Torquay United target FA Cup 'rebound' against Hungerford

Cup action at Plainmoor on Saturday afternoon

Torquay United take their next step in the FA Cup at Plainmoor on Saturday afternoon with manager Gary Johnson expecting a ‘rebound’ from last weekend’s league disappointment.

The Gulls led 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead with just five minutes left on the clock, but let in two poor goals at the death to come back down the M4 empty-handed.

Johnson said his team had had to listen to the jubilant Hemel players celebrating in the dressing room next door after the game.

“You’re going to get beaten every now and then,” he said. “It’s how the players deal with it that matters.

“It’s all about rebounding and making sure it doesn’t happen twice.”

Visitors to Plainmoor on Saturday in the cup’s third qualifying round are Hungerford Town, who ply their trade in the Southern League’s Premier Division South, having been relegated from National League South last season.

The Crusaders are 14th in their league at the moment, and enjoyed a 3-2 win at bottom club Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday night. In the last round of the cup they went to NLS side Chippenham Town and won 4-1, so Johnson knows his side won’t have it easy.

“The cup is very important to us,” he said. “We take all teams seriously and we respect all the teams we come up against.

“We know their strengths and weaknesses, and we hope our lads perform on the day.”

The Gulls have no new injury worries ahead of the game, and skipper Asa Hall is pencilled in for a return in weeks rather than months. Midfielder Kevin Dawson remains a long-term recovery prospect and Johnson said winger Dillon De Silva was still sidelined, but defender Finley Craske came through the test of Tuesday’s Devon Bowl defeat at Ivybridge with flying colours.