Torquay laid down a real statement of intent today by confirming themselves as true promotion candidates with a convincing victory at the Pirelli Stadium. Torquay ran out deserved 4-1 victors in a win that was as emphatic as it was confident. Following on from Tuesday's hard fought and tenacious win away to Rotherham, it means that Torquay have taken 13 points from a possible 15 in what looked a very tricky set of March fixtures, It also dispels any whisperings of panic and stagnation after two below par defeats at the end of February.
Torquay, in their all white third strip, lined up unchanged for the third game running. Martin Ling has based his team selection on consistency and on a run of 17 wins in the last 23 matches, this policy has definitely paid off. Kevin Nicholson shrugged off any doubts over fitness by continuing his run as the only ever-present outfield player this season, and Damon Lathrope and Danny Stevens continued their rehabilitation from minor injury by taking their place in the now familiar 4-5-1 Torquay starting 11. They took on a Burton side very low on confidence following a disastrous run of results culminating in no win since Boxing Day, as a result there was a subdued atmosphere at a ground where you got the feeling the crowd had grown used to disappointment and defeat.
Torquay started on the front foot, and took the game to their hosts immediately, Rene Howe proving a real handful as the lone striker. It was he who cushioned the ball down from a cross, allowing Danny Stevens to strike at goal from a central position. His first time shot, with aid of a deflection, beat Atkins in the Burton goal and nestled in the back of the net. It was the perfect start from the away team, who, once in the lead, rarely throw it away, as 16 clean sheets already, would emphasise.
A very slight criticism of Torquay's play this season would be that they haven't added to their goals tally, that they haven't won games more resoundingly. Today put that particular ghost to bed. On many occasions this season, Torquay's attractive forward play hasn't reaped the benefits it has so richly deserved, but today it did. Before the second goal came, Howe, O'Kane and Nicholson all had efforts on goal that could have doubled Torquay's lead, a cross shot from Nicholson in particular must have been inches away from making it 2. Torquay attacked in waves throughout the half and they got their rewards when talismanic skipper Lee Mansell prodded home his 13th goal of a prosperous season. A cross in from the right saw the Torquay captain skipper unmarked at the near post, and his first time side footed shot hit the Burton woodwork before bouncing over the line.
The Captain really should have made it 3-0 before the end of the half, a rolled pass across the box found the Gulls no.7 in acres of space in front of goal, but a slight dalliance resulted with the ball finding its way into the gleeful arms of Atkins. Burton added very little as an attacking threat throughout the first half, in fact their only shot on target coming from a very tame effort from distance which offered no problem to Olejnik in the Torquay goal. Through excellent hassling, and organised discipline from the well-drilled Torquay defence, Burton were restricted to long shots at the Torquay all of which troubled the loud and proud away spectators behind the goal, and not the goal frame, all of which left the struggling Midlanders with a mountain to climb at half time.
Unchanged from the first half, Torquay continued in the same vein, both Morris and Stevens offering themselves as a constant danger on either wing. Torquay attacked at will and at stages Burton were holding on for their lives, but with 20 minutes to go they were offered a lifeline. An innocuous cross in from the Burton right saw Olejnik claim the ball in regulation fashion only to collide with Brian Saah who had stood aside allowing the big Austrian to catch the ball unchallenged. In doing so Olejnik dropped the ball at the feet of Richards who happily accepted the invitation of an open goal. It was an error that was not at all symptomatic of Torquay's play this season and came against the run of play: it offered Burton with a way back into the match.
The next five minutes were completely out of place with the rest of the game, in this period of play Burton attacked the Torquay with real purpose but could not force the equaliser. Bobby Olejnik showed no signs of his confidence dropping following his uncharacteristic error by remaining alert to a couple of snapshots at his goal, The Torquay number 1, and bargain of the season, was equal to both to preserve Torquay's now slender lead and in the process dented Burton's hopes of levelling the match.
Following this spell of prolonged Burton attack, the away team regrouped and went in search of the third goal to kill the game off, it came in the 82nd minute courtesy of Rene Howe. The big forward evaded the offside trap and was released into the left channel with a lot of work to do. Ever-confident, he promptly side-stepped the half hearted efforts of the full back and by spotting the goalkeeper of his line he was able to curl a precise effort into the top corner of the net. It was a beautiful finish by a man who showed he can be as accomplished outside the box as he is inside it, and more crucially showed he has the confidence in himself to be the striker Torquay need in the run in.
It was to be his last touch as he was replaced by the effervescent Taiwo Atieno, Jarvis joining the fray at the same time too at the expense of the dangerous Danny Stevens. Torquay continued to attack at pace though, desperate to add to their inferior goal difference and they duly got their fourth 3 minutes from the final whistle. The substitute Atieno found himself through on goal right in front of the expectant Yellow Army, the Kenyan, sold Atkins the dummy, causing him to shift his weight one way, before coolly slotting the ball the other way sending the continually loud away fans into wild celebrations. It was the least Atieno deserved for biding his time and offering an all-effort choice from the bench
The goalmouth action was not quite finished there though. Some sloppy defensive play left Brian Saah little option but to bring down the advancing forward in the box and the penalty was duly awarded. Crucially, no punishment was handed out to the consistently impressive centre back, and just as crucially, Olejnik saved the resulting spot-kick. A poor effort, hit vaguely down the centre, allowed Olejnik to save with his legs, the rebound was woefully launched over bar and stand to compound the Brewer's misery. A misery further compounded by Paul Peschisolido beings sacked minutes after the final whistle.
Torquay cemented their promotion position in style with a 4-1 victory which could so easily have been move. With 4 points separating them and the team in fourth place it allows room for error from the trip to table-toppers Swindon on Tuesday, not that Torquay should be approaching that game as a write off. On current form Torquay are a match for any team in the league and will be going into the crunch match high on confidence and with no pressure on them. With 9 games to go this dominant victory sets Torquay up perfectly for the run in. A hard team to break down, The Gulls have proved to the doubters that they have plenty of goals in their armoury, and with confidence and team spirit at an all time high there is no limit to what this talented and resolute team can achieve this season.
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Great and good-natured noise created by the Yellow Army again, another classic away day. Nice to see all the old suspects again. Gazza B, Austrian, Donny, Jaxx and Scottish, hope to see you all again before season's end.
Austrian, so close to your 5-1 scoreline buddy, maybe i should listen to your opinions more often
You got to make a trip to Plainmoor this season mate!!!
All feels so good at the moment and all credit to Martin Ling, who does everything in a very reserved and understated manner, a credit to himself and our club, long may he stick around, the team spirit at our club is unparalelled.
Bring on Swindon, we have absolutely nothing to fear, and all to gain!!
. Yours and Jeffs are always a good read.