Torquay 1 Brighton 0

In a game full of action and drama Torquay came out victors with a valuable win in their final pre-season friendly at home this summer.
Torquay had been hamemring at the Seagulls goal for the first half long before new loan signee Scott Rendell’s goal was scored in the 37th minute. Good, positive play from Danny Stevens and Nicky Wroe led to at least 3 good goal-scoring opportunities for the goals in the first half hour. Brighton were not giving much back and, the few shots that he had to deal with, Scott Bevan was on form for Torquay.
The Gulls had put out the team which they expect to play in the new campaign starting in less than two weeks. Bevan in goal, a back four of Nicholson, Todd, Robertson and Mansell. In midfield were Carlisle, Wroe, Thomspon and Stevens and Rendell and Benyon started up front. There was good football to be seen at Plainmoor and positive football with good attacking play being created, the goal being well played with a good ball from Nicky Wroe tucked neatly under the keeper by Scott Rendell from close range.
After the break Brighton started brightly, obviously a few choice words had been shared from the manager and Torquay were havign to defend. Ellis came on for Mansell with Robertson moving to right-back and Sills came on for Benyon. Sills was workign hard and hearly doubled the lead on 50 minutes shortly after Brighton had a goal disallowed for a foul in the box. In the 60th minute both teams made many changes with Torquay bringing on Brough, Hodges, Hoyce, Sturrock, Adams and Halpin for Thompson, Nicholson, Carlisle, Rendell, Wroe and Stevens. The game degraded slightly following the change as neither team seemed to show the fluidity or tempo as before.
In the 73rd minute, there was a late challange which was followed by an altercation between Torquay’s mark Ellis and Caig Davis who used his forehead in a threatening manner, Davis recieved a red card for his troubles and Ellis a yellow. Brighton have since released a statement that they may contest the card as it would leave Davis banned for 3 matches, includign 2 league games.
In the final quarter of an hour Scott Bevan used all of his height, reach and ability to save Torquay from a few good chances.
In all it was quite an even game, but in the league these are the most important ones to win consistantly.