Torquay Preview

[Woody Wilson]

City boss Chris Brass is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his side after the lacklustre performance at the weekend that saw his side lose 3-0 to Darlington, however some must be made if the Minstermen are to regain their winning ways. Jon Parkin is in place to make his first start since Cheltenham, having made an impact in his brief substitute appearance at the Reynolds arena. Also Mitch ward should return from a niggly thigh injury that has kept him out of the first team fold since the F.A cup defeat to Barnsley. However Brass won't want to rush the experienced midfielder back too soon, so Ward is not a definite starter for the trip to Plainmoor.

Other good news is that Christian Fox looks to have recovered from his injury set back after a couple of reserve games under his belt. Leigh Wood is also on the comeback trail however is unlikely to figure as he lacks match fitness.

Further bad news is that Richard Hope will again be absent as he starts his three match ban for the red card he picked up against Swansea. Hope was also absent from the clash with the Quakers after to picking up five yellow cards, however he now starts a fresh ban and won't feature against the Gulls. Steve Downes is still continuing his comeback from a knee injury, and Levent Yalcin is still suffering "groin" problems, whilst Aron Wilford is definitely out however as he has left for uni-bond side Worksop town on a months loan.

Possible team - Ovendale, Brass, Smith, Wood, Merris, Edmondson, Bullock, Brackstone, Dunning, Parkin, Shaw.

Torquay will be without a number of key players ahead of the Minstermen’s visit too Plainmoor. Playmaker Lee Fowler is rated at very doubtful with a back injury. Other significant worries for boss Leroy Rosenior are the injuries to Martin Gritton and Jo Kuffour. Gritton has a groin injury, whilst Kuffour is struggling with a knee injury.

Defender David Woozley is also doubtful with a knee injury that forced him out of the Gull's previous game with Southend, however some good news for Torquay is that new signing Narada Bernard is fit too play.

Over all Torquay have 7 senior first teamers absent for the game, however boss Leroy Rosenior remains upbeat saying "It's usual for me to have six or seven players out injured so things are getting better."

Last 5 games
City -Cheltenham(A) 1-1 D, Doncaster(H) 1-0W, Leyton Orient(A) 2-2 D, Swansea(H) 0-0D, Darlington(A) 0-3L.

Torquay Boston(A) 4-0 L, Doncaster(A) 1-0 L, Cheltenham(H) 3-1 W, Kidderminster(A) 2-1 W, Southend(H) 3-0 W.

Last meeting, Torquay 3-1 City January 11th 2003

The first moment of any excitement came when Michael Reddy raced on to Peter Duffield's through ball in a flash and as he looked to pull the trigger he was brought down by Sean Hankin for a certain penalty.

Duffield made no mistake from the spot, sweeping the ball past Kevin Dearden.

City's advantage lasted less than one and probably no more than 30 seconds. From the kick-off, Kevin Wills slipped the ball between City's static and very flat defence leaving Martin Gritton in the clear to tuck the ball into the corner.

The City defence was nowhere to be seen when Gritton was put in the clear again and had all the time in the world to stroke the ball past Fettis.

From bad to worse to woeful as minutes later Torquay made it 3-1.

Fettis produced a fine finger-tip save to push David Woozley's header on to the crossbar, but while the City defence stood and watched the bouncing ball Bedeau declined to stand on ceremony and nudged it over the line.

City managed to save the scoreline from becoming a rout and continued to press throughout the last 30 minutes, however the scoreline remained the same.


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