Circus for the number twelve bus back to NA ~ no cars for the likes of us in those days, and certainly no "Soccer Mums or Dads" with cars themselves in which to ferry their proteges around such as I find myself doing for Anthony and a couple of his mates who don't have dads at home in today's pursuit of stardom. Mind you, we never got the opportunity until we were 17 whereas it's all eight and nine year olds today!
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Post by ospelgull on Nov 19, 2009 7:53:46 GMT
Well done to all those who work with our youth, well done the club for having a youth set up I'll second these comments! Hopefully a few of them turn out to become regulars in the 1st team, at least at L2 level that is! |
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keyberrygull
TFF member
Posts: 994
Favourite Player: Steve Cooper
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Post by keyberrygull on Nov 19, 2009 8:21:37 GMT
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Fixtures.aspxNext up Milwall at home on Saturday 12/12 with a 7.00pm K.O The same day we are due to play Darlington at home in the league. I hope that date is not cast in stone and can be re-arranged so we can be treated to another good nights entertainment. I think it says somewhere that the game must be played by that date not necessarily on it. I hope that is the case and well done again lads.
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Post by aussie on Nov 19, 2009 9:49:45 GMT
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Fixtures.aspxNext up Milwall at home on Saturday 12/12 with a 7.00pm K.O The same day we are due to play Darlington at home in the league. I hope that date is not cast in stone and can be re-arranged so we can be treated to another good nights entertainment. I think it says somewhere that the game must be played by that date not necessarily on it. I hope that is the case and well done again lads. There having a bubble, the F.A. are yet again proving to be a joke, do they want to wreck our pitch or something? It needs recovery time and maintenance between games or it will go down hill rapidly! No pun intended! |
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Post by dazgull on Nov 19, 2009 10:10:19 GMT
The F A put other rounds in like that too, its more of a "must be played by date" knowing that the clubs will rearrange for a midweek slot.
Onto last night and what a thoroughly enjoyable game that was! Went to the game not expecting victory but just wanted to see the young gulls give a good account of themselves and that they surely did.
After a few hairy first minutes when they had loads of corners we gradually got into the game and was obvious to see there wasnt much between the teams. We hassled them all over the pitch from the front right through to the defence who tackled any white shirt that came near.
A silly foul out wide gave us our goal. A whipped in cross from Westcott (a la Nicholson!) towards two team mates who just missed the ball but the ball as it curled away from them but continued into the corner of the net.... ;D
Onto the second half and the wind continued to blow around the ground making some kicking difficult and made both teams pass the ball which they did nicely.
Norwich had slightly more of the ball but in the final third they let themselves down and it needed two terrific saves from their England keeper to keep them in the game.
Norwich made substitutions and tactical changes but didnt change the pattern of play, whilst we never made any subs at all. Didnt need to as they were still chasing the ball and players right to the last.
Then the great chance, two mins to go and their striker rolls the ball by our keeper and all in the grandstand think its in and then the ball rolls by the post, huge relief!
The final whistle is greeted to a massive cheer and a standing ovation from the crowd. Smiles all around the ground as people leave and rightly so on a performance like that. Everone should be looking forward to Millwalls visit now.
So congrats to the youth set up but also this was a great night for the consortium who have backed our youth set up ever since they took over. They must be delighted to see our lads perform like that against an established Norwich set up. They will also have been chuffed with a fantastic attendance of 546 ( on a cold windy night) who cheered them on throughout and even singing in the grandstand at times.
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keyberrygull
TFF member
Posts: 994
Favourite Player: Steve Cooper
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Post by keyberrygull on Nov 19, 2009 11:16:04 GMT
When I saw Chris Hargreaves dressed like Doctor Who I thought for one minute that he had arrived in his tardis and turned back time by Shaving years off the grumpy old men who usually occupy the grandstand.
Great support and the sort of encouragement that these lads need to keep their dreams alive of maybe one day getting the chance to progress.
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Dave
TFF member
Posts: 13,081
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Post by Dave on Nov 19, 2009 16:34:00 GMT
Hi stefano and welcome to the TFF, cracking first post for a new member, hope we see many more.
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Dave
TFF member
Posts: 13,081
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Post by Dave on Nov 19, 2009 17:09:21 GMT
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Post by longeatongull on Nov 19, 2009 18:35:55 GMT
Fantastic result last night and some superb match reports--thanks very much.
Delighted to see so much positive posting about our youth team.
Sorry to sound like an idiot but not much has been mentioned about names of players and where they are from. Just wondered how far our net is working these days---and if all guys are local etc etc
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