Months ago, it seemed impossible. Weeks ago, there was a glimmer of hope. Now, with just eight points in it and four games remaining - it appears that Torquay United are well and truly back in the hunt for the Blue Square Premier title. A 1-0 win over league leaders Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Monday night kept the Devonshire club’s hopes alive, and with 11 matches without defeat, it appears Paul Buckle’s side have found consistency and form at just the right time.
In what was billed as the Gulls biggest game of the season, it was the smallest player on the pitch; the diminutive winger Danny Stevens, who delivered the goal after ten minutes which gave Torquay hope, and left Burton looking nervously over their shoulders as the business end of the season approaches.
Of course, without such a bad start, the Gulls might not be in this position. After taking just five points from their opening seven games, questions were being asked about the side who came so desperately close to promotion last season, only to go down 5-2 on aggregate to local rivals Exeter City in the semi finals of the playoffs in such heartbreaking fashion.
Those questions were answered however, and in some style. Torquay proceeded to go on a 17 match unbeaten run; and in the process put themselves back in the promotion race. Indeed, if not for such a poor start, the Gulls may not have found themselves with so much to do.
On the contrary, Burton were suffering from no such hangover. In February promotion seemed certain, with some bookies already paying out on the Brewers as winners of the Blue Square Premier. A 19 point lead seemed unassailable, and most had given up on catching the Champions elect. It would take a mighty collapse to lose it now, wouldn’t it?
And so it’s proved. The departure of Nigel Clough was a blow, but with the experienced Roy McFarland taking over and immediately steadying the ship, the title seemed like a formality. Uncharacteristic defeats against the likes of Ebbsfleet and Sailsbury City marked the end of an impressive fun of form, however, and in the process gave their opponents hope. Burton weren’t quite so invincible any more.
Now, with just five games remaining, the pressure is well and truly on for Roy McFarland’s team. To say their run in is tough would be an understatement, with games against fellow promotion hopefuls Kidderminster and Histon to come, and a trip to Torquay again on the final day of the season.
And the Gulls are piling on the pressure. Just five points separate the two teams, with Torquay having a game in hand, too. They have the momentum which is so crucial at this stage of the season – with no loss in 11 games. Compare and contrast that run with Burton’s record of three wins in their last ten games, and it’s clear that the nerves are getting to them.
It’s still Burton’s title to lose, however. It’s all about how many points you have on the board at this stage of the season – something which the Gulls found out to their peril last season when they chased Aldershot for the title. Two more wins would probably see them over the line, although that’s easier said than done with games against an in-form Kidderminster and the season’s surprise package, Histon.
For Torquay, all they can do is keep winning. Their run-in is slightly more kind, with trips to Barrow and Sailsbury alongside tricky fixtures against the ever unpredictable Crawley Town and playoff hopefuls Stevenage. The Gulls have nothing to lose, though, and everything to gain. A final day showdown at Plainmoor would be a fitting way to end the season, with the winner taking all in front of the Setanta cameras.
Whatever happens, it promises to be a thrilling end to the season, that’s for sure.
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