Cheltenham vs Torquay: Robins rock Gulls
Cheltenham gained the first-leg advantage in their npower League Two play-off semi-final against Torquay courtesy of goals from Jermaine McGlashan and Ben Burgess.
McGlashan's first-half opener capped a fine display from the midfielder, who signed from Aldershot in January, while Burgess' measured header put the Gloucestershire side in pole position for the Wembley final.
Torquay, beaten play-off finalists last season, settled quicker than their hosts and Rene Howe fired an early effort just over the crossbar. Robins goalkeeper Scott Brown then rushed out to deny Ryan Jarvis as he looked to lift the ball over him from 12 yards out.
The home side were given a scare from the subsequent corner, which Brown badly misjudged to set up a goalmouth scramble from which Lee Mansell shot wide.
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The opening goal came after 27 minutes. Damon Lathrope conceded possession in midfield, allowing Luke Summerfield to feed McGlashan who darted into the area and slotted home via the far post.
Lee Mansell's overhead kick dropped wide of the far post in Torquay's final attack of the first half.
An action-packed start to the second half saw both sides strike the woodwork and the Robins double their advantage. First Mark Ellis tried to poke Summerfield's cross behind for a corner but smashed the ball against a post, then Burgess directed a powerful header into the top corner from McGlashan's cross after 50 minutes.
Jarvis spurned a glorious chance to reduce the deficit almost immediately as he headed against the bar from close range.
Substitute Taiwo Atieno tested Brown with a late toe-poke and a back-post header but could not find a way through, leaving Torquay with a two-goal deficit to overturn in the second leg at Plainmoor on Thursday.
Comments
by hughanchor
Monday, May 14 2012, 5:34PM
“To Lord ********. Yes, we look forward to entertaining Fred and Rose West's relations at the game on Thursday. All the throwbacks and products of incestuous relationships from Gloucestershire. I don't think many Cheltenham fans will be able to read this, let alone operate a "computer" though.
We probably don't have a great chance of going through, but I'm sure the Gulls will give it a good go. At least we aren't as cocky and arrogant as the Cheltenham fans seem to be, remember that pride comes before a fall. If Cheltenham do go through, I'm not sure that the average village idiot from Gloucestershire will know where London is, let alone Wembley.
Fingers crossed for Thursday, come on you yellows!”
by Light Options Limited
Monday, May 14 2012, 4:16PM
“Further to Lordbellend96. Your user name seems about right , a total c##k. Bet we wont be seeing you at Plainmoor on Thursday, has I doubt you even go to the home matches. Stick to what your good at b##l e#d”
by TimDis
Monday, May 14 2012, 12:14PM
“We need to win the midfield battle first (something that we clearly didn't do yesterday as they were given far too much space) and have some more composure in front of goal. COME ON YOU YELLOWS !”
by Antcommander
Monday, May 14 2012, 9:10AM
“Thanks Rocket.
I feel, so long as we don't concede and can get a goal in the hour, then we should have a barnstorming end to the match.”
by RocketRon_
Sunday, May 13 2012, 7:35PM
“Torquay united? What a joker of a team..Yawn..zzzzzz”
by newks44
Sunday, May 13 2012, 4:30PM
“3 points from the last 15 represents relegation not promotion form. However a club like Torquay United only have a small squad of players and from what I have heard several players have been turning out carrying injuries in recent matches.
United need a goal in the first half an hour of Thursday's second leg against Cheltenham to help turn the Play Off Semi Final around.”