FA Cup tie green light for Thomson
South Devon Herald Express
NEW SIGNING Jake Thomson has been cleared to play in Torquay United's FA Cup First Round tie with Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
But the Gulls will almost certainly be without their on-loan goalkeeper Michael Poke.
Thomson, 20, who made a promising debut in Saturday's 1-0 League Two win over Northampton, and Poke, 23, are both on loan from Southampton.
Thomson's first month at Plainmoor actually runs out on November 28 — the date of the Second Round of the Cup, if United get past Cheltenham.
But Saints are happy for him to play in this Saturday's home tie.
Poke, who has been voted United's man of the match in each of their last two home games, is initially on loan until January 2.
Saints did not allow him to play against them in the recent Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at St. Mary's.
And under the terms of the loan, United have to secure written permission for Poke to play against Cheltenham by Friday lunchtime.
Southampton's own first-round tie at Bristol Rovers is being played at the Memorial Ground on Friday night.
So Saints' future in the Cup will be known by the time United kick off against Cheltenham the following afternoon.
But Buckle, who took a reserve team to play in a friendly at Southampton yesterday, said: "We need to prepare for the cup-tie knowing who will be in goal.
"Scott Bevan is fit, available and he's a very good goalkeeper in his own right."
United's other loan player, striker Scott Rendell, is available because he is on a season-long agreement from Peterborough.
Bevan, who has been plagued by achilles tendon trouble this season, proved his fitness by playing 90 minutes in yesterday's reserve friendly.
It finished 3-1 to Saints on their training ground.
Trainee Rob Hemming, a second half substitute, scored United's goal.
"It was a very good game," said Buckle. "We hit the bar twice and might have got a draw out of it.
"Most of the pros who didn't play against Northampton got a run-out, the youth players got a chance to play at a really good level and it brought everyone's fitness levels up a notch.
"Southampton looked after us well, took it seriously and we have been invited back, which is great.
"It's the sort of thing we'll be doing more of."
United's team included pros Bevan, Chris Todd, Mark Ellis, Tyrone Thompson, Danny Stevens and Rendell, as well as trainees Ryan Beattie, Ashley Yeoman and Hemming.
The FA Cup itself is on its way to Plainmoor, which will host the official Cup Tour roadshow tomorrow.
United players will be in attendance throughout the day, as well as school groups and other supporters, who can book places online at facuptrophytour.co.uk
The show opens at 11am and closes at 7pm, but school groups will have priority until 3pm.
And the cup itself, by the way, is NOT kept onsite overnight!
Buckle praise for Thomson
Yahoo! Sport
Torquay boss Paul Buckle was fulsome in his praise for new loan signing Jake Thomson following his debut in the 1-0 win over Northampton.
The Trinidad & Tobago international, on loan from Southampton, started on the left wing and impressed.
Buckle said: "I thought Jake did everything but score or create a goal. He committed the full-back every time he got the ball, he went on several runs and forced Northampton back time and time again.
"You can see why he is at such a big club like Southampton.
"I thought he did very well to get up to tempo because I thought the game was played at a really fast pace and I was very pleased with him."
