TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHELMSFORD CITY

 1. A debut to remember for Jordan Young. 

Torquay United and Paul Wotton arguably got what they paid for when bringing Jordan Young to Plainmoor from Yeovil Town, as he played a key role in United's first goal before opening his account for the club with their second of the afternoon. For the Gulls' opener, he went on a thrusting run before seeing his shot blocked, which fell invitingly to Cody Cooke who found the back of the net. For United's second, he had seen a shot from distance turned over the bar by Chelmsford keeper Woody Williamson, the resulting corner from Omar Mussa was only cleared as far as Young who struck with a low drive from 15 yards. 

Overall, Young showed more than a few glimpses of the form that he displayed for Yeovil, where he scored 16 goals in all competitions, 14 of which came in the league. If he continues with the form that he showed on his debut for the Gulls against Chelmsford. 

2. Cody Cooke's fifth of the season. 

Remarkably Cody Cooke's fifth goal of the season was the first goal that he has scored at Plainmoor since he joined the club in the summer from Bath City. Cooke is now comfortably the Gulls' leading scorer, as he currently has more than double the highest amount of United's next higest scorer(s): Brad Ash, Matt Carson, Dan Hayfield and Lirak Hasani all have two goals each. 

Unfortunately, Cooke also picked a fifth league booking of the season, which means that he will be absent for United's league meeting with Tonbridge Angels next week. 

3. Sam Dreyer denied his first goal for the club. 

On 36 minutes, Sam Dreyer appeared to have restored United's two-goal cushion after Jake Hyde had pulled a goal back for the Clarets in the 31st minute. A Matt Carson corner was knocked back into the penalty area by Dan Hayfield before Dreyer got the final touch on it and nodded the ball past Chelmsford keeper Williamson. However, the goal was disallowed by referee Stacey Pearson after consulting with linesman James Welsh, under protest from the Clarets players. Whether it was deemed offside, or there was another infringement, it wasn't completely clear, but nevertheless Dreyer, one of United's two ever presents this season, is still waiting for his maiden goal in yellow and blue.

4. Needing to tighten up at the back. 

After yesterday's showing, United have now only kept one clean sheet in their last seven National League South matches, which came in their away fixture against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. Saturday's fixture against Chelmsford was also the first time that they've conceded more than once at home this season. 

It's something that Paul Wotton and his assistant Mike Edwards will need to be wary of as the season enters its midway point.

GULLS GET THEIR MAN

 Torquay United have looked to strengthen their squad with the addition of Jordan Young from Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.

Wiltshire-born Young, 25, who can play as a central midfielder, on the right wing, or as a second striker, was a National League South title winner with the Glovers in the 2023-24 season. He found the back of the net 16 times in 47 appearances in all competitions, which helped to earn him a place in the National League South team of the season, in addition to his league winner's medal. 

On several occasions in recent years, Young has crossed paths with United. He netted for the Glovers in both of their league encounters in 2023-24. Young was also on target for his previous club, Chippenham Town, in an FA Trophy tie at Plainmoor in 2022-23, which United won 3-2. 

He has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Gulls, which runs until the summer of 2027, and he is also reunited with his former Yeovil teammate Jay Foulston, who was also part of the Glovers' National League South title winning squad. 

 

 

TUCHEL'S NUMBER TWO

 While the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has attracted plenty of interest, the appointment of his English assistant Anthony Barry has gone under the radar a little. 

Liverpool-born Barry, who made 64 appearances for Yeovil Town during his career which started at Everton and included spells with Accrington Stanley, Wrexham, Chester City and Fleetwood Town amongst others, has previously worked with Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He has also had coaching roles with the national teams of Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.

He joined the Glovers in January 2006 at a time when Steve Thompson was looking to help the Glovers maintain their newly found League One status, following the departure of Gary Johnson to Bristol City

The following summer saw Russell Slade brought in as manager from Grimsby Town and Thompson reverted to the role of assistant which he had formerly held under Johnson, and Barry continued to play a part for the Glovers. In the 2006-07 season, he netted his only goal for the club in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie with Shrewsbury Town and he also appeared in both League One play-off semi-finals against Nottingham Forest, which the Glovers memorably defeated Nottingham Forest 5-4 over two legs. He then featured for Yeovil in the final against Blackpool, which the Glovers lost 2-0. 

In 2008, he was released by Yeovil and returned to the North West to sign for Chester City and he spent the remainder of his career in the region, aside from two years spent at Forest Green Rovers between 2013 and 2015, as he appeared for Wrexham (twice), Fleetwood Town and he returned to Accrington Stanley initially on loan before signing permanently for Stanley in 2015. 

Regardless of whatever views anyone might have on the appointment of a German in Tuchel as England manager, the appointment of Barry as his number two represents a great opportunity for a young English coach, who has already a fine track record for someone his age.

IT'S ROONEY TIME AT HOME PARK

The concept of 'Fergie time' is alive and well and has moved to Home Park and is now operating under the guise of 'Rooney time.' 

During Sir Alex Ferguson's reign as Manchester United manager, including Wayne Rooney's playing spell at Old Trafford, the Red Devils were famed for scoring goals late on in games and Plymouth Argyle are developing a habit of last gasp strikes. 

On September 14, a goal from skipper Joe Edwards in stoppage time sealed a 3-2 win over league leaders Sunderland, which was the Pilgrims' first win of Rooney's reign. 

Then just under a fortnight later, Argyle won 3-1 against Luton Town, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, with winger Ibrahim Cissoko completing a brace in injury time in a Friday night encounter at Home Park which was televised on Sky TV.

There was no late drama when the Pilgrims defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-1 with last season's leading scorer Morgan Whittaker turned home a headed cross from central midfielder Adam Randell in the 97th minute, shortly after Rooney had been sent to the stands by referee James Linington. 

Whittaker's strike sealed a third successive home win for Argyle which moves them up to 14th in the Championship table, as the Pilgrims look to prove the pre-season doubters who tipped them for relegation wrong.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ST ALBANS CITY

1. Penalty claim. 

United had a penalty appeal late on for a challenge on Omar Mussa turned down which many in the ground thought was a stonewall penalty, including Gulls boss Paul Wotton. 

However, whilst Wotton was frustrated with the decision he admitted after the game that he didn't want to be 'that' manager who bemoans officials, but once again the question of officiating in the non-league game has reared its head again. 

One point which I personally believe to be a valid one is that the standard of player at National League level, and National Leagues North and South, is that the standard of player plying their trade at these levels is improving the standard of officiating needs to improve as well.

2. Injuries. 

Although Paul Wotton was able to welcome Jay Foulston and Dan Hayfield back into the starting line-up following their recent absence through injury, he saw both Ed Palmer and Omar Mussa suffer injuries. 

Palmer was elbowed in the face by Zane Banton, six minutes after he had equalised for St Albans, which earned him a red card and Mussa needed to be stretched off following the challenge mentioned under penalty claim.

3. The return of Will Jenkins Davies. 

During the week, Paul Wotton moved to strengthen his squad with the loan capture of Will Jenkins Davies on loan from Plymouth Argyle for what is a third seperate loan spell at Plainmoor. 

Jenkins Davies entered the field of play in place of Lirak Hasani in the 61st minute and brought a new level of energy and drive to the Gulls' midfield and even came close to scoring in the 74th minute. 

His loan spell will last at least until January 2025 and he will surely be pushing for a starting spot when United return to league action against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. 

4. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence. 

Once again Sam Dreyer was a man mountain in the centre of the Gulls defence and rightfully earned the sponsors man of the match award. In the first half, he blocked a shot from a tight angle from Zane Banton, who would open the scoring for the Saints in the second half, on the line on 37 minutes. He was also responsible for sniffing out the threat of St Albans City striker Sean Jeffers, who netted twice when the two sides met at Plainmoor last season, and he is fast establishing the reputation of being one of the best centre backs in National League South. 

5. Ben Seymour off the mark. 

After netting 16 times for Hampton and Richmond Borough in the 2023-24 season, Ben Seymour had found goals hard to come by since his summer move to Plainmoor. However, he finally got off the mark for United against St Albans in the 50th minute when he attempted to tee up strike partner Cody Cooke but his pass was cut out and fell invitingly into his path and he duly slotted home to open his account for the club. 

Hopefully it will turn out to be the first of many. 

6. Crowds holding up. 

Despite the disappointment of the Gulls' FA Cup exit to Bishops Cleeve, the Gulls maintained their record of attracting 3,000 plus crowds for all of their league games so far in the 2024-25 season. 

Their fixture with St Albans City attracted an attendance of 3,287, which included 35 St Albans City fans.

RESPONDING TO A SETBACK

 At what point does a setback become a crisis? 

While Torquay United have made a promising start to the managerial reign of Paul Wotton, which sees the Gulls occupy the play-off zone, but were dealt an unexpected blow in the FA Cup second qualifying round where they were beaten by Bishops Cleeve of Southern League Division One South. 

It was certainly a result that no United fan would have expected, in fact not even the most ardent of Bishops Cleeve fans would have thought that they would win 3-0. 

Therefore Wotton's post-match reaction was probably not surprising when he said:"It was humiliating and embarrassing. We were second best, in fact we weren't even that. There was absolutely zero credit to be had, Bishops Cleeve should have won by more."

Since the Bryn Consortium's takeover of the club in the summer, United have got so much right off the field in terms of supporter engagement, ranging from the new signing videos on social media, record season ticket sales, new home and away shirts that have sold in high volumes and a community share issue with the club's Supporter's Trust which has surpassed its fundraising target. 

So therefore a result like last Saturday is not in keeping with the renewed positivity surrounding the club.

Whilst Bishops Cleeve are lowest ranked side that the Gulls have lost to in the FA Cup in recent years, they are two divisions above the Mitres, which isn't the biggest divisional gap between United and one of their FA Cup giant killers. There was a divisional gap of three leagues existed between the Gulls and Hinckley United, who knocked United out of the cup in the 2004-05 season. At the time, the Gulls were in League One and Hinckley were in National League North. 

However, United bounced back from their premature cup exit at the hands of the Midlanders, as they went and won 2-1 at Port Vale with goals from Kevin Hill and Leon Constantine and then beat Wrexham 1-0 at Plainmoor thanks to a Tony Bedeau strike. 

Up until now the idea of a crisis at Plainmoor has been on par with what the Cobbolds of Ipswich Town would have regarded as one - namely the boardroom running out of wine. 

A response akin to the Gulls' class of 2004-05 would go a long way to maintaining that status.

BRINGING THE CROWDS BACK TO PLAINMOOR

 As well as their improved showings on the pitch, one of the hallmarks of Torquay United's 2024-25 campaign has been the crowds that have poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls in action. 

For the first time since the 2004-05 season, when United plied their trade in League One under Leroy Rosenior, Torquay United have attracted attendance above 3,000 for their opening four home games of the campaign. 

After attracting a crowd of 3,827 on the opening day of the season against Enfield Town, United followed this up with attendances of 3,566 against Dorking Wanderers, 3,263 against Aveley and then 3,087 against Chippenham Town.

In 2004-05, United drew a crowd of 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, which was followed by 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday in their second home fixture and 3,791 saw them face Walsall and 3,456 witnessed them draw 2-2 with Brentford. The season would ultimately end in relegation for the Gulls following their 2-1 defeat to Colchester United at Layer Road on the final day of the campaign, but their average attendance of 3,511 - this remains their highest seasonal average since United were relegated from the 'old' Third Division in the 1971-72 season under Jack Edwards. 

Since then the Gulls have only recorded seasonal average attendances above 3,000 on nine occasions, with the most recent being in the 2007-08 season, which stood at 3,125. A parrallel with that season can be found with the present day, as the Alex Rowe-led local consortium took over the club in the summer of 2007, just as the Bryn Consortium completed their takeover of the club in the close season.

Like in 2007-08, the Bryn Consortium, headed by co-chairman Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, have shown what can be achieved if you can create an enthusiasm amongst the United faithful for the club and make people want to come to Plainmoor. And if they can better the figure of 3,125, then it will be another tick on the list of things that they have got right since taking charge.