Rovers Victory Is Sweet For Gulls Fans

Two months ago Paul Buckle made the 104 mile move from Torquay to become manager of Bristol Rovers and on Saturday his old charges followed him up the M5 to leave the 40 year old with a day to forget on his first home game in charge.

Having won on the opening day Rovers were high on confidence, they had been named as one of the favourites for League 2 promotion, but that optimism came crashing back to earth with a 2-1 defeat to their West Country rivals, twice shooting themselves in the foot during the opening quarter of an hour. Taiwo Atieno opened the scoring before strike partner Rene Howe, a man who finished last term at the Memorial Stadium, slotted home from the spot, Byron Anthony’s second half header proving a mere consolation.

The result will have come as a surprise to many onlookers, not least Buckle himself.

"We didn't see that coming,” Said the Rovers boss, who was not drawn into fielding questions on the significance for the Torquay fans. “You cannot legislate for individual errors.”

"It hasn't gone for us today, we have got a lot to work on, but we only lost by the odd goal and in the end the players have shown great spirit to nearly come back and get a point.

"We had a go flow to our game in the second half, and put Torquay under severe pressure.

"I think if we can get that first goal teams are going to find it very difficult. The first goal in any game is vital and we feel we gave Torquay a big head start today.”

That head start was grasped in the eleventh minute when too many of the Rovers defence pressed Danny Stevens, allowing the midfielder with the simple task of playing in Kenyan international Atieno who had the time to take a touch prior to slipping the ball past former Gull Scott Bevan.

Little over four minutes later and the lead went from one to two, the Torquay frontline pushing up high on Rovers full back Michael Smith, pressuring the Northern Irishman into a dreadfully weak backpass that allowed Atieno to nip in and touch the ball first, only for the summer signing to have his shins taken from underneath by the sliding Bevan.

Up stepped former Pirate Rene Howe to take the penalty and, as casually as you like, the forward placed the ball into the bottom corner, that despite catcalls from the Rovers fans behind the goal, lambasting Howe about his weight.

A penalty shout at the other end against the arm of Brian Saah was waved away by referee Moss as Rovers pushed for a way back into the game, Adam Virgo nearly providing such an opportunity, his fiercely driven free kick being beaten away by Torquay ‘keeper Bobby Olejnik.

The intensity on the field was growing, Craig Stanley and Mustapha Carayol, both previously players for Torquay under Buckle, receiving yellow cards while Buckle himself also took an ear bashing from the officials.

After the break the visitors spurned a clear cut chance to go three in front as a Kevin Nicholson free kick from the right found Ian Morris in acres of space at the back post, his stooping header producing a stunning one handed diving save from Bevan that had everyone in blue and white breathing a sigh of relief.

Soon after Rovers gave themselves a lifeline as Byron Anthony, the only member of the starting eleven present at the Memorial Stadium last season, found the back of the net. A Stanley throw in looped over defensive heads to find Matt Harrold in the box, he fed Joe Anyinsah whose shot was only parried up into the path of Anthony who nodded over the line from close range.

After Lee Brown had cleared off the line from Atieno Rovers continued to search for an equaliser, substitutes Jo Kuffour and Chris Zebroski firing wide, the former also stinging Olejnik’s hands, but it was all in vein as Torquay went home with the points.

It all meant that Gulls gaffer Martin Ling was able to come away with his first win as United manager and post-match he also noted the importance of the result for the visiting fans.

"It was not a Martin Ling and Paul Buckle situation. Paul is here at Rovers and we needed to go out and play well to beat them, but we only get three points for today.

"It was obviously pleasing for our fans because they felt Paul left them in circumstances that were difficult, but Paul chose to go.

"For the fans, it was a massive game, for the players, I just built it up as a normal league game but it was difficult to come away from the Paul Buckle scenario."

Buckle's Rovers Face Torquay Challenge

Bristol Rovers kick off their home league campaign against Torquay United, a fixture that will have an edge to it, the Pirates having taken manager Paul Buckle from Plainmoor in the summer.

How Are They Doing?

Rovers began their title challenge with a tense 3-2 win over AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow last Saturday. The Sky TV cameras were present as the nation, many hoping for a fairy tale start for AFC Wimbledon, saw Rovers take the initiative and force themselves into a two goal lead, Scott McGleish and Matt Harrold capitalising on two Dons mistakes. Two Wimbledon goals drew the game level as the Gas looked to be on the rocks but a late rally resulted in a penalty for Rovers, Adam Virgo dispatching from the spot to give his side the win. Buckle's men were due to play again in midweek but their Carling Cup tie against Watford was postponed on police advice following the nationwide riots.

Coming off of a pre-season that saw superlative wins over Bristol City and Exeter Torquay have had a slow start to their competitive games. Last weekend saw the Gulls, now managed by Martin Ling, having to come back from a two goal deficit against Burton Albion, former Rovers forward Rene Howe pulling the first goal back after faking the goalkeeper, captain Lee Mansell slotting home the equaliser with eight minutes to spare. On Tuesday Torquay fell to defeat in the Carling Cup, Championship Southampton putting paid to any hopes of a cup run with a 4-1 win at St Mary's, the Gulls unable to build on Mansell's early leveller.

Who Are The Match Winners?

Experienced striker Scott McGleish proved that age is no factor to success as he scored one and set up the second in Rovers victory over Wimbledon. Looking thoroughly timeless the former Leyton Orient favourite put in 100% effort to put his side in the drivers seat, defending from the front and sticking his head in areas a man of 5'9" shouldn't reach. Rovers are the tenth club of McGleish's career, though he has been at various clubs on more than one occasion. Over time McGleish has become one of the best known strikers in the lower leagues, scoring goals wherever he has been, including eighteen for Orient last term.

Much of Torquay's success will rely on young midfielder Eunan O'Kane. The Northern Irishman, a Paul Buckle signing, was a key figure in Torquay's run to the play off final in May including a goal in the semi-final first leg with Shrewsbury. A former Everton trainee O'Kane was released by the Premier League club, mainly due to his diminutive frame. A move back to his home in Northern Ireland with Coleraine followed before the Torquay management took note of his talent, signing him on in January 2010, and since then the creative midfielder has made over fifty appearances in Gulls colours.

Have We Met Before?

The two clubs have met regularly during their history, spending much of their time sharing divisions and facing off in cup ties. Torquay had to wait until their eighth meeting with Rovers before claiming their first win, that was in 1930, after the inaugural match up finished in a 1-1 FA Cup draw, Rovers winning the December 1926 replay at Eastville. Friendlies aside Saturday will be the first time in five seasons that the teams will have taken to the same pitch, Rovers winning the last two times, but the one of the most memorable recent games came the season before down on the south coast.

Leon Constantine gave Torquay an early lead which was doubled in the second half by Matt Hewlett before Junrior Agogo took control, pulling one back with sixteen minutes left on the clock and equalising in the 87th minute after a superb run and finish. He still wasn't done, though, as he set up substitute Richard Walker for an injury time winner that completed a stunning comeback.

Who's Up For It?

One man who won't be available for Rovers is central midfielder Chris Lines who has completed a £50,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Stuart Campbell is out with a hamstring injury while Gary Sawyer is still recovering from a hernia operation. Young midfielder Ollie Clarke is also out having had a surgery of his own.

For Torquay Daniel Leadbitter could be in line to make a first appearance after recovering from a hamstring strain. Striker Billy Kee could win back his place in the starting line up having missed the midweek Carling Cup tie with Southampton due to international duty for Northern Ireland under-21's, scoring a hat trick against the Faroe Island's youth set up.

They Said What?

Rovers boss Paul Buckle has dismissed any thoughts that the opposition will make the game special for him, focusing instead on the fact that it is his first home game in charge.

"It is important to try and pick up three points and stay at the right end of the table. It is not a special game for me, it is all about the three points. I am Bristol Rovers manager now, I am proud to be here, and I am setting a team up to go and win on Saturday.

"It is the away fans' prerogative what they want to shout or sing, but I will just be concentrating on Bristol Rovers and trying to make sure we play in a style we like and that you have seen already from us.
"It will be a special game as it is my first home game, but last Saturday was special as well. I was very proud to win the game and lead the team out at the start and see the supporters."
 
Marting Ling was complimentary when speaking about Rovers chances this season but noted that he has identified a game plan to take on the Gas having seen them beat AFC Wimbledon.
 
"I watched their game and thought they played decent, although Wimbledon could have defended better against them.
 
"I think they will be up and around the top places this year and if we match Bristol Rovers we won't be doing too bad ourselves.
"There were positives from them but also some negatives that we can work on. The game was taped by my video analyst and it was a nice tool to have. I've studied that and put together a game-plan, so we can go there and play to our potential."