FL2: Torquay United v Chesterfield 8th August 2009

A great way to start the season - against I side who will probably be in the mix come the end of the season. A good crowd and a decent atmosphere - I know that points gained at the start count the same as points at the end, but it was so nice to go to a game where the result wasn't necessarily a matter of life and death.

I thought we were a little nervy to start with. Until we scored the game had the feel of a cup tie against higher league oppostion as Chesterfield pinged the ball around quite nicely and we backed off a little too much for my liking. Luckily Chesterfields shooting was poor and the excellent Bevan was alert to mop up the scraps. We settled after we scored, but Chesterfield still looked a decent side. Having viewed this, anyone who still contends that this isn't a step up in quality from the BSP is deluded. It was very pleasing that our players proved that they were up to the challenge. On another day however we may not have won this match. Bevan looked assured all afternoon and pulled off one particularly good save. The same could not be said for our centre back pairing who looked unsure. We can't keep giving away that many free kicks in our half. I don't think Todd and Robertson work well togther.

One of the major plusses for me was the quality of our wide men. Both Carlisle and Stevens offered good outlets and normally did somethig productive with the ball. Our first goal came from good work from Stevens and Wroe - it was pleasing that Stevens kept his head and found the killer ball to set up a tap in. Carlisle also had a very good game - he put in a couple of crosses similar to "that one" at Wembley. At times last season I looked at Wayne and wondered whether he really wanted the ball - yesterday you could tell that he wanted to be a central part in the game. I think Sills nodded one of his crosses back across goal to set up Manse. I must admit to looking across to the lino for both of our goals, particularly the second. Credit to Manse as I think his form towards the end of last season was excellent - yesterday he carried on from where he left off.

Other positives - Sills and Rendell look to be forming a pretty good understanding. Sills did not look out of place back in the league and Rendell impressed me with his abilty to hold the ball up and bring in the likes of Stevens, Wroe and Carlisle. He looks like a more mobile Blair Sturrock. Benyon lso looked sharp when he came on.

I was suprised that Hargreaves got MoM - he ould have been one of my concerns to be honest. Again, he gave away too many fouls. That said, as usual, he covered every blade of grass and came in with a couple of goal saving challenges - one particularly timely header in the first half.

A the risk of incurring the wrath of one of aussie's one line posts -a slight critisism. I got into the ground at half two and neither the shop or Pop side had any programmmes. I don't know how many were printed, but having publicised the new programme and with it being the first game of the season not printing more was just throwing away money. The club probably lost out a grand in revenue with this oversight. Mike Bateson would have been slaughtered for less.

All in all though.....a great start to the season

I spoke to Chris Hargreaves after the game and he couldn`t believe he was selected as MOM, he said Bevs or Danny or quite a few others easily were better than him on the day, I was very concerned about the way he landed on his neck, it was still very sore after the game. I honestly don`t think the board expected to have so many turn up hence not enough match day programmes, we had them on our tables at the carvery and they were on sale in the club shop, if you really want one Enzo I`m pretty sure I can get you one. It`s really difficult to predict how many fans will turn up to a game thus making it difficult to predict how many programmes to have printed, print too many you lose money, don`t print enough you lose money, a bit of a bitch to call that one I`m affraid! Sorry if I`ve dissapointed you as this is longer than one of my one liners, trying very hard to get out of the habit!

Whilst reserving our shirts the lady in the club shop said they are having some more printed.

What a day. Beautiful weather, decent attendance, the team resplendant in yellow once again and an excellent team performance.

I thought at times, especially early on, their midfield controlled possesion, and had they had a striker on the pitch of Rendell's calibre, we might have been in trouble. We dropped off a little too deep at times, and allowed them to dicate the play, but we stuck at it, and thanks to two superb goals, took the points.

Stevens and Carlisle caused them plenty of problems, and then there was Rendell. What a magnificnt display of all round attacking play he gave. Considering it was his debut, and he's not been with the squad for long at all, i thought he fitted in brilliantly. Won flick-ons, held the ball up well and had the intelligence to bring other players into play with some exquisite passes. Fantastic business from Bucks - he's a much better player than i ever gave him credit for, and he worked hard too.

Not convinced at all by his partnership with Sills though. Whilst it's unfair to judge it on one game, i think with Rendell offering similar strengths to Sills (but with plenty more besides), a union with a pacier goal-scorer who might benefit more from his vision and ability, would work well. I hope it's not long until we see that tried. I thought Sills looked out of sorts today - maybe just put into the shade by the man beside him having a stormer though. Hargreaves too made some important interceptions at times, but at others looked off the pace. MOM? I can only assume the sponsors are family friends.

All in all a fantastic display. It's good to be back.

Well worth the drive down from north Devon for you then, It was a good day at Plainmoor and the word will get out that you would be foolish not to be at Plainmoor when TUFC are home playing good quality football.

What a day - one of those rare days when everything was just right.

May 17 was a fantastic rush of elation mixed with relief - but there was too much hanging on the result to really enjoy the whole day.

It's quite a rarity to have a really big - historic even - match when the pressure of the result is not so great as to detract from the enjoyment. The only other one I can think of anything like it was Bolton at Wembley in 89. But even when I say the result is not make or break, I can't stand losing really. You can't have a perfect day when you don't win.

Hats off to Dave for the idea of a carvery. It gave me a great excuse to get to the ground really early and soak up the atmosphere. Excellent food, excellent company for the pre-match build-up.

I helped myself to just the right amount from the carvery - enough to fill me up but not so much that the gravy slopped off the plate all over the table like some people.

The weather was just right - plenty warm and sunny enough but not overpoweringly hot.

Chesterfield brought just the right amount of fans. Enough to really remind you (in fairness I hadn't forgotten and may have mentioned it a few times) that we were back in the Football League but not so many as to overwhelm the home support.

Chesterfield showed just the right amount of quality - just enough to remind you that we are in the Football League (I hadn't forgotten and I may have mentioned it a few times) and that there is a step-up in standard, but not quite enough to stop us winning.

The ref was just good enough to make you think that refs in the Football League (which we are now in, by the way) are better than in the Conference, whilst the lino gave just enough dodgy offsides to allow us to indulge in our traditional hobby of lino-baiting.

To top it off, the BBC showed just enough of our game on their Football League (we are in it, you know) programme to see both our goals before panning to a blonde lady on the toilet.

Apologies to anybody I may have irritated on the day with my over-excitedness about us being back in the Football League. It really is out of character for me to get so carried away - I don't think I have been so excited with my clothes on since about 1969.

Double apologies to Capitalgull who had the misfortune to bump into me at Sainsbury's this morning and had to endure me dancing around waving my Football League Paper (which I bought because we are in it, in case you had forgotten) in front of the deli counter.

Happy Days!

COME ON YOU YELLOWS!