TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS MAIDENHEAD UNITED

 1. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton amongst the goals again. 

By being deployed further forward in the number ten role, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton has found himself amongst the goals as he took his tally for the season to three - and doubled his haul for the calendar year. 

Lo-Everton drilled home a strike from an angle on 41 minutes to give the Gulls what was at the time a richly deserved lead. 

It would some achievement if Lo-Everton managed to hit double figures for the 2025-26 season, but you wouldn't bet against him going close to it. 

2. Dan Hayfield a commanding presence in the centre of midfield. 

Dan Hayfield returned to the starting line-up in place of Jordan Thomas as Matt Worthington switched to right-back, and it was a decision that paid off for Gulls manager Paul Wotton as Hayfield produced a commanding display in the centre of midfield. 

He did the simple things well and came close to scoring on 26 minutes when he saw an angled effort parried away by Maidenhead keeper Jordi Van Stapperheof. 

With competition for places in central midfield hotting up after Matt Worthington and Monashe Sundire have returned from injury, Hayfield certainly staked his claim for one of the two starting berths. 

3. The penalty. 

Arguably the biggest talking point from Saturday was the penalty that wasn't given on 72 minutes for a challenge on Louis Dennis, which saw Dennis booked for diving. 

From a personal point of view, Dennis was bearing down on goal looking to score his 14th of the campaign and didn't need to dive in order to win a penalty. Whether referee Said Ouchane saw him fall at speed, which made his fall seem more unnatural, only he can answer. However, with no VAR available at National League South level, there was no way of having a second look at the challenge. 

Hopefully it will even itself out across the remainder of the campaign. 

4. Home and away. 

The Gulls' meeting with Maidenhead United was the 11th meeting between the two sides, but remarkably United's record against the Magpies is better away than it is at home. 

Torquay's away record against Maidenhead reads played five, won four, lost one, whilst their record against Plainmoor reads played six, won two, drawn two, lost two. 

If anyone knows of any other similar records, please get in touch. 

5. Still in contention. 

Despite drawing against Maidenhead, the Gulls are still in contention for automatic promotion from National League South. 

They dropped down to second place after Dorking Wanderers won 5-3 against Farnborough FC whilst Hornchurch moved to within a point of United after beating Tonbridge Angels 3-2. 

Dorking are due to face Hornchurch at the Meadowbank Stadium on Tuesday and all eyes will be on the outcome of that one. 

GULLS RETURN TO THE SUMMIT WITH A WIN OVER HORNCHURCH

 A second half brace from Jordan Young helped to earn Torquay United what could yet prove to be their most crucial victory of the season away to Hornchurch. 

United had trailed to an early curled effort from Angelo Balanta on nine minutes, but in the second half Young found himself in a one-on-one with Urchins keeper Arthur Nasta before slotting home the Gulls' equaliser on 50 minutes. Then, in the 69th minute, Young cut inside from the left and fired home to score his 15th goal of the campaign - which proved to be decisive. 

The result moves United to the top of the National League South table on goal difference ahead of Dorking Wanderers, who the Gulls are due to face at Plainmoor next Saturday. 

Had the outcome of the game gone against United, Hornchurch would have moved to the summit of the table instead of the Gulls, and they would also be five points clear of United with a game in hand. Therefore, come the end of the season in May, everyone could be looking back at this weekend as a turning point for Paul Wotton's side. 

With a midweek visit to Dover Athletic and next Saturday's clash with Dorking coming up, the Gulls have the potential to set themselves up for a strong finish to the campaign. 

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH TITLE RACE HOTS UP FOR THE GULLS

 The National League South title won't be won or lost in the coming weeks, but the outcome of matches taking place within the next month could go a long way to deciding its outcome. 

As well as third placed Torquay United travel to league leaders Hornchurch on Saturday, second placed Worthing host Weston Super Mare before the pair meet again on the following Tuesday at Weston's Optima Stadium. 

Paul Wotton's Gulls also play on Tuesday night as they face a long trip to Dover Athletic (February 3) in a fixture re-arranged from January 3 ahead of a home clash with Dorking Wanderers (February 7). 

After seeing their midweek home fixture with Farnborough postponed due to the downpour following Storm Chandra, the Gulls head into this trio of fixtures with a near full strength squad with plenty of competition for places. 

Attacking midfielder Callum Dolan, who is a long term absentee, is unavailable. 

Despite still being without Louis Dennis, who still has two matches of his suspension to run, fellow joint leading scorer Jordan Young is available after missing United's recent 2-1 away win over Enfield Town. 

This gives Wotton arguably his biggest conundrum as he has to decide whether Young returns to the side in place of Exeter City loanee Kieran Wilson, scorer of United's decisive penalty against Enfield. 

Then Wotton also has plenty of options to choose from in midfield as Monashe Sundire continues his return to fitness, the United boss has the option of starting the Zimbabwean in the centre of midfield along with Matt Worthington or Dan Hayfield. Wotton could also move Sonny Blu Lo-Everton back from his 'number ten' role in a bid to incorporate both Young and Wilson. 

With United set to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday for much of February (the Gulls are set to travel to Chippenham on February 10 before hosting Maidenhead United on February 14 and later in the month head to Worthing on February 24 which precedes the hosting of Chelmsford City on February 28) - so rotation could be the key for Wotton to keep his squad fresh. 

By the time of United's re-arranged meeting with Farnborough on March 3, they will certainly have a clearer picture how the 2025-26 campaign will pan out for them. 

ON THIS DAY 2001: TORQUAY UNITED 2 EXETER CITY 1

 When something is billed as 'the biggest thing ever seen' - it often only holds that title until something bigger comes along. 

That was certainly the case when Torquay United and Exeter City went into what was billed as ‘the most crucial Devon derby of all-time’ in January 2001. Both the Gulls and the Grecians went into this game in the bottom three of the Third Division with the very real threat of relegation to the Conference staring them in the face.

The pair had previously met at St James Park on Boxing Day, where they played out a 1-1 draw in which the Gulls snatched a late equaliser through Eifion Williams that cancelled out Jamie Campbell’s opener for the Grecians.

At the time of their clash only bottom placed Carlisle United possessed fewer points than either United or City, and the fear that the loser could be condemned to the wilderness of non-league football loomed large. 

The match started off well for the Gulls, as their front two of Eifion Williams and Tony Bedeau both went close to opening the scoring. The match then took a controversial turn in the fifth minute when Grecians captain Chris Curran was sent off by referee Andy Hall for a challenge on Torquay’s French midfielder Khalid Chalqi; it had looked as though Curran had used the elbow. 

Torquay were then able to pile the pressure on Exeter as they made their extra man count. The funniest moment of the game came on the half hour as Jimmy Aggrey took issue with City’s player-manager Noel Blake over a challenge on Torquay keeper Ryan Northmore. Blake then ran the full length of the pitch back to his starting position with a “Who do you think you are?” look on his face.

Then on the stroke of half time, Exeter player-coach John Cornforth felled Torquay striker Tony Bedeau in the penalty area; this prompted referee Hall to point to the penalty spot-kick, a decision that sparked anger amongst the travelling Exeter Fans.

Torquay skipper Mark Ford had to wait two minutes to take the penalty, as a minor pitch invasion was subdued. Ford was then able to send Exeter keeper Arjan Van Heusden the wrong way to give the Gulls the lead. This enraged Exeter’s travelling support further as around a dozen of their supporters spilled on to the pitch and later claimed that they were incited by Ford.

The second half saw Blake pull a muscle in an attempted challenge on Bedeau and he replaced himself immediately with Mark Burrows. The second half also saw an increase in the tempo of the game, as Grecians winger Christian Roberts proved a real handful for Torquay with his electrifying pace and they found it increasingly harder to make their advantage count against 10-man Grecians.

Torquay had Northmore to thank for a string of good saves as Kwame Ampadu and Roberts both went close for City; they proved to be vital in helping keep Torquay in the game.

In the 69^th minute, Exeter were rewarded for their efforts on goal as former Manchester United apprentice Mark Rawlinson reacted quickest to equalise after Northmore had parried an initial strike from future Gulls’ manager Paul Buckle.

This sparked an immediate change in the Torquay side as manager Wes Saunders replaced Bedeau with targetman John Gayle, but the service to him and fellow striker Williams was worse than it was before.

Saunders made a second substitution by bringing on Paul Holmes for Robbie Herrera to help counteract the pace of Christian Roberts, but it was Saunders’ introduction of Kevin Parker in place of Kevin Hill, which would have the biggest effect on the outcome of the match

Parker was able to latch on to a Mark Ford pass and then beat two tired Exeter defenders. He tried his luck and it paid handsome dividends as he snatched a dramatic winner for the Gulls.  This then sparked scenes of jubilant celebrations amongst the Torquay fans, which prompted Parker to remove his shirt in his goal celebration, as Torquay clinched victory in superb style and the three points took them a step nearer survival.

Watching that afternoon in the stands was former Spurs and England defender Steve Perryman, who had agreed to work with the Grecians as an unpaid football consultant to assist manager Blake. Perryman was able to steer City away from the drop, but the Gulls would have to wait until the final day of the campaign to retain their league status – which they did with the help of another ex-Spurs player Colin Lee. 

Torquay (4-4-2): Ryan Northmore; Steve Tully, Jimmy Aggrey, Lee Russell, Robbie Herrera (Paul Holmes 81); Khalid Chalqi, Gary Neil, Mark Ford, Kevin Hill (Kevin Parker 89); Eifion Williams, Tony Bedeau (John Gayle 70)

Exeter (4-4-2): Arjan Van Heusden; Neil Whitworth, Chris Curran, Noel Blake (Mark Burrows 56), Graeme Power; Christian Roberts (Graeme Tomlinson 90), Paul Buckle, John Cornforth (Kwame Ampadu 64), Mark Rawlinson; Paul Read, Steve Flack

Attendance: 4,053

An abridged version of this match and another 49 matches can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches - which is available here torquayunitedahistoryin50 — Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS MAIDSTONE UNITED

 1. Three red cards. 

Anyone predicted beforehand that there would be three red cards issued when Torquay United faced Maidstone United, then Nostradamus would like his glasses back. 

Right-back David Sesay was dismissed for the Stones after an 'off the ball' altercation with United skipper Sam Dreyer and a scuffle followed involving Sesay and United keeper James Hamon. 

Then, late on, Louis Dennis received a straight red card for grappling with Maidstone substitute John Gilbert and moments later, Jordan Young was awarded a second yellow card for protesting against a goal kick being given instead of a corner. 

So, within a space of a minute, Torquay went from having a one-man advantage to a one-man disadvantage. Fans of a certain age will recall the Gulls' encounter with Brentford in 1991, in which Gary Blissett was dismissed for his now infamous elbow on John Uzzell and they would probably also remember Marcus Gayle being dismissed for the Bees and Paul Compton was sent off for the Gulls, however Saturday's match wasn't in the same league as that one. 

United are now potentially looking at a three-match ban for Dennis and a one-match ban for Young, which would leave the Gulls without their two leading scorers when they travel to Enfield Town next Saturday. 

2. Keeping their discipline. 

Despite the game seeing three dismissals, the Gulls' centre back pairing of Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer deserve a lot of credit for displays of controlled aggression after playing the majority of the game on a yellow card. 

Dyer was booked after conceding the free-kick from which Maidstone took the lead through Riley Court in the 21st minute, whilst Dreyer was booked following the meelee which led to David Sesay receiving his marching orders. 

The pair did an excellent job to keep Mo Faal and later Hamzad Kargbo at bay, and left-back Jay Foulston also made an important block at the end to keep the Stones at bay. 

3. Dylan Morgan takes his tally for the season to five. 

When Dylan Morgan found the back of the net with United's equaliser on 29 minutes, it was his fifth of the campaign

His strike against Hampton and Richmond Borough made him United's third top scorer behind joint leading scorers Louis Dennis and Jordan Young, and his effort against the Stones strengthens his grip on third place in the scoring charts. 

4. United still very much in the promotion race. 

Results elsewhere mostly went in United's favour as Worthing's draw with Horsham means that the Gulls remain three points behind the league leaders. United are also a point behind Weston Super Mare after the Seagulls lost 1-0 to Chelmsford City. 

However, Hornchurch's 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough lifts them above the Gulls and into second place in the table. Also, the outcome of the Urchins' FA Trophy tie with AFC Telford United will determine whether their clash with the Gulls will go ahead on January 31. 

United may well look back on Saturday as a point gained, just as they did when they drew the Stones at the Gallagher Stadium last August. 

WOTTON'S GULLS NOT WEIGHED DOWN BY WEIGHT OF HISTORY

 When Torquay United won their first ever meeting with Maidstone United on December 30, 1989, few could have imagined that the Gulls would have only won once against the Stones since. 

Goals from Dean Edwards and Mark Loram sealed a 2-1 win for Torquay, who were undergoing a revival under Dave Smith, following the departure earlier in the 1989-90 campaign of Cyril Knowles, and were laying the foundations of their eventual promotion in 1990-91. 

The Gulls never got to face Maidstone in the 1992-93 season as they resigned from the Football League before the start of the campaign and later went into liquidation. 

Many years later in the National League during the 2016-17 season, Torquay first faced the reformed Stones, who had fought their way back to respectability after starting again in the Kent County League. 

Wins were hard to come by for the Gulls against the Stones, with a solitary 1-0 win at Plainmoor in January 2023 courtesy of an Aaron Jarvis strike, being all that Torquay have had to show for their efforts against the Kent side since then. 

However, current Gulls boss Paul Wotton is refusing to be weighed down by their history playing against the Stones. Indeed, Wotton's current record against George Elokobi's side includes two well earned draws - including the Gulls' 1-1 draw at the Gallagher Stadium in their second game of the current campaign which was secured with a late penalty from Jordan Young. 

Torquay will be going into the game in a positive state of mind after winning 4-1 against Hampton and Richmond at Plainmoor last weekend, and positivity 

CUP DEFEAT WON'T DEFINE GRECIANS CAMPAIGN

 It was a day that records were set, but not the kind that Exeter City might have been hoping for against Manchester City. 

As was the Premier League giants ran out as 10-1 winners, with a haul that included efforts from former Ballon D'or winner Rodri and £65 million debutant Antoine Semenyo as well as own goals from Jake Doyle-Hayes and Max Fitzwater. Youngster George Birch, who recently returned from a loan spell from Weston Super Mare in National League South, scored a consolation for the Grecians. 

By winning 10-1, Pep Guardiola's side equalled their highest ever competitive win, which came in the 'old' Second Division versus Huddersfield Town in 1987. It was also the Grecians' worst ever loss, surpassing the 9-0 defeats that they suffered against Notts County in 1948, Northampton Town in 1958 and against Reading in the EFL Trophy in 2023. 

However, retaining their status as a League One club is now their number one priority,  as they return to league action against Stevenage next Saturday.