Torquay United 2 Stafford Rangers 0
Blue Square Premier
At: Plainmoor
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 2980
Weather: sunny spells
A trip to Torquay is one of those big games that stands out in the Blue Square Premier fixture list. And following on from last Saturday’s trip to Oxford it provided a difficult test for Stafford Rangers.
I last visited Plainmoor back in 1990 and saw Colchester United play one of their final games as a Football League side before spending a couple of seasons in what as then called the GM Vauxhall Conference.
Plainmoor was easy to find with good signposting and floodlights to look out for. Parking the car was also an easy task. After chatting with some fellow Boro fans about prospects for the game and possible team news, I went through a gate next to the main stand (southern corner), obtained my press pass and made my way to the Press area in the aforementioned stand almost on halfway.
Looking out at the pitch and surrounding stands, I tried to recall what the ground had looked like in 1990. Obviously, the Main Stand hasn’t changed that much (a real traditional structure that still deserves its place), but I felt the stand behind the left-hand goal may have been built then and was certain the covered area behind the far goal (on the northern side of the ground) was new. I wasn’t sure about the covered terrace opposite, with camera gantry, which housed the home fans who preferred to cheer on the heroes stood up (later I established leafing through a copy of one of Simon Inglis’ books that the two stands that had been built since 1990 where those behind the goals). I liked the character of Plainmoor with its mixture of old and new.
Buoyed by the first point against Altrincham, Stafford looked like keeping thing all level terms until the interval. But a few minutes before half-time, just like at Oxford last week, Torquay took the lead. Rangers stayed in contention throughout the second half until Torquay added a late second to go back to the top of the table with their unbeaten record intact.
Once the action got underway, Stafford Rangers put in another encouraging performance but they were unable to prevent unbeaten Torquay United from regaining top spot in the Blue Square Premier table.
Phil Robinson made two changes. Robert Duggan started in goal for the first time this season while Steve Hopkinson came in for Matt Hazley.
Stafford made a bright start and created game's first attempt on target. Marco Adaggio, on the edge of the area, sent a right-foot shot towards goal, forcing Simon Rayner to dive to his right and made a save.
The visitors continued to create early chances. In the 8th minute, Greg Stones saw one shot from the left side of the area deflected out for a corner and Kevin Street saw the same happen to another effort from the opposite side. Rangers' lack of luck in front of goal was again evident.
Unbeaten Torquay started to enjoy plenty of possession with Matt Hockley volleying over. Chris Hargreaves, formerly with Oxford United, also drove over the Rangers bar.
Rangers were thankful to a brave saving tackle inside the area from skipper Wayne Daniel, midway through the first half, to prevent Tom Sills from getting in a clear shot on goal.
David McNiven got into a good position only to see his shot blocked by a defender.
Stafford deserved to go in level at the interval but couldn’t stop the home side from taking a 44th-minute lead. Duggan pulled off a five diving save to keep out a well-struck shot from Sills. Kevin Nicholson delivered the resulting corner to the far post where Todd headed home.
Moments before the helf-time whistle, Chris Zebroski headed over from just a few yards out.
Chris Zebroski had another chance when he fired straight at Duggan less than 30 seconds after the restart.
The visitors remained in contention for most of the second half. Stones sent one speculative shot over the bar from outside the area.
Torquay put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal scored in the 81st minute. Nicholson crossed into the area from the left where Phillips chested the ball down. It fell to substitute Benyon who turned and fired low past Duggan.
Torquay United (yellow/yellow/yellow) 1. Simon Rayner; 5.Chris Robertson, 6. Chris Todd, 4. Steve Woods (capt), Kevin Nicholson; 19. Danny Stevens, 16. Matt Hockley, 14. Chris Hargreaves, 26. Chris Zebroski; 8. Tim Sills, 10. Lee Phillips. Subs: 18. Ishmael Welsh (for Stevens, 64), 71. Elliot Benyon (for Sills, 71), 15. Tony Bedeau (For Zebroski, 89), 17. Darron Mullins, 21. Martin Rice (gk)
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): 27. Robert Duggan; 2. Richard Sutton, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 4. Craig McAughtrie, 25. Fred Murrayi-want-football; 24. Steve Hopkinson, 23. Greg Stones, 7, Chris Flynn, 8. Kevin Street; 10. David McNiveni-want-football, 20. Marco Adaggio. Subs: 9. Neil Grayson (for Street, 50), 18. Ramon Manak (for McNiven, 64), 19. Sebastian Arnolin, 21. Jemiah Richards, 1. Danny Alcock (gk)
Referee: S. A. Hooper (Wiltshire)
The match report was originally written for and published on the now defunct www.staffordrangers.co.uk
