Torquay United 2 Chesterfield 0
Match Sponsor: SHERWELL VALLEY GARAGE
Attendance: 3,966
If you had stopped a United fan going about their business yesterday and offered them there and then a beautiful August day, a near 4,000 crowd and a 2-0 win for the Gulls, they would have bitten your arm off but that is exactly what we got at a sun drenched Plainmoor on the opening day of the new season. Yes, Chesterfield more than played their part and at times United's defending was last gasp. United goalkeeper Scott Bevan's contribution between the sticks was almost as important as the two goals themselves but a win is a win, three points are in the bag and we all go home smiling!
Continuity is often the bedrock of a successful football team and Paul Buckle had the good fortune to be able to send out nine out of the eleven who took to the pitch at Wembley against Cambridge for the play-off final. Only 'keeper Michael Poke and stiker Elliot Benyon were missing and Benyon's absence was only due to a tactical decision by the boss.
Before kick-off today there was a warm and very respectful minute of applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson.
The first shot of the match came inside the opening minute when, after good work by Kevin Nicholson and Scott Rendell, Tim Sills had a snap shot from 25 yards but it went harmlessly over the visitor's goal. United did seem a little edgy in the opening exchanges but that was maybe expected with the expectation that a return to the Football League and a big audience can bring. It was a scrappy start but Chesterfield did seem to settle a little quicker than United and were certainly here to have a go, which made a pleasant change from many a game at Plainmoor over the last two seasons.
For all of Chesterfield's better build-up play it was United who broke the deadlock after a quarter of an hour. The impressive Danny Stevens started the move after receiving a pass from Scott Rendell and playing a neat one-two with Nicky Wroe. A low cross from the United winger was slotted home from close range by Rendell much to the delight of the Gulls' support.
Goal! United 1 (Rendell 15) Chesterfield 0
The goal couldn't have come at a better time for United because they had been soaking up a lot of pressure from Chesterfield but nothing calms the spirits better than taking the lead. United's left side of Stevens and Nicholson were looking very dangerous and more quality deliveries from that side of the pitch almost brought a doubling for the lead on more than one occasion in the opening half.
Chesterfield had been restricted to a fair amount of log range shots and eventually they hit the target only to be denied by Scott Bevan who stretched well low down to his right to palm away a Niven effort. Even with the lead United were having to share the possession with their visitors but the work rate from the Gulls was first class and the Chesterfield players were being harried from one side of the pitch to the other and were doing very well to produce some slick passing moves that very nearly broke through the United defence.
Half-Time: United 1 Chesterfield 0
The second half started brightly and United were looking to add to that solitary first half strike but got away with it in the 53rd minute when Talbot got in behind Chris Todd but scuffed his shot from 16 yards wide of Bevan's left hand post. A let off for the Gulls and shortly afterward Chesterfield hit the post when a floated cross from the right eluded everyone and bounced to safety off the far post.
There was a great deal of effort going by both sides and another goal looked a distinct possibility with both midfields looking to try and pass their way through the opposition. Tim Sills and Scott Rendell were both providing good targets for their team mates and it was up to the wide pairing of Wayne Carlisle and Danny Stevens to provide the ammunition.
The second goal of the game came from just a combination; Lee Mansell found Wayne Carlisle out on the right and the Gulls winger carried the ball forward before sending over a deep cross to the far post where Tim Sills had positioned himself. United's top goalscorer for the last two seasons did what he does best by beating his marker in the air and guiding the ball back across the Chesterfield six yard box. At this point there was some confusion in the press box because from out of nowhere came a figure decked out in a resplendent new yellow kit who proceeded to time his run to perfection and from three yards out nod the ball past Mark Crossley and double the Gulls' lead. The confusion came when after cries of 'Rendell's scored his second' some comedian shouted out that it was Lee Mansell! After the celebration huddle had split up it was indeed evident that United's right back had notched his first goal of the season, the first of many we are sure.
Goal! United 2 (Lee Mansell 71) Chesterfield 0
The second goal, obviously, did nothing for the confidence of the Chesterfield players and supporters who should be applauded for turning out in the numbers they did. There response to be fair was very positive and Bevan had to be at his best on more than one occasion to prevent a Chesterfield goal and a barnstorming finish. One save in particular was a superb one handed parry from a Martin Gritton shot - the ex-Gull having been recently introduced from the bench.
Elliot Benyon and Lee Hodges were sent on in the closing stages; Benyon to stretch the Chesterfield defence and Hodges to stiffen the midfield but it did nothing but enhance United's already strong position.
The final whistle brought to an end a match that, all things considered, couldn't have gone any better for United. It's just a shame in a way that the next home game isn't for two weeks!
