The Cup could overflow for the Gulls

Torquay United have earned themselves a great chance to mount a money-spinning FA Cup run after this week’s draw handed them a second successive draw against Southern League opposition – this time at home.
Following the Gulls’ 3-0 win at Wimborne Town at the weekend, Gary Johnson’s side has been paired with Hungerford Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round at Plainmoor on Saturday week (Sept 30).
As a National League club last season, United took Derby County to a First Round replay after a sold-out televised 2-2 draw at Plainmoor.
Relegated to the NL South, Torquay now have to survive three Qualifying rounds before the EFL One and Two teams enter the competition, but the rewards are still decent.
After earning a modest £3,375 from beating SL Division One Wimborne, there will be £5,625 at stake against SL Premier Hungerford and £9,375 in the 4th Qualifier – a total of £18,375 before the ‘bigger boys’ join in.
The Wimborne victory was United’s sixth in seven games, and they could go top of the NL South if they win at Hemel Hempstead Town this Saturday and other results go in their favour.
United survived a scare or two, mainly thanks to several key saves by ‘reserve’ goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, to avoid a potential ‘banana skin’ at Wimborne.
They took a grip on the tie, against a Magpies side managed by former Gulls centre-forward Tim Sills, with first-half goals from Brett McGavin and Jack Stobbs.
Tom Lapslie wrapped it up in the 82nd minute, with McGavin also hitting the bar from long-range in stoppage-time.
Johnson rested No. 1 Mark Halstead and promoted Lovett, not for the first time for a cup-tie, although Halstead is expected to resume on Hemel’s all-weather ‘slope’ at Vauxhall Road.
Johnson declined to say whether Lovett will keep his Cup place against Hungerford, but stressed: “Mark and Rhys get on great.
“They’re are a real goalkeepers’ club, and they are both improving.”
Johnson is sufficiently happy with the rest of his squad, and his injury situation, to send right-back Dylan Crowe out on loan to divisional rivals Havant & Waterlooville.
Crowe has not been able to force his way into United’s side after recovering from injury, and Johnson wants him to build up his match fitness during an initial one-month deal.