The Torquay United Thread

[chavy]

Exeter's place. Now they've built those new stands it does look respectable now.

There a bit limited in what they can do there now, as the old main stand backs on to a road/railway line and the away end also backs onto a road. They certainly did a good job of the two new stands though. It's quite a decent little ground to be fair.

They are still lacking 'charming' floodlights though

[mrtoad]

Exeter's place. Now they've built those new stands it does look respectable now.

There a bit limited in what they can do there now, as the old main stand backs on to a road/railway line and the away end also backs onto a road. They certainly did a good job of the two new stands though. It's quite a decent little ground to be fair.

They are still lacking 'charming' floodlights though

No one can beat the floodlights at Plaimoor.

[mrtoad]

Exeter v Torquay

Defender Richard Logan and striker Matt Taylor are rated 50-50 for Exeter.

Boss Paul Tisdale told the Express and Echo: "Both could be out of the Boxing Day game and the Histon game (on December 29). They are both 50-50."

Goalkeeper Martin Rice, striker Lee Phillips and defender Chris Todd are in line to face their former club Exeter.

United defender Steve Woods (groin), midfielder Chris Hargreaves (ankle) and 12-goal top scorer Tim Sills (knee) are set for late fitness tests.

[chavy]

Exeter v Torquay

Defender Richard Logan and striker Matt Taylor are rated 50-50 for Exeter.

Boss Paul Tisdale told the Express and Echo: "Both could be out of the Boxing Day game and the Histon game (on December 29). They are both 50-50."

Goalkeeper Martin Rice, striker Lee Phillips and defender Chris Todd are in line to face their former club Exeter.

United defender Steve Woods (groin), midfielder Chris Hargreaves (ankle) and 12-goal top scorer Tim Sills (knee) are set for late fitness tests.

Is this the first meeting this season Toady ?? With a spinkling of former Exeter players in your ranks plus the manager I could see it geting a bit "tasty" down there

[mrtoad]

Exeter v Torquay

Defender Richard Logan and striker Matt Taylor are rated 50-50 for Exeter.

Boss Paul Tisdale told the Express and Echo: "Both could be out of the Boxing Day game and the Histon game (on December 29). They are both 50-50."

Goalkeeper Martin Rice, striker Lee Phillips and defender Chris Todd are in line to face their former club Exeter.

United defender Steve Woods (groin), midfielder Chris Hargreaves (ankle) and 12-goal top scorer Tim Sills (knee) are set for late fitness tests.

Is this the first meeting this season Toady ?? With a spinkling of former Exeter players in your ranks plus the manager I could see it geting a bit "tasty" down there

Yeah, this is the first competative Debt for a few years, so I think it will be a pretty firey encounter. Hopefull Sills will be fit to play, along with thother two, Woods and Hargreaves. Should be a pretty intense game, and probably a fairly large crowd, likely to be 5,000 +

[mrtoad]

TISDALE RELISHES TORQUAY CLASH

STUART JAMES AT ST JAMES' PARK

11:00 - 24 December 2007

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale wants his players to play with no fear in the Boxing Day derby clash with Devon rivals Torquay United.

A near sell-out crowd of around 9,000 will descend on St James' Park for the most eagerly awaited clash between the two sides in years and the first at Exeter since the Gulls won a Division Three clash there 2-1 in August 2002.

Since then, both sides have suffered the shattering experience of relegation from the Football League and with both Devon clubs chasing promotion back to the promised land, it is little wonder there is so much interest in the fixture, which is also being screened live across the nation by Setanta Sports.

There are numerous variables too. Torquay are managed by former Exeter player/assistant Paul Buckle, Tisdale's former number two, while Martin Rice, Chris Todd (the former Exeter captain) and Lee Phillips (a former City player of the year) will all be returning to the Park for the first time since they left Exeter for the Gulls back in the summer.

They don't stop there. Among Exeter's ranks are goalkeeper Andy Marriott and full-back Steve Tully, both of whom used to be on the Plainmoor payroll.

"There are all sorts of stories on this game, but the most important one is that it is Exeter versus Torquay. In a few years' time, that is what will matter, it won't be the personalities, it is the result that will stay," warned Tisdale.

"I have respect for all three players that left us, I have respect for Paul [buckle] and we will respect them after the game, but for the 90 minutes, it is business. There is nothing personal in this, it is about taking the three points."

The City chief added: "We are thoroughly looking forward to the Torquay game. We will be prepared, we will give it a real go, we won't be scared to give it everything, we won't be scared to lose, we are just going to give it a right crack. I see the derby game as only being disappointing if we don't give it our best.

"If we limit ourselves by being worried or concerned about it, then that will be disappointing. We have to give it a real go, we are good enough, we will be prepared enough and I want the players to go into it with no fear and that means not fearing making a mistake, not fearing the crowd, not fearing the referee and not fearing losing. Just turning up, getting in the dressing room and giving it a right go. That's what we will do on Wednesday.

"I will only be disappointed if we don't do ourselves justice on the day. That will disappoint me. Otherwise, we just have to go out there and play to the max without being worried about making mistakes because they are going to happen on derby day. That's the type of atmosphere it is. But I believe we have quality players to make the difference."

Both teams go into the game having been knocked out of the much maligned Setanta Shield at the weekend. Exeter lost 3-2 at home to Ebbsfleet on Friday, while the Gulls crashed to a 2-0 loss at St Albans a day later.

"It was a poor game," Tisdale said of Exeter's clash. "We had a good appetite for it in the first half, but that deteriorated and I was really disappointed with our second half, I thought we were really sloppy. It turned into a bit of a fight, it was so scrappy and am pleased that we came off with no key injuries, without wanting to tempt fate.

"It's not such a bad thing as it gives me an impetus on Monday to get into the players and get their minds back on track for Boxing Day and it reminds me that I have to put some heavy work in on Monday as well."

With the close proximity of both teams, and the vast number of players that have represented both teams, it is little wonder that Tisdale knows Torquay perhaps better than any other Blue Square Premier side. The same can be said of Buckle too, but Tisdale is confident his players have what it takes to prevail.

"We have watched Torquay. They are not far away, so we have had opportunity to watch them over the course of the season and they have been on TV a few times and I am familiar enough with Torquay as I need to be without being overly-worried and without over-planning and being over-clever," he said. "We know our strengths and we know their strengths and we have confidence in what we can do.

"They are a good side and they have been at the top of the league because they have been very consistent and very effective and our job will be to stop them. I think we can do that.

"I am really looking forward to it. The bigger the game, the better I enjoy it and the more I look forward to it. I am thoroughly looking forward to it and hopefully that will reflect to the players.

"I won't need to wind the players up to motivate them, that's for sure. That's a given, but when it comes to being considered and cool, I hope the players will be that and play with every bit of energy that they have got because that is the name of the game."

Bring them on, this should be a real cracker of a game. Shame it's not available UBC. Let's beat them twice in a week, starting today asnd finshing up on New Years Day.

A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to any Torquay United fans, or fans of other West Country teams.

C'mon the Gulls.

Edited December 26, 2007 by mrtoad

[chavy]

Looked like as you prediced Toady, a cracker. Shame about the result for your lads though.

Now slipping behind the "Shots" mate in the rankings

[mrtoad]

Looked like as you prediced Toady, a cracker. Shame about the result for your lads though.

Now slipping behind the "Shots" mate in the rankings

Not a Happy Toad with that result, was hoping that Aldershot were going to drop some points. Oh well, need to get back on track. Looking forward to the return match on New Years Day.

[chavy]

Looked like as you prediced Toady, a cracker. Shame about the result for your lads though.

Now slipping behind the "Shots" mate in the rankings

Not a Happy Toad with that result, was hoping that Aldershot were going to drop some points. Oh well, need to get back on track. Looking forward to the return match on New Years Day.

You got Exeter new years day ????? I've never seen a home and awayer so close together before !!

Revenge TLW

[mrtoad]

EXETER EMERGE WITH DERBY WIN

11:00 - 27 December 2007

Source: Western Morning News.

Exeter City and Torquay United served up a Christmas cracker at St James' Park yesterday, and it was fans of the Grecians who were smiling come full-time as their team won a seven-goal epic in the first Devon derby in almost five years.

First-half goals from Jamie Mackie and Dean Moxey gave Paul Tisdale's side a 2-0 lead at the interval, before former City skipper Chris Todd pulled a goal back for the Gulls four minutes after the break. Wayne Carlisle restored City's two-goal lead before Exeter's Danny Seaborne was then sent off after an apparent head butt on United striker Tim Sills.

However, Mackie made it 4-1 soon afterwards and, although Torquay reduced the arrears with goals from former Grecian Lee Phillips and defender Kevin Nicholson, Exeter defended stoutly and held on to a claim a 4-3 Blue Square Premier victory.

A cagey opening 20 minutes gave little indication of what was to follow as both teams made little headway. Chances were at a premium with little good football on display, although United wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring through former Exeter crowd favourite Phillips.

He latched on to a poor back header by one-time Torquay defender Steve Tully and rounded Paul Jones. However, with the goal at his mercy, Seaborne got back to make a stunning interception to keep the scores level.

It proved to be costly as, with their first genuine chance, City drew first blood. Typically, it was the in-form Mackie who got his name on the scoresheet with a goal of supreme quality. It all started with a long ball out of defence aimed towards Steve Basham, and his deft touch sent the Exeter striker scampering clear. He still had much work to do as Nicholson and Steve Woods closed him down, but Mackie twisted and turned before shifting the ball on to his right and unleashing a stunning strike from 20 yards that flew over the head of former Exeter goalkeeper Martin Rice and into the roof of the net.

It was some strike, and justified why there has been so much interest in Mackie recently. Having netted in eight of his previous nine matches, there is little wonder that scouts from the Football League are keeping such a close eye on the front-runner, whose pace and trickery caused Torquay problems all afternoon.

The Grecians continued to press and it was not long before they doubled their lead. This time it was Moxey, a boyhood City fan, who doubled their lead as the Gulls failed to defend a routine corner. The outstanding Matt Taylor got the initial touch, sending Matt Gill's flag kick back across goal, where Carlisle saw his shot blocked. However, it fell kindly for Moxey and he made no mistake by smashing the ball into the net.

By then, it was all City. Moxey saw a header easily saved by Rice before Torquay responded with Phillips controlling in the box, only for the ball to be smashed clear off his toes by the ever-alert Seaborne. His shot cannoned off the back of Sills, though, before rolling into the grateful arms of Exeter goalkeeper Paul Jones.

Carlisle was the next to try his luck with a shot from 20 yards that was saved by Rice, who was the subject of a torrent of abuse from home fans. His decision to walk out on the club on the eve of arguably the biggest game of their history - the Nationwide Conference play-off final at Wembley - had clearly not been forgotten.

Torquay offered very little in the first half and needed some inspiration from somewhere. They started the second half with intent and Nicholson's free-kick was spilled by Jones before being cleared. The Gulls, though, were soon on target.

The goal came from Todd, the former Exeter captain, who took great delight in pulling one back when a Gulls' corner was partially cleared and headed back into the 18-yard box, where the Welshman looped a header over the stranded Exeter goalkeeper. His 'shush' celebrations did not go down too well with the home faithful, though.

With the Gulls back in it, the Exeter fans were a little edgy, but it was they who were cheering next with arguably the goal of the game. It started with a great run out of defence by Carlisle, who laid the ball wide to Mackie. The City striker pulled out wide to the right before looking up and delivering an excellent cross to the near post, where Carlisle had continued his run to nod past the motionless Rice.

Then it all kicked off. Sills clearly kicked out at Seaborne inside the Exeter penalty area, to which the Exeter defender took exception to. He squared up to Sills, who then made the most of Seaborne's belligerence. The Exeter defender was shown a red card for his actions, but Sills, writhing around in agony as if he had just been shot, escaped punishment for his part in the melee.

The dismissal led to the outstanding Rob Edwards switching to centre-back and Moxey dropping to full-back. Basham switched to the right wing with Mackie up front on his own, but it was not long before the striker was celebrating his second goal of the game.

At first, there seemed to be little danger when Gill pumped the ball forward, but Rice dallied in the United goal. He really should have come and cleared the danger, but his indecision was all the invitation Mackie needed to race through and shrug off his marker, before smashing the ball into the far corner.

The Gulls were clearly agitated by this stage and captain Woods was lucky to avoid a yellow - or even a red - card after kicking out at Mackie. However, they managed to reduce the arrears when substitute Danny Stevens, on for the woeful Ishmael Welsh, crossed to the back post and Phillips rose majestically to head over Jones and into the far corner.

Suddenly, it was game on and, with Torquay attacking with far more purpose, they looked threatening. And it came as no surprise when they made it 4-3 when Edwards' back-pass clipped the legs of Phillips and was picked up by Jones on the penalty spot. The referee awarded an indirect free-kick to the Gulls which was laid off to Nicholson, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

As Exeter retreated, the final 15 minutes were all Torquay, but to be fair, the Grecians - marshalled by the awesome Edwards - held firm. A Stevens shot deflected off Matt Taylor and looped wide before Tully cleared off the line from Chris Hargreaves' header.

The Grecians offered little as an attacking force then, although one break by Mackie led to him being cynically brought down by Woods on the touchline. It was Torquay creating the chances, though, and, after Adam Stansfield had screwed a shot wide for the Grecians after a lovely build-up involving Mackie, Gill, Carlisle and Andy Taylor, Torquay came close to grabbing an equaliser.

However, Stevens' shot, which was spilled by the edgy Jones, was blasted to safety by Andy Taylor and, moments later, the shrill sound of the referee's whistle ensured Exeter a first home win over their Devon neighbours since November 1999.

[mrtoad]

Exeter 4-3 Torquay

Source BBC

Ten-man Exeter withstood a brave Torquay fightback to clinch victory in a thrilling derby.

Jamie Mackie fired into the top corner on 23 minutes before Dean Moxey added a second for Exeter 11 minutes later.

Chris Todd's header reduced the deficit but Wayne Carlisle nodded Exeter's third before Daniel Seaborne saw red.

Mackie slotted Exeter's fourth before Torquay fought back with a Lee Phillips header and Kevin Nicholson shot and had two more efforts cleared off the line.

Exeter: Jones, Tully, Matt Taylor, Seaborne, Edwards, Carlisle, Gill, Andrew Taylor, Moxey, Mackie, Basham (Stansfield 74).

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Elam, Richardson, Logan.

Sent Off: Seaborne (59).

Booked: Carlisle, Edwards.

Goals: Mackie 23, Moxey 34, Carlisle 56, Mackie 62.

Torquay: Rice, Robertson (Bedeau 66), Todd, Woods, Nicholson, Zebroski, Mansell, Hargreaves, Welsh (Stevens 54), Phillips, Sills.

Subs Not Used: Rayner, Benyon, Hockley.

Booked: Woods.

Goals: Todd 50, Phillips 71, Nicholson 78.

Att: 7,839

Ref: P Gibbs (West Midlands).

An impressive crowd for a non-league game. Expect another 5,000 + for the return.

[mrtoad]

'MACKIE WAS THE DIFFERENCE'

11:00 - 27 December 2007

Source" Western Morning News.

Torquay United manager Paul Buckle felt that Exeter City striker Jamie Mackie was the difference as the Grecians drew first blood in the festive Devon derby double-header between the two Blue Square Premier sides at St James' Park yesterday.

Mackie scored two goals and set up another for Wayne Carlisle as Exeter edged a gripping encounter by a 4-3 margin with another outstanding performance in front of a national television audience and watching scouts.

"I felt that Jamie Mackie was the difference between the two sides," Torquay's gracious manager said come full-time. "We know they can score goals but, on the day, Jamie Mackie caused us problems and I say that to every reporter. He looked above the level, and we couldn't handle him today.

"I have seen the work-rate that Jamie puts in. When everyone else is going home, that boy is still out on the training field. He is first out and last in, that's Jamie Mackie, and he deserves every bit of praise that he's getting." The win was just about deserved for the Grecians, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half after Danny Seaborne was shown a red card for an apparent head butt on United striker Tim Sills.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale said: "I saw it clearly and I would say there were three people involved in it: Danny Seaborne, Tim Sills and the referee.

"Tim Sills did kick out at Dan when he was on the floor, he got up and squared up to him and, if both players squared up chest to chest and fell to the floor, what would the referee have done? Sent them both off? I would say the referee was overly excited by it, our player was slightly na??ve, and their player was slightly clever."

Tisdale's counterpart Buckle added: "Danny will know he can't put his head into someone's face, it's as simple as that. I haven't seen it, they tell me he did and, whether it was enough, I don't know, but I don't want to see Danny Seaborne sent off and that was the only downside to the game. But that's life and we move on."

Tisdale, though, was delighted with his side's win - especially as they faced a second-half onslaught from the Gulls, who had that man advantage. "It was a rollercoaster ride for everyone watching and we are delighted just to have the three points, but the game did deteriorate in terms of quality once the sending off occurred," he said. "It really was, from our point of view, a case of clear it, chase it, tackle it, head it - all the basics which meant we weren't going to get beaten today.

"I am delighted with the players, but I'm not going to get too carried away or too joyous because we have another three points [to play for] on Saturday and then the return leg [at Torquay], as it were.

"We scored four goals and that's what matters. We knew Torquay were going to be a threat, especially when you only have ten men on the field after a couple of contentious decisions, so I'm just pleased with the vision of red and white shirts defending, working their socks off, and clearing it off the goal-line."

Buckle felt the Grecians deserved their win, adding: "The result was always the biggest thing, to be honest, the performance doesn't matter. Three points was vital for my team to stay at the top of the league. We didn't do that and we didn't really deserve the three points, in my opinion, although it was there for us. But we didn't deserve it and credit to Exeter."

The Gulls boss' felt the game could have hinged on Lee Phillips' early miss, when he rounded goalkeeper Paul Jones before seeing his shot brilliantly blocked by Seaborne. "Chances are always vital in games and Exeter made their own luck there. Seaborne never gave it up, he got back and I felt it was a great clearance rather than a poor finish," Buckle said. "Lee did everything right, he took it round the 'keeper and Danny never gave it up. That was Exeter's mood all day, if I'm honest.

"If you don't start games right, you rarely win them, but it was great to see a Devon derby, great to see loads of goals. We'll be better next time out, and we look forward to Woking on Saturday."

[mrtoad]

A good day yesterday. A win and Aldershot lost as well, so the gap is closed to 4 points with a game in hand.

Woking 0-1 Torquay

Torquay kept up the pressure on leaders Aldershot with a victory over Woking.

After dominating the opening period Torquay finally broke the home side's resistance on the hour when Tim Sills scored from the penalty spot.

Sills crashed the spot-kick into the top corner after Lee Phillips was fouled in the area by Nick Gindre for his 12th goal of the season.

Sills, who had failed to score in the previous four games, then struck a long-range effort against the post.

Woking: Gindre, Lorraine, Hutchinson, Gasson, Bunce, Pattison, Quamina (Lambu 71), James, Green (Sole 67), Morgan, Marum.

Subs Not Used: Warner, Harusha, Talbot.

Booked: Pattison, Gindre.

Torquay: Rice, Mansell, Woods, Todd, Nicholson, Stevens, Hargreaves, Hockley, Zebroski, Sills, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Rayner, Robertson, Benyon, Bedeau, Welsh.

Booked: Mansell, Hargreaves, Hockley, Zebroski.

Goals: Sills 60 pen.

Att: 2,181

Ref: S Beck (Essex).

[mrtoad]

Revenge day for that setback on Boxing day, the return match against the Grecians. Shoould also be a sellout crowd.

Torquay v Exeter

Source: BBC

Torquay loan signing Mark Ellis is available to face his former club after missing the last two matches.

Fit-again skipper Steve Woods (groin) and central midfielder Chris Hargreaves (ankle) are both available to play.

Exeter striker Richard Logan is hoping to return to partner in-form Jamie Mackie, who scored twice in the Boxing Day win over Torquay.

Defender Daniel Seaborne sits out the second game of a three-match ban, so George Friend continues in his absence.

Edited January 1, 2008 by mrtoad

[mrtoad]

GRECIANS FACE A FIGHT FROM TORQUAY

11:00 - 31 December 2007

Western Morning News

It was not long ago that some fans of Exeter City were questioning the point of the club holding on to Jamie Mackie. Phrases such as "headless chicken" and "couldn't hit a barn door" readily spring to mind as terms used to describe the Grecians' striker by fans on internet forums and elsewhere.

That is no longer the case. Mackie, along with Forest Green Rovers' Stuart Fleetwood, is arguably the most sought after striker in the Blue Square Premier right now, and another outstanding performance against Histon on Saturday will have done little to deter the watching scouts.

At 21, Mackie is still a wee puppy in footballing terms. Yet having made his debut for Milton Keynes Dons as a 17-year-old - when they were still called Wimbledon, I hasten to add - he has considerable experience under his belt now and can boast over 100 appearances for both the Dons and the Grecians.

Enough has been said about the all-round improvement to his game and the biggest challenge manager Paul Tisdale faces this winter is holding on to his prize asset. A number of clubs are already said to be keeping close tabs on the popular Londoner including Westcountry neighbours Bristol City, Bristol Rovers (the Bristol Evening Post ran a back page story last week claiming that Mackie topped the Pirates' wanted list) and, dare I say it, Plymouth Argyle.

When asked about Mackie last week, Argyle boss Paul Sturrock said: "I do not discuss transfer speculation, but I saw him play against Swindon reserves a couple of months ago. Swindon reserves won 2-1, and he didn't play too well."

It was actually 3-1 to the Robins, but Sturrock will no doubt recall Mackie's outstanding display in the pre-season friendly between City and Swindon, when he was in charge of the League One side back in August.

My wish, like that of Tisdale and virtually everyone else connected with the club, is for Mackie to stay and fire City back into the Football League. But every player has his price and, if a considerable, six-figure sum should be offered, then big decisions need to be made. It promises to be a big winter for City, which could make or break their season.

Talking of big decisions, what an injustice that Exeter's appeal over Danny Seaborne's red card fell on deaf ears. It really does make you wonder whether these FA disciplinary panels watch videos of such incidents or merely toss a coin to decide whether they should be overturned or not.

To anyone who saw the television pictures of the incident, it was conclusive that there was no "headbutt" by Seaborne in reaction to Torquay United striker Tim Sills clearly kicking out at him moments earlier.

Seaborne was admittedly naive to confront Sills, but no headbutt could be seen, which the referee thought had happened from where he was standing. As for the actions of the Gulls' striker in falling to the floor clutching his face as if he had been shot, well, I personally found them shameful.

If there was any justice, Sills, who escaped any action for his part in the melee, would have been facing a ban of his own for ungentlemanly conduct. Getting a fellow professional sent off, to me, is no worse than diving to win his side a penalty. It is unsporting at best.

Think it's going to be a firey encounter today.

[mrtoad]

Torquay pitch invasion.

Keep an eye out for the stewrards trying to keep a fan off the pitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TN9H-QCC1M...feature=related

This was the final game in the league after the terrible campaign of last season.

[mrtoad]

Torquay United 1 - 0 Excrement Shitty

[chavy]

A bit of a difference fromthe last game Toady mate still, thre points is three points

How did the Shots get on over the break ??

[chavy]

Couldn't see a result for the "Gulls" this weekend? I see Aldershot are 7 points clear now but you have 2 games in hand. It's alright having games in hnd but you must be able to turn them into points.

[mrtoad]

Couldn't see a result for the "Gulls" this weekend? I see Aldershot are 7 points clear now but you have 2 games in hand. It's alright having games in hnd but you must be able to turn them into points.

Yeah. no game over the weekend, and to be honest I'd rather have the points in the bag than the games in hand.

[mrtoad]

[chavy]

What's up mate??

[mrtoad]

What's up mate??

Bloody lost to Burton on Monday night.

[mrtoad]

FA Trophy third round draw

AFC Wimbledon have been drawn at home to Blue Square Premier high-fliers Torquay United in the pick of the FA Trophy third round ties.

The Dons, who play in the Ryman Premier Division, are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.

Aldershot continue their pursuit of a league and Trophy double with a home tie against Braintree or Workington.

And Stafford Rangers and Tamworth face a Staffordshire derby as they chase a place in the quarter-finals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[chavy]

It's about time your lads made up some ground on the "shots" mate....you don't want to be messing about in playoffs that's a lottery.....just look what happened to us last season losing to Yokel town

[mrtoad]

It's about time your lads made up some ground on the "shots" mate....you don't want to be messing about in playoffs that's a lottery.....just look what happened to us last season losing to Yokel town

Yeah, don't want to get involved in the Play offs, as anything can happen. Really hope we can put a bit a run together now, and Aldershot drop a few points.

[mrtoad]

Bit of a dissapointment this weekend. 0-0 with Sailsbury has seen us slip to 3rd place after Stevenages emphatice 5-0 win. Luckily Aldershot didn't extend theit lead at the top, but need to get a few good wins together. Maybe a couple of fresh faces are required.

[chavy]

Yep, was surprised to see you being held to a 0-0 draw against that lot

As you say, perhaps 1 or 2 new players may be needed to freshen it up a bit.

[mrtoad]

Torquay 1-0 Histon

Tim Sills helped Torquay cut Aldershot's lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier to three points with the only goal against Histon at Plainmoor.

Sills struck an overhead kick from 12 yards with 14 minutes left to claim his 14th goal of the season.

Histon keeper Danny Naisbitt then saved well to keep out a Chris Hargreaves header and Steve Adams' volley.

Torquay had the better of the chances in the first half too with Hargreaves and Chris Todd both denied goals.

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Torquay: Poke, Mansell, Todd, Ellis, Nicholson, Mohamed, Adams, Hargreaves, Zebroski, D'Sane (Phillips 77), Sills.

Subs Not Used: Rice, Robertson, Hockley, Stevens.

Booked: Mansell.

Goals: Sills 76.

Histon: Naisbitt, Haniver (Nightingale 84), Ada, Mitchell-King, Gwillim, Okay, Cambridge (Midson 79), John Kennedy, Barker (Neil Kennedy 88), Wright, Murray.

Subs Not Used: Key, Langston.

Att: 2,482.

Ref: S Creighton (Reading).

I couldn't care less about how many they win by at thus stage of the season. This is where the business really starts, so a good result, and the gap is now narrowed.

[mrtoad]

Gillingham snap up Stevenage duo

Stimson signed Fuller for Stevenage when he was the Boro boss (Getty Images)

Gillingham have completed the signings of defender Barry Fuller, 23, and midfielder Stuart Lewis, 20, from Stevenage Borough for undisclosed fees.

The pair have signed deals that take them to the end of the 2010 season.

"Both are good players and will enhance our playing squad," said Gills boss Mark Stimson.

"They have good qualities and are good characters too. I am sure the fans will quickly appreciate what they have to offer," he added.

Stimson signed Fuller from Charlton and ex-Tottenham youngster Lewis from Barnet during his time in charge at Stevenage.

The Gills boss has already signed Adam Miller and John Nutter from Stevenage since his move to the League One club earlier this season.

Not Torquay related, but may have some relevance, as it's good to see close rivals in the title selling their better players.