Torquay v Cheltenham, 19:45 (agg 0-2)
Although the home side will feel they are in with a shout here, there are a number of factors that could well prove decisive in aiding Cheltenham to the final, and potentially promotion from LeagueTwo. Torquay haven’t won in six matches now, with three draws and three defeats, the sort of form that doesn’t suggest a revival today is best backed, and there is also some worrying team news for Martin Ling to process. The local derby with Southend is no longer on for Cheltenham if they do make it through, but I’m sure the manager will emphasise the need to keep it tight and exploit and potential opportunity for counter-attacks as Torquay look to push the tempo.
Torquay will have to overturn a two-goal deficit against Cheltenham without leading scorer Rene Howe, with Taiwo Atieno replacing Howe as he did during the first leg, while Danny Stevens should return. Cheltenham will assess full-back Luke Garbutt after the Everton loanee missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring strain, but on the plus side Ben Burgess has recovered from a blow to the head which required stitches, while midfielder Russ Penn is competing for a recall. Blue Square offer 6/1 on a 1-1 draw, and I think Torquay face an uphill battle today if they are to progress.
Southend v Crewe, 19:45 (agg. 0-1)
Although Crewe would have been pleased with their first-leg win over Southend the players and staff will be well aware 1-0 is a precarious lead, and keen to push on and get an early goal, but the away team to come into the game on some pretty good form and will feel confident. Their last loss was actually to Southend, some 17 matches ago, and it is certainly true to say that for a lot of teams simply the experience of winning can be a great boost in itself, so Crewe will feel like they are more than capable of booking a place in the final.
Southend weren’t really expecting to be in the position for a lot of the season, having slipped after leading the table at some points in the season, and that would technically suggest their morale would be very low, but the first leg proved Steve Davis has got his side back into the mentality of getting themselves promoted after the disappointment. The home crowd at Roots Hall will fancy themselves as a bit of a third man, and I’m sure they’ll be urging their heroes forward from the first minute.
Southend hope defender Mark Phillips recovers after being taken off in Saturday’s 1-0 first-leg loss, but Paul Sturrock says “70%” of the side that travelled to Gresty Road have been receiving treatment for knocks. Crewe must check on midfielder Luke Murphy, Carl Martin and teenage top scorer Nick Powell both picked up knocks, but are three are in with a chance of playing. Ladbrokes offer 11/2 on Crewe winning by one goal, which isn’t a bad price at all.
