Hello friends and welcome to another Torquay update. It was a public holiday in Canada on Monday which gave me a few hours to play!
First up and by request from Ravenie is the profile of Jake Thomson.
Our first game of the month was against Bury which proved to be one of the toughest games so far with Bury causing us all kinds of problems. However we held firm and got the only goal of the game through Chris Zebroski whose fantastic run down the right side ended with him cutting inside and hammering the ball into the old onion bag. Great individual effort but overall it was a disappointing team performance.
Next up was Bournemouth at the Plainmoor Stadium in Second Round JPT action. The visitors were odds on favorites so I decided not to employ my usual attacking strategy but adopt a more cautious style of play. Within 10 minutes of the start this paid off as Barrowman found acres of space between the Bournemouth back four and easily placed home a through ball from Falkingham. Barrowman got his second just before the interval heading in from a curling Levi Porter cross to kill the game off and put us through to the quarter-finals.
After the Bournemouth game was over I decided to take advantage of some short term loan signings from our parent club Arsenal. We had established the link earlier in the season but had been unable to take on any long term loans due to a full quota already in the squad whose contracts I was reluctant to terminate. I’ll add their profiles at the end of the post.
We were at home again for the following game against third place Morecambe and 17 year old Arsenal striker Luke Freeman made an impressive debut setting up Zebroski in the 17 th minute and scoring himself just before half time after Morecambe had made an instant reply to our earlier goal. Another brilliant run by Freeman teeded up Barrowman to neatly strike into the net. Defender Chris Robertson then completed the rout by heading in from a corner 3 minutes from time.
Next up was a trip to Meadow Lane to take on Notts County. We got off to a great start with Wayne Carlisle putting us ahead after only six minutes and Luke Freeman providing the assist. However, we were unable to build on the early advantage and although had the greater possession we once again relied on the goalkeeping abilities of Michael Poke to keep us in front and secure another three points.
The next game was away from home also against 17th place Lincoln though once the game got underway they played more like title contenders. Elliot Benyon managed to break the deadlock just before the interval running onto a fine pass from Hooks but after the break Lincoln hit us with a double strike that sent us reeling and they continued to torment the back four. Danijel Subotic spared our blushes with a fine individual effort though the home side deserved a win having a total of nineteen shots to our measly four. So the 100% record has finally gone and hopefully this won’t be a start of a trend.
Our return to Plainmoor Stadium signalled a return to winning ways as we entertained the home fans with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Northampton. Danjiel Subotic got us off to the perfect start with an early goal heading in from a rare cross by right back Craig Eastmond. Six minutes later we doubled the lead as Falkingham who went on to give a commanding performance found Benyon for an easy tap in. Robertson added the third with a powerful header in from a corner and captain Nicky Wroe twice hit the bar before half time. We were never under any real pressure from the visitors and so the three first half goals was enough to give us all three points.
League Table
So despite losing the 100% record we remained top and have quite the lead over the chasing pack which I hope will continue as we head toward the end of the year. As mentioned earlier here are the profiles of two short term loans that I picked up from Arsenal.
I think they are both pretty useful and seem to be doing well thus far.
We start next month with a couple of cup games and then have a top of the table clash with Rotherham which should be intersting.
As always, thanks for reading.
Sears
3 августа, 2010 at 17:45
Hi Kevin, that was a wonderful month. You’ve built a large gap at the top and I don’t think anyone is going to catch up to your team. Goodluck!
Laxeyman
3 августа, 2010 at 17:58
Hi Kevin, another good month, well done. If you can keep up form like that over the coming months you’ll be very close to the title. As always good luck for next month, hopefully you can continue to dominate League 2.
Johnny Karp
3 августа, 2010 at 19:09
Great going Kevin, the season is as good as over. I tried to get those two on loan from Arsenal too but they didn’t want to wear the Dorchester Town shirt for some reason :) Well done on beating Notts County at Meadow Lane, that isn’t easy :)
Kevin Mayo
3 августа, 2010 at 19:14
Hi Sears
Thanks for your comment. I hope no one does catch me :)
@ Laxeyman
I hope this form does continue but at some point I’m going to come a cropper for sure which will be in Aprill with a bit of luck :)
Kevin Mayo
3 августа, 2010 at 19:17
Hi Johnny
Glad to see we are thinking the same way. That’s reassuring for me at least. The Notts Co game was a real nail biter, I was pacing up an down in front of the PC. By the way Carolan is superb!
Darren Smith
3 августа, 2010 at 21:29
Well done Kevin! 14 points ahead at the top, what an achievment. You must be confident in your sides title asperations now. Freeman should be handy upfront for you and add some extra firepower. Your not far into the season but I am sure you’ll be playing League One football next season.
Keep up the great work Kevin
Kevin
3 августа, 2010 at 21:49
Hi Darren
Thanks a lot mate. Freeman is just wonderful though I only wish I had him for the whole season!
ravenie
4 августа, 2010 at 11:07
Jake can only get better and so can your team, looking forward to see Helen Chamberlain up front next season :)
Kevin
4 августа, 2010 at 12:46
Hi Ravenie
I had to look up who Helen Chamberlain was and I will do my best to sign her :) I wish we had Sky Sports in Canada!
Lye
4 августа, 2010 at 13:55
Hi Kevin, wonderful season so far. What a massive gap you have got! No doubt Torquay is going to get promoted this season. Though its not 100% record but you are still unbeaten in 15 games. Good job.
Kevin
4 августа, 2010 at 13:57
Hi Lye
Thanks for the praises.If I can keep this up another copule of months then you maybe right about promotion.
Ana Garcia
5 августа, 2010 at 12:08
Wow, what a start!!
Top already with a good lead if you can keep your recent run up than nobody will be able to catch you!!
Good luck!
Kevin
5 августа, 2010 at 13:01
Hi Ana
I know it’s incredible. I still can’t beleive it!