Last Saturday was a long day for Torquay United but it all ended well. After a five-hour journey to Stockport, ON THE DAY OF THE GAME, United snatched their first win of the season with Martin Gritton netting both goals against County. Torquay even had a penalty saved by James Spencer but went on to take the points by a 2-0 scoreline. After the game Brian Beard spoke to the two-goal hero.
Q:A GOOD ENDING TO A LONG DAY?
A:Yes, it was a long journey up there and sometimes that works for you. The lads were buzzing and we worked hard, covered a lot of ground and we got our reward in the end. For me personally, the chances haven't been coming in the past few weeks so it was nice to get a couple and put them away.
Q:WAS THERE MUCH PRESSURE HAVING NOT WON FOR HALF A DOZEN GAMES?
A:Yes, without a doubt. There's always pressure because you are always conscious of results, every game is important. Without Leroy (Rosenior) being at Stockport I think the lads did it for ourselves but for him as well because we played as a unit, the way he has been coaching us. But credit must also go to Kevin Dearden and Richard Hancocks for getting us organised.
Q:YOUR FIRST GOAL CAUGHT COUNTY NAPPING?
A:Yes, that's right, they were getting caught out by balls over the top. The grass seemed to cause the ball to hold up and that's why we worked that kind of move. After Tony Bedeau hit the post with his header I was lucky enough to get in and get my goal that way but I'll take them any way they come.
Q:TELL US ABOUT JO KUFFOUR BECAUSE HE WAS EXCELLENT - AND REMINDED ME A BIT OF SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS?
A:Yes, he has a lot of Shaun's qualities. Because he is small he has to be strong and you have to be sure of that strength and sure of your touch. You have to be quick off the mark too, and he's all of those things. He created both of my goals with his passing and his movement. I hope I can repay the compliment to him in the coming weeks. He is a joy to play alongside up front.
Q:HE CERTAINLY HAS QUICK FEET?
A:Absolutely, that's one of his major assets and having a low centre of gravity helps him. I'm up in the clouds and would love to have his quickness of feet but what he has on the ground I try to make up for in the air.
Q:TO CAP A GOOD DAY, A CLEAN SHEET WHICH WILL DO WONDERS FOR CONFIDENCE?
A:Yes, that's lovely. We'll take that, coming away from home and keeping a clean sheet. I think that the defence has been very resolute in the last couple of weeks and I think our work, all over the pitch, helped them by taking the pressure off.
