Torquay United: End of Season

Hello friends. So, I was  faced with the choice yesterday of doing «that report» for work or finishing the season off. No brainer…so let’s get on with it :)

The first game of our race for a play of spot was away to Rochdale. After a very uneventful first half I decided to give the players a little bit more freedom and this resulted in some good chances that culminated in a goal by Wiktorski who headed in from a corner after 51 minutes. James Chambers had two free kicks that both hit the woodwork before Rochdale equalized through a fluke own goal as the ball bounced off the post onto the back of goalkeeper Michael Poke and into the net. This inspired Rochdale to come forward more and a long range shot deflected off Josh Payne for a second own goal and cost us the game!

The folowing game was at home to Stockport and we desperately needed to get three points. Andrew Barrowman and Jason Demetriou were back in the team and on the subs bench. Defender Mark Ellis headed in the opening goal after 10 minutes which capped some good early pressure but we began to sit back and allow Stockport the run of the park and they pulled one back with some slick passing and a good finish. A run by Steve Irwin down the right side  ended in a low drive that was met first time by Frank Wiafe Danquah whom I’d picked up at the end of the free player transfer window and gave us the lead at the interval. Stockport though again found the equalizer just after the hour mark in similar style to their first at which point Barrowman and Demetriou were brought on. As the game drew to an inevitable draw a clearance by Wiktorski was swept on by Guidetti whoose ball split the Stockport defence and there was Barrowman to fire home the winning goal for the three points we were looking for.

Three days later we faced Swansea at home and I was forced to make a few changes due to fatigue. I decided to employ a more controlled tactic as it was noted Swansa performed well against  a 4-4-2. After soaking up some early pressure our first real chance of the game paid off as Shane Hook’s defence splitting through ball found Banan on the left side of the penalty area and he neatly placed it home. That upper hand gave us more confidence until a long range effort resulted in an equalizer for Swansea just before the interval. The second half produced more chances for Swansea but it was Barrowman who came on just after the hour and struck again firing in from a Steve Irwin cross to give us the lead. Wiktorski had a header clered off the line in the dying minutes but we held on for the victory.

The following game we travelled along the coast to face league leaders Southampton and we were sure  that they would not sucumb to us as easily as they did before. In fact it only took them 12 minutes to take the lead and after a barrage of shots led to one finally going in. The onslauhgt continued but Scott Bevan was playing the game of his life in goal and up the other end Guidetti fashioned two good chances for himself but both ended in weak finishes. He eventually got one into the net on the stroke of half time linking up well with Frank Wiafe Danquah . Guidetti then gave us the lead in the 65^th minute striking home a through ball from Nicky Wroe but 10 minutes later a lapse in our defending allowed the home side the equalizer. Both sides created last minute chances but in the end it was honors even.

We returned home for our next match which was a crucil encouter with Millwall who were one place above us in the table. After an exciing opening 30 minutes  a counter attack by by Frank Wiafe Danquah who ran about 60 yards before rolling back the ball into the path of Nicky Wroe whose shot flew into the top cormer of the net. Millwall immediately lauched an offensive strike but GK Scott Bevan was up to the task pulling off two reaction saves. After the interval we began to control the game more and Guidetti had a great opportunity but his shot hit the inside of the post and rolled harmlessly away. It was Wiktorski who doubled our lead heading in from a corner after 77 minutes and Barrowman converted from the spot after Irwin was tripped running into the box. It was a great team effort and a masive victory.

Standings with two games left

Next up was away to Gillingham and we were missing John Guidetti who was injured in training 48 hours before the kick off. Andrew Barrowman who was almost fully fit converted from the spot early on for the second time in two games after in infringement following a corner. Gillingham hit back almost immediately due to some poor defending by Eckersley who would later be substituted. Wiafe Danquah put as back in the lead with a spectacular run from the half way line and he kept his head to cooly put the ball past the keeper. The home side equalized on the stroke of half time so there was still everything to play for as we started the second half. Unfortunately we were never able to capitalize on our chances and the game ended in a draw. After the final whistle the news come through that Hartlepool had lost at home to Colchester and so we were in the play-offs!

The final game of the season was at home to MK Dons and I decided to sacrifice points for fitness and  sent out mostly reserves as we were already in the play offs. We were totally outplayed and suffered our worst defeat of the season!

Results at a glance

Final League Table

So there we have it. Torquay are in the play offs and will face Millwall in the Semi Final who we recently beat in league action. Championship football awaits us but can we get there?

I was too tired after the regular season was done and decided to stop there so as to be fully alert later today or tomorrow to play the semi final games.

Thanks for reading.