• League 2
  • 17th May 2012
  • KO: 19:45
  • Ground: Plainmoor
  • Att: 3,606
Home team Score Away team

Torquay

1 - 2

Cheltenham

T Atieno 85 FT J McGlashan 75 M Pack 87

FT: Torquay 1 Cheltenham 2 (Agg: 1-4)

17th May 2012, 09:52pm

Thanks for all your comments today folks! Don't forget, you can always follow me on Twitter: @RazMirza or send me your views so speak to you all soon!

Full Time FULL TIME: Cheltenham Town are on their way to Wembley! Jermaine McGlashan opened the scoring only for Taiwo Atieno to restore parity for Torquay after 85 minutes, but two minutes later Marlon Pack scored the goal of the tie with a stunning 35 yard free-kick. They will now face Crewe Alexandra on Sunday 27th May for a place in League One next season.

90+4 Cheltenham fans are looking forward to going to Wembley because they're singing about it in a packed away stand.

90+3 Looks like we're heading for sixth against seventh in the League Two play-off final then. Two teams who have been playing well in recent weeks mind.

90+2 We're two minutes into five minutes of stoopage time at Plainmoor.

90 Robert Olejnik could do nothing about that effort from Pack, which packed a punch. Pardon the pun folks!

Substitution 89 SUBSTITUTION: Harry Hooman replaces Jermaine McGlashan as Town look to run down the clock.

Wow..what a stunning strike by Pack! Cheltenham win a free-kick 35 yards out and the midfielder hits an outrageous right-footed piledriver which dips into the top corner. Take a bow son!

Goal 87 GOAL: Torquay 1 Cheltenham 2 (Marlon Pack 87).

And they have that equaliser! They thoroughly deserve it too as Atieno meets Eunan O'Kane's inswinging corner and directs the ball into the far corner.

Goal 85 GOAL: Torquay 1 (Taiwo Atieno 85) Cheltenham 1.

84 The men in Yellow try their best to pull this game level on the night.

Substitution 82 SUBSTITUTION: Jeff Goulding replaces Ben Burgess for Town.

81 Crewe are 18 games undefeated and have won their last three against Cheltenham.

80 Looks like Cheltenham are on course for that play-off final at Wembley and manager Mark Yates must be delighted with the way his side have defended tonight.

78 Sometimes it's just meant to be as Crewe await the winners on Sunday 27th May.

77 Some home fans are in tears with the way things are going.

Ben Burgess finds Kaid Mohamed who picks out the run of McGlashan, and he skips inside Kevin Nicholson before pulling the trigger and finding the back of the net, despite goalkeeper Robert Olejnik's best efforts.

Goal 76 GOAL: Torquay 0 Cheltenham 1 (Jermaine McGlashan 76).

75 Looks like Torquay have gone 4-3-3 with defender Mark Ellis being waved forward. It's all or nothing now!

Substitution 74 SUBSTITUTE: Angus MacDonald replaces Danny Stevens as Martin Ling makes his second change.

73 The corner kick is cleared and as the ball comes back in, Torquay are awarded a free-kick for a foul.

72 Luke Summerfield's effort is deflected wide of the far post. That would have been rough justice had it gone in for Town.

71 Frustration boiled over for Ellis, who went flying in with the challenge.

Yellow Card 70 YELLOW CARD: Mark Ellis slides in on Jermaine McGlashan on the edge of the area and is rightly booked.

69 Lee Mansell clatters into Luke Summerfield for a free-kick to the visitors.

68 CLOSE! Sido Jombati does well to pick out Kaid Mohamed on the edge of the area, but his curling effort goes just over the crossbar.

66 Jermaine McGlashan's cross is touched on by the hosts' Brian Saah which allows Torquay to pick up possession.

65 Taiwo Atieno turns well but fails to keep his shot down and it's a goal kick.

64 Gulls' wingers Danny Stevens and Ian Morris need to get the ball into the box now after that change of formation.

63 Torquay lump the ball into the box but Joe Oastler's header is nowhere near the target.

62 Alan Bennett gets his body in the way as Ryan Jarvis pulls his shirt back and the Town man wins a free-kick.

Substitution 61 SUBSTITUTION: Taiwo Atieno replaces Damon Lathrope and Torquay now switch to a 4-4-2 formation.

60 Brown very nearly misjudges a long ball forward which takes a huge bounce and helped by the wind almost catches the shot-stopper out.

59 Ashley Yeoman is warming up on the far side for Torquay as is Taiwo Atieno as Martin Ling looks to possibly making a few changes.

58 Ian Morris' inswinger is well caught by Brown at the far post and he gets Town moving forward.

57 Kaid Mohamed shows his pace before being stopped from progressing in the middle of the park.

56 Amazing performance this from the Cheltenham No.1. Both side's have had five efforts on target now.

55 BRILLIANT SAVE! Alan Bennett's backward header is drooping underneath the crossbar, but Brown gets across his goal to tip the ball over.

54 Steve Elliott is happy to smash the ball out of play for a Torquay throw.

53 The wind is behind Torquay in this second half so they will have to be careful not to launch too many balls forward at pace.

52 And once again Olejnik is called into action as Ben Burgess turns before firing his half volley towards goal but the keeper holds on well.

50 Jermaine McGlashan does well down the right, showing good strength before unleashing a low effort which Olejnik saves.

Feedback 49 I've got my first email of the night from Will, who says: "Come United you can do it!! Torquay!!!"

48 Ben Burgess will have to hold the ball up in this new formation with the extra man in midfield for the visitors. Mark Yates might be worried if the ball starts coming back their way more and more however if they do decide to sit back.

47 Danny Stevens hits a 25 yarder which skips up, but once again Brown gets his body behind it.

46 No changes for the home side as they get the second half underway and what a second 45 minutes we're in for.

Substitution 2049 SUBSTITUTION: Russell Penn replaces James Spencer for Cheltenham who go to a 4-5-1 formation now.

2040 If you'd like to air your views during the second half, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

Sky Bet 2039 Torquay are now 11/10 to claim victory with @Skybet, who make Cheltenham 11/4 and the draw 7/4. My pre-match prediction of 2-1, which was 15/2, is now 10/1. Head now to www.skybet.com to place your bets.

Half Time HALF TIME: Cracking opening 45 minutes at Plainmoor and somehow it remains goalless. Torquay have hit the woodwork twice through Cheltenham's Keith Lowe clearance off the line and then a fabulous free-kick from Kevin Nicholson late in the half. Should be a belter of a second half to come!

Yellow Card 45+2 YELLOW CARD: Ian Morris is booked for a late challenge in the aftermath of all that.

45+1 SAVE! At the other end Kaid Mohamed's shot is brilliantly palmed away by Robert Olejnik.

45 OFF THE CROSSBAR! The ball is teed up for Kevin Nicholson who smashes his left-foot shot against the woodwork. How unlucky!

43 High boot by Alan Bennett on the edge of the area and Andy D'Urso awards Torquay the free-kick.

42 Brian Saah lashes a long ball forward but Marlon Pack picks the ball up in midfield and we're now in the middle of a game of head tennis.

41 Scott Brown has not put a foot wrong for the visitors tonight as he comes to collect a high ball into the box.

40 Ian Morris scored the winner at Cheltenham earlier in the season and here at Plainmoor, Town were 2-0 up before the Gulls came back to draw 2-2. Maybe an omen for tonight!

38 Kevin Nicholson's neat delivery to the far post is headed well over by Ian Morris.

37 Kaid Mohamed's cross-cum-shot is well held at his near post by Robert Olejnik.

36 A huge cheer goes up as Torquay win a free-kick but they failt o make the most of it allowing Town to break.

35 The atmosphere has been taken out of the game slightly in the last five minutes from the home side's perspective.

34 The Cheltenham fans are in good voice in the away stand and seem hopeful of making it to Wembley tonight.

33 CHANCE TOWN! Ben Burgess' header down is collected by James Spencer, who turns on a sixpence before getting his shot away from 8 yards. However, keeper Robert Olejnik holds on to the ball.

31 Mark Yates wants his side to keep the ball and try and take the sting out of the game.

30 The hosts have had seven attempts on goal so far with three on target as Brown comes to claim the long throw.

28 The men in Yellow keep coming forward and Ian Morris wins his side a throw.

27 Scott Brown is in inspired form for Cheltenham and Torquay must be wondering what they have to do to score tonight!

26 GREAT SAVE! And now Scott Brown makes a superb save to deny Mark Ellis' bullett header.

25 OFF THE POST! Torquay hit the woodwork courtesy of Cheltenham's Keith Lowe.

Feedback 24 Crewe fan Badger Tweets in to say: "Pleased that Cheltenham have 2-0 advantage just hope they go through. Wouldn't want Torquay in the final. We are the Railwaymen!"

22 The wind has certainly played a huge part in the flight of the ball but Torquay seem encouraged by some of the joy they have had here so far.

21 Mark Yates will be happy to see his side try and bring some calm to the game.

20 Jermaine McGlashan cannot get past Mark Ellis down the near touchline.

19 Eunan O'Kane feeds Danny Stevens down the left, but his ball back to O'Kane is poor and allows Town to clear, but this is better from the home side.

18 FINE SAVE! Scott Brown makes a superb save to deny Ryan Jarvis' strike from just inside the penalty area. He gets down to make a very important stop.

17 Keith Lowe gets a vital touch to a dangerous cross from the right. The home fans are claiming that it was a back pass, but referee Andy D'Urso allowed play to go on.

16 The game is even in terms of possession at this early stage, 50-50.

15 He's being bandaged up at the moment as Torquay lump the ball into the box.

14 Ben Burgess has gone over to the touchline to receive some attention to a wound on his head.

13 James Spencer looks to sneak in but Brian Saah comes across to make the clearance.

12 Kaid Mohamed has been the main outlet for Town in the opening minutes and they do look dangerous on the counter-attack.

11 Good start to the game this with chances at both ends.

10 SAVE! Torquay go down at the other end and Scott Brown is tested with a fizzing effort from the edge of the area.

9 CLOSE! At the other end Jermaine McGlashan strikes an even better shot inches wide of the near post with goalkeeper Robert Olejnik diving across his goal.

8 The Gulls come close as Danny Stevens flashes his fierce shot just wide of goal.

7 Town struggle to clear and the ball falls kindly to Joe Oastler but his shot is wide of the mark.

6 Mark Ellis sticks an arm out to concede a free-kick, but the hosts are very quickly back on the attack.

5 Jermaine McGlashan picks the ball up and goes over a challenge which is penalised by referee Andy D'Urso.

4 The hosts win a throw on halfway now and the ball is held up in the wind.

3 Marlon Pack flashes the ball into the box and Lee Mansell manages to clear the ball.

2 At the other end Kaid Mohamed wins the visitors a corner.

1 It's blustery tonight. Typical seaside conditions here as the hosts, wearing yellow, start quickly.

1945 There are around 4,000 fans packed in at Plainmoor. Cheltenham hold a 2-0 lead from the first-leg and we're underway.

1940 Torquay line-up in a 4-3-3 system while Cheltenham stick with the same side which won 2-0 at Whaddon Road in a 4-4-2 system. Who will meet Crewe at Wembley? Keep you views coming in...Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

Feedback 1939 Meanwhile, Rob Tweets: "Torquay to win and go through, it's our time!"

Feedback 1935 Liam is first to Tweet me tonight and he says: "C'mon the Robins! 4-0 win tonight will make me a very happy man. Watching it with a due hard Torquay fan, could be interesting." Well, good luck Liam!

1930 So what do you think Torquay fans. Can your side win 2-0 tonight and take it to extra-time or even penalties? The bad news is that you haven't won in six games now and you'll be down by nearly 2,000 fans as Plainmoor is being redeveloped. And Robins' fans, do you think you can hold on tonight or even score a few goals to put this tie to bed? Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

Sky Bet 1925 Torquay are 11/10 to claim victory with @Skybet, who make Cheltenham 12/5 and the draw 12/5. The Gulls' Ryan Jarvis is favourite to bag the first goal at 6/1 and is 10/1 to bag a hat-trick. Lee Mansell is 7/1 to score first as is Danny Stevens while Eunan O'Kane is a good outside bet at 12/1. Meanwhile, Town's James Spencer and Ben Burgess are both 7/1 while Luke Summerfield is 14/1. I'm going for a pre-match prediction of 2-1, which is 15/2. Head now to www.skybet.com to place your bets.

1920 TORQUAY: Olejnik, Oastler, Ellis, Saah, Nicholson, Lathrope, O'Kane, Mansell, Morris, Jarvis, Stevens.

1920 SUBSTITUTES: Rice, Rowe-Turner, MacDonald, Atieno, Yeoman

1920 CHELTENHAM: Brown, Lowe, Elliott, Bennett, Jombati, McGlashan, Pack, Summerfield, Mohamed, Burgess, Spencer.

1920 SUBSTITUTES: Duffy, Goulding, Smikle, Penn, Hooman.

1920 Here come the teams...

1915 Torquay will be without Player of the Year and leading scorer Rene Howe for the encounter. Howe, with 14 goals to his name this season, limped out after just 21 minutes on Sunday nursing a hamstring injury, having initially shrugged off a groin problem to start. But he is confident his team-mates can turn the deficit around. "I will always back the lads," Howe told Torquay's official website. "We have a great team spirit. Even when we went eight games without a win, we kept our spirit and went on an amazing run. We are not scared of Cheltenham and I can see no reason why we can't do it. We will go into the game and take it to them. Hopefully the lads can win 3-0 and I will come back for the final."

1910 Yates said: "Martin's a top man and a top manager, he's speaking as it is but he's also getting into a bit of mind games. "It is a precarious lead, 2-0 - they get an early goal and it's game on, of course it is." Town's preparations remain exactly the same for the crunch clash, with the players enjoying a swimming session yesterday and some ball work today before travelling down to Devon on the day of the game. And Yates insists they will also approach the match in the same way, despite their two-goal advantage. "We're certainly not going there to defend the edge of our box, camp in and play five at the back, shut up shop. That's not what we've been about all season and it won't change on Thursday," he said.

1905 Cheltenham boss Mark Yates believes Torquay counterpart Martin Ling is engaging in a spot of mind games ahead of their clash at Plainmoor tonight. Having seen the Robins claim a 2-0 advantage in Sunday's first leg at Whaddon Road, Gulls boss Ling declared "they're now massive favourites, we're the massive underdogs".

1900 If you'd like to air your views before or during the match, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

1900 Hello and welcome to our live minute-by-minute text commentary of this League Two play-off semi-final second leg match between Torquay and Cheltenham from Plainmoor.

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