competitive debut for Torquay in the Football League Trophy on 30 August 2011 in the Gulls' 2–1 loss to Cheltenham Town. Rice had to wait until 10 January 2012 for his next first team appearance, playing in United's Devon Bowl quarter–final against Willand Rovers.Torquay eventually won the game on penalties, with Rice saving one of Willand's seven efforts, but Rice had his spot–kick saved. Rice suffered a groin strain soon afterwards and missed Torquay reserves' 3–2 loss to Bournemouth reserves on 17 January 2012. He was replaced in goal by youth team goalkeeper Aaron Ibbetson. Rice returned as first–choice goalkeeper for the reserves in their final Combination League fixture of the season, a 4–2 loss to Forest Green Rovers on 31 January 2012. The goalkeeper played in United's 1–1 friendly draw with Tiverton Town on 15 February 2012, and despite his performance being described as "outstanding" by Martin Ling, Rice was at fault for Tiverton's goal. On 21 February 2012, Rice played in Torquay's 3–0 loss to non-League Buckland Athletic in the quarter-finals of the Devon Bowl. Rice faced former club Exeter City on 27 February 2012 in a 1–1 friendly draw. He featured in Torquay's 1–1 friendly draw with Bideford AFC on 2 May 2012, making a number of important saves to earn a draw for his side. After Torquay lost 2–0 to Cheltenham Town in the away leg of their play–off semi–final, some United fans called for Rice to be replaced on the bench by a more attacking option. However, Torquay manager Martin Ling defended his decision to retain the goalkeeper as one of his five substitutes for the home leg, saying "I won't go into the game without Martin Rice on the bench. If Bobby Olejnik gets injured in the first two minutes, we would be handing it over on a plate by not having a goalkeeper on the bench". At the end of the season, United left-back Kevin Nicholson nominated Rice as "Player of the Season" for his attitude and enthusiasm, which was also praised by Ling: "The enthusiasm and drive he brings to the place is phenomenal...I've been really pleased with how he has done the job as number two." 2012–13 Although Olejnik was sold to Peterborough United in June, Rice was still expected to begin the 2012–13 season as Torquay's second–choice goalkeeper behind new signing Michael Poke. Rice made his first pre-season appearance in