Torquay United vs Cambridge United

Cambridge United: (4-3-3) Barrett, Chenery, Ashbee, Duncan, Joseph, Campbell, Wanless, Beall, Charles, Kyd, Benjamin.
Subs not used: Wilson, Barnwell, Hayes.
Booked: Wanless (66' foul)

Torquay United (3-5-2): Veysey, Gurney, Gibbs, (McCall 53'), Robinson, Gittens, Watson, Clayton, Hill, Jack, Bedeau, Leadbitter (Thomas 71').
Sub not used: Hapgood.
Booked: Gittens (85' foul)

Ref: A. N. Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield).

Shots On Target: Torquay 5, Cambridge 5
Corners: Torquay 8, Cambridge 5

Julie Mansfield was one of the hardy few who made the 600 mile trip to watch the U's at Torquay, and what a reward they got for their time and travels! United won their first away match for six months and Julie has kindly allowed her match report to the Moosenet mailing list to be reproduced here:

[Julie Mansfield's match report] [My summary of media reports]

Julie Mansfield's match report:

Well for all you people that missed this game, all I can say is tough luck!!!!

No seriously, it was a really good game from our team,and we made Torquay look ordinary. They started off with a couple of chances but we never looked like losing. Rodney Jack was getting some abuse in which he retaliated with some rather rude hand signals!!!!!!

I think Kydd is getting back to his old self as he played some excellent football. You only have to look at our first goal to see that he made a brilliant run at their defence beating about 3 players before he shot across goal, hit the bottom of the far post, and in it went. We couldn't believe it, 1-0 up against Torquay....

We started the second half just as we finished the first, which makes a change really. We didn't shut up shop and defend like we normally do, it was all out attack. Before long "Bruno" was getting in some good positions and this led to our second goal. The ball was passed forward and "Bruno" and a Torquay defender went for it, it looked as though he was going to give up, when he managed to scoop it away and into the net. We all went mental...

I think Scotty had a couple of saves to make in the second half but nothing really testing. If you thought Ashbee's goal was good last week, just make sure you see Wanless's. As the ball was passed to him about 25 yards out he just looked up and Bang, it was in the net. That was it the Torquay fans had seen enough, with 15 mins left they were leaving the ground in droves!!

At the final whistle the players came to applaud the 85 or so fans that were cheering them off the pitch. Wanless was so glad of the win he didn't seem to want to get off. The only sad thing was that McFarland still won't acknowledge the fans, even after such a good win, he just trudged off...

Good to see Smart wave when we passed the team coach on the way back, we gave them a good honk on the hooter, maybe he is human after all.

Julie

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Summary of media reports:
United won their first away game since the 5th of September in style at second-placed Torquay United, as the Manager of the Month curse struck. Teenage striker Trevor Benjamin was the only change to the side, replacing Jamie Barnwell, and he marked his return with a goal. 'Bruno' obviously enjoys playing against Devon sides as this was his first League goal of the season and only his second of the campaign - the first came in the FA Cup replay against Plymouth Argyle.

The two sides did not live up to their reputations today: Torquay started this match on the back of eight straight wins while United were without an away win for six months. Torquay looked disorganised and sloppy while United were revitalised by the presence of Benjamin who harried and chased everything. Central defenders Andy Duncan and Marc Joseph were outstanding and Billy Beall had another excellent game in midfield, alongside the impressive Paul Wanless and Ian Ashbee.

United had two chances to go ahead before the first goal went in. After 29 minutes Ken Veysey was rescued by defender Jon Gittens who blocked a Lee Charles shot on the line after a goalmouth scramble, and ten minutes later Trevor Benjamin's curling cross beat him but bounced off the far post.

United's opener came nicely just before half-time with Michael Kyd's brilliant solo run from the half-way line. In recent weeks the pacy striker has looked as though he is returning to his best after a cartilage operation interrupted his season, and he confirmed his return to form by beating three defenders before finishing from ten yards with his left foot. The ball hit the bottom of the far post and smacked into the back of the net for Kyddie's eighth goal of the season, but his first for six weeks.

After the break United withstood the anticipated early pressure from the Gulls, during which Ben Chenery cleared a Tony Bedeau overhead kick off the line, and then broke out to add to the scoreline.

Ben Chenery (number 2) clears off the line

Trevor Benjamin thoroughly deserved a goal for all his hard work and it came ten minutes into the second half. He intercepted a Chris Leadbitter pass and showed tenacity to brush aside several challenges before scoring with his left foot from about eight yards. Benjamin was also involved in the third, heading the ball down to Billy Beall who threaded a short pass forward. Lee Charles let the ball run to Paul Wanless, who hit the ball first time to send a rising shot into the top left corner from 25 yards. That was in the 79th minute and by then Torquay knew it was all over, and their fans began streaming for the exits. At the final whistle the United players lined up to salute the 40 odd hard-core travelling fans who made the 600-mile round trip to witness the first away win for six months.

United moved up one place in the table to 17th and although this win does not mean anything in terms of achieving a long out-of-reach play-off place, it will do the world of good for morale among the players and supporters.

Torquay boss Kevin Hodges picked up the Third Division Manager of the Month award for February but saw his club's record eight-win run come to a halt today. He said, "We were just not at the races. Too many players looked tired and jaded after mentally-sapping wins over Lincoln and Cardiff."

Many thanks to Julie for her report.

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