1. A 'double' double for the Gulls.
Torquay United's 1-0 win over Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium saw the Gulls complete their second league double of the 2017-18 season.
Elliott Romain's first half effort was enough to ensure that United followed up their 3-0 win over Orient at Plainmoor in November, which was secured courtesy of goals from Josh McQuoid, Luke Young and Jamie Reid.
The Gulls' other double came against Maidenhead United and United could add a third name to that list if they defeat Ebbsfleet United at home on the final day of the current campaign. Boreham Wood, Bromley, Dagenham & Redbridge and Maidstone United have beaten United home and away thus far this season.
2. Romain and Williams are key to United's survival prospects.
By scoring the game's deciding goal, Elliott Romain took his goal tally since arriving at Plainmoor on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge to three - which leaves him two behind current joint-leading scorers Jamie Reid and Luke Young with five.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Romain manages to overhaul that figure - barring any injuries or recall by the Daggers, and don't bet against his strike partner Brett Williams getting in on the act as well. Williams, if you remember, netted four times in the Gulls' last three games of last season with braces against Braintree Town and Dover Athletic, which were instrumental in helping United pull off a second great escape.
3. Bit part players with also have their part to play too.
Within a minute of coming off the bench in place of Josh Gowling on 36 minutes, Welsh midfielder Tommy O'Sullivan was producing the cross that led to Romain's goal. Prior to last night, former Wales Under-21 schemer O'Sullivan - on loan from Colchester United - hadn't featured since the Gulls' 4-0 hammering against Bromley at the end of January, and could yet have a bigger part to play between now and the end of the campaign. The same could also be said of fellow subs Jon-Paul Pittman and Reid and others who weren't involved such as Ruairi Keating and Jake Gosling.
4. Jakob Sokolik's versatility could turn out to be an asset for Gary Owers.
After featuring as a centre back since his arrival last month, Jakob Sokolik was deployed as a holding central midfielder to good effect against Orient. The former Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle man, who hails from the Czech Republic, started the game as a screening player in front of a back three of Conrad Balatoni, Josh Gowling and skipper Sean McGinty, which then became a back four, with wing-backs Aaron Barnes and Liam Davis playing as full backs, once Gowling went off injured.
The Czech turned out to be an important figure in helping the Gulls' keep their first clean sheet in 15 games, along with former Pilgrims' teammate Vincent Dorel, who once again made a number of top drawer saves.
5. Tuesday night is a good night for the Gulls.
Their victory over Leyton Orient was the Gulls' third away win on a Tuesday night this season from a possible four. United had previously beaten Ebbsfleet United and Sutton United and lost to Aldershot Town on their midweek travels. At home they have secured a win over Maidenhead United, drawn with Gateshead and lost to Sutton United and are set to play host to AFC Fylde on April 10th, 2018.
