Torquay V Harrogate Town at Plainmoor : Match Preview

02 November 2012 15:01
Torquay V Harrogate Town - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Mansell shrugs off illness

Torquay captain Lee Mansell has overcome a sickness bug and is available for their FA Cup first-round meeting with Harrogate Town at Plainmoor.

The 30-year-old midfielder has been given the all-clear to face the Blue Square Bet North side but young defender Kyrtis MacKenzie is rated 50/50 after suffering from the same bug.

Striker Ashley Yeoman has resumed training after suffering from a foot injury, while midfield duo Ian Morris and Lloyd Macklin remain on the sidelines for a game that could provide the Gulls with a financial windfall.

Manager Martin Ling told the Western Morning News: "It's about money - it sounds cruel to say it like that, but for me it may mean that I can sign a player later in the season who can help us in the league.

"Winning and losing on Saturday may be the difference between signing that player and not being able to.

"We all dream of Manchester United away in the third round, but there's decent money to be made before then."

Harrogate Town are at full strength.

Town were beaten by Torquay on penalties the last time they reached the first round of the competition back in 2006 and are fully prepared for a second attempt at the Gulls.

The Yorkshire club edged past Conference side Hyde in their fourth qualifying round replay on Wednesday night, thanks to substitute Dan Clayton's extra-time strike.

Clayton is pushing for a start, while midfielder Paul Bolland returned to the bench against Hyde following injury and is in contention.

Josh Garbutt has returned from his loan spell at Goole ahead of the game and is available to play.

Manager Simon Weaver said: "Everybody in the squad wants to play and rightly so, as it's an occasion they can look back on with their grandkids and say, `I played in the FA Cup'."

Source: PA