Bevan had a giant roll in Johnstone's Paint Trophy success
MANAGER Paul Buckle told Torquay United's giant goalkeeper Scott Bevan to "stand tall" for the penalty shoot-out which the Gulls dominated to reach the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at League One AFC Bournemouth.
After a 0-0 draw at Dean Court, the Gulls won the shortest possible shoot-out 3-0, with 6ft 5in tall Bevan making a decisive save from the Cherries' £60,000 signing Marc Pugh.
"I know I wouldn't like to take a penalty against Scott," said Buckle.
"He's a big man for a start, and he can make the goal look very small.
"I told him 'Don't dive early, and they'll have to get it right in the corners to beat you'."
With Bevan delaying his move by a split-second, Bournemouth's Warren Cummings shot wide and Lee Bradbury hit a post before Pugh had Penalty No.3 saved by the United goalie.
The Gulls' aim was spot-on — Chris Robertson, skipper Nicky Wroe and Kevin Nicholson all scored.
Buckle revealed: "We've got some good penalty takers, and nearly everybody wanted to take one.
"Even Guy Branston put his hand up, but he'd already done his job by keeping Bournemouth out all night."
The goalless draw followed Saturday's 2-1 league win at Port Vale, when United's record 'clean-sheet' run ended after 998 minutes.
Buckle commented: "The way we look at it, we've just started another run — it's over a game and a half since we let in a goal again!.
"We had to work hard, and we changed the formation a few times, even when we came under a bit of pressure.
"But we kept our nerve and our shape."
Cherries manager Eddie Howe said: "I don't know what happened with the spot-kicks, but we didn't do very well.
"I thought we were dominant throughout the game, and we should have won it in normal time."
Buckle revealed that he 'rested' winger Wayne Carlisle to promote young midfielder Eunan O'Kane from the bench.
"Wayne has played a lot of football of late, after coming back from injury, and he needed a rest," said Buckle.
"It was an opportunity for Eunan and, although he was man-marked, I thought he took it."
Yesterday United played a reserve friendly against Exeter City at the Grecians' Cat & Fiddle Training Ground.
All the players who didn't get a full game in at Bournemouth played.
United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, with goals by Billy Kee and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner.
"The players had a long day on Tuesday and weren't back until 1.30 in the morning," said Buckle.
"It took them a while to get that journey out of their legs, but when they did, they did great.
"It was a very good work-out and everyone came through it OK.
"It was just what we needed, for everyone's fitness levels, with a massive game coming up at Southend on Saturday."
United will take the Football League's only 100 per cent record to Roots Hall at the weekend, to face a rebuilt Southend side under former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock.
3 Comments
by Mick, Totnes
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:50PM
“What roll is Dave referring to? Perhaps Scott had a giant bread roll with a tasty filling or consumed a swiss roll at half time? Did he complete a forward roll in delight after the penalties? I suspect Dave was referring to Bevan's giant goalkeeping role. Keep up the good work Dave and don't rely too much on your spell check.”
by Mick, Totnes
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:43PM
“One wonders about the giant Roll Bevan had at Bournemouth as reported above by Dave Thomas. Was it a giant bread roll with a tasty filling or perhaps a large swiss roll he devoured at half time? Possibly overcome with joy he did a giant forward roll at the final whistle-it would have been giant-he's a big lad. Perhaps Dave was over reliant on his spellchecker since I suspect he was referring to his goalkeeping role. Keep up the good work Dave!”
by Mick Rusling, Totnes
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:39PM
“One wonders what kind of giant roll Bevan had in the win at Bournemouth. Perhaps was it a large bread roll with a mouth watering filling. Did he consume a whole swiss roll at half time or did he do a forward roll in celebration at the end? Perhaps Dave Thomas was referring to his goalkeeping role. Keep up the good work Dave and don't rely on your spellchecker!”