No 'jolly-up' for Torquay United as FA Cup journey begins

Gulls boss determined to make progress

Torquay United know it won’t just be a ‘jolly-up’ when they travel to Dorset on Saturday to face Wimborne Town in the FA Cup.

Wimborne, managed by former Plainmoor favourite Tim Sills, are flying high in the First Division of the Southern League this season and are unbeaten in the league so far. In fact their only defeat of any kind came in a penalty shoot-out in an FA Trophy tie at Exmouth last weekend.

Wimborne’s New Cuthbury stadium will be packed for the Second Qualifying Round game on Saturday (3pm), and home supporters will believe that their side can claim the scalp of a Gulls team who are two leagues above them in the football pyramid.

Torquay boss Gary Johnson hinted that he may make changes to his team after their 2-1 win over Chelmsford last weekend which lifted them into third position in National League South.

But, he said, he was under no illusions about how tough the task will be.

Johnson this week celebrated five years in the Plainmoor hot seat, the longest appointment of his long managerial career.

He said: “We know as much as we can know about them, given the fact that they’re not on TV every week.

“We don’t take any team lightly. They have done well in their league, and we know that we’re not just going to turn up and have a jolly-up.

“We want to progress to the next round as much as they do, and we will pick a team to win the game.”

Johnson has been in management for nearly 40 years, but retains his passion for the FA Cup.

Last season Torquay were drawn at home to Derby County in the first round proper, and drew a thrilling game 2-2 in front of a 4,000-plus crowd.

He said: “I love the cup - I always have done - because of the experiences and successes we’ve had.

“We have got to make sure we pick up wins in these qualifying rounds and get into the first round proper.

“We all know how much we enjoyed the game against Derby last season, and that’s the cup for you. Everyone is waiting for the big fish.”