UNITED BUZZED OUT OF THE FA TROPHY AND THE BEES RETURN ON SATURDAY
PLUS NEWS FROM AROUND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
No more trophy hunting for Torquay United this season as the Bees stung the Gulls in a disappointing 2-1 home defeat. As United had done the previous Saturday in another 2-1 defeat, they gave it a good go but lacked the quality in the final third.
These are frustrating times to be a United supporter as the team had appeared to turn a corner with some improved performances.
They were, though, undone on Saturday as Barnet’s on loan striker from Leyton Orient, Harry Smith, provided two crisp finishes with headers as he used his 6ft 4in height to dominate the home side’s penalty area.
With Barnet returning this Saturday for a National League fixture, United are going to have to work hard on the training ground to come up with a plan to stop the visitors - without ex-United favourite Ben Wynter, out injured.
Maybe one hope is that, despite leading for a large part of the game, Barnet suffered a 4-1 defeat at league leaders Notts County on Tuesday.
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We are now at the stage of the season where every point is crucial and if Torquay are to get out of the bottom four then only wins will be enough.
With new striker Lewis Collins likely to be out with concussion, is it conceivable Johnson will move to bring in somebody else?
Of teams down at the bottom Oldham have found some form while Dorking are looking likely candidates to drop into the relegation zone. Whatever happens it’s looking as if it’s going to be a close run thing for whoever ends up being relegated.
Meanwhile, at the top it looks like developing into a real race for the one automatic promotion place between Notts County, yet another win at Chesterfield on Saturday night, and Wrexham. Their match-up in April could be crucial.
Luke Young, skipper at Wrexham, keeps pulling the strings in mid-field while Kyle Cameron, captain of Notts County, and Aaron Nemane are proving to be influential in the Notts’s side. If only we had some of their talents at Plainmoor now.
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Considering it was, what a lot of fans call the FA Trophy, a meaningless competition 1,459 attendance was a good effort.
They were there to witness another referee, Scott Jackson, who like last week’s decided to flash his cards, another nine bookings, six for Barnet including their assistant manager. Surely something is wrong when there have been eighteen bookings in two matches. The standard of refereeing needs urgent attention.
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Last week it looked nailed on that the Government’s Fan-Led Review White Paper was to be published; the Prime Minister was all geared up to appear at AFC Wimbledon to promote its publication but then came other events which combined to postpone the announcement. First there was the Manchester City financial bombshell, then the Cabinet reshuffle which involved a new Minister for Sport and then the arrival of Ukraine’s President in England.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Wrexham pulled in 10,091 as they push for top spot while the Chesterfield v. Notts County clash was watched by 9,706.
There’s a fascinating race for the title in the Southern League Premier South between current leaders Weston-Super-Mare, two points ahead of Truro City, both 1-0 winners on Saturday and Weston have played a game less. Who knows, one of them could be visiting Plainmoor next season.
Interesting to see that Bath City have put in a planning application to change their pitch at Twerton Park into a 3G one. “It is part of the club’s longstanding strategy to make the club a sustainable business at the heart of our community.”
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Further developments at cash crisis club Southend United who, with debts of £1.4m, face a winding-up petition in the High Court on March 1.
The club’s owner and chairman Ron Martin has come out to say that the future for the club is bright. He maintained over the weekend that funds will be available but conceded, “It will be close.”
This is not the first time the club has been in this situation and the supporters’ trust, the Shrimpers Trust, are in the wings planning for a phoenix club. The players still haven’t ben paid for January.
****** Torquay United’s Women’s side were held to a 2-2 draw on Sunday by Liskeard Ladies maintaining their unbeaten home record. Goals from the ever reliable Connie Pengelly and a penalty by Tee Kaptein gave the girls a share of the points.
In the race for the title Forest Green remain top, three points ahead of United, but having played three games more. Also in the mix are Bristol Rovers who United play away on Sunday.
Torquay’s Under-18s came from a goal down at half-time to visitors Yeovil Town but second half substitute Ben Aldous came on to score a memorable hat-trick to win the game 3-1.
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Last week’s question divided opinion, there were a number who hoped that the team could progress through the rounds in the FA Trophy for a day out at Wembley but more went for three points this Saturday as being vital. Of course with the tie now lost it’s all academic and the importance is on winning the league fixture on Saturday.
After Saturday’s match there’s a big, big game at Dorking on Tuesday evening and a key fixture in United’s survival hopes.
50 points is usually the benchmark for staying up, that’s another twenty-four needed. Can United do it? What’s your view? Send yours to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT
If you can, get down to Plainmoor on Saturday.
COYY
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