There are few Torquay fans left in the ground now, while Ebbsfleet wait to salute their heroes.
It has been another very bad afternoon.
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Torquay's players are on the floor, heads in hands.
Twice in a week, that is, and McPhee has been named Man of the Match.
The Gulls fans are streaming out now as a team of men in black assemble the presentation podium.
It's the Revenge of the Nerds, and the fans in red are giving it plenty.
It's a long walk up those stairs for the runners-up, but up they trudge. Woodsy leads them up, and the Gulls directors shake their hands.
Now Ebbsfleet are on their way up from the pitch.
Captain Paul McCarthy collects the trophy and shows it to the Fleet fans. They are ecstatic and deservedly so. They kept us at bay for the first half hour, pounced on a schoolboy error to score, and then hung on in the second half as we tired and ran out of ideas.
Twice in a week, that is, and McPhee has been named Man of the Match.
The Gulls fans are streaming out now as a team of men in black assemble the presentation podium.
It's the Revenge of the Nerds, and the fans in red are giving it plenty.
It's a long walk up those stairs for the runners-up, but up they trudge. Woodsy leads them up, and the Gulls directors shake their hands.
Now Ebbsfleet are on their way up from the pitch.
Captain Paul McCarthy collects the trophy and shows it to the Fleet fans. They are ecstatic and deservedly so. They kept us at bay for the first half hour, pounced on a schoolboy error to score, and then hung on in the second half as we tired and ran out of ideas.
FINAL SCORE GULLS 0 FLEET 1
Free kick to Fleet on the edge of our box.
Will they just run it into the corner?
Yes.
And that's it.
Will they just run it into the corner?
Yes.
And that's it.
Here comes Hilly, with a scant two minutes left.
He is now the player with the most appearances for Torquay United, ever, beating the record of Dennis Lewis from the 1950s.
Hilly has now played for us 473 times. What a shame it looks like ending in a poor defeat.
Tim Sills makes way.
The attendance is 40186.
Now, Hilly, now would be good.....
He is now the player with the most appearances for Torquay United, ever, beating the record of Dennis Lewis from the 1950s.
Hilly has now played for us 473 times. What a shame it looks like ending in a poor defeat.
Tim Sills makes way.
The attendance is 40186.
Now, Hilly, now would be good.....
Long sidefoots over the bar after Akinde finds him a great position on the edge of the box.
Roscoe is on the bench with his arm in a big white sling. He looks gloomy.
Zebroski and Danny have swapped wings, with Danny trying his luck on the left.
Long, who has had a decent game, is being replaced by Gary MacDonald. A defender on for a winger.
Woodsy has just passed straight into touch, and the Mexican wave has started again. Could things get any worse?
Roscoe is on the bench with his arm in a big white sling. He looks gloomy.
Zebroski and Danny have swapped wings, with Danny trying his luck on the left.
Long, who has had a decent game, is being replaced by Gary MacDonald. A defender on for a winger.
Woodsy has just passed straight into touch, and the Mexican wave has started again. Could things get any worse?
Benyon has just missed the best chance of the game, with 15 minutes to go. He gets to a Zebroski cross six yards out, right in the centre of goal, but gets a glance to it rather than a proper header and it goes wide.
Never mind, at least he got into the position, which has got to give us hope.
Fleet's Luke Moore (not that one) gets a yellow card for disputing a linesman's decision.
Never mind, at least he got into the position, which has got to give us hope.
Fleet's Luke Moore (not that one) gets a yellow card for disputing a linesman's decision.
Don't forget there are match day pictures at www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk
Smith goes into the book for tripping Benyon, and the free kick yields a Gulls corner.
Stacy Long saves the Fleet for now, blocking a Sills header on the line.
Opinel and Cronin indulge in a little showboating as they deny Stevens, and McCarthy heads a great chance over Rice's bar as he gets on the end of a Long free-kick. Again Rice could have come off his line.....a bit......maybe.
Smith goes into the book for tripping Benyon, and the free kick yields a Gulls corner.
Stacy Long saves the Fleet for now, blocking a Sills header on the line.
Opinel and Cronin indulge in a little showboating as they deny Stevens, and McCarthy heads a great chance over Rice's bar as he gets on the end of a Long free-kick. Again Rice could have come off his line.....a bit......maybe.
There are 25 minutes for Benyon to show us what we all know he can do.
Zebroski is back on with a clean, un-numbered shirt.
The Fleet fans are chanting 'Easy, Easy, Easy', but with Stevens and Benyon on the field there is a noticeable change for us.
I hate Mexican waves, by the way.
Stevens torments Opinel again, but Cronin gathers his cross.
Zebroski is back on with a clean, un-numbered shirt.
The Fleet fans are chanting 'Easy, Easy, Easy', but with Stevens and Benyon on the field there is a noticeable change for us.
I hate Mexican waves, by the way.
Stevens torments Opinel again, but Cronin gathers his cross.
McPhee's free kick forces Rice to save, and Akinde somehow hits the post from the rebound when he looked certain to score.
Mansell cuts out an Akinde cross that looked sure to lead to a goalscoring chance.
We're on the ropes here at the moment.
Bucks is calling for Benyon. This is the crucial change. Will it have the desired effect?
Dsane is down injured with what looks like a shoulder problem, and Zebroski has a blood injury to the head. Dsane's shoulder looks bad, and Benyon replaces him.
Mansell cuts out an Akinde cross that looked sure to lead to a goalscoring chance.
We're on the ropes here at the moment.
Bucks is calling for Benyon. This is the crucial change. Will it have the desired effect?
Dsane is down injured with what looks like a shoulder problem, and Zebroski has a blood injury to the head. Dsane's shoulder looks bad, and Benyon replaces him.
Dan the man gets in behind the Fleet defence but his cross is cleared away.
There's forked lightning hitting the ground nearby. Maybe it's hit one of those leather furniture warehouses that seem to be everywhere round here.
Rice gathers a shot from Long.
The lights are on here as the skies darken.
There's a penalty shout as Hawkins blocks a Zebroski cross, but it's his head, not his hand.
The Fleet fans are Mexican waving now, and Torquay aren't joining in.
There's forked lightning hitting the ground nearby. Maybe it's hit one of those leather furniture warehouses that seem to be everywhere round here.
Rice gathers a shot from Long.
The lights are on here as the skies darken.
There's a penalty shout as Hawkins blocks a Zebroski cross, but it's his head, not his hand.
The Fleet fans are Mexican waving now, and Torquay aren't joining in.
Rice stays at home as long swings a cross in and Smith only just fails to meet it at the far post.
Another goal from the Fleet would be a disaster.
Pictures from the big day are now on www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk
Another goal from the Fleet would be a disaster.
Pictures from the big day are now on www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk
Roscoe can't quite make room for a shot on the edge of the box, and Zebroski forces a corner.
Cronin fumbles a Stevens cross but gathers it before any harm can be done.
The Torquay fans turn up the volume now as thunder rumbles over the top of us.
It's a dramatic setting, and we need something dramatic from the Gulls.
Cronin fumbles a Stevens cross but gathers it before any harm can be done.
The Torquay fans turn up the volume now as thunder rumbles over the top of us.
It's a dramatic setting, and we need something dramatic from the Gulls.
Somebody called Mickey Fisher is doing keepy-up with a tennis ball on the pitch to the backing of Robbie Williams on the speakers. Now that's entertainment.
Whatever happened to the ball-juggling dog we had at Plainmoor last year? Now that really IS entertainment.
What can Bucks be saying to the players down there? This needs to be a half-time talk to beat them all.
Whatever happened to the ball-juggling dog we had at Plainmoor last year? Now that really IS entertainment.
What can Bucks be saying to the players down there? This needs to be a half-time talk to beat them all.
So we've had nine shots, they've had 10. We've had so much of the play, but yet another silly mistake has cost us.
Of all people Todd was caught trying to let the ball run out of play. Akinde just took it off him and laid on a simply chance for McPhee.
Gutted.
Will there be changes now? Benyon is on the bench, and Phillips isn't really getting much joy out of the Fleet defence. That could be a possibility.
Of all people Todd was caught trying to let the ball run out of play. Akinde just took it off him and laid on a simply chance for McPhee.
Gutted.
Will there be changes now? Benyon is on the bench, and Phillips isn't really getting much joy out of the Fleet defence. That could be a possibility.
44 MINS GULLS 0 FLEET 1
Todd is caught playing silly beggars down by the corner flag. The ball stays in play, Akinde crosses it low and McPhee slides it in from a couple of yards.
Rice had no chance there. Sloppy stuff from Todd. No excuses.
Rice had no chance there. Sloppy stuff from Todd. No excuses.
RICE SAVES PENALTY!
40 minutes - Rice concedes a pen, bringing down Moore after Dsane had lost possession to McPhee.
McPhee will take it against his old team.
He hits it to Rice's left, at what the pundits call 'a good height'. Rice saves.
Glorious
McPhee will take it against his old team.
He hits it to Rice's left, at what the pundits call 'a good height'. Rice saves.
Glorious
The Torquay fans pretty much fill the lower tier of the stadium behind Rice's goal and up to the halfway line on both sides.
Ebbsfleet's have the other half of the lower tier, but also have fans right up in the rafters behind Cronin.
It's a good turnout and both teams should be proud.
Sills clatters into McCarthy as he goes for a Mansell cross, and it's a foul against the Gulls striker.
Hilly and little Danny are warming up down below, but there won't be any changes for a while.
Luke Moore (not that one) pounds a shot high over Rice's bar as the Fleet continue to bombard from long range.
Ebbsfleet's have the other half of the lower tier, but also have fans right up in the rafters behind Cronin.
It's a good turnout and both teams should be proud.
Sills clatters into McCarthy as he goes for a Mansell cross, and it's a foul against the Gulls striker.
Hilly and little Danny are warming up down below, but there won't be any changes for a while.
Luke Moore (not that one) pounds a shot high over Rice's bar as the Fleet continue to bombard from long range.
Roscoe is looking sharp and gets another deep cross in for Hargreaves to head goalwards. It's blocked, though.
Neil Barrett tries his luck from 20 yards now, and Rice gathers again. The Fleet have had plenty of shots, but I don't think they've had one from inside the box yet.
Mansell curls in a cross, and McCarthy heads it behind for a corner, which Cronin gathers well under pressure.
Neil Barrett tries his luck from 20 yards now, and Rice gathers again. The Fleet have had plenty of shots, but I don't think they've had one from inside the box yet.
Mansell curls in a cross, and McCarthy heads it behind for a corner, which Cronin gathers well under pressure.
Rice saves again from Long after the Fleet winger had taken advantage of a slip by Mansell.
Fleet have a corner which the Gulls defence mops up well.
We can't keep letting them get shots in, though. We must score while we're on top.
Now Opinel tries his luck from 25 yards and Adams deflects it behind.
That wasn't far away either.
Akinde heads wide.
We are letting them back into this. 27 minutes gone.
Fleet have a corner which the Gulls defence mops up well.
We can't keep letting them get shots in, though. We must score while we're on top.
Now Opinel tries his luck from 25 yards and Adams deflects it behind.
That wasn't far away either.
Akinde heads wide.
We are letting them back into this. 27 minutes gone.
Zebs heads just over from a Todd cross.
At the other end McPhee beats Nicko on the left but his cross goes way past the far post and out for a throw-in.
Rice gets down well to save a shot from 20 yards from Bostwick, then gathers it at the second attempt. The ball goes straight to the other end and Phillips blasts high and wide from a decent position.
23 minutes gone and we're well on top. but nothing to show for it yet.
At the other end McPhee beats Nicko on the left but his cross goes way past the far post and out for a throw-in.
Rice gets down well to save a shot from 20 yards from Bostwick, then gathers it at the second attempt. The ball goes straight to the other end and Phillips blasts high and wide from a decent position.
23 minutes gone and we're well on top. but nothing to show for it yet.
Chris McPhee, once a Gull, gets a lecture for a poor challenge on Mansell, and Fleet skipper McCarthy gets a yellow card for a foul on Phillips.
You could say the stall has been set out early doors. There are going to be a few fouls today.
Fleet manager Liam Daish is suited and booted with an extravagant floral arrangement in his buttonhole. Bucks is track-suited.
Dsane volleys just wide after a knock-down by Sills.
Score in a minute, we're gonna score in a minute. Sing along....
Having said that, Stacy Long hits one over the bar as Fleet mount a rare raid, so they're still right in it.
Another foul, this time on Zebroski.
You could say the stall has been set out early doors. There are going to be a few fouls today.
Fleet manager Liam Daish is suited and booted with an extravagant floral arrangement in his buttonhole. Bucks is track-suited.
Dsane volleys just wide after a knock-down by Sills.
Score in a minute, we're gonna score in a minute. Sing along....
Having said that, Stacy Long hits one over the bar as Fleet mount a rare raid, so they're still right in it.
Another foul, this time on Zebroski.
Nicholson batters it from 25 yards and Cronin makes hard work of pushing it away for a corner.
Mansell puts Zebroski in behind the Fleet defence but Mr Atkinson stops play for a free kick when advantage would have done nicely.
Sills heads the free kick just wide.
We have started really well in this first seven minutes.
Mansell puts Zebroski in behind the Fleet defence but Mr Atkinson stops play for a free kick when advantage would have done nicely.
Sills heads the free kick just wide.
We have started really well in this first seven minutes.
Here come the teams, walking out of the tunnel on to the red carpet. The players appear to have their own kids with them as mascots, which is a nice touch.
The VIPs have met the teams, and we have the national anthem.
The last time Torquay heard the anthem was when we played Red Star Belgrade at Plainmoor.
The VIPs have met the teams, and we have the national anthem.
The last time Torquay heard the anthem was when we played Red Star Belgrade at Plainmoor.
There are familiar faces on the big screens as the camera pans round the bowl and Gilbert the Gull is out by the pitch. It's like home from home.
Referee is Premiership hotshot Martin Atkinson from the West Riding of Yorkshire. He had the Manchester United v Portsmouth FA Cup tie this year, apparently, but I have no more trivia about him.
Gilbert has embraced the Ebbsfleet pirate mascot. Either that or they just collided...
Referee is Premiership hotshot Martin Atkinson from the West Riding of Yorkshire. He had the Manchester United v Portsmouth FA Cup tie this year, apparently, but I have no more trivia about him.
Gilbert has embraced the Ebbsfleet pirate mascot. Either that or they just collided...
Gnocchi in a red wine and spinach sauce with a dressed rocket salad, that's what we've just had in the media lounge.
We've come a long way from pies and Bovril, have we not?
And luxury moisturiser in the gents'. Droylsden on a February Friday this is not.
Twenty minutes to go now, and the Gulls are in a huddle out in the middle.
Now they turn to salute the fans, who have turned one end of this amazing arena into a forest of yellow flags.
The internet nerds are saluting their lot now, waving their mouses and wrist rests in the air.
Not really, I am being a little unkind....
We've come a long way from pies and Bovril, have we not?
And luxury moisturiser in the gents'. Droylsden on a February Friday this is not.
Twenty minutes to go now, and the Gulls are in a huddle out in the middle.
Now they turn to salute the fans, who have turned one end of this amazing arena into a forest of yellow flags.
The internet nerds are saluting their lot now, waving their mouses and wrist rests in the air.
Not really, I am being a little unkind....
And at that very moment, the man from the FA arrives.
We have Rice in goal, as Rayner is ineligible. Mansell is at right back, Woods and Todd in the middle and Nicko, of course, on the left. It looks like Dsane or maybe Phillips on the right, Hargreaves and Adams in the centre and Zebs on the left, with Sills up front with whichever of the Dsane/Phillips duo doesn't play in midfield.
Hilly is on the bench, along with Hockers, Benyon, Stevens and Robertson. We have no sub keeper, so presumably Hilly would get the gloves in the event of a mishap. What a story that would be.
Ebbsfleet are Cronin, Hawkins, Opinel, Smith, McCarthy, Long, McPhee, Barrett, Moore, Akinde and Bostwick, with Mott, Macdonald, Eribenne, Ricketts and Purcell on the bench. Not sure how they will line up yet
We have Rice in goal, as Rayner is ineligible. Mansell is at right back, Woods and Todd in the middle and Nicko, of course, on the left. It looks like Dsane or maybe Phillips on the right, Hargreaves and Adams in the centre and Zebs on the left, with Sills up front with whichever of the Dsane/Phillips duo doesn't play in midfield.
Hilly is on the bench, along with Hockers, Benyon, Stevens and Robertson. We have no sub keeper, so presumably Hilly would get the gloves in the event of a mishap. What a story that would be.
Ebbsfleet are Cronin, Hawkins, Opinel, Smith, McCarthy, Long, McPhee, Barrett, Moore, Akinde and Bostwick, with Mott, Macdonald, Eribenne, Ricketts and Purcell on the bench. Not sure how they will line up yet
FA TROPHY FINAL - MAY 10 WEMBLEY STADIUM - GULLS V EBBSFLEET
Welcome to Wembley on a scorching London day.
This place is unbelievable, but it's going to be sweltering down there for the players.
Expect Brains to have the energy drinks on constant standby today!
The motorway has been choc-a-bloc with Gulls coaches, minibuses and cars today.
The concourse outside the stadium is full of fans mingling and singing. It's a great atmosphere, and feels like a real family final.
Martin Rice, Simon Rayner and Kenny Veysey are out on the pitch now going through some goalkeeping routines, and here come the rest of the Gulls squad.
The yellow-clad army of fans behind the goal gives them a huge reception.
The internet nerds.....sorry, Ebbsfleet fans, are less enthusiastic.
If you didn't know, Ebbsfleet are owned by an internet consortium with 30,000 members, who in theory pick the team. Hence the large attendance from the Fleet fans, many of whom won't have been outdoors for a while.
We'll have pictures on this blog very soon, so don't touch that dial. Back with the teams as soon as we have them.
This place is unbelievable, but it's going to be sweltering down there for the players.
Expect Brains to have the energy drinks on constant standby today!
The motorway has been choc-a-bloc with Gulls coaches, minibuses and cars today.
The concourse outside the stadium is full of fans mingling and singing. It's a great atmosphere, and feels like a real family final.
Martin Rice, Simon Rayner and Kenny Veysey are out on the pitch now going through some goalkeeping routines, and here come the rest of the Gulls squad.
The yellow-clad army of fans behind the goal gives them a huge reception.
The internet nerds.....sorry, Ebbsfleet fans, are less enthusiastic.
If you didn't know, Ebbsfleet are owned by an internet consortium with 30,000 members, who in theory pick the team. Hence the large attendance from the Fleet fans, many of whom won't have been outdoors for a while.
We'll have pictures on this blog very soon, so don't touch that dial. Back with the teams as soon as we have them.
Friday, 9 May 2008
JUST ONE MORE DAY TO GO!
- EIGHT-PAGE WEMBLEY SPECIAL IN FRIDAY'S HERALD EXPRESS
- BUCKS: 'THE NEW SEASON STARTS HERE'
- ATKINS BACKS THE GULLS
- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF THE BIG GAME
It's all in Friday's Herald Express and on http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
THE Herald Express, http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/ and this blog will be charting Torquay United’s trip to Wembley for the FA Trophy Final every step of the way, and you can join us right to the finish.
We will be covering the match as it happens with live online blogs here, and we can even keep you up to date with the latest scores on your mobile phone if you're out and about on Saturday.
Our reporters and photographers will be pitchside at Wembley before, during and after the match.
We will be reporting live on this website throughout the day, and you can post your comments.
You can also text us your comments and pictures throughout the match and afterwards, and we will publish as many as we can.
If you’re at Wembley, text us a message to send out on the web. You can even send us a mobile phone picture and we’ll put the best ones on the internet as well.
If you want us to keep you up to date with the scores direct to your mobile, you need to text ‘HE ALERT’, with a space between the HE and the ALERT, to 65100. The service costs 25p for each text you receive.
And if you’re going to Wembley, or just watching the match on TV, text your messages and pictures to ‘HE PIC’, again with a space between the HE and the PIC to 65100. This will cost your standard MMS rate.
Afterwards, get big match results and reaction on the website, then make sure of your copy of Monday’s Herald Express for pages of reports, stats, comment and pictures.
Don’t forget, for scores direct to your mobile, text ‘HE ALERT’ to 65100.
To send us a message or a picture, text ‘HE PIC’ and add your message to 65100.
We will be covering the match as it happens with live online blogs here, and we can even keep you up to date with the latest scores on your mobile phone if you're out and about on Saturday.
Our reporters and photographers will be pitchside at Wembley before, during and after the match.
We will be reporting live on this website throughout the day, and you can post your comments.
You can also text us your comments and pictures throughout the match and afterwards, and we will publish as many as we can.
If you’re at Wembley, text us a message to send out on the web. You can even send us a mobile phone picture and we’ll put the best ones on the internet as well.
If you want us to keep you up to date with the scores direct to your mobile, you need to text ‘HE ALERT’, with a space between the HE and the ALERT, to 65100. The service costs 25p for each text you receive.
And if you’re going to Wembley, or just watching the match on TV, text your messages and pictures to ‘HE PIC’, again with a space between the HE and the PIC to 65100. This will cost your standard MMS rate.
Afterwards, get big match results and reaction on the website, then make sure of your copy of Monday’s Herald Express for pages of reports, stats, comment and pictures.
Don’t forget, for scores direct to your mobile, text ‘HE ALERT’ to 65100.
To send us a message or a picture, text ‘HE PIC’ and add your message to 65100.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
- GULLS TO WARM UP IN WATFORD
- 35,000 FANS HEADING FOR THE FINAL
- HARGREAVES KNOWS FANS NEED A BIG LIFT
Full stories in Wednesday's Herald Express and on our website http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/.
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
- GULLS GLORY BID ENDS IN TEARS
- BUCKLE: 'I'M SHELL-SHOCKED'
- HILLY: 'I JUST FEEL NUMB'
All the news, views and reaction to the Exeter game in Tuesday's Herald Express and on http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/
Monday, 5 May 2008
Quotes
Colin Lee: "It has been a season in which every single person at the club has worked very, very hard to get us to this point. To be within 18 minutes of getting to the play-off final, it's difficult to swallow.
"Overall when we reflect on our season, it wasn't going to be easy, but the players, the management and everyone involved, from the chairman right through, has worked incredibly hard.
"As a club we are stronger now, and that's what makes this even worse, because we are ready to go back into the league. We're a far better club now than we were when we went out of the league.
"We have to regroup very quickly now, because we have a very important game next Saturday. The players will want to win it, and win it for the fans. It would be a tragedy if we didn't get something from the season.
"In football you've got to move on, and we now have to start planning for the next game. Fortunately that comes fairly quickly, and it's a big game for us."
Paul Buckle: "We're a bit shell-shocked, and we have to look at individual errors today.
"We made too many mistakes today, and we really gave them a leg-up.
"I'm disappointed, but when you reflect on this season there are so many good things to build on. The season started very well, and it's important now that we go to Wembley and win the FA Trophy."
More quotes, reports, stats, reaction and pictures in Tuesday's Herald Express and at www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk
Colin Lee: "It has been a season in which every single person at the club has worked very, very hard to get us to this point. To be within 18 minutes of getting to the play-off final, it's difficult to swallow.
"Overall when we reflect on our season, it wasn't going to be easy, but the players, the management and everyone involved, from the chairman right through, has worked incredibly hard.
"As a club we are stronger now, and that's what makes this even worse, because we are ready to go back into the league. We're a far better club now than we were when we went out of the league.
"We have to regroup very quickly now, because we have a very important game next Saturday. The players will want to win it, and win it for the fans. It would be a tragedy if we didn't get something from the season.
"In football you've got to move on, and we now have to start planning for the next game. Fortunately that comes fairly quickly, and it's a big game for us."
Paul Buckle: "We're a bit shell-shocked, and we have to look at individual errors today.
"We made too many mistakes today, and we really gave them a leg-up.
"I'm disappointed, but when you reflect on this season there are so many good things to build on. The season started very well, and it's important now that we go to Wembley and win the FA Trophy."
More quotes, reports, stats, reaction and pictures in Tuesday's Herald Express and at www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk
FINAL SCORE: GULLS 1 EXETER 4
Exeter deserved this, you have to say.
We made mistakes and they punished us.
It's another season in the Blue Square Premier for us, then.
The City fans have set off a smoke flare in the Babbacombe End and the celebrations are long and loud.
Our lads are walking off looking absolutely crushed.
We made mistakes and they punished us.
It's another season in the Blue Square Premier for us, then.
The City fans have set off a smoke flare in the Babbacombe End and the celebrations are long and loud.
Our lads are walking off looking absolutely crushed.
GULLS 1 EXETER 4 (agg 3-5)
Hilly is injured and Gulls players surround the ref asking for a penalty. He is having none of it, though.
Adams takes a free kick quickly, the rest of the team isn;t ready and Exeter intercept.
the ball is played down the right again and this time Carlisle receives it on the edge of the box. He steadies himself and scores with ease.
It's a debacle for the Gulls.
Adams takes a free kick quickly, the rest of the team isn;t ready and Exeter intercept.
the ball is played down the right again and this time Carlisle receives it on the edge of the box. He steadies himself and scores with ease.
It's a debacle for the Gulls.
GULLS 1 EXETER 3 (AGG 3-4)
89mins Logan
Logan heads in at the far post from a Carlisle cross. Exeter took a free kick quickly, spread the ball wide and swung in a tremendous cross.
Logan celebrates in front of the Exeter fans.
Todd is booked for dissent.
It's all going horribly wrong here, but there will be four added minutes. Time for a miracle?
Logan heads in at the far post from a Carlisle cross. Exeter took a free kick quickly, spread the ball wide and swung in a tremendous cross.
Logan celebrates in front of the Exeter fans.
Todd is booked for dissent.
It's all going horribly wrong here, but there will be four added minutes. Time for a miracle?
83 minutes gone, and Woodsy makes way for Roscoe Dsane. Now with Dsane on the right, Zebroski can push up alongside Phillips.
It's raining harder now.
Zebroski blasts one over from a decent position when he should have hit the target.
Match sponsors the Herald Express have voted Hilly the man of the match.
The tension is unbelievable now. One mistake and it's all over.
It's raining harder now.
Zebroski blasts one over from a decent position when he should have hit the target.
Match sponsors the Herald Express have voted Hilly the man of the match.
The tension is unbelievable now. One mistake and it's all over.
TORQUAY 1 EXETER 2 (AGG 3-3)
Exeter have a penalty!
Rayner fouls Logan as he comes out to gather a through ball in the 80th minute.
Watson takes it right footed and scores in the bottom right corner, sending Rayner the wrong way.
The Exeter fans go nuts, as well they might.
Rayner fouls Logan as he comes out to gather a through ball in the 80th minute.
Watson takes it right footed and scores in the bottom right corner, sending Rayner the wrong way.
The Exeter fans go nuts, as well they might.
Rayner fumbles a high cross after 73 minutes and Taylor swings at the loose ball. He fails to make contact from what should have been a goal-scoring position.
Mansell and Taylor both need treatment, but both are back on quickly.
Phillips is all alone up front now, with Zebroski withdrawn.
Carlisle shoots behind after out-pacing Nicholson.
There are 15 minutes to go, and it's all going to get a bit Keystone Kops now.
It's raining steadily, and we are all counting the seconds.
Mansell and Taylor both need treatment, but both are back on quickly.
Phillips is all alone up front now, with Zebroski withdrawn.
Carlisle shoots behind after out-pacing Nicholson.
There are 15 minutes to go, and it's all going to get a bit Keystone Kops now.
It's raining steadily, and we are all counting the seconds.
GULLS 1 EXETER 1 (AGG 3-2)
Harley 69 mins.
A great run by Edwards, all the way from midfield into the penalty area. He lays the ball back to Harley on the edge of the box and the City sub drives in a left-footed shot which gives Rayner no chance.
Good goal.
Bucks responds by taking off Sills and throwing Lee 'Raging Bull' Phillips into the fray.
A great run by Edwards, all the way from midfield into the penalty area. He lays the ball back to Harley on the edge of the box and the City sub drives in a left-footed shot which gives Rayner no chance.
Good goal.
Bucks responds by taking off Sills and throwing Lee 'Raging Bull' Phillips into the fray.
GULLS 1 EXETER 0 (AGG 3-1)
Hill 58 minutes - you couldn't make this up...
Sills rides three tackles on the right, finds Zebroski in the middle. Zebroski lays it off to Hilly and he drives it in left footed from 12 yards.
The place is going berserk.
It's a great goal, it's against Exeter in a play-off semi, and Hilly got it. It's Roy of the Rovers, and the cliche-o-meter lies in pieces on the floor...
Sills rides three tackles on the right, finds Zebroski in the middle. Zebroski lays it off to Hilly and he drives it in left footed from 12 yards.
The place is going berserk.
It's a great goal, it's against Exeter in a play-off semi, and Hilly got it. It's Roy of the Rovers, and the cliche-o-meter lies in pieces on the floor...
52 minutes, and Jones denies Sills. The Torquay striker sidefoots from 15 yards and Jones takes the sting off it before turning round and smothering it just short of the line.
It's our first effort on target.
At the risk of blowing up the cliche-o-meter here, this game is becoming stretched, and there will be more chances at both ends.
It's our first effort on target.
At the risk of blowing up the cliche-o-meter here, this game is becoming stretched, and there will be more chances at both ends.
Sills gets up for a header towards goal in the first minute, but it doesn't trouble Jones.
Harley sets up a chance for Edwards, but his left foot shot from 25 yards goes low and hard into the advertising boards just to the left of Rayner's goal.
Both sets of fans are doing their best to get behind their teams but the football hasn'tr really got going.
Now Mansell is in the book for a late lunge at Friend.
Harley sets up a chance for Edwards, but his left foot shot from 25 yards goes low and hard into the advertising boards just to the left of Rayner's goal.
Both sets of fans are doing their best to get behind their teams but the football hasn'tr really got going.
Now Mansell is in the book for a late lunge at Friend.
The attendance is 6,015, which is seven short of capacity.
Where are you, you seven? Cars broke down?
Dsane has gone into the dressing room,, leaving the rest of the subs out kicking balls around.
Does this signal a change for the Gulls?
Nope, no changes. Must have just been a call of nature.
But City have made a change, bringing on Ryan Harley for Cozic. Good player, Harley. This could be interesting. We're under way in the second half.
Where are you, you seven? Cars broke down?
Dsane has gone into the dressing room,, leaving the rest of the subs out kicking balls around.
Does this signal a change for the Gulls?
Nope, no changes. Must have just been a call of nature.
But City have made a change, bringing on Ryan Harley for Cozic. Good player, Harley. This could be interesting. We're under way in the second half.
Mr Uzzell's stats reveal we have seen just one effort on target this half, and that came from Exeter.
There have been 13 fouls, nine of them committed by the visitors.
The Torquay Boys Grammar School team is doing a lap of honour, having won the English Schools Under-16 Cup with a thrilling 5-4 victory at Manchester City's ground last week. They came back from 0-4 down, so if anyone deserves an ovation, it's them.
The fans are standing to applaud them.
There have been 13 fouls, nine of them committed by the visitors.
The Torquay Boys Grammar School team is doing a lap of honour, having won the English Schools Under-16 Cup with a thrilling 5-4 victory at Manchester City's ground last week. They came back from 0-4 down, so if anyone deserves an ovation, it's them.
The fans are standing to applaud them.
HALF-TIME GULLS 0 EXETER 0
There is just one minute of added time, and it passes without further drama, although there are a few angry words between the two camps as the teams leave the field.
It's all set for a big second half.
It's all set for a big second half.
How does Hilly do that? Steve Woods has just fired a free-kick down the left and I swear Hilly was already up in the air waiting for it when it arrived. He may be on wires hung from the Pop Side roof. It's the only explanation we can think of.
Now Edwards has felled Sills. That looks a nasty one and Mr Sarginson wants a word.
It's yellow for the City midfielder.
The foul count is mounting up and tempers are rising. The City fans, already leaving Tim Sills off their Christmas card list after previous incidents, are apoplectic.
Logan hits the deck under challenge from Todd, but it's a Torquay free kick.
Now Edwards has felled Sills. That looks a nasty one and Mr Sarginson wants a word.
It's yellow for the City midfielder.
The foul count is mounting up and tempers are rising. The City fans, already leaving Tim Sills off their Christmas card list after previous incidents, are apoplectic.
Logan hits the deck under challenge from Todd, but it's a Torquay free kick.
Free kick to Torquay 30 yards out. Will nicko have a go? No, it's a cross Hilly who wins it, of course, but Exeter clear the danger.
Seaborne and Taylor are doing really well back there for the Grecians, the latter sporting a substantial Band-Aid on his forehead from another busy night on Thursday.
George Friend is sent to the touchline to change his shorts for reasons which escape us. Two changes of shorts in one half could get us reaching for those record books.
Mr Sarginson lectures Hilly for a robust aerial challenge, and Rayner gathers a high ball into the box with a confidence that makes the Pop Side purr.
Steve Tully incurs the wrath of the ref for a foul on Hilly, and gets the game's first yellow card. A bit harsh, that.
Seaborne and Taylor are doing really well back there for the Grecians, the latter sporting a substantial Band-Aid on his forehead from another busy night on Thursday.
George Friend is sent to the touchline to change his shorts for reasons which escape us. Two changes of shorts in one half could get us reaching for those record books.
Mr Sarginson lectures Hilly for a robust aerial challenge, and Rayner gathers a high ball into the box with a confidence that makes the Pop Side purr.
Steve Tully incurs the wrath of the ref for a foul on Hilly, and gets the game's first yellow card. A bit harsh, that.
We're not really putting City under any pressure at the moment. We are letting them have a lot of the ball, just like we did on Thursday.
But so far we are dealing well with their final ball. It's risky, though. We need a goal.
Seaborne fouls Zebroski but we can't make a chance from the free kick.
But Zebroski harries Friend into a mistake and we have a corner in the 27th minute. Todd heads over the bar.
Now it's a City corner as Sills glances the ball behind. A shocking first touch by Stansfield sends the ball behind and the danger passes.
But so far we are dealing well with their final ball. It's risky, though. We need a goal.
Seaborne fouls Zebroski but we can't make a chance from the free kick.
But Zebroski harries Friend into a mistake and we have a corner in the 27th minute. Todd heads over the bar.
Now it's a City corner as Sills glances the ball behind. A shocking first touch by Stansfield sends the ball behind and the danger passes.
Lee Mansell clears off the line from a Matt Taylor header. That one looked in all the way and it was an amazing clearance after 16 minutes.
Moxey got Mansell's boot in his face for his troubles as he went in bravely for the header.
Looks like a bang on the nose and he's off for treatment.
In fact he needs a new shirt and shorts because of the blood, and he's now wearing number 39.
Moxey got Mansell's boot in his face for his troubles as he went in bravely for the header.
Looks like a bang on the nose and he's off for treatment.
In fact he needs a new shirt and shorts because of the blood, and he's now wearing number 39.
Jones' first touch is a back-pass which he hoofs out into Marnham Road. The home fans love that!
Logan, Stansfield and Moxey link up for a sweeping City attack, but Hilly's head cuts out the danger.
It looks as if Moxey is going to push up for City making them 4-3-3.
Moxey trips Adams, and Mr Sarginson has a quick word. He may have a busy afternoon.
Moxey is everywhere, and a driven cross from the left is flicked over the top by Robertson for a City corner.
It's 100mph stuff, just as everyone expected.
Logan, Stansfield and Moxey link up for a sweeping City attack, but Hilly's head cuts out the danger.
It looks as if Moxey is going to push up for City making them 4-3-3.
Moxey trips Adams, and Mr Sarginson has a quick word. He may have a busy afternoon.
Moxey is everywhere, and a driven cross from the left is flicked over the top by Robertson for a City corner.
It's 100mph stuff, just as everyone expected.
It's appearance number 473 for Hilly today, equalling the record held by Dennis Lewis.
The stage is set for a big one for him today.
Referee today is Chris Sarginson of Staffordshire, but unlike Thursday's ref who was the editor of the Nursing Times, I have no trivia about this bloke yet. Give me a minute...
The stage is set for a big one for him today.
Referee today is Chris Sarginson of Staffordshire, but unlike Thursday's ref who was the editor of the Nursing Times, I have no trivia about this bloke yet. Give me a minute...
Team sheets are here.
Hilly starts, and Lee Phillips is on the bench. So much for our wise predictions.
It looks as if we will be Rayner in goal, Mansell and Nicko as full backs; Woods, Robertson and Todd in the centre and Hargreaves, Adams and Hill in the midfield. That leaves Sills and Zebroski up front, but we will have to wait and see. The bench comprises Phillips, Hockers, Stevens, Dsane and Rice.
Logan is indeed in the Exeter line-up, but there are changes aplenty there, too.
Jones keeps his place in goal despite Thursday's howler, and the back four will be Tully, Seaborne, Taylor and Friend, with Berti Cozic coming in on the right of midfield, Gill and Edwards in the engine room and Dean Moxey on the left. It's Logan and Stansfield up front.
On the Grecians bench are Marriott, Carlisle, Elam, Harley and Watson.
Hilly starts, and Lee Phillips is on the bench. So much for our wise predictions.
It looks as if we will be Rayner in goal, Mansell and Nicko as full backs; Woods, Robertson and Todd in the centre and Hargreaves, Adams and Hill in the midfield. That leaves Sills and Zebroski up front, but we will have to wait and see. The bench comprises Phillips, Hockers, Stevens, Dsane and Rice.
Logan is indeed in the Exeter line-up, but there are changes aplenty there, too.
Jones keeps his place in goal despite Thursday's howler, and the back four will be Tully, Seaborne, Taylor and Friend, with Berti Cozic coming in on the right of midfield, Gill and Edwards in the engine room and Dean Moxey on the left. It's Logan and Stansfield up front.
On the Grecians bench are Marriott, Carlisle, Elam, Harley and Watson.
Darren Mullings is the centre-fold pin-up today in the new-look upright programme, but it doesn't look as if he has a part to play as he is out on the pitch with a cricket sweater on. Maybe he's off up to Barton for a knock later.
Bucks is getting some good-natured stick from the home fans for wearing a red top on the pitch for the warm-up. The boss looks relaxed and that's a good sign.
Plenty of noise now as the Gulls come out for the warm-up.
The only one out there who wasn't involved on Thursday appears to be Hockers, so he may be getting a place on the bench.
Bucks is getting some good-natured stick from the home fans for wearing a red top on the pitch for the warm-up. The boss looks relaxed and that's a good sign.
Plenty of noise now as the Gulls come out for the warm-up.
The only one out there who wasn't involved on Thursday appears to be Hockers, so he may be getting a place on the bench.
Leroy Rosenior is here, presumably working for TV/radio.
Talking of TV, Dave Thomas, the pride of the Herald Express, is about to go live on Setanta. We wondered why he had his best suit on.
The Marnham Road gates are open and the Pop Side is beginning to fill. The Exeter fans are doing their bit at the away end as well.
Talking of TV, Dave Thomas, the pride of the Herald Express, is about to go live on Setanta. We wondered why he had his best suit on.
The Marnham Road gates are open and the Pop Side is beginning to fill. The Exeter fans are doing their bit at the away end as well.
And the Plainmoor gates are open, with the fans making their way in.
Exeter's players have been out for a look at the pitch, and the match officials are having a prod at the turf now.
Yellow balloons are everywhere, and it's a proper occasion.
Shame they didn't think of painting the seafront balloon yellow for the next week or so. Anyone want to form a working party with a pot of paint?
Exeter's players have been out for a look at the pitch, and the match officials are having a prod at the turf now.
Yellow balloons are everywhere, and it's a proper occasion.
Shame they didn't think of painting the seafront balloon yellow for the next week or so. Anyone want to form a working party with a pot of paint?
MATCH DAY - GULLS V EXETER
Second leg day, and it's a sunny one down on the English Riviera.
The big question is, what will the two managers do after Thursday's tactical showdown?
Will Bucks go back to 4-4-2, with quicksilver Danny Stevens coming in? Will Tisdale give Adam Stansfield some company up front and play Richard Logan from the start this time?
I reckon so, but then I had Villa to beat Wigan on Saturday, so what do I know?
Join me from Plainmoor for live coverage of the match. Leave your comments and let me know where in the world you are logging in.
Second leg day, and it's a sunny one down on the English Riviera.
The big question is, what will the two managers do after Thursday's tactical showdown?
Will Bucks go back to 4-4-2, with quicksilver Danny Stevens coming in? Will Tisdale give Adam Stansfield some company up front and play Richard Logan from the start this time?
I reckon so, but then I had Villa to beat Wigan on Saturday, so what do I know?
Join me from Plainmoor for live coverage of the match. Leave your comments and let me know where in the world you are logging in.
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