WHEN APPROACHING THE PLAY-OFFS - MOMENTUM IS EVERYTHING

 It is often that the end of season play-offs are a lottery, but there is one magic word beginning with 'M' that can help clubs negotiate them - momentum. 

Very often, history has shown us that the hangover of missing out on automatic promotion can end up being carried over into the end of season showdown by some clubs. It has also shown that other teams who make a late charge to reach them can end up claiming the bounty on offer and go on to win promotion. 

This has proved to be the case when Torquay United have enjoyed successful play-off campaigns in the past. 

In the 1990-91 season, John Impey took over a side that had dropped into mid-table, after previously leading the Fourth Division table under Dave Smith. The Gulls then went on a six-match unbeaten run, which included a 5-0 win over Aldershot. 

A 2-1 final day win against York City sealed United's place in the play-offs, where they would face Burnley over two legs. Goals from Dean Edwards and Matt Elliott secured a 2-1 win over the Clarets at Plainmoor lost the return leg at Turf Moor 1-0 courtesy of a Stewart Evans own goal to set a final with Blackpool at Wembley. 

The Tangerines, in their first appearance at Wembley since the 1953 'Matthews' FA Cup final against Bolton Wanderers, took the lead through Paul Groves before Wes Saunders headed home a cross from Mark Loram to equalise. A penalty from Edwards gave the Gulls the lead from the penalty spot, which was later cancelled out by an unfortunate own goal by Chris Curran - ending the game into extra time. 

After extra time, the game headed to penalties, which both sides missing their first spot-kicks (Loram for the Gulls and Tony Rodwell for the Tangerines). Each team then converted all four of their next penalties (Micky Holmes, Paul Holmes, Saunders and Chris Myers for the Gulls) - sending the shoot-out to sudden death. 

United goalkeeper Gareth Howells then seized the initiative and stepped up to become the first keeper to save and score a penalty at Wembley (he had saved Rodwell's earlier effort for Blackpool). The Tangerines' veteran striker David Bamber then fluffed his lines with Blackpool's next spot-kick, which mean that the Gulls became the first side to win a play-off final on penalties at Wembley. 

Eighteen years later, and in a different division, Paul Buckle was looking to mastermind a return to the Football League for the Gulls at the second time of asking in the 2008-09 campaign

United had missed out in the play-offs in 2007-08 in the semi-finals to local rivals Exeter City after spending most of the season battling it out for the title with Aldershot Town. 

Whereas the Gulls had lost three of their last four going into the play-offs in 2007-08, which also included three defeats, they were unbeaten in their last four - including a final 2-1 win at Plainmoor against eventual champions Burton Albion - going into the 2008-09 play-offs where Cambridgeshire part-time outfit Histon lay in wait. 

Just as in 1990-91, United won their first leg at Plainmoor 2-0, with goals from Tim Sill and Nicky Wroe. Also in keeping with their 1990-91 display, they lost the second leg 1-0 to go through to the final 2-1 on aggregate where Cambridge United awaiting them. 

Cambridge themselves had missed out on the title on the final to Burton, and it was the Gulls who took the lead in the first half as captain Chris Hargreaves struck. The U's were later reduced to ten men when Paul Bolland was sent off, and it was then left to Sills to famously head home Wayne Carlisle's to put the icing on the cake for United - as they returned to the Football League. 

Parallels can be drawn in 2025-26 with the Gulls' 2008-09 campaign, as they were also looking to win promotion a year on from missing out in the play-offs just as United are now under Jimmy Ball. There is also similarity with the change in manager, with Ball replacing Paul Wotton just as Impey replaced Smith in 1991. 

With six games to go, the message that yours truly would have for the Plainmoor faithful - fasten your seal belts because it's going to be quite a ride!

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HORSHAM

 1. The first win of Jimmy Ball's reign. 

After a defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge and a draw with league leaders Dorking Wanderers at Plainmoor, Torquay United secured their first win under Jimmy Ball with victory at home to Horsham. 

Dylan Morgan's eighth of the campaign and an own goal that was initially credited to Jordan Dyer 

The result moves the Gulls up one place to fifth in the table as they head into their Easter holiday fixtures with Weston Supe Mare and Bath City. 

2. A first clean sheet of 2026. 

United also kept their first clean sheet of 2026, and their first since drawing 0-0 with Bath City, then managed by Jimmy Ball's assistant Darren Way, on December 28 at Twerton Park. 

With centre back duo Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer now returned to full fitness, it was their second game in a row that they have played together as a partnership since their returns from their respective injuries. 

Now that they have returned to the side, they can help form part of a strong defensive base for United's attacking players. 

3. Matt's worthy display. 

Central midfielder Matt Worthington was United's sole change to the side that drew 2-2 with Dorking Wanderers in midweek, and he was also handed the captain's armband by Ball. 

He then went on to produce a solid display, in which he seldom wasted a pass and made a number of most interceptions, in centre midfield alongside Dan Hayfield who also had a good game himself. 

Worthington is one of several players in the current United squad that Ball has worked with before, he signed him as a teenager for Southampton's academy, and he will be wanting to show the Plainmoor faithful more of his ability. 

4. Dylan Morgan up to eight. 

Dylan Morgan opened the scoring for the Gulls in the eighth when he slotted home a low drive after playing an incisive one-two with Dan Hayfield to score his eighth goal of the campaign. 

However, in his post-match interview with BBC Radio Devon's Paul Mulhern, Jimmy Ball said that he believed that Morgan should be on double figures - somewhere in the region of 12-15. Nevertheless, there is still time for Morgan to reach that mark this season. 

5. The top of the National League South remains as close as ever. 

The latest round of National League South results were as unpredictable as ever. Worthing and Hornchurch both drew whilst in-form Hemel Hempstead's winning run came to an end again leaders Dorking Wanderers. Ebbsfleet United started the day level on points with the Gulls, and remain level with them after coming from behind to win 2-1 Slough Town and remain so. 

United's opponents on Good Friday, Weston Super Mare, secured a 2-1 over fellow Play-off hopefuls Maidenhead United. 

By 5pm on Easter Monday, we will have a clearer picture of how the end of the season will pan out. 
                                                                                                                                                  

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DORKING WANDERERS

 1. The ball starts rolling for Jimmy. 

Jimmy Ball's first introduction to Plainmoor faithful ended up being an entertaining 2-2 draw with league leaders Dorking Wanderers in front of a crowd of just over 3,900 in what was 'a great advert for National League South.' 

Many of the Plainmoor faithful would have taken a point beforehand, but, at the same time, would probably have returned home feeling slightly disappointed not to have taken all three - especially after the introduction of Callum Dolan (see number two) and Louis Dennis from the sub's bench. 

It certainly would have made up for some of the disappoint at losing his first game in charge against Dagenham and Redbridge. 

However, with another home game to look forward to on Saturday against Horsham, United have another shot at securing their first three points under Ball's reign. 

2. Callum Dolan's return. 

In a season where he has suffered two serious injuries as well as being handed a five-match suspension for an off-the-field incident, Callum Dolan rose from the sub's bench on 65 minutes to almost single-handedly win the match for the Gulls on his own. 

Dolan replaced Dylan Morgan and within 13 minutes of coming on he struck to pull the Gulls level and then, a minute later, he volleyed home a cross from Jordan Young to give United a 2-1 lead. 

However, the Gulls were undone by a ball from the right from Kai Enslin which took a deflection off Sam Dreyer that took it past on loan keeper Seb Stacey to level matters. 

Nevertheless, Dolan later drew a stunning save from Dorking keeper Harrison Foulkes, which denied him a hat-trick, but his goal tally for the season stands at five - and it's highly likely that he will add to that total behind now and the season's end. 

3. Deon is Moore the merrier. 

Tuesday night's game also gave the Plainmoor faithful their first glimpse of Jimmy Ball's first signing for the Gulls - striker Deon Moore. 

After a promising debut away to Dagenham and Redbridge, former Maidstone forward Moore worked hard and led the line well. 

On eight minutes, he teed up Jordan Young for a chance which could have altered the course of the game had it gone in, but leading scorer Young somehow contrived to hit the side netting. 

Late on, he attempted to lob Harrison Foulkes - but he was denied by an off-the-line clearance, but Gulls' fans could go home happy safe in the knowledge that they have found a suitable replacement for the injured Cody Cooke until the end of the campaign. 

4. Returning players. 

One of the big positives for Jimmy Ball heading into Tuesday's encounter was that he had a full bench to choose from. Loanee centre back Will Tizzard returned from suspension to fill in at right-back and Sam Dreyer also made a return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at Dagenham and Redbridge. 

Also returning to take their place on the sub's bench were Jordan Thomas, Callum Dolan and Louis Dennis. Dennis also made an impact after coming on for Matt Jay late on as he cleared the cross bar in the dying minutes of the game, which would have been his 14th goal of the season had it gone in. 

5. United are still in contention. 

After Tuesday night's results, the battle for promotion from National League South remains as open as ever. Dorking are now four points clear at the top of the table with 75, ahead of Worthing with 71. Hemel Hempstead Town are third with 70, a point clear of fourth placed Hornchurch who are on 69. 

The Gulls, meanwhile, are sixth in the table with 65 points, level with fifth placed Maidenhead United and seventh placed Ebbsfleet United - but only separated by goal difference. 

THE SON OF A WORLD CUP WINNER

 After much speculation linking names such as Paul Tisdale and Kevin Nicholson to the vacancy, former AFC Totton manager Jimmy Ball was appointed as the permanent successor to Paul Wotton as Torquay United manager. 

Neil Warnock had briefly had a spell as interim manager, assisted by his trusted lieutenant Ronnie Jepson, but Ball has now been entrusted with leading the Gulls' charge towards the play-offs and a return to the National League. 

The son of 1966 World Cup winner Alan, Jimmy Ball has fashioned a promising coaching career, which included spells as caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, which saw him win four games out of eight, and assistant manager of Stevenage before taking charge of Hampshire-based side Totton. 

After a successful playing career, which also included a title win with Everton in 69-70, as part of the midfield holy trinity alongside Colin Harvey and the late Howard Kendall and a 'double' win with Arsenal in 70-71, Ball senior had a mixed career as a manager, which included promotion to the top-flight with Portsmouth in 86-87 and relegation from the Premier League with Manchester City in 95-96. 

However, Ball junior has carved out a decent reputation of his own, particularly with a spell in charge of AFC Totton that saw him win two promotion in three seasons prior to the start of the current campaign. 

He also has had a brief taste of Football League management on CV with Forest Green in April 2021, in between the departure of Mark Cooper and the arrival of current Wolves boss Rob Edwards, and if he can get the Gulls punching at their weight, then he can put himself within a shot of adding to those appearances. 

United's first game of his reign didn't quite go to plan as they lost 1-0 away to Dagenham and Redbridge, but with two successive home games coming up against league leaders Dorking Wanderers and Horsham Ball has a chance to put down a marker heading into the final stages of the campaign. 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHESHAM UNITED

1. Feed the Fish. 

After missing pre-season through injury, the Plainmoor faithful had to wait a while to see a glimpse of Sonny Fish in action. As part of his recovery, he was loaned out to Folkestone Invicta in the Isthmian League and he started for the first time against Salisbury FC in midweek following injuries to Louis Dennis and Cody Cooke. 

In his second start for the Gulls against Chesham, he slotted home his first for the club on 36 minutes following good work from Matt Jay. He was unlucky not to score a second in the 65th minute when he connected with a corner from Jordan Young, but it was ruled out for a push. 

Hopefully he will score a few more between now and the end of the campaign. 

2 Matt Jay excelling as a number ten. 

In the 2025-26 season, Matt Jay has found himself down the pecking order - in part due to the form of Louis Dennis and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton - and mainly used as an impact sub. 

However, with United light on numbers in the centre of midfield, which has meant that Lo-Everton has been playing more centrally, and Dennis currently injured Jay has been restored to his preferred number 10 role. 

He showed a good range of passing throughout and it was his ball that teed up Sonny Fish for United's equaliser in the 36^th minute and in the second half he turned provider for a pass to Dylan Morgan on 59 minutes, which was turned behind for a corner.

Jay later ended up playing as a central midfielder following right-back Will Tizzard’s dismissal after receiving two yellow cards, alongside Lo-Everton. He ended up playing almost as a ‘quarter back’ as he played a key role in helping United retain possession, in what became a ‘10 versus 10’ game as Chesham’s Alfie Young had earlier seen red for an ‘off-the-ball’ incident.

3. Dan Hayfield. 

Not only did Dan Hayfield pick seemingly the perfect moment to score his first goal of the 2025-26 campaign when he turned home Dylan Morgan’s low cross on 74 minutes, he only played a key role in keeping Chesham at bay at the other end.

After Will Tizzard was dismissed for being awarded two yellow cards in quick succession, Hayfield dropped back to play at right-back in his place and made an important block in injury time to deny the Generals a dramatic late equaliser.

When you are in the hunt for the play-offs, as United still are, your unsung players can have a big say in the outcome, and Hayfield is one such player who maybe goes under the radar a bit, but is an important part of the team nonetheless.

4. Stacey saves.

In his second game after joining the Gulls on loan from Milton Keynes Dons, goalkeeper Seb Stacey made a number of important saves in the second half.

On 50 minutes, he made a stunning one-handed stop to deny Chesham’s leading scorer Mitchell Weiss and also made two more saves that kept the Generals at bay.

5. Resilience. 

United’s win took the number of points that they have won after conceding first to 24, a record that includes seven wins and three draws.

6. Ronnie Jepson's 100% record. 

In 1983, a disagreement between then manager Bruce Rioch and Steve Cooper and John Turner on the team coach resulted in Dave Thomas, then of the Herald Express, being placed in charge of an away trip to York City. United duly won 3-2 and Thomas 'retired' with a 100% record as Torquay United manager. 

That record is now shared by Ronnie Jepson following United's 2-1 win over Chesham United, after he stepped in due to Neil Warnock being unavailable due to a prior commitment. However, as the Gulls' search for a permanent replacement to Paul Wotton goes on, might United turn to Jepson, with Warnock advising him, until the end of the campaign? 

 

WARNOCK'S BRIEF RETURN

 A 77-year old Neil Warnock returning to management would have been a story in itself, but the fact it came after Paul Wotton's dismissal as Torquay United, with the Gulls still in contention for National League South, has added to the drama surrounding it. 

Very few clubs in the sixth tier of English football have the ability to attract gates of over 3,000 on a regular basis, and very few are blessed to be able to call upon an interim manager with Warnock's experience and know how. 

Warnock previously took charge of the Gulls in 1993, where he famously led United to safety in the 'new' Division Three - following the formation of the Premier League at the start of 1992-93 - shortly after his departure from Notts County. 

United's two games under Warnock have so far yielded a 2-2 draw at home to Farnborough and 3-0 loss away to fellow play-off challengers Ebbsfleet United. These results followed the five matches without a win, which ultimately cost Wotton his job. 

Incidentally, the first game of Warnock's tenure in 1993 was a 4-0 defeat away to Cardiff City; however, he only expects to be in charge for tomorrow night's home fixture with Salisbury and possibly Saturday's fixture at home to Chesham United. The latter might with the new manager in the stands with a watching brief. 

KEVIN HILL AT 50

 Such is the passing of time that the majority of  Torquay United fans who were born after 2002 wouldn't have seen Kevin Hill make any of his record 474 appearances in all competitions for the Gulls. 

When he first joined United in the summer of 1997, few could have imagined that he would one day overtake Dennis Lewis’ seemingly untouchable club appearance record and become a bona fide Torquay United legend in the process.

As a youngster, he had been rejected by Exeter City for being ‘too small, not strong enough and couldn’t win headers.’ If you consider that he gained the reputation for being able outjump players far taller than his five feet nine inch frame, you begin to wonder just how wrong you can be about somebody!

I've often wondered how I would describe what kind of player Hilly, primarily a left winger - who also filled in at left-back, centre midfield, centre back and even centre forward, was. 

First of all, I would say that he was physically average; he was quick, without being super quick; he was strong, without being bulky and at standing at five feet nine, he certainly wasn't the tallest. 

However, the latter on the above list never stopped him from being able to outjump players far taller than him. Nevertheless there was more to him as a player than that, as well as having incredible work rate and stamina, he could deliver a decent cross and his knack of making runs into the box also helped him score a number of goals; he finished the 2000-01 season as United's top scorer with ten. 

Having got to know Hilly during my brief time working for the club as programme editor towards the end of his 11 years at Plainmoor between 1997 and 2008, I can also say he is the most positive person that I've ever known and a shrewd judge of character. Two traits that have served him well as a manager of Exmouth Town, who he has helped guide from the South West Peninsula League to the Southern League Division One South. 

I'll leave you now with a selection of five of his most memorable moments in a Torquay United shirt, many of which can be found on Youtube. 

1.      Versus Stockport County (H) New Year’s Day 2004.

On the stroke of half-time, with the game poised at 0-0, Stockport keeper Neil Cutler was poised to take a goal kick, but little did he know that Hilly was standing behind him.

Hilly then preceded to nick the ball off Cutler before calmly slotting home into an unguarded net to give United the lead with arguably the cheekiest goal ever scored by a Torquay United player.

2.      Versus Barnet (A) May 5, 2001.

United’s brief heading into their final day decider with Barnet at Underhill was simple: avoid defeat or face relegation from the Football League for the first time ever.

Playing down Underhill’s famous slope in the first half, the Gulls took the lead on ten minutes when Jason Rees found the back of the net with a 25 yard strike. In the 25^th minute, Hilly doubled the Gulls lead when he rose highest to head home a corner from the late Paul Holmes to give United an invaluable two-goal cushion. It was also his tenth goal of the season, which put him top of United’s goal scoring charts.

David Graham later added a third just before half time, but Barnet pulled two goals back before forcing the Gulls to survive a late onslaught and Hilly was one of a number of players who made several important blocks to keep the Bees at bay.

3.      Versus Carlisle United (A) April 29, 2006.

Once again, United found themselves looking to complete another ‘great escape’ and they headed to League Two champions elect Carlisle United needing a result to avoid what would be a second successive relegation.

After keeping the Cumbrians’ strike duo of former Sunderland and Leeds frontman Michael Bridges and Karl Hawley, who would later find his way to Plainmoor in his career, at bay before Hilly gave the Gulls the lead on eight minutes.

Jo Kuffour drifted out to the right and produced a cross which picked out Hilly and he leapt off the ground and headed home to score his ninth of the campaign, with what could be described as the nearest thing to human flight as he appeared to hang in the air momentarily!

Four minutes before half-time, Kuffour went from being provider to scorer with a shot on the turn following good work from Martin ‘Buster’ Phillips and Lee Thorpe. In the second half, Carlisle pulled one back through Zigor Aranalde, but the Gulls held on to secure an important win.

4.      Versus Macclesfield Town (H) January 24, 2004.

In the eighth minute, a corner kick from Alex Russell was flicked on by Steve Woods towards Hilly, who, with his back to goal, opened the scoring with a ‘bicycle kick’ over his head as United went on to win 4-1.

5.      Versus Exeter City (H) May 5, 2008, Blue Square Premier Play-off semi-final.

The Gulls lead 2-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg at St James Park and they led further on 58 minutes when Tim Sills crossed to Chris Zebroski on the right, and Zebroski – in turn – rolled the back into the path of Hill, who beat Grecians keeper Paul Jones from 10-yards with a left-footed strike.

It was Hilly’s first goal against Exeter and on the same day that he equalled Dennis Lewis’ club appearance record; the script seemed to perfectly written as his effort had put United closer to reaching Wembley and the chance to secure an immediate return to the Football League. However, it would all go horribly wrong as the Grecians came back to win 4-1 to reach the final against Cambridge United.