Devon duo unfazed by familiarity

The managers of Exeter City and Torquay United say the two clubs' familiarities will not be a factor when they meet in Tuesday's Blue Square Premier play-off.

Torquay boss Paul Buckle was assistant manager at City last year, and took some players with him when he left.

Striker Lee Phillips, keeper Martin Rice and defender Chris Todd all played for City in the 2007 play-offs.

"I know Tis well and I know a lot of people at Exeter, and they know me very well," Buckle told BBC Radio Devon.

"We've played each other twice this season, but I'm a great believer in that it's on the night"
Torquay Utd boss Paul Buckle

"We've played each other twice this season, but I'm a great believer in that it's on the night.

"I've played in enough play-offs to realise you need a bit of luck, as well as good play and you need to hold your nerve," Buckle added.

His sentiments were echoed by Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale.

"I'm sure Paul will have an inkling as to what we'll do, but he won't know, and I'll have an inkling to what they'll do," Tisdale said.

"We just have to be ready for the day. If you've got a squad of players who are physically and technically capable but also a squad of players that enables me to be flexible from the bench, then it means we can cope with whatever comes," Tisdale added.

The match will be the 101st meeting between the two South Devon sides and possibly one of the most important.

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