Torquay United: September 2009

Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of my Torquay story.

After a great start to the season I was given the Manager of the Month Award which I wouldn’t normally show but the excitement got the better of me!

The first game of the month was a JPT First Round clash at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol. The home side took an early lead off a deflected free kick after just 4 minutes. They continued the assault on our goal but the rigid/standard tactic we had decided upon was for the most part holding well. After soaking up the pressure an intelligent pass from Falkingham allowed Elliot Benyon to slip pass the defense and find space for the equalizer just on the half hour. Rovers continued to dominated but a superb run and cross by Jake Thomson found the head of Eunan O’Kane and we were ahead on the hour. Some superb defending by Ryan Carolan ensured the victory and a place in the next round

After the unexpected victory in the JPT we were back to league action at home to Bournemouth. The visitors caught us napping on their very first attack of the game and thus took an early lead. Forward Elliot Benyon then stepped up his game producing a magnificent  performance that bagged him a hat-trick by half time. Bournemouth though were not disheartened and kept pushing forward and pulled a goal back from a corner in the 73^rd minute. A triple substitution brought in some fresh legs that produced a fourth goal for us by 16 year old striker Ray Spear who had come on for Benyon.

The following game saw us travel north to Rochdale who were tipped as strong favorites to take the match. Once again we ended up chasing the game after Rochdale took the lead but inform striker Benyon put us back on track with a superb turn and strike into the roof of the net which took us into half time all square. After the interval the game turned into a midfield battle of wills until a through ball by Nick Wroe split the Rochadle defence and Wayne Carlisle at full stretch just got his toe on the ball to slide it into the net for the winning goal and another three points.

We were back at Plaimoor for our next game but our performance was very lack lustre and not as polished as previous games with Elliot Benyon getting the only goal of the match after a string of clean cut passes ended up in the box for him to slot home after 11 minutes. Another decent performance by Michael Poke resulted in a clean sheet though Grimsby at least deserved a draw.

Next up was away to Macclesfield who were in second place so this was an important top of the table clash early in the season. The first half was very even with very few chances being created and midfielder Shane Hooks had to be substituted at half time to avoid him getting sent off. A quick word in the ear of Daniel Subotic at the interval paid dividends as he slipped his marker on a set piece to tap in the opening goal. Wayne Carlisle added the second running on to a Nicky Wroe through ball and he got another when his wayward cross ended up in the back of the net to complete the victory.

The final game of the month saw us play hosts to Aldershot.Prior to the game the news came through that winger Jake Thomson (back up for Carlisle) had broken his leg whilst on U20’s duty for England and so I’ll be looking for a short term replacement. Club captain Nicky Wroe got things moving once the game kicked off and found Subotic for the opening goal after just 9 minutes and although we pressed hard we couldn’t find a second. Alderhot didn’t give us much trouble until the second half after we found ouselves down to 10 men with Carolan sent off and Shane Hooks injured in the same play. We played on the counter after the interval but a switch to a more balanced approach produced another goal by Barrowman 8 minutes from time and so we remained unbeaten for September as well.

League Table

Although Wayne Carlisle was our top rated player yet again club captain Nicky Wroe was a close second and here’s his profile.

October Fixtures

So that’s it for another month and I still can’t believe we have a 100% record in the league. It’s just incredible the way the team is playing.

Thanks for reading.