Well here we are again on the brink of another season! As a taster for supporters who are thinking of embarking on a trip away to watch United or those of you about to set off for Barrow (I know the match is scheduled for February but it's a long, long way! ''In Barrow no-one can hear you scream'') a familiar face both at Plainmoor and at away ends up and down the country has put together his experiences from last season. Nigel Tabb takes us through the first half of last season's away travels.....

LEVEL 5 OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL .

I thought I would start with a positive title as the doom of references to the 'Conference' and 'Blue Square Premiership' seem to have a negative air about them after 80 years as a Football League club. Torquay United have diced with falling through the trap door several times and now our Club has to play outside of the elite for the first time since 1927. To put the positive into things, however, we are playing in the fifth level of professional football in one of the globe's major football nations.

After the usual local goodwill pre-season friendlies at Newton Abbot, Dawlish and Buckland the first away game in the Blue Square sends us to Aldershot - a familiar destination in Football League days until our promotion in 1991.

The Gulls Travel Club has entrusted Hookways Coaches to transport us (suppliers of the Torquay United team coach). I board the coach at 2.15pm on Wednesday 15th August 2007 at Moto Services, Junction 30 of the M5. Several of United's Exeter and Plymouth based players and staff are there waiting for their coach.

The A303 and M3 route makes for a welcome change from the usual runs up the M5 and Aldershot is reached at 6pm. The rendezvous for Torquay's travelling fans is The Crimea public house; an apt pub name as Aldershot is the home of the British Army. The bar and beer garden is a sea of yellow shirts with a few red tops of the home fans adding to the colour. Aldershot Town's Recreation Ground, High Street, has not changed since my last visit - a 3 -2 victory for the Gulls in 1990; the addition of the suffix 'Town' the only change after the collapse of Aldershot FC in 1992. Entry to the ground is from the High Street turnstiles past the end which houses only a footpath and between the small grandstand and railway to the imposing covered end - one half for the away fans, the other side of the goal houses the vociferous home support.

Tim Sills opens the scoring against his former team with a deflected shot after five minutes. A good game of football gets even better just before half time when substitute Danny Stevens scores a superb solo goal at the High Street End. Torrential rain was a feature of the evening but it did not prevent some flowing football from both sides - Simon Rayner and his defence dealt well with the home team's attacks. Chris Zebroski netted United's third goal mid way through the second half from a Kevin Nicholson corner in front of United's impressive away following - I would estimate about 500 in number.

Three days later and we are entering real 'Conference' country with a visit to Northwich Victoria.

An August Saturday threatens heavy traffic queues along the M5 and M6 so the coach makes an early start and I get picked up at 7.15pm at junction 30 of the M5. Leaving the M6 we enter the Borough of Vale Royal - an upmarket name to match the stockbroker part of Cheshire that we have reached. The Victoria Stadium is a new venue at the end of an industrial estate in the village of Wincham on the outskirts of Northwich. This stadium replaced the Drill Field ground, Victoria's previous home across town (Drillfield Way is part of the new address).

Alongside the ground is the Trent & Mersey Canal and arch rivals Witton Albion have their ground on the other side of the water. The coach arrived at the smart Victoria Stadium at 11.30am. No bar facilities were available to us so a fair walk back to the main road and The Black Greyhound pub was deemed necessary. The Theakston's Mild was most enjoyable. Northwich Vic's had missed out on our cash flow. Heavy showers meant hiring taxis to take us back to the ground but had we not alerted the driver we would have ended up at Witton's ground!

Several hundred Torquay United fans watched the game from the covered terrace opposite the main stand. Both ends of the ground are flat and have no terracing but there is plenty of space to build stands should the need arise - perhaps hosting Manchester United's Reserve team home games may create that situation. Torquay soon took control of the game and Tim Sills and Lee Phillips gave the Gulls a 2 - 0 interval lead.

The match seemed like a training session for United but a bizarre own goal from the shocked Chris Todd reduced the arrears during the second half. United never appeared to be in any danger and Phillips scored a third Torquay goal in the final minutes to confirm our second away win of the season.

A stop at our usual haunt on the way home from northern games was made at the Crown Hotel, (the erstwhile Poacher's Pocket) Wychbold for some Banks's beer.

Next stop Forest Green on the edge of the Gloucestershire town of Nailsworth. A sunny August Bank Holiday Monday. The coaches left Paignton at 9am accompanied by numerous car loads along the M5. My coach arrived at the New Lawn at 12 noon via Wotton-under-Edge and some narrow roads just passable for a full size coach. Time to look at the site of The Lawn, the previous headquarters of Forest Green Rovers, 300 yards down the hill. The old ground is now a smart new housing development but memories came back of Torquay United's FA Cup tie there in 1999. The likes of Neville Southall and Chris Brandon were part United's line-up that Sunday afternoon on the sloping pitch, and three late goals gave the Gulls the win. The Green Man pub is housed in the main grandstand and was well populated by Torquay supporters. The town of Nailsworth contains a few watering holes for those willing to climb the hill to Forest Green in time for the match.

The New Lawn is a well appointed stadium although we were allocated the uncovered terrace opposite the main stand. The seated stand to our right has been relocated from the former ground but was not ready to take away supporters on the day. With a couple of hundred away supporters in the main stand United's support on the day totalled around 1,000. Ten minutes into the game and we were a happy bunch as Chris Hargreaves' shot found the home net. Midway through the first half and things had changed as Mark Beesley scored twice for Forest Green Rovers. FGR usually struggle at this level but look a competent team this time around. Torquay gradually started to apply some pressure after the break and an alert linesman flagged that Chris Robertson's shot from a corner kick had crossed the line to make the score 2 - 2 on 66 minutes.

Monday 10th September meant a half day holiday to travel to Burton-on-Trent. The coach arrived at 6.45pm for this Setanta televised game. The Pirelli Stadium is another well appointed ground built in recent years. For the Country's 'brewing capital' pubs seem a rarity in the locality of the ground but bar facilities, although basic, are situated at the away end of the ground. Burton Albion took a two goal lead - one of the goals a bizarre free kick from the halfway line. Elliot Benyon reduced arrears late in the game but the Brewers made it 3 - 1 as the game drew to a close. Not a happy coach as we headed home to arrive back in Devon in the early hours of the morning.

Reduced interest in a Tuesday night fixture in Cambridgeshire dictates the use of a minibus to Histon on the 18th September. A nearly new vehicle is supplied which is fitted with a 55 mph limiter. Information reaches us that a major lorry accident has closed the A14 Cambridge by-pass. This was intended as the final part of the journey to Histon so a detour via the Newmarket by-pass and the countryside north of Cambridge was made. Histon was reached at 7.30pm but luckily the game had been put back to 8.15pm as several of the Histon players were delayed by the ensuing traffic jams in and around the city of Cambridge.

We parked the minibus by the office campus area in Impington (the village adjacent to Histon where the Glassworld Stadium is located). Just enough time to pop into the adjacent Railway Vue pub before walking across Bridge Road and along an unlit lane to the Glassworld Stadium. The stadium has a two part main stand, the second part having recently been completed but not yet ready for occupation. The opposite side and the two ends have covered steel structures similar to the new stand at Dawlish Town. Floodlighting is supplied from single pole structures along the sides of the ground.

Tim Sills, Darren Mullings and Chris Zebroski had put Torquay United into a 3 - 0 interval lead. Histon pulled back two goals after half time but Zebroski converted a penalty to make the score 4 - 2 to Torquay. A sending off for each side and two late penalties for Histon after Chris Todd handled in the area looked like the match was heading for a 4 - 4 draw. A last minute free kick arrived at the far post and Todd's shot claimed a 5 - 4 victory in front of several hundred travelling Gulls' fans. Cue celebrations from those from South Devon, the Capital Gulls and other exiles. Unfortunately, the cameras failed on the night so goal highlights of this remarkable game will never be available. The M11 slip road onto the M25 was closed for overnight road works so London's North Circular road would have to suffice as an alternative. The 50mph limit on this road would be ideal for the speed restrictor on the minibus. All was going well until we passed the Colney Hatch interchange and then we came upon a three lane crawl at 12 midnight. One hour and one mile later we cleared the scene of more overnight road works at the next junction. I disembarked the minibus at 5am and arrived home for two hours' sleep before starting a new day at work. What a game, what a journey!

We enter familiar territory on the following Saturday (22nd September) with the journey up the M5 to former Football League club Kidderminster Harriers. The stadium in Aggborough is a well appointed venue. Our coach arrived at 1.20 pm and parked at the car park to the rear of the away end. A view of the adjacent Severn Valley steam railway can be ad from here for those interested. The usual haunt for liquid refreshment is to be found in the Social Club at the far end of the ground which contains two bar areas, one reserved for away supporters. Today, however, said club is hosting a wedding reception so we are welcomed into the smaller Harriers Bar which fronts the entrance to the ground.

Torquay United soon get down to business with Paul Hinshelwood's amazing lob from the halfway line along the right wing finding its way into home 'keeper Chris McKenzie's net. More orthodox goals followed from Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski during the first half. Zebroski netted United's fourth goal after the break before James Constable pulled a goal back for Harriers. Substitute Lee Phillips strong run produced goal number five for United in front of the large away following. For the first time during the season, both sections of the away end were opened to prevent overcrowding problems at Aggborough's visiting section! In a very entertaining game, Constable scored a second goal for Harriers but there the scoring came to an end for the afternoon. Ten goals for Torquay in the space of five days away from home - this must be something for the history books!

A celebratory stop was made at the Barn Owl pub at Warndon on the outskirts of Worcester with Banks's Bitter and Harp lager supped in the beer garden on a balmy early autumn evening. This is Rugby Union territory where many of the locals enjoy a pint after watching Worcester RFC play just along the road at Sixways Stadium by junction 6 of the M5.

A change of scenery on the 6th October as the coach heads along the A303, M3 and M25 anti-clockwise to the erstwhile Gravesend and Northfleet FC. Sponsorship by Euro-star has dictated that this well known name in football be renamed as Ebbsfleet United. Ebbsfleet is the name of the new railway station nearby on the London St.Pancras to Paris channel tunnel railway link and a historical name of the locality which is to be regenerated as Ebbsfleet. Commercial reasons over-riding football tradition I suppose. The Plough Inn is the rendezvous for a lot of Torquay United supporters, a lot of which are Capital Gulls having made the short trip from London and the Home Counties.

The Stonebridge Road ground has changed little since my one and only previous visit in 1979 for an FA Cup tie which Torquay United won 1 - 0 with a goal from legend Steve Cooper. Seats have been bolted to the terrace of the covered end but everything else is a throwback to a traditional English football ground with constructions circa the early and mid part of the 20th century. The tall chimney of the local cement works dominates at the rear of the main grandstand and entrance to the away terrace is alongside a scrapyard for redundant London Transport double deckers.

A sunny October afternoon is quite pleasant for the hundreds of Gulls' supporters stood on the open terrace. The pitch is in bowling green condition as both sides put together some fluent attacking moves. Chris Zebroski had some good chances - his pace a menace for the Ebbsfleet defence and former Gull Chris McPhee looked to be enjoying his role on the right flank (perhaps he was never centre forward material as used in his season at Plainmoor!). The goals came late in the game with Ebbsfleet taking the lead in the 76th minute. Mark Ellis headed an equaliser five minutes later from a corner kick in front of the grateful travelling support. Not so grateful were the Ebbsfleet defenders as they were more concerned with starting an affray as Torquay's players wanted to get the ball back to restart the game. On 82 minutes, a swift move along the left ended with Fleet scoring the winning goal. Just to rub salt into the wounds, our coach driver stopped for his obligatory break at Fleet Services as we headed back along the M3!

Setanta TV decided that Oxford United vs. Torquay United would be good entertainment to beam to the nation so the scheduled midweek fixture was switched to Thursday 11th October. I give my best wishes to the contingent of Torquay United playing staff awaiting the team coach at Exeter Services then board my coach at 2.45pm. A stop is made at Gordano Services and the Kassam Stadium is reached at 6.30pm. Pre-match facilities are enjoyed in the Stadium Bar, which includes a ten pin bowling alley, opposite the ground. Although still only three sides as the home side awaits an upturn to its football status, the Kassam Stadium is of Championship standard.

The first half saw Torquay enjoy more of the game territorially but go into the break three goals down! A good midweek away following must have wondered if the trip was worthwhile as the home support looked forward to an emphatic win. In the 58th minute, Ishmael Welsh seized upon the loose ball which Billy Turley failed to hold and scored with a low shot to give us some hope. Oxford were pushed back by the frequent Torquay attacks and in the 79th minute, Chris Zebroski made the score 3 - 2 with a far post shot after Tony Bedeau's right wing cross was headed on by Tim Sills. Oxford could not cope and they seemed to lack any confidence. A rare Oxford attack broke down in the 89th minute and Zebroski and Welsh stormed along the right wing and the latter's cross was powerfully headed home by Sills for the equaliser. 361 Gulls' grateful fans applauded the team as they came over to thank us for our support - it had turned out to be a worthwhile trip and catching a re-run of the end of the match after arriving home at 1.30 in the morning Setanta seemed pleased with the with the previous night's offering.

Setanta TV arranged to show our next away game at York City on the 'box' so the fixture was moved to Sunday night, 21st October. As at Oxford, York City's Bootham (Kit-Kat) Crescent is familiar territory due to our many Football League fixtures in the ancient city. The nearest I get to the Coca Cola League these days is drinking the stuff due to having to drive the minibus as a full size coach is often not financially viable for away evening games in faraway destinations. Arrival at York is at 6pm and we visit to our usual haunt, the Burton Stone Inn. This pub used to contain several small bars but had plenty of character but unfortunately has been subjected to a refurbishment. It is now one large bar with the décor of a very clinical appearance. Enjoying my Coca Cola, the television shows the Grand Prix coverage but the nation's hope, Lewis Hamilton, fails in his bid to claim the Drivers Championship. Fellow supporter, Simon Cavanna has just arrived back from England's defeat in Russia and discusses his trip to Moscow.

Time to move onto the main event of the day and we enter the Minstermen's headquarters for the 7.15pm kick off. The Bootham Crescent ground is in a time warp not having changed since my first visit there twenty years ago except for the original floodlight pylons being replaced by the modern single pole supports now supporting the bulbs in the corners of the ground.Attempts to relocate to new pastures have not yet materialised because of various factors. Torquay United created some good chances during the first half, attacking the open away terrace, the Grosvenor Road End. Mark Robinson, having played for United the previous season, enjoyed a good rapport with the travelling Gulls' supporters. An impressive 209 had made the trip to York to cheer on the Yellows (local rivals Halifax Town could only muster 250 fans at York the previous month!). In the 51st minute, Torquay took the lead. Kevin Nicholson's right wing corner was headed home by Chris Todd. From thereon, United took control and created further chances. Some late pressure from York was dealt with by United's defence and the three points were on their way south as Torquay reclaimed lead of the division.

Another City loomed the following Saturdayas we travelled to Bath for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. A few visits to Twerton Park have been made over the years to watch Torquay United play Bristol Rovers in various cup competitions when Rovers shared Bath's ground on a temporary basis and a pre-season friendly took place between Bath and Torquay in 2003. Twerton Park is not the best accessible ground for high floor coaches as the railway arches on the Paddington to Bristol line are too low, so a detour was necessary to reach the ground. Many United supporters enjoyed the facilities of Randall's Bar situated at the rear of the Grandstand. Twerton Park is another ground which has seen little change over the years. The pitch slopes from touchline to touchline on the side of a hill.

On a drab, drizzly afternoon, the Gulls' large support is cheered by Lee Phillips headed goal after eight minutes. Lee Mansell's right wing cross was misjudged by Paul Evans in the Bath goal and Phillips had an easy job to open the scoring in front of the away supporters. Five minutes later, Chris Todd conceded a penalty for handball. Martin Rice, replacing the injured Simon Rayner, dived to his left to save Lewis Hogg's spot kick and the rebound was blasted over. Bath created a few chances but United remained in control. Former Gull Scott Partridge came on as a second half substitute for Bath and enjoyed a good rapport with the Torquay supporters. It was a relief to see Partridge's shot go wide of the post though. Mark Ellis terminated a City attack in the 83rd minute and sent Tim Sills racing away on the left. Sills' well weighted pass was netted by substitute Danny Stevens to give United a 2 - 0 victory. As the coach traversed the hills of North Somerset on the way back, the 1st round draw paired us with Yeovil Town at Plainmoor.

Crawley Town on the 17th November was our next trip on the Blue Square itinerary. The coach driver preferred the A303/M3/M25 route rather than the less attractive M5/M4 option. After a stop at Fleet Services we arrived at Crawley's Broadfield Stadium at 12.20pm. The ground is situated just off the M23 London to Brighton route on the edge of Crawley a few miles south of Gatwick Airport. Behind the home end is situated Redz Bar which was convenient for liquid refreshments. On sale in the club shop was a copy of the Torquay United vs. Plymouth Argyle League Cup programme of 1960. I decided to part with £3.50 to acquire same. Broadfield Stadium is a recently built ground. A good size grandstand and two covered terraced ends with an open terrace opposite the grandstand.

A Lee Mansell left foot shot and a Mark Ellis header from Mansell's left wing corner put United 2 - 0 in front after 13 minutes. Ashley Bayes was once again picking the ball out of the net against his former club in the 39th minute when Tim Sills headed United's third goal, after a Kevin Nicholson corner. No more goals from United in the second half as the team played towards another large away following, 567 in number making up a third of the game's attendance. What a good revenue earner for a lot of Conference sides when Torquay United are in town. The second half became a bit nervy for the Torquay support as Crawley pulled two goals back but some late attacks from United took the pressure off our defence and we came away from Sussex with the three points. The coach driver obligingly took his break in the Wiltshire town of Amesbury. A quick pint was enjoyed in the Bell Inn whilst some of the party took advantage of the nearby fish and chip shop and other takeaways.

The fixture at Farsley Celtic had been scheduled for Saturday December 1st but the FA Cup tie vs. Brighton & Hove Albion had to take priority. The fixture was promptly rearranged for Wednesday 12th December. Had this been a Saturday a coach would have been run but such a long journey in midweek meant the use of a smaller vehicle. The Gulls Travel Club hired a five seat Vauxhall saloon from Chief Vehicle Rentals! After a couple of stops at Michaelwood and Tamworth Services we arrived at Farsley's Throstle Nest ground at 7.30pm. An earlier arrival would have been achieved had it not been for the large volume of traffic heading for the White Rose shopping centre after we had left the M62 for the climb up the hill to Farsley. A large field adjacent to the Throstle Nest serves as the car park. On a raw December night, the field had become crisp with frost. As we entered the ground it was noticeable that only one end and one side were up to any reasonable standard suited to the Blue Square Premier. The covered end nearest the turnstiles housed a mixture of standing terrace and recently bolted on seats. Floodlighting from pillars along the side of the ground provided the night's illumination. A small grandstand with open terracing either side was the only accommodation of any note. No segregation here but the locals from the western suburbs of Leeds were a friendly crowd and the 100 or so Gulls' fans were made welcome. A breakdown at the printers earlier in the day meant that the match programme was in short supply.

Attacking the covered end, Torquay United did not take long to take the lead. A Kevin Nicholson corner found Lee Phillips whose shot cannoned off the post but Chris Zebroski was on hand to force the ball home after six minutes. Farsley played some reasonable football which belied their lowly position but United came close to increasing the lead when Nicholson's free kick hit the crossbar and over for what we thought would be a goal kick. The referee had been convinced that the Celtic 'keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and awarded a corner. Perhaps justice was done as Tim Sills headed Lee Mansell's corner over the bar. The warmth of the Social Club was very welcome at half time. Faced with a long drive home the strongest fluid that I took on was a pint of Coke. The bulk of United's fans moved to the far end of the ground after the break - the area behind the goal not much more than a tarmac path. By this time, the surface had become white with frost. Midway through the second half after a spell of pressure from United, Danny Stevens netted the second goal after two attempts. Roy Stamer scored with a fine volley after 78 minutes but United held on to earn the points. Chris Hargreaves was so impressed by the away following on such a cold night far from home that he shook hands with as many Torquay supporters as possible at the final whistle. What an appreciative character! After a hot meal at Woolley Edge Services on the M1 and a thirty minute kip at Tamworth Services your correspondent drove into Station Square at Paignton at 5am Thursday. Farsley Celtic away - it had to be done!

The Setanta Shield pitched Torquay United away to St. Albans City on the 22nd December. Not a great deal of interest for this game so I collected the minibus from Chief at 7am. A stop was made at Leigh Delamare Services for breakfast. After passing the team's hotel and acknowledging the waving Kevin Hill et al we arrived at Clarence Park at 12 noon thanks to the guidance of a kindly local who told us to follow him in his builder's van. Good on you, Pal! The ground is situated in the corner of Clarence Park, a public recreation area. My previous visit was 27 years before when we gained a 1 - 1 draw in the FA Cup on the 13th December 1980 with the Gulls winning the replay at Plainmoor. The ground has not changed. A brick and timber grandstand alongside the railway line with a partly covered terrace opposite. Both ends comprise open terracing whilst a total of eight small floodlight pylons stand alongside both touchlines. Pre match refreshments were had in the nearby Crown pub - a large hostelry well populated by Gulls' supporters. A large proportion of Capital Gulls had made the short trip from the metropolis. I enjoyed a few more pints of Coca Cola.

St. Albans City in their yellow strip with royal blue trim took the lead with a bizarre own goal after four minutes. Kevin Nicholson's header back to Simon Rayner was cleared as far as the unsuspecting Mark Ellis and into Torquay United's net. The Saints supporters alongside us (no segregation for this game) enjoyed our misfortune! A much changed United team put together a number of attacks but failed to beat the impressive Nick Eyre in the home goal. In the 38th minute, an unstoppable shot by Paul Bruce put City two goals up. Missed chances for the Gulls in the second half as we attacked down the slope then some missed chances for the Saints late in the game. Chairman Alex Rowe and director Brian Palk stood amongst the Torquay Supporters during the second half and apologised for the scoreline.They were not on the pitch in an all blue kit so it was not their fault but the gesture showed that the club cares for the supporters.

Conference South side St. Albans go into the draw for the 5th round of the Setanta Shield whilst we travel back to Devon with the thoughts of a trip to Exeter City on Boxing Day uppermost in our minds. A pint of Guinness in the Brook Green Tavern amongst fellow Gulls' supporters before taking our places in the St. James' Road End for the Boxing Day meet of Exeter City and Torquay United. As terraced away accommodation goes, St. James' Park does not offer the greatest of viewing platforms or facilities (namely a lack of cover). No rain today however, so at least we stay dry. The couple of hundred Gulls' followers in the seated Flybe stand are exempt from the terraced inadequacies.

Events do not go well with the Grecians taking a two goal lead but Chris Todd pulls a goal back just after half time in front of the Big Bank. I'm not a big fan of local derbies and when Exeter scored a couple more goals and three sides of the ground gloat it is painful enough but the thoughts that Setanta are beaming this around the country makes things harder to accept. A dreadful return to his former stamping ground for 'keeper Martin Rice with a lot of venom aimed in his direction from the home support. Tim Sills was also at the mercy of the home crowd after an altercation with Danny Seaborne - Seaborne's dismissal for a head butt had left the Grecians one man short. United were pressing forward a lot between City's breakaway attacks, with substitute Danny Stevens at the heart of many moves. A Lee Phillips header and a fierce Kevin Nicholson shot reduced the arrears to one goal and a desperate defending operation from the home side denied the Gulls a share of the spoils.

The calendar year ends with a trip to Woking on 29th December. The coach stops at 8am to collect me at Exeter Services and proceeds via the M5, M4 and Bracknell to Woking instead of the more direct route of the A303/M3. Woking is reached at 12.30pm and we take taxis from the ground to the town centre for a drink and a meal. We expected to meet with fellow Gulls in the Weatherspoon public house but Gulls Travel Club organiser and his good lady Tracey are turned away because their three month old son, Ryan, is not allowed on the premises. Effectively, Weatherspoons have turned away other potential customers as we seek an alternative establishment. Poor Ryan - it seems he could be earning a reputation at such a tender age! Yates' Wine Lodge comes up trumps and a good, reasonably priced meal and beverages are enjoyed by all. Taxis are hired from the nearby railway station to take us back to the Kingfield Stadium. On entering the ground, a sign on the gate informs that the ground is a Police Dog Training Area. Better behave yourself young Ryan! Kingfield Stadium has a lopsided appearance to it. Torquay United's supporters are housed on the narrow open terrace along the touchline opposite two small 'bottle green' painted structures that make the Grandstand. To our left is a modern, towering all-seater structure which dominates the stadium, a very smart stand that would not look out of place three divisions higher. Behind the opposite goal is a low terraced covered stand. Floodlights are housed in the corners on modern single pole 'pylons'.

Torquay United had the majority of the game with Chris Zebroski prominent in a lot of the attacks. Nick Gindre in the Woking goal and his defence did well to repel United. In the second half, a rare Woking attack was cleared to Zebroski. Lee Phillips ran onto Zebroski pass along the left and Gindre caught Phillips' shin just inside the area. A penalty was awarded and Tim Sills netted in front of the imposing modern stand. Sills then sent a shot over the bar and had a header cleared off the line. Luckily the cushion of an extra goal was not needed as Woking hit United's crossbar and Steve Woods blocked the rebound.

553 Torquay United fans headed home from leafy Surrey in a happier frame of mind than three days previous.