FL2: Torquay United v Morecambe 30th October 2010

Good result, back up to 8th. Looking forward to reading the reports from what seems to have been an eventful game.

Well it all came good in the end for a vital win for the Gulls. It was a story of the Gulls struggling against 10 man Morecambe at 1-1. Than after using all our 3 subs in the second half, we finally had that bit of quality in the vital areas. Crowd only 2,172, offically 72 from Morecambe, sponsors MOTM Benyon.

Torquay got off to a sluggish start against a lively Morecambe who do play some lovely crisp football, moving the ball around neatly at pace. Torquay were having a bit of a footballing lesson who were trying to find their feet. It took me a while to realise our team selection and I assume Robertson was injured. So in came Senda at right back for a rare start and likewise for Macklin on the right wing. Wroe and Oastler in central midfield with Zebroski left wing. Kee and Benyon up front.

Against the run of the play Torquay had a golden opportunity on 11 minutes. Benyon was through on goal and appeared to be bundled over in the penalty area by Morecambe's last defender. The ref waved play on, the linesman, who was further away, flagged for a penalty. The ref consulted the linesman, awarded a penalty to Torquay and sent off their defender. Benyon's unconvincing penalty kick was saved but fortunately he scored from the rebound. So Torquay were 1-0 up and playing against 10 men for 80 minutes, surely we can win this one !

The pattern of the play did not really improve, Torquay were huffing and puffing but had little quality in their play. Even with 10 men Morecambe played well and equalised on 30 minutes. A bit of a strange goal. I personally thought the ball just went out of play on the byline and Torquay's defenders seem to stop for a while. However the ball was volleyed into the goalmouth at pace and finshed off at close range, and the goal was given.

Torquay had not really played well enough to deserve to be winning anyway so it was a fair scoreline. Senda was probably the pick of the players in the first half who at right back did a tidy job defending and has decent pace. I'm afraid Macklin and Kee struggled to be consistent and even Zebroski had little of the ball.

The second half continued in a similair fashion until a double substitution. On came our loanees Rose and Hemmings and off went the ineffective Macklin and Kee. A little later Senda went off injured and on came O'Kane. That meant a big shuffle around, with Oastler going to right back, the loanees on the wings, and Zebroski giving some much needed presence in attack.

The turning point in the game for me was a sublime turn and volley by O'Kane from 25 yards which hit the inside of the post and rebounded out to safety. Finally you felt Torquay had that bit of quality about them and both Rose and Hemmings were looking hungry and giving Morecambe something to think about on the wings.

On 69 minutes the ball broke loose to Rose outside the penalty area who hit a peach of a shot that swerved low and at pace that gave their keeper no chance. Torquay now were playing well and some lovely quality in the penalty area by Zebroski, he beat a defender looked up and fed the ball for Benyon to finish from close range.

Morecambe had another defender sent off for an off-the-ball incident as they were clearly niggled. A cross from Oastler was headed just wide from Benyon. Torquay finished convincing 3-1 winners against 9 men Morecambe in a match that until the substitutions they had looked out-of-sorts.

My thoughts today is that there is no substitute for quality that the likes of O'Kane, Rose and Zebroski can provide. In fact they made it look easy the way they turned the match in our favour in the end in a match that for so long Torquay were labouring in.

One final point, the Pop side were so quiet, they only woke up when we were winning 2-1. At least the Family side tried to lift the team throughout the match with chanting.

Great report Swangull.

It's just not happening for Kee at the moment. There was an incident when all he had to do was roll the ball into Benyon's path to put him clear on goal but he smashed it far too hard sending Benyon scampering wide.

Rose's performance was very eye-catching and really turned the game. As he belted that one into the net, I could imagine Kee sat on the bench Yosser Hughes style saying "I could do that. I could do that".

O'Kane continues to show his class. Away from home "in the hole" but where should we play him at home? Risk him in centre-midfield or sacrifice a winger? Much the same dilemma that Leroy had with Jason Fowler.

Good report Swangull though I dread to think what the result would have been if they had had 11 men for 90 minutes. In all honesty the fist 60 or so minutes we were as bad as I can remember - nothing sticking up front and so many hit and hope punts down the pitch and up until he subs were made I thought it was going to end with another embarrassing result. But hey we didn't give up the fight and gradually got the better of a side that passed the ball better than us and always looked dangerous. I'm pretty certain the players got a bit of a roasting at half time for giving the ball away so cheaply on so many occasions and not passing the ball like we know we can.
Okane was the also one who made a big diference to the midfield , no idea why he didnt start - Oastler stuggled to have any influence in midfield and looked better at wingback after Senda was replaced through a thigh injury - played very well while he was on mind you.
Before the subs came on we were indeed desperate for some inspiration and thank goodness all three subs played their part in that respect who were unaffected by our recent confidence sapping slump and not afraid to fail. Goodness knows what hapened to Maklin but his touch and control was just dreadful he needs to get bac to basics and learn the fundemtals of control and making the right decision of whether to pass or try and beat your man or fall over as he managed to do quite alot today.
Happy with a scrappy win - the slump has taken its toll on confidence and I will be so glad when we have amassed enough points to ensure our safety - that must be the priority.

John, a true gentleman, is a good friend of mine and was a very fine sportsman being at one time captain of Exeter Rugby club.. He is an extremely knowledgable man when it comes to rugby (and cricket), I would say that there are very few in the South-West who can relate to a game being played to the degree that John Lockyer can, indeed he was at one time the Chairman of selectors for the South-West regional side.

To describe him as an 'oaf' is way, way off the mark.

If he does stay he will surely be a squad player only, on the same terms and conditions as Wayne Carlisle. But if he keeps his place in a winning team fair play to him. It was only after todays final whistle that I valued his contribution, not MOTM material but IMO solid enough to keep his place in the team midweek.

Bad atmosphere. I didnt take the drum as it`s not any good no more and I had work before and couldnt take a worn ou drum to work.