Cambridge United 0-2 Torquay United
Torquay United, managed by Paul Buckle, are back in the Football League after a 2-0 triumph in the Blue Square Premier Play-Off Final against Cambridge United at Wembley, the Devon club returning to League Two after a 2-year absense. For Cambridge, it is another year of play-off heartbreak after last year’s defeat to Exeter at the same stage. The U’s now face a 5th straight season in Non-League.
The U’s dominated early on but the Gulls took the lead through captain Chris Hargreaves’ sweet 18-yard strike.
Cambridge’s afternoon went from bad to worse when experienced defender Phil Bolland was shown a second yellow card for scything down Elliot Benyon.
Striker Tim Sills, who was wearing a protective mask, sealed Torquay’s victory when he headed home Danny Stevens’ cross, after a fine counter-attack from the team in white.
A victory for Cambridge would have been shrouded in controversy, as their first-choice keeper, Danny Potter, suffered an injury in the previous week, and rather than play a keeper from their U18 side, were given special clearance to sign England C keeper, Adam Bartlett, recently released for financial reasons by Kidderminster Harriers. But Torquay made sure that there would be no excuses for themselves by clinching promotion.
Torquay only clinched a play-off place on the final day, coming from behind to beat champions Burton. The defeat will be hard to take for Gary Brabin’s Cambridge side, who missed out on automatic promotion by failing to overturn Altrincham on that same day.
37-year-old Chris Hargreaves then went up the famous steps to collect the trophy, shouting “It’s for you!”, to the loyal fans.
The U’s still face a challenge to retain their manager, Gary Brabin, as it has been confirmed that “a higher club”, has made an offer for his services. All associated with the U’s would still like to keep their Scouse manager, but he may decide that it is time to move on after this defeat.
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