Torquay head back to Boreham Wood knowing Trophy reward
TRY again. Torquay United go to Boreham Wood today after their game in the fourth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday was postponed because of ‘possible’ bad weather.
And with the draw for the fifth round having taken place, Torquay now know they will be on the road again if they get through tonight, at either FC Halifax Town or Southport.
If the FA Trophy is a distraction from the National League campaign - with the Gulls top of the table by eight points - a trip to Yorkshire or Lancashire is the last thing they need. But first, they must get past Boreham Wood, who have beaten Torquay more times than Torquay have beaten them.
Manager Gary Johnson said he was frustrated by the postponement, which was announced on Friday afternoon, but it wasn’t something to cry about.
He said: “We had a big week leading up to it and you do your tactics and your set-plays and all that. The players are ready and you fire them up, and then obviously it’s always a damp squib when it’s cancelled.
“But the sort of season we are having at the moment - that the whole league is having whether it be the weather or the Covid situation - you can’t cry over it, you just have to deal with it and move on.
“We spent Sunday and Monday reiterating what we want to do so I suppose it gives us an extra couple of days to brush up.
“I gave the players Saturday off. That meant they had to give up their Sunday and come in, and Monday too, but now the game is here we are looking forward to it.”
Johnson has one new player in the ranks for the trip with 19-year-old striker Rob Street signing on loan from Crystal Palace last week - and there might be another youngster joining the squad this week.
Reports up country say Hull City midfielder Max Sheaf is on his way to Torquay on loan, probably in time to be in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Notts County, where the Gulls will play their first National League game since January 2.
Meanwhile, after Plymouth Argyle midfielder Adam Randell extended his loan spell until the end of the season - Bournemouth defender Sam Sherring did the same over the weekend.
Sherring has been brilliant for the Gulls since joining for the first game. Playing in the centre of defence and more recently filling in at right back, the 20 year old has played 16 games and scored one goal.
Johnson said: “Sam has done fantastic since he’s been with us. He’s been a major part of our success so far and I’m pleased to say that he, along with Adam, are enjoying their football and enjoying the first team experience they are gaining.”
Because of the travelling involved for Torquay, kick off at Boreham Wood tonight is at 7pm.