FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS GLOUCESTER CITY

1. Club record equalled.

By recording their eighth successive league win against Gloucester City, Gary Johnson's Torquay United of 2018-19 equalled the club record for consecutive victories in the league. The record itself was set by Kevin Hodges' play-off side of 1997-98 and has stood for over 20 years.
Interestingly on both occasions, both sides won their eighth game of the sequence by a single goal;  the Gulls of 1997-98 beat Cardiff City 1-0 through a Kevin Hill effort and United's class of 2018-19 won 2-1 against Gloucester.

2. The crowds are returning to Plainmoor.

A crowd of 3,071, which included 57 Gloucester City fans, shows that the crowds will turn out in good numbers to watch a Torquay United side that is doing well - regardless of the level the club finds itself at. It also reflects the club's potential to achieve their longer term ambition of a return to the Football League.

3. A direct contrast to their last meeting.

The last meeting between Torquay United and Gloucester City was best remembered for the incident which saw the then Gulls manager Gary Owers have a cup of coffee thrown over him. In the return meeting, the feel good factor which has been around the club since Gary Johnson was appointed is perhaps best evidenced by the fact Johnson felt disappointed by only winning 2-1 .
After the game Johnson revealed: "The players are sitting in our dressing-room as if they had got beat. They are not very happy with themselves, and that's a good thing. We didn't get anywhere the levels we have been getting to recently.
"I know we had lots of chances, and maybe if one or two more had gone in, we might be feeling different, but we left it too tight at the end."
Any feelings of disappointment surrounding this game will no doubt quickly be forgotten if the Gull can complete a double over Truro City on New Year's Day. As the late Notts County manager Jimmy Sirrell once said: "the result is all that matters, the rest is just gossip."


4. A two-horse race?

With Woking winning 2-0 against Eastbourne Borough, the National League South title race is shaping up into a two horse race between the Gulls and the Cards. Two points currently separates the two sides - United have 48 points and Woking are on 46. The Gulls are also seven points clear of third placed Concord Rangers, who have played the same number of games.
However, the Cards also have two games in hand, which will become three after United play Slough Town at Plainmoor on January 5th and Woking play Watford in the third round of the FA Cup over the same weekend.

5. Connor to return.

Wales Under-21 starlet Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was absent from the Gulls' starting line-up as his initial 93-day loan deal from Bristol City expired. Sadly for United, his creativity and energy were missed. However, the Gulls are hoping to finalise a fresh loan deal that will see Lemonheigh-Evans return to Plainmoor for their New Year's Day clash with Truro City and to help aid their promotion push.

LEROY'S FINEST HOUR

Although he is better remembered for his infamous 'ten minute spell' as Torquay United manager, Leroy Rosenior also led the Gulls to their first automatic promotion in 38 years in the 2003-04 season.

We will now take a closer look at that achievement, which was completed with a 2-1 win on the final day of the campaign against Southend United as they pipped Huddersfield Town to Division Three's third and final automatic promotion slot.

Going into the game, the Gulls’ brief was simple; they knew that a win at Roots Hall would be enough to wrap up their first automatic promotion since Frank O’Farrell’s team had done so in 1966 – providing the Terriers failed to beat Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.

United went into the game on 78 points, whereas Huddersfield were on 80 points. However, the Gulls had a superior goal difference - so if the two sides were to both finish on 81 points United would claim third place and the Terriers would be condemned to the Play-offs.

Manager Leroy Rosenior named an unchanged starting line-up as he kept faith with the side that drew 1-1 with Kidderminster Harriers, as Reuben Hazell retained his place at right-back at the expense of the fit again Lee Canoville.

More than 2,500 Gulls’ fans made the journey to Essex and they saw the Gulls get off to a flying start, as they took the lead on three minutes when Steve Woods volleyed home an Alex Russell corner to ease any nerves that they may have had.

Eight minutes later, United doubled their advantage when David Graham connected with a cross from Jo Kuffour to nod home into an empty net to score his 23^rd goal of the campaign.

Whilst United were basking in the glory of a two-goal cushion, the news coming through from Whaddon Road wasn’t good as Huddersfield had taken the lead against the Robins through Andy Booth.
In the 17^th minute, Gulls’ keeper Arjan Van Heusden was forced into his first save of the afternoon when he blocked an effort from Tes Bramble, but the rebound fell into the path of his strike partner Lawrie Dudfield, who slotted home to pull a goal back for the Shrimpers.

A minute later, Van Heusden made another stop to deny Bramble and, moments later, United survived a penalty appeal as Hazell appeared to have felled Bramble in the area – but referee Tony Leake waved play on.

On 26 minutes, Kuffour volleyed over for the Gulls and shortly afterwards Matt Hockley and Liam Rosenior both missed the target.

Despite having nothing to play for, Southend continued to make a game of it as top scorer Leon Constantine – who would later join United – asked a lot of questions of the Torquay backline.

Early in the second half, the Shrimpers continued to apply pressure on the Gulls as Constantine and midfielder Nicky Nicolau both tested Van Heusden.

In the 64^th minute, Kuffour went close for United when he headed a cross from Russell wide.
Moments later, Van Heusden spilled a shot from Jimmy Corbett which landed in the path of Lawrie Dudfield who turned home the rebound, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

On 70 minutes, Dudfield went close again when he blasted over with a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

With 15 minutes to go, news came through from Cheltenham that the Robins had equalised against Huddersfield through Shane Duff. The Robins had also been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Damien Spencer.

The players could sense a change of fortune at Whaddon Road judging by the fans’ reactions, as Graham shot wide from the edge of the area in the 77^th minute after being set up by Russell.

Martin Gritton entered the fray in place of a tiring Kuffour on 84 minutes, in a bid to help the Gulls hold on to their lead.

Then in the final minute of normal time United survived a penalty shout for a challenge by Reuben Hazell on Drewe Broughton. Instead referee Leake waved ‘play on’, as three minutes of stoppage time were added on.

During those three minutes, the result of Cheltenham’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town had been confirmed which served to send the away end at Roots Hall into raptures once Leake blew his whistle for full time.

The Gulls had done it. Their 38-year wait for automatic promotion was over thanks to their fourth win in five matches, and they had achieved it by sticking to the footballing principles of manager Rosenior.

Unfortunately, they had no champagne to celebrate with on the coach back to South Devon and had to make do with beer and soft drinks instead.

Torquay (4-4-2): Arjan Van Heusden; Reuben Hazell, Steve Woods, Craig Taylor, Brian McGlinchey; Liam Rosenior (Tony Bedeau 90), Matt Hockley, Alex Russell, Kevin Hill; David Graham (David Woozley 90), Jo Kuffour (Martin Gritton 85)

A full account of his match can be found in Torquay United : A History in 50 Matches at https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/

 

 

 

 

 

LEROY ROSENIOR MBE

After it was announced that former Torquay United manager Leroy Rosenior has been awarded an MBE for his services to anti-racism education we will now take an in-depth look at his career in football.

Leroy Rosenior started his career in football as a player with Fulham in 1982 when he was given his debut by the then Cottagers manager Malcolm McDonald. A promising young player, Leroy received international recognition for England at Under-16 and Under-21 Level.

He left Craven Cottage to sign for Queens Park Rangers in 1985 and spent two years at Loftus Road, playing for the Hoops in the 1986 League Cup final before re-joining Fulham in 1987.

 

However, his return to Craven Cottage only lasted for one year as John Lyall signed him for West Ham United in 1988 to fill the void left by Frank McAvennie’s departure to Celtic.

It proved to be an astute move by Lyall as Leroy’s goals helped the Hammers to consolidate their top-flight status in the 1987-88 season. He scored a number of important goals, including a brace in the Hammers’ 4-1 victory over Chelsea in their penultimate game of the campaign.

He finished the 1988-89 campaign as the Hammers’ leading goal scorer, but was unable to prevent West Ham being relegated from Division One.

Leroy remained at Upton Park until 1992 when he moved to Bristol City. Whilst at Ashton Gate, he appeared alongside a number of talented players including Andy Cole, Jackie Dziekanowski and Russell Osman. His playing days ended at Ashton Gate in 1994 after he was forced to quit the game through injury.

Towards the end of his career, Leroy also made a solitary appearance for Sierra Leone.

Following his retirement from playing, Leroy embarked on his managerial career with non-league side Gloucester City. He later returned to Ashton Gate to manage Bristol City’s reserve side and later enjoyed a successful stint as Caretaker Manager of the Robins in 2000 with Dave Burnside and Tony Fawthrop. The trio helped Bristol City reach the Auto Windscreen Shield Final where they lost to Stoke City.

After a brief spell as Merthyr Tydfil manager, Leroy took charge of Torquay United in 2002. In his second season at Plainmoor, Leroy steered the Gulls to promotion to League One with a final day victory over Southend United that clinched Torquay’s first automatic promotion in 38 years. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep them in the Division as they were relegated back to League Two on the final day of the 2004-05 campaign.

Leroy left Torquay in January 2006 and was appointed as manager of Brentford in June 2006. He left Griffin Park after five months as financial pressures forced him to sell many of his best players.

In May 2007, he returned to Torquay United and was reportedly sacked after ten minutes, as the club was sold whilst he was being unveiled as the Gulls’ new manager. This is the shortest reign of any manager in the history of English Football.

Leroy is currently working as a pundit for the BBC – mainly for the Football League Show between 2009 and 2014. He is also a prominent anti-racism campaigner in football and receives his MBE in the 2019 New Year’s honours list for his services to anti-racism education. His son Liam Rosenior has played in the Premier League for Fulham, Reading, Hull City and Brighton and Hove Albion.

An abridged version of this article appeared in the Scunthorpe United vs Bristol City on February 12^th, 2008.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS TRURO CITY

1. Midfield Maestros

Despite going a goal down, Torquay United soon took control of the Westcountry Derby with Truro City when their midfield clicked into gear.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans curled home his third of the season on 26 minutes from 20-yards to cancel out Tyler Harvey's opener for the White Tigers. The Gulls then edged ahead when Kalvin Kalala followed up his brace against Hampton and Richmond when he played a one-two with Saikou Janneh and then found the back of the net from 30-yards with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Skipper Asa Hall then got in on the act when he fired home from 35-yards three minutes later and striker Saikou Janneh scored his 11th early in the second half before Jared Lewington grabbed a late consolation for Truro.
All four goals for United were 'goal of the season' contenders in their own right and the efforts of messrs Lemonheigh-Evans, Kalala and Hall have now taken the amount of goals scored by United's midfielders in the 2018-19 season to 19 (Jake Andrews 5, Kalala and Hall 4, Lemonheigh-Evans 3, Opi Edwards 2 and Chris Regis 1). This is in direct to last season when they scored nine from the middle of the park in the 2017-18 campaign and there is surely more to come from them this season.

2. The sense of de ja vu.

The Plainmoor faithful could have been forgiven for thinking that lightning was about to strike twice when Tyler Harvey volleyed home to put Truro ahead. He also netted an equaliser for Plymouth Argyle against the Gulls on Boxing Day, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Pilgrims, as a young hopeful at Home Park. Interestingly United's opening goal that day was scored by their new assistant manager Aaron Downes.

3. A winning return to Plainmoor for Aaron Downes.

United's Boxing Day encounter with Truro was also Aaron Downes' first home game since he returned to the club as assistant manager to Gary Johnson. The match also saw Downes face two of his former United teammates as Niall Thompson featured at right-back for the White Tigers and Ben Harding came on as a second half substitute.

4. A magnificent seventh in a row.

Whisper it quietly, but Gary Johnson's Gulls currently have a club record in the sights. United's victory over Truro is their seventh league win in a row - which equals a run that they enjoyed under Martin Ling in the 2011-12 season between January 2nd, 2012 and February 14th, 2012. The record itself was set in the 1997-98 campaign under their managerial reign of Kevin Hodges between January 24th, 1998 and March 3rd, 1998. A win over Gloucester City this coming Saturday would see the United of 2018-19 equal it.

5. Mind the gap.

United's victory maintains their two point advantage over second placed Woking. However, the Cards still have two games in hand over the Gulls, but Gary Johnson's side also have a seven point gap ahead of third placed Welling United. The Gulls travel to Woking on April 6th, 2018 for what is set to be a destiny-deciding game and a 'six-pointer' in the truest sense of the word.

MID-TERM REPORT 2018-19

Plymouth Argyle:

After their 3-0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley in their final home game of 2018, Plymouth Argyle find themselves second from bottom in League One heading into the festive season. However, there are reasons for optimism for Derek Adams' side.
Firstly the Pilgrims are only one point adrift from safety - Argyle are currently 23rd with 20 points, one fewer than Bradford City who have 21 and occupy 20th place - one above the relegation zone.
If the Pilgrims can get 30 points or more from their next 23 league fixtures, then that should be enough to see them retain their League One status.
Secondly Argyle's injury situation is rapidly improving as Ruben Lameiras recently returned from illness and he is set to be followed in returning to fitness by Scott Wootton, Niall Canavan and Conor Grant.
Adams oversaw an incredible turnaround in the second half of the Pilgrims' campaign last season, which saw Argyle eventually finish seventh in League One in the 2017-18 campaign - narrowly missing out on a play-off berth - and a similar revival is required in 2018-19.
Three points in their Boxing Day fixture against bottom side AFC Wimbledon would be a good start for them.

Exeter City:

It proved to be the end of an era at St James Park in 2018 as Paul Tisdale left the Grecians for MK Dons after 12 years at the helm. In addition to this, Steve Perryman also stood down from his role as Director of Football. Nevertheless Tisdale's successor, Matt Taylor, has made a success of stepping into his shoes and City find themselves on course to reach the League Two play-offs for the third time in three years (the Grecians have lost in the Wembley final to Blackpool and Coventry City in 2017 and 2018 respectively).
Whether they make it a hat-trick of play-off appearances, or go one better and win automatic promotion, could depend on their ability to retain the services of leading scorer Jayden Stockley, who netted a treble in their recent 3-2 away win over Oldham Athletic, when the January 2019 transfer window opens.

Yeovil Town:

Yeovil head into 2019 nervously looking over their shoulder at the relegation trap door between League Two and the National League. The Glovers are currently four points above Notts County, who occupy 23rd place in the table and need 27 points from their remaining 25 games.
Whilst many of the clubs in Yeovil's position have opted to change manager this season - Cheltenham Town, Cambridge United, Notts County (twice) and bottom side Macclesfield Town have all made managerial changes since the start of the current campaign - the Glovers have instead shown greater faith in Darren Way and awarded him with a two-year extension.
Promotion back to League One by the end of the 2020-21 season has been described as 'a key objective' by chairman John Fry, but that will sound like a hollow boast if the Glovers are allowed to slide back into non-league football, from which they won promotion from in 2002-03. Should the worst come to the worst, they will found the present National League a very different animal to the Nationwide Conference that they last played in nearly 16 years ago.

Torquay United:

Torquay United's 2018-19 season so far in the National League South could be best described as a 'tale of two Garys' - Owers and Johnson.
At the start of the season, Owers was entrusted with building a side that would see the Gulls win promotion from a level of football that they had not found themselves at since the 1926-27 campaign at the first attempt. Despite a promising start, United drew their opening game of the season against Chelmsford City and beat Bath City and East Thurrock without conceding a goal in the process.
Then it all started to unravel for the Gulls as defeats to Oxford City and Hampton and Richmond followed before Owers had a cup of coffee thrown on him after a goalless draw against Gloucester City, an incident that proved to be the beginning of the end for Owers.
The end eventually came following a 1-0 home defeat versus Chippenham Town and former Yeovil, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson was quickly installed as his successor.
The Gulls have yet to lose a game under Johnson in the league, at the time of writing they are currently 12 games unbeaten - which includes six straight wins.
They have also won their first FA Cup matches for the first time since the 2011-12 season, as they reached the first round, and their first FA Trophy match since the 2015-16 season following a penalty shoot-out win over Basingstoke Town in their third qualifying round.
Johnson has also made good use of his connections with Bristol City, where his son Lee is currently manager, to loan Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh in addition to Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards who had previously been signed by Owers.
As United head into 2019, the National League South title is well and truly within their sights.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: TORQUAY UNITED'S LOAN SIGNINGS FROM THE 2017-18 SEASON

If you want to impress your friends down the pub with your football knowledge, you could always throw into the conversation that you know how many loan signings Torquay United made during the 2017-18 season.

The answer, of course, is 17 - and we will now take a closer look at where those individuals are currently plying their trade following their respective returns to their parent clubs. 

JAMIE REID: Torquay-born Reid initially joined the Gulls for what was a third loan spell from Exeter City under Kevin Nicholson, which was later made into a permanent move by his successor Gary Owers. Reid finished the campaign as United's second highest scorer with six and is currently topping the club's scoring charts again with 16 goals in all competitions.

JORDAN LEE: AFC Bournemouth starlet Lee made two appearances in his second loan spell with the Gulls before being sidelined by chest pains. He later returned to Dean Court and was released by the Cherries by mutual consent in February 2018 and joined Southern League Premier Division South side Wimborne Town in July 2018.

DAN LAVERCOMBE: Lavercombe re-joined the Gulls for a second loan spell following an injury to Ryan Clarke. He made two appearances before breaking his leg in training, which prompted his return to parent club Wigan Athletic. Lavercombe was later loaned out again by the Latics, this time to Cymru Alliance side Rhyl FC.

GEORGE DOWLING: One of several young players to arrive at Plainmoor from Bristol City in recent seasons, George Dowling opened his account for the Gulls on his debut in United's 1-1 draw with Chester FC on September 1st, 2017 after being initially signed by caretaker manager Robbie Herrera. He then remained at Plainmoor for the rest of the 2017-18 season and proved to be a big hit, as he won the club's young player of the year award. Dowling has been out on loan again in the National League this season, this time with Eastleigh.

MICHEE EFETE: Another signing made by Herrera during his temporary stint in charge, Michee Efete performed in a variety of roles for the Gulls after joining on loan from Norwich City, including centre-back, right-back and right wing-back. He also remained with United for the duration of the campaign and was released by the Canaries on his return to Carrow Road and signed National League side Maidstone United, whom he is currently on loan at National League South side Bath City.

CALLUM EVANS: One of Gary Owers' first signings on his appointment, Callum Evans joined the Gulls on loan from Forest Green Rovers and made ten appearances before returning to the New Lawn. He was later loaned out to Macclesfield Town, where he won a National League winner's medal, and signed for the Silkmen on a permanent deal in the summer of 2018.

RHYS MURPHY: The former Arsenal and Dagenham and Redbridge striker, who had also had a spell playing in Holland, also joined the Gulls on loan from Forest Green Rovers. He netted once in just eight games for United - in their 4-0 win over Maidenhead United - before returning to the New Lawn where his contract was cancelled. He then joined League One side Oldham Athletic for the remainder of the 2017-18 season and was released by the Latics at the end of the campaign following their relegation to League Two. Murphy is currently playing for Chelmsford City in National League South.

JOSH MCQUOID: An experienced midfielder who lists AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and Millwall amongst his former clubs and has also received international recognition with Northern Ireland, Josh McQuoid's loan spell with Torquay United from Luton Town didn't quite hit the heights it could have done. After 14 appearances, in which he scored twice - against Maidenhead United and Leyton Orient - he returned to Kenilworth Road in December 2017. He then had his contract terminated by the Hatters and joined Aldershot Town on a free transfer in January 2018, where he made 16 appearances and scored once before being released by Shots manager Gary Waddock. McQuoid is currently appearing for Weymouth Town in the Southern League Premier Division South, where the Terras are vying for promotion.

JAZZI BARNUM-BOBB: Signed as right-back cover after Ryan Higgins went on compassion leave - prior to his retirement with a heart condition - Barnum-Bobb joined on loan from Newport County and made eight appearances in all competitions - seven in the National League, once in the FA Trophy. He was released by the Exiles in February 2018 and later joined the Gulls' National League South rivals Chelmsford City - his present club.

ALEX DAVEY: Former Chelsea youngster Alex Davey was signed from Cheltenham Town following an injury to Josh Gowling and helped the Gulls keep a clean sheet on his debut in a 1-0 win away at Sutton United. After making seven appearances for United, a permanent move to Plainmoor appeared to be on the cards for Davey. However, he opted to join Boreham Wood in January 2018 instead as they embarked on a promotion push from the National League, which ended in a play-off final defeat to Tranmere Rovers. He is currently playing for Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League, who he joined in the summer of 2018.

AXEL ANDRESSON: After making four appearances whilst on loan from Reading, Iceland Under-21 international Andresson returned to the Madjeski Stadium and signed a new contract with the Royals until the summer of 2020. He then joined Norwegian side Viking FK in the Norwegian 1. divisjon in the summer of 2018.

ALEX FLETCHER: Newton Abbot-born Fletcher's loan spell at Plainmoor from Plymouth Argyle proved to be a brief one, and lasted for four games. He has featured four times for the Pilgrims this season, three of which have come in the Checkatrade Trophy.

ELLIOT ROMAIN: One of the loan success stories of the 2017-18 season for Torquay United, Romain scored four times in 13 appearances for the Gulls before returning to his parent club Dagenham & Redbridge - in spite of speculation linking him with a permanent return to Plainmoor.
He has since moved onto pastures new as he left the Daggers to join his present club Maidstone United.

AARON BARNES: Initially signed on loan from Charlton Athletic before a move to Colchester United in the January 2018 transfer window, which then saw him loaned back to the Gulls from the U's. He has made one appearance for Colchester this season in the Checkatrade Trophy.

TOMMY O'SULLIVAN: Former Wales Under-21 international O'Sullivan also joined United on loan from Colchester United, but often found himself left out of the squad due to the fact only five loan players are permitted in a matchday squad. O'Sullivan was released by the U's and recently joined National League North side Hereford FC following a successful trial period.

CONNOR LEMONHEIGH-EVANS: Lemonheigh-Evans, who had also played under former United manager Gary Owers at Bath City, proved to be a big hit with the Gulls towards the end of the 2017-18 season. Following Gary Johnson's appointment as manager, Lemonheigh-Evans returned to Plainmoor for a second spell with the Gulls - following the footsteps of fellow Bristol City Under-23 players Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards and Saikou Janneh. He has also added to the 25-yard strike he scored against Woking on Easter Monday with a brace against Winchester City in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

RHYS HEALEY: With six goals in eight games - including a hat-trick against Guiseley - Healey finished the 2017-18 season as the Gulls' joint leading scorer with Jamie Reid after he was loaned to United by Cardiff City manager, and one-time Gulls' boss, Neil Warnock. He is currently on loan again in the current campaign at Milton Keynes Dons under former Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale in League Two.

SKIVO ENDS HIS TIME WITH THE GLOVERS

In football some managers and players spring to mind when you think of one particular club.

For example, the late Graham Taylor will forever be associated with Watford for his two spells in charge of the Hornet which saw him win five promotion and players such as Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton will invariably be linked with West Ham United and Manchester United respectively.

Terry Skiverton and Yeovil Town are no exception to this rule.

Over 19 years, from 1999 to 2018, 'Skivo' served the Glovers as a player, coach and manager(twice) after arriving at Huish Park from Welling United.

After being part of the Glovers' side that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Football League in the 2000-01 season to Rushden & Diamonds, in the days when it was still one-up and one-down between the Conference and the Third Division. He then remained with Yeovil and went onto become a key figure in their subsequent successes following the appointment of Gary Johnson in the summer of 2002.

In the next four seasons, 'Skivo' lifted the FA Trophy in 2002, the Conference title in 2003 and the newly rebranded League Two title in 2005, as the Glovers made up for their 108-wait for League football by reaching the third tier of the English game at the earliest opportunity.

Although many of the side who helped Yeovil reach their new found status departed for pastures new, Lee Johnson joined Bristol City - along with the likes of Chris Weale, Liam Fontaine and Phil Jevons - where his father Gary was now manager, Darren Way headed across the Bristol Channel to sign for Swansea City (but would later return) and Gavin Williams moved to Ipswich Town, 'Skivo' remained a Glover.

And it was under one of Gary Johnson's predecessors, Russell Slade, that he would prove to be an influential figure again, as the Glovers reached the League One play-off final in the 2006-07 season, following a dramatic, if not unlikely, victory over red hot favourites Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals. Yeovil won 5-2 at the City Ground after losing the first leg 2-0 at Huish Park.

However, the Glovers were beaten 2-0 in the final by Blackpool - thus denying them a chance to reach the Championship six years before they eventually would do. Nevertheless 'Skivo' could at least console himself with the personal honour of being named in the PFA League One team of the season.

Towards the end of the 2008-09 season his role with the Glovers would change again as, at the age of 33, he was appointed as player-manager after the dismissal of Slade. Despite being thrust into the role earlier than he probably he still managed to galvanise the side he inherited to avoid relegation to League Two.

Budget constraints meant that he was often forced to dip into the loan market - which he often did with great success. At different times he was able to bring in Jon Obika, Andros Townsend, Steven Caulker and Ryan Mason on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The latter three all went onto win international recognition, as he did goalkeeper Alex McCarthy loaned from Reading - but now of Southampton, who recently won his first cap for England in Wayne Rooney's Three Lions farewell against the USA.

In addition to his loan signings, several of his permanent signings also served the club well such as Dean Bowditch, Paul Huntingdon, Luke Ayling and Ed Upson.

With 15th and 14th place league finishes in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, relegation was successfully avoided both times - particularly in the former when demotion back to League Two was never a serious proposition, not a bad return from somebody who had learned his trade 'on the job.'

During the 2011-12 season, he then found himself in yet another new role as Gary Johnson returned for a second spell at Huish Park, and 'Skivo' continued to serve the Glovers - this time as Johnson's second in command off the pitch.

Johnson's return breathed new life into the Glovers, as he created the magic of his first spell in charge which saw Yeovil reach the Championship for the first time as they beat Brentford 2-1 in the 2013 League One play-off final.

Unfortunately, as a small fish in a much bigger pond, the Glovers' stay in the second tier only lasted for one season. On their return to League One, they once again found themselves struggling which led to the dismissal of Johnson.

'Skivo' was once handed the managerial reins again, as he looked to stop the rot, but he was unable to and Paul Sturrock was brought in to work above and he reverted to being assistant to the former Dundee United and Plymouth Argyle boss.

A second successive relegation followed in the 2014-15 season and a third, which would also see a return to non-league football, appeared to be on the cards in the 2015-16 campaign as Sturrock was dismissed. However, instead of being handed a third spell in charge at Huish Park, 'Skivo' continued to serve as an assistant - this time to his former team-mate Darren Way, as the Glovers avoided relegation to the newly renamed National League in the 2015-16 seasons and retained their League Two status again in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns.

Whatever patch he takes in the future - whether it be as a manager in non-league football in his own right, where he can built a reputation for himself away from Huish Park, or possibly as a Under-23 coach, after gaining a good record of helping to give a number of development players their first taste of first team football, he will surely always will be remembered for his lengthy service to Yeovil Town, and rightfully as a club legend.

ONE IN, ONE OUT AT PLAINMOOR AS AARON DOWNES JOINS GULLS' BACKROOM TEAM

With Christmas just around the corner, Torquay United received an early Xmas present as the Gulls former Aussie defender Aaron Downes returned to Plainmoor to join Gary Johnson's backroom staff as assistant manager.

Downes, 33, spent three years with United between 2012 and 2015 and made 115 appearances and scored 16 goals, and was also voted as the club's Player of the Year award in the 2012-13 season.

After leaving Plainmoor at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, he linked up with Johnson at Cheltenham Town, as he became the first signing following their relegation from the Football League.

On his arrival at Whaddon Road, he was appointed as club captain by Johnson. He then went onto become an influential figure in helping the Robins to win promotion back to the Football League at the first attempt as National League champions in 2016.

Following the Robins' return to League Two, Downes remained with the club as a player before retiring in the summer of 2018, which he combined with working in coaching roles with the club's academy and first team.

He returned to working as head of the Robins' academy after Michael Duff's appointment as Robins' manager in succession to Johnson and it is believed he was keen to return to working in a first team environment.

It is also worth mentioning that he almost signed for Johnson prior to his move to United, as he had a trial with Yeovil Town in the 2012-13 pre-season before the then Torquay manager Martin Ling offered him a contract with the carrot of regular first team player, instead of a back up squad member.

Prior to that, he also played alongside Johnson's son Lee when Johnson junior was loan at the Spireites from Bristol City in the 2011-12 season.

He becomes the second member of Johnson's backroom staff from his time as Cheltenham manager following his brother Pete, who works as the Gulls' head of recruitment, to join him at Plainmoor.

Johnson's previous assistant Shaun Taylor remains on the Gulls' coaching staff and will be also working with the club's Under-18 side.

Downes' return also coincides with the return of on loan goalkeeper Alex Bass to Portsmouth. During his time at Plainmoor, he made eight appearances and kept four clean sheets, and also saved a penalty on his debut away at Slough Town - despite suffering a medial ligament injury in the Gulls' 2-2 draw with Woking in Johnson's first home game in charge.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WELLING UNITED

1. Not only are the Gulls top of the league, they are also top of the goal scoring charts.

Yesterday's 3-1 win over Welling United didn't just cement Torquay United's position at the top of the Vanarama National League South, it also saw them top the league's goal scoring charts as well.
The Gulls have now found the back of the net 35 times this season, a figure also matched by fellow promotion challengers Woking and Billericay. When you consider that the Gulls had only found the back of the net five times prior to Gary Johnson's arrival as manager it is a feat that is truly remarkable.

2. A fifth straight win.

United's victory over Welling was their fifth straight league win, following on from their 4-1 wins over St Albans City and Concord Rangers and their 2-0 wins at Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford.
Only during their six-match winning streak in September 2014 in the National League under Chris Hargreaves have United enjoyed a better run of form since they were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2013-14 season. They are also three matches away from equalling the club record set by Kevin Hodges' side in the 1997-98 season of eight successive wins between January and March 1998.

3. Kyle Cameron was a rock in defence.

With 15 goals conceded, the Gulls also possess the best defensive record in the National League South and have kept ten clean sheets in the league, as well as a further two in the FA Cup.
Two figures who have been instrumental in maintaining this record for United's centre back pairing of Jean Yves Koue Niate and skipper Kyle Cameron, and Cameron was once again in imperious form against Welling. The former Newcastle trainee and one-time Scotland Under-21 international produced another commanding display in the centre of the Gulls' defence, which ensured that the Wings forward line was well and truly clipped. He will surely go down as Gary Owers' best signings and greatest parting gift to Gary Johnson.

4. The luxury of having two goalkeepers to choose from.

Just as Leroy Rosenior had the luxury of being able to call upon Kevin Dearden and Arjan Van Heusden during the 2003-04 promotion season, Gary Johnson is lucky enough to have Alex Bass and Shaun MacDonald to choose from in the 2018-19 campaign. Bass, currently on loan from Portsmouth, made his return in the Gulls' midweek win over Dartford, but Gary Johnson opted to recall MacDonald against Welling - partly so he can ease Bass into action, following a lengthy absence with medial collateral ligament damage, ahead of what looks set to be a busy festive period.

5. The crowds are flocking back to Plainmoor.

A season high attendance of 2,467, which included 52 fans from Welling, was only bettered in the National League by the crowds at Chesterfield versus Salford City (5,055) and Wrexham versus Eastleigh (4,105). It was also a bigger crowd than two League Two fixtures: Crawley Town versus Northampton Town (2,369) and Morecambe versus Port Vale (1,769).
As United fortunes improve under Johnson, the crowds are only likely to grow.

GULLS TOP NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH TREE WITH XMAS AROUND THE CORNER

For the first time since the start of the 2010-11 season, Torquay United now find themselves at the summit of a league after they moved to the top of Vanarama National League South with a win over Dartford.

Second half goals from Ruairi Keating and Jamie Reid proved to be enough to secure a 2-0 victory, which moves the Gulls onto 36 points - two points ahead of second placed Welling United, who travel to Plainmoor this weekend.

The last time that the Gulls were top of any division was in the early 2010-11 campaign under the managerial reign of Paul Buckle. After a run of four wins from their opening six games, United were led League Two and helped Buckle to win the manager of the month award for August 2010 in the process.

Fast forward to 2018 and current Gulls manager Gary Johnson, who scooped the National League South monthly award for October 2018, now has a different challenge ahead of him.

Now that the Gulls have reached the division's summit, the challenge now is to stay there. The hunter has now become the hunted.

Under Johnson they have gone from 14th to 1st and have also scored 42 goals since he replaced Gary Owers on September 13th. For no player is this transformation more evident than with leading scorer Jamie Reid who has found the back of the net 13 times in the league, as well as a further two in the FA Cup and another one in the FA Trophy, this season after only finding the target once under Owers.

"We're there to be shot at now - do you fight harder as the champion or the challenger?" said Johnson.

"We've got to make sure we don't let anybody knock us off our perch if we can help it.

"The boys are enjoying winning and winning does become a habit and we've got to keep it as a habit."

It's a habit that two of Johnson's previous clubs Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town also possessed.  He won the Conference and League Two title with the Glovers in the 2002-03 and 2004-05 seasons respectively and later lifted the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with the Robins. In addition to this, he also led Bristol City and Yeovil to promotion from League One.

After facing Welling on Saturday, the Gulls then face Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy before travelling to Hampton and Richmond ahead of an Christmas that includes playing Truro City home and away, as part of their groundshare arrangement, and hosting Gloucester City - now managed by former Torquay defender Chris Todd.

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY 2018-19 #3

Once again the FA Cup provides Plymouth Argyle and their manager Derek Adams with a welcome distraction from their league campaign as they host fellow League outfit Oxford United in the second round of the competition.

The Pilgrims are now the South West's sole representatives left in the cup after Exeter City, Yeovil Town, Torquay United and Weston Super Mare bowed out in the previous round.

Argyle have a proud history in the competition - they famously reached the semi-finals in 1984 and made the quarter finals in 2007, losing 1-0 to Watford on both occasions - and have earned £36,000 in prize money so far this season following their first round win over Stevenage.

A further £54,000 is up for grabs if they can overcome the U's - to be followed by a potentially lucrative third round tie - not too dissimilar to their round three tie with Premier League giants Liverpool in the 2016-17 season - also awaits them.

At the time of writing, the Pilgrims are 22nd in League One and the U's are three places above them in 19th place with five more points - so a win could provide Argyle with a big psychological lift in their bid to beat the drop.

Their recent league form has been inconsistent, with the Pilgrims' last three league fixtures reads: a 5-1 defeat away to Luton Town, a 2-1 home win over Fleetwood Town which was followed by a 2-0 midweek away loss to Shrewsbury Town.

However, their next fixture when they return to league action is a home game with bottom side Bradford City. If Argyle were able to go into that game on a high after securing a place in the third round of the FA Cup - it would give the players a major boost ahead of what looks set to an important 'six-pointer.'

The tie will also see the return to two former Pilgrims in the form of central defender Curtis Nelson and striker Jamie Mackie.

JOHNSON'S JUNIORS AIMING FOR GLORY

The history of professional football is littered with examples teams consisting of young players whose achievements have belied their tender years.

Famous examples have included Manchester United's Busby Babes who - under the guidance of Sir Matt Busby - defeated all and sundry domestically and look set to do the same on the European stage until the tragedy that was the Munich Air Crash occurred in 1958. Another is Fergie's Fledglings, also known as the Class of 92 (and current owners of Salford City, who Torquay United could still meet in the FA Trophy this season) who were central to the Red Devils' domination of the English game under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Now the Gulls with a youthful side under Gary Johnson, which could well be described as 'Johnson's Juniors', are aiming to achieve promotion from Vanarama National League South.

United's starting line-up in their previous three fixtures - 4-1 victories over St Albans City and Concord Rangers and an FA Trophy third qualifying round win over Basingstoke Town on penalties - has featured Shaun MacDonald (22); Ben Wynter (20), Jean-Yves Koue Niate (25), Kyle Cameron (21)  Liam Davis (31); Ruairi Keating (23), Jake Andrews (21), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (21), Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala (20); Jamie Reid (24), Saikou Janneh (18).

That team possesses an average age of 22, even with the inclusion of the side's elder statesman Liam Davis at 31.

Johnson is also no stranger to achieving success with young players, as his Yeovil Town side who won promotion to the Football League in the 2002-03 season included his son Lee, now manager of Bristol City - who was 21 at the time and current Yeovil manager Darren Way who was slightly older at 23.

There is a link between that Glovers' side and Johnson senior's current charges in the form of the loan agreements that exist between Bristol City and the Gulls over the loans of Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh.

However, before we start trotting out the infamous line uttered by Alan Hansen following Manchester United's 3-1 defeat on the opening day of the 1995-96 season 'you don't win anything with kids' - it is worth remembering that the younger versions of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt also had a number of senior pros to help guide them on their journey. These included figures such as Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin, Roy Keane as well as Eric Cantona, following his return from his eight-month ban for assaulting a Crystal Palace fan.

Which is why we shouldn't underestimate the importance of the impending return from injury of the Gulls' senior midfield figures of Asa Hall and Ryan Dickson.

The two men have plenty in common which each other. They were both signed by Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers; they are both 31 years of age; they have both played under Johnson before in the careers (Hall at Cheltenham and Dickson at Yeovil) and they both captained the sides they played for last season (Hall at Barrow and Dickson at Yeovil).

In addition to this, they both have promotion achieved at their previous clubs on their CV's - Hall with Cheltenham under Johnson in the 2015-16 season and Dickson from League Two with Brentford in 2008-09 and from League One with Southampton in 2010-11.

Their experience of those campaigns could yet play a big part in United's current promotion prospects between now and the end of the current season.

                                                                          

BOREHAM WOOD TIE OFFERS A YARDSTICK FOR GULLS' PROGRESS UNDER JOHNSON

Torquay United's reward for dispatching Basingstoke Town on penalties in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy is a first round tie away to last season's beaten National League play-off finalists Boreham Wood.

It is a meeting that manager Gary Johnson believes gives him an opportunity to measure the progress that the Gulls have made since he took charge, and to assess the standards they will need to reach in the future.

Since winning promotion from National League South in 2015, the Wood have made steady progress under the guidance of their highly promising young manager Luke Garrard and were beaten 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers at Wembley May in the National League play-off final in May 2018.

This season the Wood are currently eight points off the play-off zone in 10th place and they are one of the strongest sides that United could have been paired with in the regionalised first round draw of the Trophy.

"As I have said previously, it will be nice to see where we are against a decent Conference side," said Johnson. "I’ve had a couple of battles with them over the years and they’ve got a good manager and a good team. It will definitely test us, but they are the tests we want for future reference.”

Johnson, who led Yeovil Town to FA Trophy glory in 2002 when the Glovers defeated Stevenage 2-0 at Villa Park, has faced the Wood and Garrard twice during his reign as Cheltenham Town - both of which came in the 2015-16 season.

After drawing 0-0 at Wood's Meadow Park home, the Robins triumphed 4-1 at Whaddon Road with Dan Holman and Danny Wright each bagging a brace.

However, the Gulls' record against the Wood in recent years has not been as successful. Garrard's men have won five from a possible six league meetings between 2015 and 2018 - most notably their 4-2 win at Plainmoor last season, which proved to be Kevin Nicholson's final match as Gulls manager before his dismissal.

United's solitary victory over the Wood came in February 2016 when they came away from Meadow Park with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Nathan Blissett effort, which proved to be the catalyst for their 'Great Escape' of the 2015-16 season under Nicholson.

If the Gulls do come away from Meadow Park with a positive result, it will certainly send a message out that they are a club on the up under Johnson.

WHY HIS BROTHER PETE COULD BE GARY JOHNSON'S BEST SIGNING FOR TORQUAY UNITED

When describing what he believed to be the three most important qualities for a prospective Torquay United manager, former chairman Tony Boyce, who held the role between 1964 and 1984, stated: 'contacts, contacts and contacts'.

It was a theme repeated by former Gulls player and manager Colin Lee during his spell as Chief Executive from 2007 to 2010, when he said he believed  that 'recruitment, recruitment and recruitment' were the biggest areas for United to address.

Fast forward to the present day, current Gulls manager Gary Johnson has signed Jamie Sendles-White and Kalvin Kalala on permanent deals. He has also loaned Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh from Bristol City since he replaced Gary Owers - but the appointment of his brother Pete as head of recruitment could be his most important signing of all.

In employing Johnson's sibling, United chairman Clarke Osborne isn't just buying into the mantra previously described by messrs Boyce and Lee, he is also buying into Johnson's methods of working as a manager.

Pete has been by his brother's side at many of his previous club's - including his two spells at Yeovil Town as well as his stint in charge of Bristol City and his most recent managerial position, prior to his arrival at Plainmoor, with Cheltenham Town. He was even by his side during his brief tenure as manager of the Latvian national side.

Therefore the level of trust and understanding that exists between them reflects that.

One of their biggest success stories on the recruitment front came during their time working together at Cheltenham when Pete recommended Mohammed Eisa, who was then playing in the Isthmian League for Greenwich Borough, to Gary. Not only was Eisa voted as the League Two player of the season for the 2017-18 campaign whilst at Cheltenham, he also moved to Bristol City for £1.5million.

As well as searching for players, Pete's role also involves dealing with agents as they are not only looking for recruits that will serve United well in their bid for promotion from National League South this season, but also for players who can help the Gulls eventually challenge for promotion back to the Football League.

If Pete can help Gary to achieve that - then he could turn out to be his best signing of all.

Footnote: Recruitment is clearly in the Johnson's blood as another brother Steve, who sadly passed away during the summer, also worked as head of recruitment at AFC Wimbledon and their uncle John Griffin, a legendary scout in the London football scene, was responsible for recommending Ian Wright and Nigel Martyn to Crystal Palace.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CONCORD RANGERS

1. Saikou Janneh's first career hat-trick.

The biggest talking point following the Gulls' 4-1 victory over Concord Rangers is Saikou Janneh's first career hat-trick, which came in the space of the opening 34 minutes. In the process, the young Bristol City loanee didn't just score a treble - he also doubled his tally for the entire season from three to six.
His hat-trick was also the second time this season that a Torquay United has found the back of the net three times this season, as Janneh's strike partner Jamie Reid was on target three times in the Gulls' 4-2 win away to Eastbourne Borough in September. This is now the first time that two Torquay United players have scored hat-tricks in the same season since Nicky Wroe and Elliot Benyon both bagged trebles in the 2009-10 season in the FA Cup 1st and 2nd rounds against Cheltenham Town and Stockport County respectively.

2. Jamie Reid's 'wonder' strike is in good company.

Think of the best goals seen at Plainmoor in recent years and you think of Steve McCall's left footed wonder strike against Scarborough in 1998, Kevin Hill's over-head kick against Macclesfield in 2004, Tim Sills' acrobatic effort against Histon in 2008, Eunan O'Kane's second goal against Plymouth Argyle in 2011, Kevin Nicholson's late winner against Barnet a few weeks later, Ryan Jarvis' 35-yarder against York in 2013 and Luke Young's 40-yard stunner against Wrexham in 2014. Jamie Reid's 13th goal of the current campaign, which came in the 43rd minute surely ranks alongside these. Reid's rocket shot had the beating of Concord keeper Sam Beasant and bounced off the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line and gave the Gulls an unassailable lead. His partnership with Saikou Janneh has now yielded 18 goals - his first goal of the season against Hemel Hempstead Town came before Janneh's arrival.

3. Is a promotion winning partnership building between Jamie Reid and Saikou Janneh?

In Torquay United's previous promotion winning seasons, a partnership that has managed 30 to 40 goals has played a big part in their success. In the 1990-91 season, Tommy Tynan and Dean Edwards scored 19 goals apiece in all competitions as the Gulls went on to defeat Blackpool in the Division Four play-off final. In their automatic promotion triumph under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 campaign, David Graham found the back of the net 23 times and Jo Kuffour chipped in with 11.
This was followed in their most recent promotion glory in the 2008-09, when they beat Cambridge United at Wembley to win promotion back into the Football League, Tim Sills found the back of the net 18 times and Elliot Benyon was on target 12 times in all competitions.
So far this season, Jamie Reid has scored 13 times and Janneh six times and if Janneh remains with the Gulls for the remainder of the campaign then who knows.

4. The addition of pace has been a big plus.

Since he replaced Gary Owers as manager, Gary Johnson has moved to inject extra pace into the Torquay, with the addition of Janneh on loan and the signing of left winger Kalvin Kalala, who played under him at Cheltenham Town. On Saturday against Concord Rangers, Kalala was a constant threat to the Beach Boys' defence and every time he got the ball he looked like he could make something happen - and he very nearly did in the 63rd minute when he had shot deflected behind for a corner - which denied him his first league goal for the club - in a game in which the Gulls attacked in numbers and attacked quickly.

5. The future of the Bristol City loanees.

Central to United's revival under Gary Johnson has been the four players that the Gulls currently have on loan from Bristol City: Opi Edwards, Jake Andrews, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh. The link between Plainmoor and Ashton Gate has no doubt been strengthened by Johnson's appointment as manager - his son Lee is currently in charge of the Robins - but it was a link that was developed before Johnson's arrival. George Dowling was signed on loan from Bristol City during Robbie Herrera's caretaker spell in charge last season and Lemonheigh-Evans first joined on loan under Gary Owers - Shawn McCoulsky also came to Plainmoor on loan during Kevin Nicholson's reign as manager in the 2016-17 season.
Lemonheigh-Evans had previously played on loan under Owers at Bath City, a move which came about through Owers's friendship with Brian Tinnion, who is employed by the Robins as a player loan manager, which dates back to their playing days at Ashton Gate. Following Owers' appointment as Torquay manager, Bristol City continued to loan players to the Romans under Owers' successor Jerry Gill, in the form of Opi Edwards and James Morton, who is currently on loan at Twerton Park.
If Robins' chairman Steve Lansdowne did decide to dispense with the services of Johnson junior, it could have an impact on their relationship with the Gulls, but any decision taken on whether they remain on loan at Plainmoor will more than likely involve Tinnion, who can regularly takes in Gulls' home games to assess their progress.

REID BRINGS UP DOUBLE FIGURES AS GULLS BANISH FA CUP MEMORIES

Torquay United successfully banished the memories of their FA Cup first round defeat against Woking with an emphatic home win over St Albans City.

The Gulls opened the scoring on six minutes when he turned home a cross from Ruairi Keating, who was deployed on the right hand side of midfield by United manager Gary Johnson, and fired home from 18-yards.

Three minutes later, former Barnet and Forest Green midfielder Clovis Kamdjo levelled matters for the visitors with a deflected volley.

However, in the 14th minute, United restored their advantage when a superb flowing move involving Liam Davis, Jake Andrews and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans resulted in Davis producing a cross that was inadvertently turned into the back of his own net by Saints' defender Tom Bender.

Then in the second half, two goals in the space of two minutes ended as, firstly, Reid completed his brace following good work on the left hand side by Kalvin Kalala on 58 minutes. This was followed up a minute later when a Saikou Janneh cross found fellow Bristol City loanee Jake Andrews, who fired home his fourth of the season with a first time left-footed effort from 12 yards.

The result moves United up to fifth in the Vanarama National League South table - ahead of their clash with Concord Rangers at the weekend - and it was also a milestone for leading scorer Jamie Reid.

In completing his brace, Reid took his league tally for the season to ten goals (he has also scored a further two in the FA Cup) and he becomes the first Torquay United player to reach double figures before Christmas since Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski both managed the feat in the 2007-08 campaign.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WOKING

1. If VAR was used in the FA Cup first round - would Torquay have earned a replay?

VAR (Video assistant Referee) is being used in selected games in the third round of the FA Cup onwards this season, but if the luxury was available in the first round could Jean Yves Koue Niate's challenge on Jamar Loza have been referred to VAR and would a different outcome have resulted?
Referee Declan Bourne pointed to the spot following Niate's challenge, but the television replay has since shown that Niate appeared to win the ball, with the ball moving away in a different direction once he has made his challenge. Law 12 of the FIFA rules which govern the game state that: 'Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball.
This is the regulation that referee Bourne was following when interpreting Niate's challenge - but could the assistance of video technology delivered a different outcome?
And then later in the game, United substitute Saikou Janneh was felled in the penalty area but Bourne blew up for a foul on Connor Lemonheigh-Evans earlier in the move.
In the end, Max Kretzschamar stepped up to convert the spot kick and the rest turned out to be history.

2. Was Opi Edwards a big miss for the Gulls?

Saturday's FA Cup tie with Woking saw Gary Johnson opt for a 4-5-1 formation which saw Bristol City play on the right hand side of a five-man midfield, with Jamie Reid deployed as a lone striker.
However, had Janneh's fellow Bristol City loanee Opi Edwards - who is currently absent through injury - been available for the Gulls - could Edwards have taken Janneh's place in the starting line-up and Janneh then given Johnson an extra option to bring off the bench. In the Gulls' 2-2 draw with Woking earlier in the season, in what was Johnson's first home match in charge, Janneh proved particularly effect at stretching the Woking back line and could he have performed a similar role if Edwards had been fit to start on the right wing?

3. When Asa Hall returns - Gary Johnson could have a big decision to make on the make up of the Gulls' midfield.

Ryan Dickson continued his return from injury with another commanding performance as a holding midfield, which saw him produce an important tackle to deny Woking's Nottingham Forest loanee Toby Edser early in the first half. However, when Asa Hall, who has taken on the mantle of captaining the side under Johnson, returns from injury the former Yeovil and Bristol City manager will have a potentially difficult decision to make. Johnson will need to devise a way of incorporating both Dickson and Hall into a midfield with Bristol City loan trio Jake Andrews, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Opi Edwards.

4. Olaf's cameo.

When he came on to replace Kalvin Kalala in the 87th minute, Olaf Koszela became the fifth 16-year old in the history of Torquay United to appear for the club -  a list that also include a certain Lee Sharpe. Koszela, who has progressed through the club's youth set-up - which is run in partnership Torquay Academy, has already signed a pre-contract agreement with the club, which will be upgraded to a full professional contract once he turns 17, and has been a prolific scorer for the Gulls in the FA Youth Cup this season. He was also joined on the subs' bench by fellow Torquay Academy product Josh Baxter.

5. Did the 'manager of the month award curse' strike Gary Johnson?

In winning the Vanarama National League South Manager of the Month award for October 2018, Gary Johnson became the first Torquay United boss claim a monthly managerial award since Martin Ling in March 2018. On that occasion, Ling successfully banished the curse with a 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley on Good Friday of that year, just as he had done when he won the award in January 2018 with a 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town. Other managers to have seen off the curse include the late Cyril Knowles and Dave Smith.
However, if the Gulls can obtain the maximum points from their next two league games against St Albans City and Concord Rangers, which are both at home, then any talk of any curse, along with the memory of the cup defeat by Woking, will be consigned to history.

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY 2018-19 #2

The 2018-19 Emirates FA Cup will take in more twists and turns as Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Yeovil Town join Torquay United and Weston Super Mare in the competition.

All five sides will be at home over the weekend, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war, and each of the South West sides will want to ensure that they will be able to look back on their participation in the cup with fond memories.

Plymouth Argyle, who famously reached the semi-finals in 1984, embark on their journey in the competition against League Two side Stevenage. Despite finding themselves in the League One relegation zone, the Pilgrims have improved of late - and striker Freddie Ladapo recently won the League One Player of the Month award - and they will be hoping to continue their improved form, which has seen them win two of their last three league encounters.

Exeter City will be facing higher level opposition and will also be looking for revenge, as they host 1953 cup winners Blackpool in a repeat of the 2017 League Two play-off final which they lost 2-1 at Wembley.

Famed giant-killers Yeovil Town will be looking to avoid becoming a cup scalp as they host Stockport County of Vanarama National League North. The Hatters eliminated the Glovers from the competition in the 2008-09 season after a 5-0 replay win at Edgeley Park, following a 1-1 draw at Huish Park.

Torquay United feature in the first round for the first time since the 2013-14 season and host fellow Vanarama National League South promotion hopefuls Woking. Manager Gary Johnson, who recently won the National League South manager of the month award for October 2018, has fond memories of the competition from his spells as manager of Yeovil Town and Bristol City and will be looking to create new ones with the Gulls.

United's fellow National League South sides Weston Super Mare host National League leaders Wrexham, whose manager Sam Ricketts was named as the league's manager of the month award for October 2018. The Red Dragons have a number of players with South West connections in their ranks, including former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Luke Summerfield and ex Pilgrims and Torquay talisman Luke Young.

GOOD THINGS COME TO YEOVIL TOWN LADIES FOLLOWING LONG WAIT FOR THEIR FIRST WIN

At last the wait is over for Yeovil Town Ladies, as the Lady Glovers recorded their first Women's Super League victory over Everton Ladies.

Hannah Short's long range strike in the 21st minute - which Toffees' keeper Kirsty Levell was unable to keep out - ultimately proved to be the difference, as the Lady Glovers moved off the bottom of the table at the expense of their opponents.

Not since their 2-0 win over Sheffield FC Women on the final day of the 2016 WSL Two season - which clinched them the league title ahead of Bristol City Women - had Yeovil Ladies last won a competitive fixture, and Short featured for the Lady Glovers on that occasion.

41 games have passed since then - a sequence that includes 32 league fixtures - spread across the 2017 Spring Series, the 2017-18 Women's Super League season and the current Super League season.

However, it is worth mentioning that this run also includes a number of creditable results - including a goalless draw with Arsenal Ladies last April at Weston Super Mare's Woodspring Stadium.

During this time the club has also undergone numerous changes. These have included a switch to being a fully professional side, a managerial change which saw promotion winning manager Jamie Sherwood stand down and Millwall Lionesses manager Lee Burch appointed as his replacement- Sherwood is still connected with the club as Director of Football - and most recently Steve Allinson stood down as chairman and was replaced by Gary Dawkins.

Now for the Lady Glovers the only way is up and they now only a point behind ninth placed Brighton and Hove Albion Women, who they face at home next month in their final fixture before the winter break.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS BILLERICAY TOWN

1. Saikou Janneh is starting to blossom.

Whilst fellow Bristol City loanees Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans have been receiving plenty of plaudits in previous weeks - Saikou Janneh is now starting to get in on the act. Janneh's second goal in as many games - a scissor kick on the stroke of half-time - gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead.
It was also Janneh's third goal for the Gulls since his arrival at Plainmoor and although he didn't many to find the back of the net against Woking on his debut - he will have a second chance to score against the Cards in the FA Cup 1st round next week.

2. Shaun MacDonald doesn't deserve too much criticism for his part in Billericay's first goal.

Unfortunately for United goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, his headed clearance landed in the path of Billericay substitute Adam Cunnington who then responded by lofting the ball into an unguarded net to make it 2-1. However, MacDonald, 23, is one of a new generation of 'sweeper keepers,' inspired by Bayern Munich and Germany custodian Manuel Neuer. Part of the game of a 'sweeper keeper' is to act as a 11th outfield player and not be afraid to run head first into battle whenever the situation calls for it - which was required when MacDonald made the clearance in question.
Overall, throughout the game, MacDonald commanded his area well and displayed no hesitancy when coming to collect the ball - and if you consider when it is often said that goalkeepers don't fully mature until they are 25 and reach their peak at 34, the best is still to come from MacDonald.

3. Ben Wynter produced a steady display at right-back

It is fair to say that Ben Wynter has not had the best of starts to his Torquay United career, but against Billericay he produced what was arguably his best display in a Gulls shirt. After being recalled in place of the injured George Essuman, Wynter was not also strong defensively, he was also proved to be dangerous on the overlap and if Ruari Keating had been able to get on the end of his cross two minutes after Jean Yves Koue Niate had given United the lead, it could have been a different game.

4. Ryan Dickson continues his comeback from injury.

After being absent from the end of August through - prior to last Saturday against Wealdstone, his last league appearance had been against Gloucester City on August Bank Holiday Monday - Ryan Dickson completed his third game in the space of a week since his recovery. The former Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil man, who was converted from a left-back to a central midfielder by Gary Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers, displayed a calmness in possession and kept the ball well and his experience could yet prove to be crucial in the coming months to Johnson.

5. Defenders are now chipping in with goals.

In previous columns, I have mentioned about how United's midfield players are chipping in with their share of goals - but now the Gulls' defenders are getting in on the act. Prior to George Essuman opening his account last week against Wealdstone, the only goal scored by a defender had been Liam Davis' winner against Bath City. He has now been joined by Jean Yves Koue Niate, who opened his account for the club after being teed up by his central defensive partner Kyle Cameron - following Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' free-kick on 21 minutes. Surely it's only a matter of time before Cameron finds the target himself.

WHEN JAKE TAMED THE SHREWS

On Saturday, former Torquay United loanee Jake Robinson– injury permitting - is set to return to Plainmoor with Billericay Town in what will be a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ in Vanarama National League South. I will now take a closer look at another match that he made a big impact in – a game that featured two sides who both had promotion ambitions.

Jake Robinson’s 22-match loan spell with Torquay United from Shrewsbury Town in 2011 threw up a number of talking points. 

Firstly, he made his debut in a 3-1 defeat against Hereford United when he wasn’t registered to play for the Gulls. He found the back of the net in the fixture, which would later see the club docked one point for his selection.

Secondly – he was allowed to appear in games against his parent club; this was to be a decision that would briefly come back to haunt Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner, as Robinson helped the Gulls to tame the Shrews in spectacular fashion.

Robinson was one of five loan signings named in Paul Buckle’s starting line-up to face the Shrews; and it was two of that quintet who combined to score the Gulls’ opener after five minutes. Ronan Murray – making his debut for Torquay after joining on loan from Ipswich Town – picked out fellow debutant Gavin Tomlin who duly opened his account for the Gulls.

Three minutes before half-time, the Shrews were reduced to ten men when right-back Jermaine Grandison was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Robinson.

After the break, Robinson was to have a further influence on the proceedings when he converted from the penalty spot on 54 minutes, after Shrews defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was adjudged to have handled a knock down from Tomlin by referee Andy U’rso.

Robinson struck again two minutes with a stunning individual strike from 25-yards to extend the Gulls’ lead to three.

On 70 minutes, Chris Zebroski increased Torquay’s advantage to four when he drilled home with an angled effort from close range from a cross from Craig Stanley.

Five minutes from time, the Gulls added a fifth when Shrewsbury skipper Ian Sharps inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, as Torquay completed a five-star performance to tame the Shrews.

Afterwards, Buckle spoke of his delight that Robinson wasn’t overawed by the occasion of playing against his parent club.

“I said to him that you must play the game and not the occasion,” said Buckle.

 “Because it was an occasion for him; playing against the club who sent you out on loan. 

“We spoke before the game and he played his normal stuff, cutting in from the left and he cut in and it was an unbelievable finish.

"It was a fabulous performance and to actually get five goals as well is the icing on the cake.”

The Gulls would later face the Shrews again in the semi-finals of the end of season Play-offs, where they won 2-0 on aggregate over two legs to set up a final meeting with Stevenage at Old Trafford.

Torquay (4-4-2): Scott Bevan; Lee Mansell, Chris Robertson, Guy Branston, Kevin Nicholson; Gavin Tomlin, Craig Stanley, Ben Pringle, Jake Robinson; Chris Zebroski, Ronan Murray (Danny Stevens 58)

A full account of this match and another 49 in Torquay United's history can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches which is available from: https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES FOR THE PILGRIMS

They say that a week can be a long time in politics, and it can be equally lengthy in football.

That phrase has certainly proved to be the case for Plymouth Argyle in the last seven days, as the Pilgrims followed up their midweek home win over Gillingham with a 4-1 win over Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park.

Freddie Ladapo opened the scoring for Argyle, with his fifth goal in three matches, before Niall Canavan doubled their lead as he headed home against his former club in first half injury time.

Early in the second half, the Iron pulled a goal back through substitute Lee Novak and a minute later they looked to have found an equaliser through Ike Ugbo, but his header was ruled out for offside.

Argyle restored their two-goal advantage in the 57th minute when Joel Grant connected with a cross from Antoni Sarcevic.

In the dying minutes of the game, Sarcevic went from being provider after taking advantage of ample time on the ball to find the target with his first goal since February to complete a memorable win for the Pilgrims.

The game also marked the final game of James Brent's chairmanship, as he passed the baton onto Simon Hallett, a US-based fan who is now the club's majority shareholder.

During his seven years at the helm, Brent has taken Argyle out of Administration and overseen a play-off campaign under John Sheridan in the 2014-15 season, as well as a period of sustained success under Sheridan's successor - Derek Adams.

Since Adams was appointed in the summer of 2015, the Pilgrims have reached the League Two play-off semi-final in the 2015-16 season before winning automatic promotion by finishing second in the 2016-17 campaign. This achievement was then followed up with a seventh placed finish in League One last season, after spending much of the first half of the campaign fighting relegation.

HOME DRAWS GALORE FOR THE SOUTH WEST'S FA CUP CONTINGENT

All three Devon clubs and Somerset pair Yeovil Town and Weston Super Mare will all be at home in the first round proper of the 2018-19 FA Cup.

Torquay United's reward for overcoming Lymington Town, Brightlingsea Regent and Winchester City so far in this season's competition is a home draw against fellow Vanarama National League South side Woking.

It will be the third time that the Gulls have faced the Cards in the current calendar year. The previous two meetings have United win 2-1 on Easter Monday at Plainmoor with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scoring the game's decisive goal with a 25-yard strike and a late, second half brace from Jamie Reid secured a well deserved point for the Gulls in what was manager Gary Johnson's first game in charge.

Exeter City will also be at home as they were paired with 1953 cup winners Blackpool, in what will be the first time that the two sides have met since the 2017 League Two Play-off final at Wembley - when the Tangerines won 2-1.

The FA Cup could provide Plymouth Argyle and manager Derek Adams some respite from their disappointing league form, which currently sees them slumped at the foot of League One, as they entertain League Two side Stevenage at Home Park.

Yeovil Town enjoyed a fantastic run in the FA Cup last season, which saw them reach the fourth round where they hosted Manchester United at Huish Park in front of the BBC cameras. This season they have been handed another chance of experiencing another lengthy spell in the competition, as they have been paired with Stockport County of National League North.

Weston Super Mare might be bottom of the National League South table, but a home tie with either Wrexham or Harrogate Town, who are both flying high in the National League, awaits them in the FA Cup first round as a reward for overcoming Bath City.

Should Taunton Town upsets the odds in their fourth qualifying round replay against National League South big spenders Billericay Town then they will be at home to Chesterfield, now of the National League, who famously reached the semi-finals of the cup in the 1996-97 campaign where they lost to Middlesbrough.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WINCHESTER CITY

1. The five year wait is over.

For the first time in five years, Torquay United will be featuring in the FA Cup first round draw. On that occasion the Gulls were beaten 2-0 by Rochdale at Plainmoor in the 2013-14 season - but they haven't appeared in the first round proper after losing in the fourth qualifying round to Aldershot Town (twice), Basingstoke Town and Woking in the intervening years. That, of course, was in complete contrast to the previous eight years between 2005-06 and 2012-13 when United made it at least as far as the second round in all seasons bar the 2012-13 campaign when they came unstuck against Harrogate Town in round one. It also included two runs to the fourth round proper in 2008-09 and 2010-11. United will be ball number 72 in Monday's draw.

2. The 'Ashton Gate four' come to the fore again.

Yet another Gulls' victory has a feel of 'made at Ashton Gate' to it, as three of the four goals that United scored were scored by their Bristol City loan contingent. Striker Saikou Janneh finally got off the mark with the Gulls' second of the game, as he headed home a Jamie Reid cross, before Connor Lemonheigh-Evans followed up his brace for Wales Under-21s against Switzerland with another double for United. If either Janneh, Lemonheigh-Evans or their fellow Ashton Gate loanees Opi Edwards and Jake Andrews need any inspiration then they'd need look no further than their contemporary Max O'Leary, who made his debut in goal for the Robins in their 1-0 away win over Brentford in the Championship. Last season, O'Leary was loaned out to Solihull Moors in the National League - a spell which played a big part in forcing his way into Robins' manager Lee Johnson's plans, and who would bet against either of the Robins' loan quartet currently at Plainmoor doing the same next season.

3. United strengthen their French connection.

Over the years, a number of French players have found their way to Plainmoor. Players as diverse as Jean-Pierre Simb, Khalid Chalqi, Morike Sako and Vincent Dorel have plied their trade for the Gulls and that link is continuing with Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kalvin Kalala. Niate was once again a key part of a defensive unit that kept Winchester at bay until Joe Hayward netted a consolation goal from the penalty spot on 71 minutes and Kalala opened his goal scoring account for the club with the afternoon's opening goal on what was his home debut. The duo look set to continue to be a big part of Gary Johnson's plans for the remainder of the campaign.

4. Is Asa Hall the 'new Chris Hargreaves'?

After taking on the captain's armband since Gary Johnson's arrival, Hall has revelled in the responsibility and can now be regarded as being every bit as integral to the current United side as Chris Hargreaves was to Paul Buckle's team between 2007 and 2009. As well as sporting long hair, Hall has proved to be highly effective at breaking up play and chipping with the odd important goal - two traits that Hargreaves possessed - and Johnson stated yesterday in his post-match interview that his choice of man of the match would have been between Hall, who also played under him at Cheltenham Town, and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

5. United have increased the number of goals that they have scored from midfield.

Last season the Gulls only managed to score nine goals from midfield as they were relegated from the National League, and five of those were scored by Luke Young. So far in the 2018-19 campaign, United's midfielders have overhauled that figure in all competitions following yesterday's result: Asa Hall and Jake Andrews have each scored three, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' brace takes his tally to two and Kalvin Kalala scored his first for the Gulls yesterday and Chris Regis, who looks set to leave the club netted against Lymington Town.
If United are to challenge for promotion this season, they are currently one point off the play-offs, then goals from all positions are going to be important to the Gulls' cause. Left-back Liam Davis remains the only defender to have found the back of the net this season, but centre back Kyle Cameron has threatened to the back of the net once or twice from set pieces and it's surely only a matter of time before he finds the target from one.