FL2: Torquay Utd v Burton 6 August 2011

I've compiled a list of previous opening day results & previous results against Burton on my blog, torqtalk.blogspot.com/

Makes for pretty interesting reading.

After a cloudy start the sun has come out to shine on Torquay and looks like it will be a good day for football with Aussie having to do his half time water trick!

If the team play like they did against Exeter, the score may be closer to Stefano's prediction but I would take an aggregate 4-3 scoreline!

An impressive comeback from the Gulls to draw 2-2 that looked very unlikely when trailing 2-0. Jolly scenes at the end from the crowd and Torquay ended up looking the likeliest winners against 10 man Burton. But it was really worrying the way Burton frequently carved Torquay's defence open and for much of the match Torquay did not seriously threaten. At 2-0 down we looked to be in for a long, hard season and I am still unsure how this season will pan out.

There were some plus points however. Sponsors MOTM, our new keeper Olejnik looks outstanding and came to Torquay's rescue a few times saving 1-on-1's and his distribution is also excellent. As the man behind me reckons, he's looks the best keeper we've had since Big Nev! In Rene Howe we look to have a decent centre forward. Big, strong, puts himself about with some neat skill as well. He took his goal today with calm ease rounding their keeper. Oastler showed how well he can play at right back within the first 5 minutes on a rampaging run down the right and shot that their keeper did well to tip over. I liked the look of Atieno when he replaced Kee in the second half in attack. He looks a little like Zebrowski and showed some good flair on the ball. Perhaps he will complement Howe better than Kee.

Torquay started the match confidently and at times played some decent passing moves. But as the half wore on Torquay could not find a way to threaten. Our wingers Morris (left) and Stevens (right) were the main culprits giving the ball away cheaply when in possession. Burton were then making the clearer chances and looked sure to score when 1-on-1 with Olejnik but his reactions were superb pulling off a couple superb saves. Burton finished the half the stronger and the warning signs were there.

Burton took the lead in the 49th. minute from another 1-on-1. But worse was to follow 5 minutes later. Again Burton got behind our defence on the left, pulled the ball across that got deflected off Oastler and finally was finished off at close range. At this stage Burton were running the Torquay defence ragged and we were offering very little. Just when Ling was about to make a couple of substitutions, Howe pulled one back on 59 minutes. A through ball put him through, Howe dummied the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Torquay now had a lifeline but we had to thank Olejnik again for keeping the score at 2-1. Macklin replaced Morris who went to the right wing with Danny going to the left wing. Atieno replaced Kee who failed to get the ball on target after chipping the keeper.

Torquay's equaliser on 81 minutes was a real delight. O'Kane about 30 yards out threaded an inch perfect pass on the deck and Mansell timed his run perfectly and steered the ball past their keeper from about 10 yards. 2-2 and there was more drama to follow. Torquay were playing well and Howe was putting himself about as Burton were now hanging on. Another delibrate foul to prevent Howe through on goal meant a second yellow card for a Burton defender who were reduced to 10 men.

After 5 minutes of added time Torquay could not find the winner. So Torquay got themselves out of jail impressively. I have my doubts how well we can do this season and as usual I just hope we can keep well clear of a relegation battle. But that defence needs to tighten up first!

It was rather strange today with an empty grandstand and Torquay fans squashed into 2 sides of the ground. I was disappointed to see that seats I wanted and was told were taken for season ticket holders were in fact vacant. If I knew that I would have brought a couple of season tickets in the early bird scheme. It's quite a performance for non-season ticket holders to sit in the Family stand. Today I brought 2 tickets for today's match at mid-day and I noticed there was a big queue at our new ticket office about 2.30pm. Crowd today 3,142, 379 from Burton.

Another excellent match report Swangull which has saved me one heck of a lot of typing!

It was certainly a mixed bag today with some good and some bad but ultimately we showed a lot of character to come back from 0-2 and could even have nicked it.

We started the match the better side with Oastler doing well to force an early save. However, the match balance slowly tilted the other way as passes went astray and yes, with very little effect from the wings and Burton were the team with the initiative as the half wore on. Palmer did well on the left wing and Richards was a threat. I thought Robertson was very good at the back but Saah had a quiet game. Olejnik looks a class act making some very good saves, with good distribution and the only thing he doesn't have is that bit of extra height.

Again, the second half started tentatively and after a erroneous penalty shout for handball, the ball was hoofed long for Richards to run on to and score. The second goal followed very shortly after with the Burton attacker getting clear away in the pop-side corner and the resultant cross seemed to be headed in off the post.

At this stage, with the brown stuff hitting the fan, Atieno and Macklin were being warmed up and about to come on, probably for Kee and Danny when Howe received a good ball in the area and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way before stroking the ball into the empty net. So, Ling kept the same side on for a bit longer and Danny came to life with lots of running as now Burton were rattled, causing them lots of problems although on occasion he retreated and passed back to Oastler when more attacking options were on.

Macklin then came on for a poor Morris and then after, Atieno for a tiring Kee after he had just chipped wide to perform that running onto and chasing down role that Zebroski performed so admirably and on today's evidence would make a better starting partner for Howe. A good pass again into the penalty area was slotted pass the keeper by the tireless Mansell. By this stage, with the game opening up, we looked the better balanced side and could have sneaked it, particularly when Howe was sent through again which resulted in a second yellow card for their defender. Right at the end O'Kane was narrowly off side when a simple cross was on for Atieno to slot home.

A precious point on the board and unlike last year, a number of players need to gel or Ling has to find the optimium combinations for us to play to a higher standard consistently throughout the match.

Lovely to meet you today Stefano, top man!! Thank you so much for the liquid refreshment that you so kindly bought me, it went down a treat!!

Now just to persuade you to join the PL !!!!

Ope to chat again soon x

Thanks to everyone for their match reports, it's always good when so far from home to get a view from people who were there and make an effort to write some real good reports for those who weren't able to get to the game.

Just to let you know your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Sounds like we missed a mixed game, but with 4 goals, a sending off, a couple of well taken goals, a few good saves, but exciting none the less.

Rich, the game certainly came to life for the last half an hour but after watching the Exeter match the first part of the match was disappointing, particularly in terms of the passing but hey, it was the first competitive match with lots of new players and only Nicholson, Robertson and O'Kane played in the same position as at Old Trafford. Obviously early days yet but my initial gut feeling that Macklin and LRT should have started wasn't changed yesterday. Danny, came good at the hour mark but that was only when the game opened up and I think this is the period that suits him. I also think that we would have been stronger defensively with LRT playing and with Burton having 10 attempts on target, this needs to be looked at.



I must admit that my heart did sink a bit when I saw the queue but with an away local Derby with added spice next Saturday, plus another away match on Saturday and maybe even family stand tickets still on sale here, I hope this was a one off but nevertheless should continue to be monitored. One solution, if this persists would be to have a separate queue for match day tickets on that day so people don't lose their drinking time etc.

I can understand Dave's frustrations at what is still a difficult time for him but also don't agree with his thread title. As he admitted, he didn't fully comprehend the impact of the well publicised changes and along with the club got caught out. I think steps are being taken to improve the match day experience and what happened yesterday feels like teething problems that do need to be ironed out!