One night in Devon, one night in Devon...

By Gary Moss.

Some Premier League fans think they are a cut above the rest.

Their players might be, but there’s nothing to brag about watching Manchester United win the title on your sofa in Kent, claiming you’re a Liverpool fan because your father was even though you’ve never been to Anfield, or missing Tottenham against Arsenal because you’re out shopping with the missus.

The thought of such an existence would be met with repulsion from the hardy 176 Stevenage fans who made the 470-mile round trip form the Lamex Stadium to Plainmoor.

It takes some commitment, bearing in mind the current over-inflated price of petrol, to make this marathon of a trip for a 2-0 defeat.

And you’d be right to presume every one of the Stevenage followers sparsely spread along the terrace were do-or-die Boro boys.

But little did the hardcore know, that among them were two Spurs season ticket holders, who just dropped in for a slice of the action to punctuate a booze-fuelled birthday trip to the English Riviera.

While the birthday boy is no stranger to being among the Stevenage faithful, following them as a second team to his beloved Tottenham, for myself, this was new territory. My first Stevenage game of the season in fact.

But I wasn’t completely out of my depth. Three years studying in Lincoln and writing about the Imps in the local press alongside editing a Notts County fanzine website, meant this was a welcome return to the hotbed that is League Two football.

I never shyed away from trips to arenas such as Sincil Bank, Meadow Lane, Field Mill, Millmoor and Saltergate before, so be damned if I was to snub the home of the Gulls now – even if my feet did feel like ice blocks.

While it’s nice to watch your team playing Champions League football, there’s something you can’t beat about action in League Two, and it was just as I remember it.

A pudding of a pitch, not an inch given in the tackle, a PA system with plenty left to desire, and the kind of player-crowd interaction that brings it all to life.

While many of my neighbours at White Hart Lane would probably dismiss this game as utter garbage, I’ve got to say I enjoyed it.

Beneath the spells of long-ball tactics, mis-timed and late challenges, scrambles in the box and sliced clearances, there was a great game of football. One that only people with a true love of football could appreciate.

True passion.

Torquay were worthy 2-0 winners on the day, and at times, strung together the kind of attractive passing football, that suggest they could be in with a late shout of making of the play-offs.

Stevenage may be Football League debutants, but level-on points with United before this tie, they’re certainly not out of their depth. They played their part in this game too, matching the home side physically throughout.

What cost them was team selection.

Leaving out a striker (Byron Harrison), who has scored seven goals in nine games since arriving at the club, in favour of playing a defensive looking 4-5-1 formation mythed me as much as the fans who watch them every week.

Fans like to think they know best about their team, and as soon as the teamsheet was read out, a couple of fans shrieked in disbelief. They were proved right. The system Stevenage played meant they failed to muster many chances.

That didn’t mean it was a ‘sing when you’re winning’ mentality from the Boro fans. They’d come all this way and they were going to sing their hearts out until the final whistle. The drums were banging and the party atmosphere never wained.

It might easily have come down a notch or two in the Premier Legue when Danny Stevens hit a thunderbolt just seconds into the second half to put the hosts ahead. But no, not this lot. It’s not about success at this level. Fickleness doesn’t feature. It’s all about the experience.

Even when their skipper saw red with the score at 1-0, you could hear the Hertfordshire crowd loud and clear. Chris Zebroski hit the crossbar from the resulting penalty, but Jake Robinson did add a second not long after.

At that point Torquay were comfortable and worthy leaders. It’s one of Stevenage’s worst days in the Football League.

Did the Stevenage fans have a moan? Of course they did. But will they be back? Of course they will.

That’s football. That’s real football fans. What a great day out.

Cheer: A hearty cup of chicken soup at the break helped battle through the cold weather.

Tears: A pathetic take on the crossbar challenge at half-time.