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Six Pointer
Six Pointer

Preview: Torquay v Grimsby

By: Kevin Dolan
Date: 25/01/2007

TWO of League Two’s out-of-form teams come head to head as Grimsby Town travel to Torquay in the first of two massive six-pointers.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Torquay (a)

The Opposition

Overview
After automatic promotion from League 2 in 2004, Torquay have had a miserable few seasons. Their stay in League 1 lasted only one season as they were narrowly relegated on the last day of the season, and since then the club has struggled at the foot of League 2. The club went through three managers last season. Leroy Rosenior has overseen the promotion and relegation, but a poor first half of last season saw him sacked in January. John Cornforth then took over as caretaker but did little to stem the flow and with 10 games left the club desperately appointed Ian Atkins

With 5 games to play and 6 points from safety they look doomed, but an incredible turnaround including four straight wins and a season-saving win at Champions Carlisle saw them preserve league status. After starting this season well, Atkins couldn’t continue the rich vein of form and, after a boardroom takeover this autumn, was replaced by ex-Czech Republic striker Lubos Kubik (left). Atkins was offered the position as Director of football but declined and left the club. Kubik, meanwhile, has done little to suggest he can keep the club in the league and recorded only one win in his 11 games so far (at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup). Colin Lee has also returned to the club as coach in recent weeks.

The Team
Torquay currently lie in bottom place in League 2, 8 points behind Town. The Gulls made a reasonable start to the season and were in the play-off places in mid-September. Since then, though, their season has been a disaster and the club have failed to win any of their last 19 league games; a run stretching back to September 16th. Their current from is as dismal as Town’s (if not more), gaining one point from a possible 21 and failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 16 league and cup games.

Lee Thorpe (left), who had a loan spell at Town in 2004, joined The Gulls in February on loan from Swansea, before making the deal permanent in the summer. He has three goals so far and usually partners Jamie Ward, the club’s top scorer with 10. Midfielder Lee Mansell was Oxford’s player of the year and joined the Gulls after relegation, whilst defender Lee Andrews is the only ever present this season.

Key Player
After Nathan Abbey’s surprise release, 20-year old Martin Horsell took over between the sticks and made his debut on Boxing Day. He conceded 13 goals in his 6 appearances and The Gulls have now moved to bring in experienced keeper Kevin Miller. 37-year old Miller has 18 years of experience with over 600 games under his belt, including spells at Birmingham, Watford and Crystal Palace (who paid over £1.5m for him). He has not played a first team game this season.

Recent Form

TownTorquay
LDarlington(h)0-1
LWalsall(a)2-0
LChester(h)0-2
LRochdale(h)0-4
LStockport(a)0-3
Currently 22nd in League Two.
LNotts Co(h)2-5
DBury(a)2-2
LSouthampton(h)0-2 (FAC)
LBristol R(h)0-1
LMacclesfield(a)0-1
Currently 24th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownTorquay
Peter Bore5
Gary Jones5
Ward10
Robertson4

Team News

TownTorquay

  • Tony Thorpe has rejoined the club until the end of the season and Simon Grand has made his loan move from Carlisle permanent.

  • Justin Whittle limped out of the Darlington game and will be out for two weeks with a groin injury.

  • Midfielder Matt Hockley returns from a one-match suspension.

  • Top scorer Jamie Ward is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

  • The Gulls have been busy in the transfer window and in the last few days have acquired left back Mark Robinson, who has joined from Stockport, along with goalkeeper Kevin Miller (Southampton), Rossi Jarvis and Matthew Halliday (both Norwich) who have all joined on one month loan spells.

    • Probable Teams

    TownTorquay
    1Phil Barnes
    20Gary Croft
    24Simon Grand
    5Nick Fenton
    3Tom Newey
    17Peter Till
    8Paul Bolland
    25James Hunt
    10Ciaran Toner
    19Gary Jones
    14Martin Paterson
    TBAKevin Miller
    2Lee Andrews
    18Steve Woods
    5Craig Taylor
    TBAMark Robinson
    17Stevland Angus
    10Lee Mansell
    4Matt Hockley
    TBAStephen Cooke
    9Lee Thorpe
    8Jamal Easter

    Subs

    TownTorquay
    13Robert Murray
    2John McDermott
    16Danny Boshell
    23Nick Hegarty
    9Michael Reddy
    11Kevin Hill
    TBALeon Hapgood
    TBAMatthew Halliday
    19Chris McPhee
    17Jamie Ward

    Head to Head

    The Mariners have a good record against Torquay and are unbeaten in their last three visits to Plainmoor.

    P 19 W 9 D 5 L 5 F 32 A 22

    Torquay Head-to-Head (12th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    The Mariners last visit to Torquay came at a similar stage of last season (albeit in vastly different circumstances) with Town twice squandering the lead to settle for a point.

    21-Jan-2006
    Torquay2 - 2Grimsby
    Bedeau 34
    Bedeau 89    		 Parkinson 6
    Futcher 81

    Torquay Team: Marriott, Lloyd, Woods (Robinson, 85), Sharp, Lawless, Phillips, Garner, Hewlett, Kuffour, Bedeau, Hill
    Subs (not used): Walton, Hockley, Villis, Coleman

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, Croft, Futcher, R Jones, Newey, Mendes, Bolland, Toner, Parkinson, Reddy (Cohen, 74), G Jones (Gritton, 62)
    Subs: (not used) McDermott, Barwick, Bloomer

    Attendance: 2,559   Report

    Bookings: Bedeau (Torquay) Cohen, Croft, Futcher, Mendes, Newey (Grimsby)

    Prediction

    Torquay 1-1 Town

    		Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Plainmoor (left).

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