sam
TFF member
Posts: 341
|
Post by sam on May 5, 2009 16:35:34 GMT
The game at Wembley on 17th May must rank as the biggest game in our history. The only game I can think in comparison is the Crewe Alexandra 'Bryn the Dog' game. That game meant maintaining our league status - we needed to win, not draw if my memory serves me right. I can't think of any other 'last games of the season' where we had to win to be in the football league proper. Ok there were promotions and play offs, minor cups at Wembley, but this game dwarfs them all. The Exeter game last year came close but a draw would have been OK. This is it folks, perhaps the biggest game as far as importance is concerned in Torquay Uniteds history. As mentioned in the two Histon match reports I feel very confident about all of this but the cause would be helped by all fans galvanising as much support as possible. We need a huge turn out, absolutely huge. We have to get out of this league and this is our best opportunity. I am going to get as many people from the South Hams/Totnes area to go, banging on about what a good day out it will be. You may miss certain matches but don't miss this one, this is too important and one of those occasions that you really do want to say you were there.
|
|
|
|
Post by jaildodgergull on May 5, 2009 18:42:47 GMT
Absolutely right Sam
Everybody remember this is important - leave your lobsters, sharks, dolphins, starfish, fluffy balls etc. at home.
It's not carnival time
This is not a day to become second - we have to get out of this piss poor league
Remember Colchester @ Wembley & the horrible feeling we all experienced that day!
|
|
|
|
Post by Budleigh on May 5, 2009 18:44:17 GMT
The Barnet away game comes close...
|
|
|
|
Post by crooky on May 5, 2009 21:47:38 GMT
The game at Wembley on 17th May must rank as the biggest game in our history. The only game I can think in comparison is the Crewe Alexandra 'Bryn the Dog' game. That game meant maintaining our league status - we needed to win, not draw if my memory serves me right. I can't think of any other 'last games of the season' where we had to win to be in the football league proper. Ok there were promotions and play offs, minor cups at Wembley, but this game dwarfs them all. The Exeter game last year came close but a draw would have been OK. This is it folks, perhaps the biggest game as far as importance is concerned in Torquay Uniteds history. As mentioned in the two Histon match reports I feel very confident about all of this but the cause would be helped by all fans galvanising as much support as possible. We need a huge turn out, absolutely huge. We have to get out of this league and this is our best opportunity. I am going to get as many people from the South Hams/Totnes area to go, banging on about what a good day out it will be. You may miss certain matches but don't miss this one, this is too important and one of those occasions that you really do want to say you were there. Keep us posted on your recruitment progress Sam. Given ticket prices it will interesting to know just how many you have persuaded to go. |
|
|
|
Post by kevgull on May 6, 2009 19:51:38 GMT
I like fairness however lifes not like that.
Burton finish top and rightly get promoted. Cambridge finish 2nd two years running and find themselves in yet another scrap for that elusive play off promotion spot.
I disagree with a playoff spot, especially as there is only one automatic place available.
We finished 4th and after a further 2 games we have a free shot at clinching promotion. If we were to lose I will be gutted however I will look back and think that finishing 2nd for a 2nd time is the right result.
If we were to win the play off final I would consider ourselves very fortunate and remind Cambridge to finish 4th next year!
|
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on May 6, 2009 21:03:15 GMT
Burton finish top and rightly get promoted. Cambridge finish 2nd two years running and find themselves in yet another scrap for that elusive play off promotion spot. I disagree with a playoff spot, especially as there is only one automatic place available. We finished 4th and after a further 2 games we have a free shot at clinching promotion. If we were to win the play off final I would consider ourselves very fortunate and remind Cambridge to finish 4th next year!  Not that old bollocks again! Look, we all know that failing to finish top is failure to win outright promotion. We all know that finishing second is no better than finishing third fourth or fifth as all it does is put us into a knock out competition. We know that, Cambridge know that and YOU know that. Play offs and the chance to reach them keeps the season alive for so many more clubs than the chance to finish second, that's why we have them. I won't be feeling sorry for Cambridge if we beat them and I won't be seeking for any sympathy from them if we lose. |
|
midlandstufc
TFF member
Posts: 945
Favourite Player: Dawkins lol
|
Post by midlandstufc on May 6, 2009 21:21:31 GMT
So you coming to the game or not Merse?
I'll buy you a pint to wash down the shit knob marketing of the this league and its affect on OUR club for you.
C'mon you yellows and c'mon Dave R and this forum!
|
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on May 7, 2009 3:23:52 GMT
So you coming to the game or not Merse? I'll buy you a pint to wash down the shit knob marketing of the this league and its affect on OUR club for you. Hopefully I'll get what I am aiming for this morning and that is to be able to select which block I sit in in which case........................yes I would walk there to see OUR side win this match and I have been known to walk to a pub or two in my time!  |
|
sam
TFF member
Posts: 341
|
Post by sam on May 7, 2009 9:40:32 GMT
Just for the record. I have checked the programmes for the Barnet 2001 game and the Crewe 1987 game. For Barnet, a draw would have been OK. For the Crewe game we only drew but still stayed up although a win would have put our safety beyond doubt. As it was we had to rely on other results to make sure our draw was enough. So, unless Jon or Barton or any others can think of any other time, this is, for me THE most important game in Torquays history where we have to WIN to be in the Football League.
|
|
|
|
Post by Budleigh on May 7, 2009 11:36:34 GMT
Mmm... but we don't actually have to win the game... A draw would see us through to penalties, the outcome having nothing to do with the game played.
|
|
sam
TFF member
Posts: 341
|
Post by sam on May 7, 2009 13:42:23 GMT
Budleigh, I disagree. A win is a win. A draw cannot happen. Man U won the Champions League last season on penalties, they were the winners. The game is played until a winner is found and penalties are part of the game. If we put the ball over the line more times then they do whether in 90, 120 or 120mins + pens then its a win. Torquay United have to win. After the abysmal penalty taking at the Salisbury game I hope they are practising. The team are employed to win and irrespective of the venue, the cost, the problems getting there etc I just want them to win one more game this season. I want them to do what they are employed to do. This is the most important game to win in the clubs history - bar none - as their league status depends upon it. Going to Wembley will not be an enjoyable time unless we win. The match could take place anywhere in the world and I still wouldn't enjoy it unless the result was right. I am not interested in whether it is a good game, a clean game, entertainment at half time, pre-match, all that crap, its about winning. For me, a hardcore supporter for 47 years, losing would be a disaster. I couldnt give a toss about the trip to Wembley. 14th April 2007 remains the blackest day in our history when we were relegated out of the league and this is our best chance to get back. I feel quite strongly about this.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 7, 2009 20:21:46 GMT
Just for the record. I have checked the programmes for the Barnet 2001 game and the Crewe 1987 game. For Barnet, a draw would have been OK. For the Crewe game we only drew but still stayed up although a win would have put our safety beyond doubt. As it was we had to rely on other results to make sure our draw was enough. So, unless Jon or Barton or any others can think of any other time, this is, for me THE most important game in Torquays history where we have to WIN to be in the Football League. I'm sure you're right, Sam. Now to change tack a little. For three seasons on the trot - 03/04; 04/05; 05/06 - we really had to win our 42nd, 43rd and 44th games of the season to keep our hopes alive. Here's how we did: 03/04 - promotion season: 42. Oxford United H W 3-0
43. Doncaster Rovers H W 1-0
44. Cheltenham Town A W 3-1 45. Kidderminster Harriers H D 1-1 46. Southend United A W 2-1 04/05 - relegation from Lge 1: 42. Milton Keynes Dons H W 1-0
43. Port Vale H W 1-0
44. Oldham Athletic A W 2-1 45. Blackpool H W 2-0 46. Colchester United A L 1-2 05/06 - the Atkins escape: 42. Macclesfield Town A W 2-0
43. Wrexham H W 1-0
44. Stockport County H W 4-045. Carlisle United A W 2-1 46. Boston United H D 0-0 Here's the table from 05/06 with just a few games to go: 20 Bury 42/47 21 Stockport County 41/47 22 Barnet 41/45 23 Rushden & Diamonds 42/45 24 Torquay United 41/39 And how it finished: 20 Torquay United 46/52 21 Notts. County 46/52 22 Stockport County 46/52 23 Oxford United 46/49 24 Rushden & Diamonds 46/45 |
|
sam
TFF member
Posts: 341
|
Post by sam on May 7, 2009 20:47:12 GMT
Thanks Barton. I am sure you will concur that this game is singularly the most important in the clubs history as a win determines our league status for season 2009/10. Interestingly, the Atkins saga was incredible with the Carlisle game being one of the most exciting and nerve racking I think I have ever seen. For the Boston game at home the following wqeek, some idiotic friend of my wifes got married during the football season - and she was 25 minutes late turning up at Wembury church which scotched me getting away for the second half. My mate was texting me with the scores during the reception speeches and a woman (probably at my wifes bidding) stabbed me in the leg with a fork leaving four prong marks. The things I do for Torquay.
|
|
|
|
Post by stargull on May 7, 2009 20:57:41 GMT
No question that this game is important, but I'd put the Colchester one up there too. I remember trying to explain to a newish Torquay fan on the way home quite how bad relegation was going to be; had we won I think we might have found a stable home in League 1, after our defeat I could only see battles with relegation from the league to come, and so it proved. The consequence of defeat was 'only' relegation to League 2, but the prize for victory could have been so much more.
|
|
|
|
Post by capitalgull on May 7, 2009 21:50:06 GMT
Well, I was looking for a good place to put this, but the big one tonight saw Hayes & Yeading secure a place in the Blue Square Premier for next season after a quite extraordinary 3-2 win over Hampton & Richmond at the latter's tiny Beveree Stadium.
A vociferous support from Hayes made the short trip across Middlesex and were cheering a goal inside the first five minutes when Hampton's defence somehow allowed a cross to bobble all the way across the area and allow Steve Gregory the easiest task of tapping home.
With a strong wind behind, Hayes should probably have scored a couple more goals, hitting the bar through Fitzgerald again and going close with a Will Hendry free-kick.
The second half started well for the home side as they equalised within a couple of minutes of getting the advantage of the wind themselves - Shaun McAuley's volley squirming under the body of visiting keeper Delroy Preddie, the first of a series of goalkeeping calamities that would decide the result.
Hampton then took the lead about 20 minutes from time when Preddie made a complete hash of a clearance and gave Ian Hodges the chance just to roll the ball into an empty net.
The lead, though lasted just two minutes as Gregory netted his second of the game...most likely an attempted cross which caught a big gust of wind and left Beavers keeper Matt Lovett stranded...much to the delight of the brilliant travelling support behind the goal, who had derided not only his lack of height, but his ample stomach throughout the second half.
It would get worse for Lovett two minutes later as well as Gregory completed a stunning hat-trick (only in terms of it's timing) with a scuffed 20-yard shot that found some kind of gap in Lovett's portly frame to land in the back of the net.
Lovett's night ended early as well, as just into the start of injury time he was sent off for scything down the very dangerous Dale Binns over on the touchline. A straight red to add to a 35-day Middlesex County FA ban he picked up in the Middlesex Senior Cup recently...not his best month I'd say.
All over and queue joyous celebrations for Hayes fans, who had been absolutely superb throughout, making really the only noise of the night with Hampton's fans (as ever) very subdued. The kick off had been delayed to get all of the 2,100 crowd in, but from the Beavers point of view it was repeat disappointment after the defeat by Eastbourne in last year's final. Tough to say where they will go from here, although I thought that last season as well and they came back to repeat their play-off final appearance.
Best chants of the night go to Hayes, for these couple of beauties.
'You're posh and you know you are'
'Does your butler know you're here'
and the winner
'3-2 to the working class'
Well done to Hayes & Yeading and here's hoping we don't get the joy of visiting Church Road next season, because the rest of the chanting was rather of the chavvy and horrible variety, reminiscent of Merse, Buts, Romford's and my previous visit there to watch Dover!!!
|
|
