The realist in us suggests a home win in this one, with The Gulls wings far from clipped and set to fly high so high they are within touching distance of the top 3 sky. One point off the playoffs this morn, forget the redness as shepherds warn, for should everything go their way they could be just a point off third this sunset.
But it takes two to tango and as every lady of virtue will tell you, some degree of defence in matters of passion. And that is never more than so in the peoples game where passion is always the fashion at the business end of the season. The Gulls may be unbeaten in 5, but high scoring draws against Northampton Town (2-2) last time out and Macclesfield (3-3), show they ship goals despite the fearsome chastity belt personified that is Guy Branston. Last season we won a three-two thriller at Plainmoor under similar circumstances. Goal machine Grimes, if fit, needs little opportunity and stands just 3 off 20 since that inspired loan move to the Imps began on October 30th (away at Wycombe Wanderers for those who don't get out much).
In reality the less than Mighty Imps limp down to Torquay, with an already six hour trip set to become an eternity you feel. Oh come come, hoist up the Lincoln flag lads and lasses, for on the bright side many are set to make a weekender of it, suggesting the ever vociferous Passionistas will be well oiled and in better form than ever. So with our glasses half full let us look at the teams and schemes shall we.
The Teams & Schemes
Torquay 4-4-2
Gulls gaffer Paul Buckle has a full-strength squad to choose from. He is unlikely to change much, given his side are unbeaten in five with the smell of the playoffs in their nostrils. Three are back in contention including loanee Ipswich striker, Ronan Murray, back after an outing with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21s in Portugal. Two fancied youngster, Saul Halpin and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner want a look in after guesting for Derby's reserve side. Halpin impressed Nigel Clough, netting a hat-trick and pluss an assist in the 7-1 romp over Nottingham Forest.
Beavon
Mansell Robertson Branston Nicholson
O’Kane Stanley Lathorpe Robinson
Tomlin Zebroski
Lincoln City 4-5-1
Although Kanyuka is now free from suspension - hey take it easy we’re going to the West Country so relax with a Cadbury’s caramel – fortunately the word is he is now merely counting down the weeks to the inevitable. The Imps could also run with Trapdoor Drew Broughton up front to replace Grimes, should this seasons loanee goal machine messiah not be fit to walk across water. He not been the same in all honesty since the holes in his ankles starting shipping water at an alarming rate. Sincil Sooth sayer Stevie T has also had the patchwork squad shaping up as 4-4-2 in training, I have some adult Pampers on stand by if need be, with Fuseini missing out and Grimes partnering Hutchinson or Broughton. Did you hear that creak - you have to feel 4-4-2 to be a brave move against the playoff chasing Gulls middle two.
Parish
Kelly Green Watts Anderson
Carayol Fuseini O’Keefe Kilbey McCallum
Grimes
The Head To Head
The Gulls have edged the thirty played, with 13 wins to the Imps 12, with 5 draws, but last years 3-2 thriller lingers in the mind so. The win, about this time last year, left us 17th on 42 points and extinguished most of our relegation doubts, thanks to a brilliant brace from on loan goal machine David Somma. Let us hope lightning strikes twice and Grimes chimes thrice for 20.
On 8 Somma struck from 8 thrashing home a corner into the roof of the net. Aalas an equaliser as Wroe rifled home a long-range effort on the half hour that took a deflection. Hughton then completed a nifty one-two with Somma to make it 1-2 before Somma rounded Ellis and Bevan to but us 3-1 up before the hour. The indignant Gulls got back into things on 76 with a Zebroski pile driver but Burch was a one man wall as we held out for a three point haul.
Recent encounters between the teams
| Season | Date | Team | Result | Team | Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Sat 14 Aug | Lincoln City | 0 - 2 | Torquay Utd. | League Two |
| 2009/2010 | Sat 20 Mar | Torquay Utd. | 2-3 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2009/2010 | Sat 24 Oct | Lincoln City | 0 - 0 | Torquay Utd. | League Two |
| 2006/2007 | Sat 10 Feb | Lincoln City | 1 - 0 | Torquay Utd. | League Two |
| 2006/2007 | Sat 12 Aug | Torquay Utd. | 1 - 2 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2005/2006 | Sat 11 Feb | Lincoln City | 2 - 0 | Torquay Utd. | League Two |
| 2005/2006 | Sat 24 Sep | Torquay Utd. | 2 - 1 | Lincoln City | League Two |
For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here
Recent respective form guides
Torquay United are in decent form at home, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, These high-scoring games have yielded a total of 12 goals for the Gulls, with 3 goals against. They are unbeaten in 5, since a 0-1 at Aldershot and have beaten Bury, Shrewsbury (5-0) and Cheltenham in the Derby game. They are 8th but if everything went their way today they could be 4th and a point from the automatic spots. Fly High today and they could well reach the sky.
The Imps, look to have done enough again this season with the 5 match winning streak, but since then it has been back to bleak. Our last 6 away games – still probably better reading than our home shambles - have seen us win none draw 2 and lose 4 with 8 for and 14 against. Defeats at Burton 1-3 and Barnet 2-4 are of little comfort either but again on a somewhat optimistic note, the worst that could happen today is that we hit 17th even with a minus 23 goal difference ……and counting.
Current overall team form
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torquay United | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 11 |
| Lincoln City | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 4 |
For a detailed analysis of current team form guides in this or any division, click here
Lincoln City Mad's prediction ...
Neil Away win 3-2 get your drinking heads on
Vic Erzantarz a defeat here but there's plenty to cheer if you've tried their beer.
Ivan Impgrass - they concede far to easily a draw at least for the Imps
Sequence statistics
| Team | Sequences |
|---|---|
| Torquay United | Won 3 successive home games. 4 games since last home draw. Unbeaten run of 5 matches. |
| Lincoln City | Lost each of the previous 2 away matches. Not won in previous 6 away matches. An overall losing run of 3 games. No win in the 4 most recent games. |
For a detailed analysis of current team sequences throughout the leagues, click here