FA Cup Betting: Carlisle to Buckle under the Torquay pressure

FA Cup / Ian Lamont / 06 January 2011 / 3

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Paul Buckle could be leading Torquay to the fourth round of the FA Cup if they play as they can against Carlisle

"Paul Buckle’s side have already beaten Walsall in the Cup at Plainmoor and while suggesting that lightning could strike twice is to invite disaster, it does happen."

Ian Lamont on why Torquay look a safe bet to progress to the next round of the FA Cup plus Lincoln v Hereford, Burton v Middlesbrough and the best two bets from the League Two action.

Torquay v Carlisle

Paul Buckle's side have already beaten Walsall in the Cup at Plainmoor and while suggesting that lightning could strike twice is to invite disaster, it does happen. This has all the hallmarks. Walsall's record on the road was their downfall and Carlisle's is one point better, with nine, although their goal difference is not nearly as bad. The possibility remains that the visitors' trips away are not good enough to take victory. They have one league win in six. Strikers Francois Zoko and Gary Madine will have to be stopped, but Torquay have Guy Branston for that and Elliot Benyon and Chris Zebroski to create chances. Look for [2.6] on the Gulls.

Lincoln v Hereford

The last round two match remains a horrible game to contemplate. There is little to recommend either side or to split them, hence this replay. The Imps perhaps have a little more quality, via the likes of Mustapha Carayol, and should have the edge over a Hereford side who are last from bottom in the league but who won't find Lincoln as soft a touch as Aldershot were on Monday. If this goes to any sort of form, the hosts should be backed at [2.28], but whoever wins, back Wycombe to beat them in round three on Tuesday at Adams Park.

Burton v Middlesbrough

While Boro's overall away form is poor, they have some decent away results lately, winning at Preston and drawing at Leeds. The visitors are struggling to keep hold of defender David Wheater, whom many believe is Premier League quality. Tony Mowbray also insists that players won't be allowed to leave "on the cheap". I sense a "want out" mentality and while Burton are too inconsistent to consider as the League Two play-off hopefuls they wish to be, they could gain some glory. If they are to win it must be at the first attempt. However, I see this as the round's best chance of a 0-0 draw, available at [12.0]. The draw is [3.5].

League Two

Aldershot v Oxford

I swear the fixture computer has a sense of humour: 24 years ago this weekend division four Aldershot defeated Oxford United, of the top flight and Milk Cup holders, 3-0 in the Cup. The papers captured crest-fallen John Aldridge substituted in the dugout, pondering his arranged move to Liverpool. Aldershot went bust five years later and have climbed back. Oxford have suffered five relegations and returned to the Football League. You can have any price you like on Aldershot winning 3-0 now. Oxford are in the ascendancy after Chris Wilder has gradually molded his non-leaguers into coping with League Two. This time last year Shots boss Kevin Dillon brought in three great signings to keep them at play-off height. This year there is discord - striker Marvin Morgan fined two weeks' wages and banned from the club for that time for venting his fury at fans on Twitter. Depending on who you believe, Crawley had already asked about him, or the Shots asked Crawley if they wanted him. The Shots reached rock bottom with defeat to Hereford, with fans chanting "Dillon out". Oxford's camp seems happier, Jack Midson striking three at Torquay and Tom Craddock the other, James Constable now pressing for a place from the bench. Aldershot seem big to lay at [2.6], but if they have any desire left just might get a point and deny Oxford at [3.0].

Stockport v Gillingham

It is worth forgiving Gillingham their understandable defeat at a good Wycombe outfit on Monday. A single-goal defeat to a side chasing automatic promotion is no disgrace.
Andy Barcham is poised to start, with Joe Martin injured, but wholesale changes aren't needed, unlike when Andy Hessenthaler complained he had 17 players unavailable. Confidence is up, especially with Cody McDonald scoring. Stockport are the latest club to become managerless. Skipper Paul Turnbull has a job on his hands to lift the players. Back the visitors.

FA Cup bets:

Back Torquay at [2.6]
Back Lincoln at [2.28] then Wycombe on Tuesday
Back Burton to draw with Middlebrough at [3.5] and 0-0 at [12.0]

League Two bets:

Back Gillingham at [2.24]
Lay Aldershot at [2.6]

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Patrick Purse | 06 January 2011

For Torquay Branston is indeed influential at the back. His experience being very valuable in a young side. Unfortunately Branston will not be stopping anybody on Saturday. He is out with a hamstring injury picked up on New Years Day.
Andy | 06 January 2011

Branston did a hamstring last week and missed Torquay's last game...when they conceded 4!
Ian Lamont | 08 January 2011

https://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/tufc/torquayunited/UNITED-S-SEASON-GOODWILL/article-3077532-detail/article.html
Latest info is that Branston might make the starting line-up. Let's hope Buckle and Benyon stay after the cup run.