TORQUAY UNITED v CHESTERFIELD
nPower League Two
Friday 29th April 2011 – Kickoff 7.45pm
Torquay United currently sit one place and one point off the play-off zone but a win against visitors Chesterfield who have already booked their place in League One for next season, could see the hosts leapfrog rivals Accrington Stanley, Stevenage and Gillingham into fifth spot with one match remaining after tonight.
The Gulls are currently unbeaten in their last ten matches (including home & away), while it’s also ten without defeat at their Plainmoor Ground and this run has included important wins over Stevenage and Shrewsbury Town, while holding Rotherham, Port Vale and Wycombe Wandereres to draws.
Their home record therefore is a pretty solid 10-7-5 36/22, and have kept a total of 10 clean sheets so far at home. Forward Chris Zebroski (13 goals, 6 assists) has taken over the mantle from previous leading scorer Elliott Benyon, while Billy Kee (9 goals) has scored important goals from the midfield and young striker Jake Robinson has also netted 15 goals (8 with Shrewsbury).
This is the last home league match for Torquay and I’m expecting them to come out all guns blazing as they also must take all three points to put themselves in the final play-off reckoning, bearing in mind their last match of the season is at Rotherham United.
Champions-elect Chesterfield have looked anything but in recent weeks as they’ve limped over the line to gain automatic promotion into League One next season.
The Spireites are in danger of losing their champions tag if they’re not careful as it’s now four away matches now without a win and have taken only two points out of the possible twelve on offer following losses at Crewe Alexandra 0-2 and Hereford United 0-3, along with draws at Barnet and Oxford United.
Second placed Bury seem to be the form team at the moment having won their last six on the trot so Chesterfield have a tough last couple of games lined up.
Chesterfield’s away record stands at 8-10-4 26/20 and only Accrington Stanley (13) and Aldershot Town (11) have drawn more on their travels. However, their firepower has never been in question with the likes of striker Craig Davies (23 goals, 2 assists), Jack Lester (16 goals, 8 assists), Danny Whittaker (14 goals, 9 assists) and Deane Smalley (11 goals) providing a Norwich-esque attack, along with Drew Talbot 9 assists and Dean Morgan 5 assists, it’s hard to see how they’ve stuttered in the final few matches.
It’s also interesting to note that in the last five meetings at Plainmoor, Torquay have remained undefeated against Chesterfield.
The Verdict: Torquay will be desperate to make it a win in their final home match against a Chesterfield side who may have taken their foot off the gas a little in recent matches. It’s very difficult to fire back up again following their recent slump in form, and with Torquay’s desire to be in the play-off mix, I’m expecting the hungriest dog to own the bone here – Torquay to win 1-0.
Main Pick: Take Torquay United AH0,-0.5 @ 1.85 for insurance with bet365
