Rushden v Torquay United 12th October 2008

One of the best match reports in a long time.

I'd like to echo the positive comments about yesterdays game. A quality performance in the back garden of a fancied side.

We started off in a similar manner to the first 20 minutes or so against Oxford - only this time we turned our pressure into a comfortable lead. We maybe should have had more as Rushden simply had no clue how to defend balls into their box, particularly Nicholson's long throws. Bevan was called upon as Rushden put a fair few crosses into our box as Rushden woke up for the last fifteen minutes of the first half - once again he looked solid. They had a reasonable claim for hand ball as one of our defenders hurled himself to deflect a shot - the arm was stuck out, but it was a bit ball to hand. It kind of demonstrated the spirit in the camp at the moment as I thought every player oozed commitment to the cause. The rest of the game was rather like the away game at Stevenage towards the end of last season. You are never totally comfortable as a Gulls fans, but there was a clear difference in class and we probably looked the more likelier team to score during the final ten minutes.

I did not get a decent enough view of either sending off to comment. Green has displayed a tendency to lash out before, but it is a real shame for him - he was just finding his feet and whilst not quite "there" yet was full of running all afternoon and linked up well with Stevens, Sills and Wroe. Rather liked Dean Edwards used to do, Green earned many throw in and the odd corner through chasing down balls. I presume that is a 3 match ban for him now??

Wroe deserves the praise he is now receiving. Another man of the match performance. One minute he was advanced enough to tap in our third, the next he was helping out the back four - in between he was central to interchanges with Carlyle, Hargreaves and Carayol which frustrated and took the sting out of Rushden.

Not too many negatives, other than the sending off. Mansell's distribution was very poor, but the defence looked generally solid. Our recent run has been very, very impressive and credit to both the manager and players must be given. The team spirit looked spot on.

First time I've been able to get on since the match and as it was my first Gulls game of the season, I'll just give my opinion on a couple of matters:

Firstly, Merse sums it all up pretty well. Though I have to say that I'm 99% sure the flick-on for our first goal was by their number 2, not by Mr. Sills. But I'm just being picky!

I have to say I thought Green's sending off was harsh. From what I saw, the Rushden player pushed him then had hold of his shirt. What Green did was nothing more than a swipe to his arm to get the player off him. Okay, the rules say that if you raise your hands then you go, but come on people, this is a man's game. It's not like he smacked him in the face. If Green was sent off, then the Rushden player should have gone too.

The tackle by Panther (easily the best name in football) was a horrible one. So bad, it managed to wipe out Hargreaves, Woods AND one of his teammates. I believe this knock was the reason why Woods was substituted. Panther's decision to go in two-footed did the Gulls a favour, as he was one of the best players on the field up until this point.

The atmosphere, as has been said, was electric. There was a bald headed chap at the front who kept screaming: "Roberts, you're sh*t!" After about 2 minutes, Roberts made an exceptional save from Carlisle and I had a feeling the Gulls fan's sentiments were going to be shoved right back down his throat. Alas, Carlisle got a very similar chance a minute later and this time he found the back of the net. Note to the bald headed chap: screaming "You're sh*t!" at the goalkeeper every 30 seconds get very old, very quickly. Luckily, he was saved by some far wittier fans towards the back of the stand. And thankfully, the players on the field gave us plenty to sing about.

As for the team:

Bevan was very good, though he didn't have a lot to do. Does anyone know why Nicho was taking goal kicks?

The defence were pretty solid. I don't think we deserved to concede and there was an element of offside about their goal. I rate Mansell very highly, but he frustrates me so much when he always tries to play the wrong ball.

The midfield were exceptional. Stevens made some intelligent passes and looked lively. Carayol replaced him and played very well. Carlisle and Wroe were excellent, but Greavsie was my MOTM, working tirelessly and leading by example. And how did Wroe miss that chance?! Not quite as bad as the Scottish lad but he still should have made it four.

Up front, Green was tricky and frustrated the Rushden defence. Sills was his usual lazy self but took his goal very well.

On the whole, when we got the ball down and played it around, we looked like Champions. However, we're still not closing the ball down when the opposition have possession and a sharper team would have punished us on a couple of occasions yesterday.

Lastly, for anyone that has a copy of the programme, go to the back and look at who sponsors Curtis Woodhouse...

I have to say, I thought it was 4-4-2. Mansell certainly looked like he was more right-back then centre-half, but Carlisle and Stevens seemed more central than out wide. Whatever it was, it worked.

Jon, I love Tim Sills as much as the next Gulls supporter, but he is so lazy. When my brother brought this up, I said that it's exactly how I play on a Saturday afternoon. Then again, I don't get paid a decent wage to do it. To be honest, as long as he keeps banging them in, I really don't mind.

If Berbatov can be lazy yet brilliant, then so can Sills. ;D

And for those of you not there, the matchday programme lists the sponsor of Curtis Woodhouse as Mr Chris Roberts..

Andygull any thoughts on our boys scoring THREE GOALS