October Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

Jamie Hughes scored twice with one from Jason Fowler in 3 - 3 draw against Torquay this afternoon.

Report from Martin Davis
Att - 4 more than last week !
Line up - (5-3-2) Kelly Giles Vaughan Young Phillips Middleton Fowler Bonner Boland Low Hughes
Subs - Earnshaw Jennings Hughes

So, the assembled masses were out in force yet again, hoping to witness at first hand city players desperate to be in our starting line up for the glory of the cup on Saturday by putting in virtuoso performances that demanded they be picked. - Pity Frankie was absent then 'cos 1 or 2 did just that. I was surprised to see Vaughan take the field, although less surprised to see we had reverted to norm with our formation. The opening exchanges were most noticeable for Vaughan hitting long passes from back to front. One such pass found Low down the LW, his cross was deflected for a corner, which Fowler hit to the far post and it was scrambled clear. Scott Young then launched himself into a sliding tackle (Dwyer like) just outside our box - Superb tackle ! Middleton then passed down the line to Bonner who beat his man and got to the byline, but his cross was headed clear. The move that broke the deadlock saw Boland swing over a RW free kick, which Hughes reacted to first and sent a looping header over their goalie and into the net. 1-0 lovely ! Next thing, from a RW cross a Torquay forward rounded Middleton and shot back across Kelly into the bottom corner of the net. 1-1 inside the first 15 min (no watch) and no calculator either for that matter - I was getting worried ! Fowler hit a superb 40 yrd pass (can't remember the last time so many long passes reached their desired destination), with the outside of his left foot into the path of Low who ran down the LW before cutting inside before seeing his cross cleared. Then from Boland's RW cross Hughes launched into a diving header which their goalie did well to push round a post. Torquay's no8 (platts) was emerging as the best player on the pitch as the first half progressed and one run saw him beat Phillips as he ran into our box and fire in a shot that flew inches wide of the far post. Seconds later he was at it again tearing down our RW, Tying Middleton in knots and cutting back a cross which was met on the volley but thankfully it was executed a foot to high. The final thing of note was a Scott Young header from a corner that just cleared the bar.

HT - 1-1

The 2nd half was a few mins old when Boland's RW cross got deflected into the path of Bonner who was clean through on goal on the edge of the 6yrd box, but he shot at the keeper when it looked easier to score. Next Fowler burst through the middle, hit a first time cross from the R and Hughes and the Torquay no4 arrived at speed together a few yards from goal and the ball went in - Probably an og, but what the hell 2-1! Vaughan then set off on a run of at least 50 yds, which ended when he attempted to play a 1-2 on the edge of their box (this run was some sight I tell you). A few mins later it was 3-1. Following a goal mouth scramble which saw Bolands shot parried by their keeper, Fowler coolly slotted home the rebound from 7 yrds. We were playing some cracking stuff know and this was typified when Boland unleashed a Buchanon like screamer from 25 yds that their goalie managed to divert round a post. Then out of nothing, a Lsided cross from our visitors, struck their forward's chest and ended up in the net 3-2 ! And 3 goals in 5 mins ! Torquay 9,11 were replaced by 14,15. Torquay were right back in it know, when we had looked in total control (been here before). 2 more United attacks that were more than a bit to close for comfort and you got the feeling that we would do well to hang on. As it happened the inevitable happened as kelly fumbled a cross and from the resulting melee Torquay's no10 Turned, shot and scored 3 - 3, and that was that. Players to emerge with credit ? Young (1st half) Vaughan, Giles. & Low and Boland's 2nd half performances. It was without doubt an entertaining match. But when you're 3-1 up at home and playing well, but end up hanging on for a draw something's amiss. One final point - I have yet to see Billy Ayre or George Wood make a single substitution during the 2 games I've reported on - Make of that what you will !