FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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FA CUP JOURNEYS CONTINUE FOR UNITED WOMEN AND YOUTH TEAM
TUST IN FINAL THREE FOR VOLUNTEER TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
AFC WHYTELEAFE ON THE WAY BACK UP THE PYRAMID
It might have been yet another blank Saturday for the men but Torquay United’s Women kept the FA Cup flag flying with a hard fought 3-1 victory over visitors Royal Wootton Bassett Ladies, who made life difficult, to go into the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Goals from Lucy Solloway, Kate McKane and Chloe Williams settled the tie to give their side a home game against Bridgwater Town Women in the 1st Round Proper on November 3rd.
And a FA Cup journey continues for United’s Youth team as they defeated hosts Wimborne Town 4-2 on Monday evening in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup. A brace from striker Andrew Ellis plus others from Steve Martin and Jacob Wellington saw United through to the First Round Proper with an away tie at Eastleigh.
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Those needing a football fix were able to get down to Boots & Laces on Saturday afternoon for a special live TorquayTalk Gull’s Eye View featuring BBC Radio Devon commentator Paul Mulhern and United co-chairman Michael Westcott having a ten game review. You can watch the recording on YouTube. With live music afterwards it’s good to see the club promoting one of its major assets. Hopefully, over time the venue will become a regular place to visit for locals and fans - and not just on match days.
Talking of promoting the club there was a big launch of how businesses can use Plainmoor as a real venue for conferences and much more on Monday. There’s a comprehensive brochure to view online on the new Plainmoor Stadium website; plainmoor.torquayunited.com.
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Despite no football Paint Up Plainmoor continues with working parties now mostly concentrating on upgrading offices inside the Family Stand having refreshed the restaurant The Cove and the members’ bar, the Devonshire Suite.
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My Saturday afternoon was spent at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium, in a crowd of 1,364, biggest of the season, as Southern League Taunton Town took on National League Maidenhead United in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Two ex-Gulls featured, one for each side, Shawn McCoulsky, who started for the visitors and Opi Edwards, a used sub for Taunton. Without being spectacular Maidenhead dominated first half possession but only managed to squeeze a shot home close to half time. For 20 minutes after the break it looked like the Peacocks were slipping out of the cup but a double substitution changed their fortunes.
In the 74th minute a long throw in caused mayhem in the Maidenhead penalty area and substitute David Duru slotted home the equaliser. From then on it was all Taunton with visiting keeper Craig Ross pulling off triple saves in quick succession to save their blushes escaping with a replay which unfortunately they lost 3-0.
Taunton’s problems last year were well documented with pitch issues causing a serious fixture pile up in their National South season and there were concerns about the running of the club off the pitch.
The club, though, has been transformed with a new manager who has recruited well and work done on the pitch. Despite the recent heavy rains no matches have been postponed. And after Saturday’s draw the team are on a ten match unbeaten run.
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There are those who say the FA Cup has lost its magic but for non-league clubs it can be a lifeline to financial security for years to come, not to mention the publicity and media attention. Those successful clubs over the weekend were dreaming of a money spinning clash with an EFL team. In Monday’s draw, had Taunton got past Maidenhead in their replay, they would have had a home tie against League 1 Crawley Town. There’s a home tie for Exeter with Barnet and a London derby for Boreham Wood and Leyton Orient. Stand by for more giant killings especially as there are no replays from now on.
FA Cup Crowd Watch: Oldham v FC Halifax 3,246, Maidstone v Ebbsfleet 2,910, Hednesford v Gateshead 2,669, Kidderminster v Guiseley 2,229, Tamworth v Macclesfield 2,168, Chertsey v Sutton United 2,134.
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We at TUST are proud to have been nominated for the Torbay Community Champion Awards 2024 and have been advised that we are one of three finalists in the Volunteer Team of the Year category. The award ceremony is to be held on Thursday October 24th at the Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton 3.00 - 5.30pm.
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Last week’s column about my trips following Hampton in the Spartan League prompted reader Dave Sellman to respond about Surrey’s Whyteleafe. As a AFC Whyteleafe ticket holder who saw the club go out of business, play park football before a double promotion got the club back into the bottom of the pyramid and then another promotion Sellman says, “It’s more fun now and much better community spirit than we had with the old regime.” Sound familiar? We all like a happy ending!
Saturday sees United back in action with a long trip to Eastbourne without Crosbie, on loan at Gloucester City and Collins who has joined AFC Totton, and hopefully more points on the road.
You can contact me at fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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