1. The 'Gary Johnson effect' is bringing the crowds back to Plainmoor.
Before Torquay United were due to face Woking, Gary Johnson described the match as a 'six-pointer' and called on the Plainmoor faithful to be the team's '12th man'. The response to Johnson's request saw the highest recorded attendance at Plainmoor this season of 2,281 as well as the strongest vocal support that the team has received for a long time.
United's attendance figure was the second highest in both the National Leagues North and South, with only York City's clash with Guiseley eclipsing that figure, and only four National League encounters attracted bigger crowds (Leyton Orient vs Sutton United 5,627, Wrexham vs Barnet 4,727, Hartlepool United vs Aldershot Town 3,251 and Maidstone United vs Chesterfield 2,438).
United's attendance was also higher than Macclesfield Town vs Forest Green Rovers (1,581) and Crawley Town vs Yeovil Town (2,142) in Skybet League Two.
2. Jamie Reid is on fire.
By scoring a second half brace, Jamie Reid took his goal scoring tally for the season to five in all competitions - and four from three since Johnson took charge. Remarkably, at this early stage of the season, Reid is only one goal behind his tally of six goals for last season's campaign which saw the Gulls relegated from the Vanarama National League. If Reid maintains his current form, then there is every possibility that he could hit double figures this season.
3. The Bristol City connection works well for Gulls.
The 44th minute introduction by Johnson of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Siakou Janneh in place of Chris Regis and Ruairi Keating increased the figure of Bristol City loanees appearing on the pitch for the Gulls to four (Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards both started the game). Johnson's predecessor had made previous good use of connections that he had with Bristol City to not only bring Andrews and Edwards to the club this season, but to sign Lemonheigh-Evans and retain George Dowling, who originally joined during Robbie Herrera's caretaker spell in charge.
It's a link that is further strengthened following Johnson's appointment, as his son Lee is currently the first team manager at Bristol City.
Both Edwards and Janneh claimed the assists for both of Reid's goals as the Ashton Gate influence at Plainmoor continues to be felt and would have surely impressed the Robins' loans manager Brian Tinnion, who was in attendance.
The connection between the two clubs hasn't been this strong since Leroy Rosenior's reign as manager, when he brought Marvin Brown, Simon Clist and Craig Woodman to Plainmoor on loan from Ashton Gate. In addition to them he also signed his son Liam on loan from Fulham a year after he had left Bristol City to move to Craven Cottage.
Nevertheless, back in the present, Johnson will have to be careful over the use of further loans as he can only name five in a match day squad, and he also has Alex Bass on a season-long loan from Portsmouth in addition to the Ashton Gate quartet.
4. A first from open play.
Having only conceded six goals this season, the Gulls have by far and away the best defensive record in the Vanarama National League South. However, perhaps more interestingly, until Jake Hyde had netted Woking's second goal yesterday the Gulls were yet to concede an open goal at Plainmoor yet this season.
Both goals scored by Hampton and Richmond in their win against the Gulls in August were as a result of corners, as was Chippenham's goal in Gary Owers' final game in charge and, of course, Max Kretzschmar's opener for the Cards came from a free-kick.
5. An early substitution helps pay dividends.
The introduction Lemonheigh-Evans and Janneh before half-time helped to increase the overall tempo of the Gulls play and sent a clear message out to the players that Johnson isn't afraid to make the changes when his 'Plan A' isn't working.
Johnson's message was further emphasised by his half-time team talk several minutes later to the players, in which he stated:" You are 2-0 down, and now you've got to show me that you want to be here and you've got the character to come back".
Saturday's double change was the first time that yours truly has seen a Torquay United manager act in such a decisive way since Leroy Rosenior made the double substitution of Tony Bedeau and Mamadou Sow for Alex Lawless and Kevin Hill against Notts County on the opening day of the 2005-06 season against Notts County after 26 minutes. It was the repeat of a trick that Rosenior had repeated before against Kidderminster Harriers away in the 2002-03 season when he replaced Bedeau and Hill with Kevin Wills and Jo Kuffour and at home to a Yeovil Town side managed by Johnson in the 2003-04 campaign when he once again replaced Bedeau and Hill, this time with his son Liam and Kuffour.
Sunday 30 September 2018
Sunday 23 September 2018
GULLS BOOK PLACE IN NEXT ROUND WITH RECORD CUP WIN
Torquay United were in seventh heaven as they ended their near seven-year wait for an FA Cup win by putting seven past Lymington Town - a result which breaks their own FA Cup record victory.
Skipper Asa Hall and striker Ruairi Keating both had chances to give the Gulls the lead - only to be denied by Lymington keeper Nic Jones - before they eventually made the breakthrough on 36 minutes when Lymington's Lewis Brailey deflected a Ben Wynter cross into the back of his own net.
Two minutes later, United doubled their lead when a long pass from Jake Andrews found Opi Edwards, who then produced a cross which found Jamie Reid who tapped home from close range.
In the second half, the Gulls made it 3-0 on 56 minutes as a move involving Keating, Reid and Andrews resulted in Keating scoring his third of the season with a side-footed volley.
In thre 59th minute, an uncharacteristic error from Jones saw him caught off his line, which enabled Chris Regis slot home into an empty net to score his first goal for United.
Then it was the turn of substitute Brett Williams to get in on the goalscoring act as he opened his account for the campaign with a quickfire brace - in the 79th and 84th minutes respectively - the second of which was a 25-yard left footed strike.
Andrews then managed to round off the scoring in injury time with a shot on the turn - following good work from fellow Bristol City loanee Saikou Janneh - as the Gulls secured their first FA Cup victory since November 2011, when they beat Chesterfield in the first round proper.
In addition to this, the scoreline also surpasses United's previous record FA Cup win, which was a 7-1 victory over Northampton Town in 1959.
The Gulls will be joined in the third qualifying round by Tiverton Town, who beat Dorchester Town 2-0 through a River Allen free-kick and a Levi Landricombe penalty, and Taunton Town - who won 4-0 against AFC Bitton.
Weston Super Mare will require a replay after drawing 2-2 with Salisbury FC, and Truro City and Hereford FC will meet again at Plainmoor on Wednesday night following a goalless draw at Edgar Street.
However, Plymouth Parkway will not be joining them in Monday's draw after they lost 3-1 to Gloucester City.
Skipper Asa Hall and striker Ruairi Keating both had chances to give the Gulls the lead - only to be denied by Lymington keeper Nic Jones - before they eventually made the breakthrough on 36 minutes when Lymington's Lewis Brailey deflected a Ben Wynter cross into the back of his own net.
Two minutes later, United doubled their lead when a long pass from Jake Andrews found Opi Edwards, who then produced a cross which found Jamie Reid who tapped home from close range.
In the second half, the Gulls made it 3-0 on 56 minutes as a move involving Keating, Reid and Andrews resulted in Keating scoring his third of the season with a side-footed volley.
In thre 59th minute, an uncharacteristic error from Jones saw him caught off his line, which enabled Chris Regis slot home into an empty net to score his first goal for United.
Then it was the turn of substitute Brett Williams to get in on the goalscoring act as he opened his account for the campaign with a quickfire brace - in the 79th and 84th minutes respectively - the second of which was a 25-yard left footed strike.
Andrews then managed to round off the scoring in injury time with a shot on the turn - following good work from fellow Bristol City loanee Saikou Janneh - as the Gulls secured their first FA Cup victory since November 2011, when they beat Chesterfield in the first round proper.
In addition to this, the scoreline also surpasses United's previous record FA Cup win, which was a 7-1 victory over Northampton Town in 1959.
The Gulls will be joined in the third qualifying round by Tiverton Town, who beat Dorchester Town 2-0 through a River Allen free-kick and a Levi Landricombe penalty, and Taunton Town - who won 4-0 against AFC Bitton.
Weston Super Mare will require a replay after drawing 2-2 with Salisbury FC, and Truro City and Hereford FC will meet again at Plainmoor on Wednesday night following a goalless draw at Edgar Street.
However, Plymouth Parkway will not be joining them in Monday's draw after they lost 3-1 to Gloucester City.
Wednesday 19 September 2018
THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY 2018-19 #1
The big boys may not enter until round three, nor the Football League sides in round one, but for some clubs have already started their journey on the 'Road to Wembley.'
Amongst those taking part in the FA Cup second qualifying round, where £9,000 worth of prize awaits the winners as a reward for reaching the third qualifying stage, are several South West sides who have experienced a range of fortunes in the competition in the recent past.
At 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon, and live on the BBC Red Button and on the BBC Sport website, Torquay United will be aiming to end their recent poor record in the FA Cup - the Gulls haven't won an FA Cup tie since November 2011, when they beat Chesterfield 3-1 at the Proact Stadium - as they travel to Lymington FC of the Wessex League.
New United manager Gary Johnson faced Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Manchester United and Southampton whilst in charge of Yeovil Town and took Middlesbrough to a replay when he was
manager of Bristol Ciity, so he will no doubt be looking to improve upon the Gulls wretched run in the competition.
Later on in the afternoon, Weston Super Mare, who reached the first round of the competition in the 2014-15 season, host Salisbury FC; Tiverton Town, who have appeared three times in round one (1991-92, 1993-94 and 2001-02) host Dorchester Town - who famously knocked Plymouth Argyle out of the competition in the 2012-13 campaign at the first round stage.
Other ties see Truro City, who faced Charlton Athletic at the Valley in the first round last season, travel to Hereford FC, the phoenix club of Hereford United who memorably defeated Newcastle United in the 1971-72 season and Taunton Town, who took Barrow to a replay in the 2016-17 at the first round stage, host AFC Bitton.
These fixtures are then followed by the only tie to be played on Sunday which sees Plymouth Parkway, now of the Toolstation Western League, travel to Gloucester City, of Vanarama National League South.
Amongst those taking part in the FA Cup second qualifying round, where £9,000 worth of prize awaits the winners as a reward for reaching the third qualifying stage, are several South West sides who have experienced a range of fortunes in the competition in the recent past.
At 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon, and live on the BBC Red Button and on the BBC Sport website, Torquay United will be aiming to end their recent poor record in the FA Cup - the Gulls haven't won an FA Cup tie since November 2011, when they beat Chesterfield 3-1 at the Proact Stadium - as they travel to Lymington FC of the Wessex League.
New United manager Gary Johnson faced Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Manchester United and Southampton whilst in charge of Yeovil Town and took Middlesbrough to a replay when he was
manager of Bristol Ciity, so he will no doubt be looking to improve upon the Gulls wretched run in the competition.
Later on in the afternoon, Weston Super Mare, who reached the first round of the competition in the 2014-15 season, host Salisbury FC; Tiverton Town, who have appeared three times in round one (1991-92, 1993-94 and 2001-02) host Dorchester Town - who famously knocked Plymouth Argyle out of the competition in the 2012-13 campaign at the first round stage.
Other ties see Truro City, who faced Charlton Athletic at the Valley in the first round last season, travel to Hereford FC, the phoenix club of Hereford United who memorably defeated Newcastle United in the 1971-72 season and Taunton Town, who took Barrow to a replay in the 2016-17 at the first round stage, host AFC Bitton.
These fixtures are then followed by the only tie to be played on Sunday which sees Plymouth Parkway, now of the Toolstation Western League, travel to Gloucester City, of Vanarama National League South.
Sunday 16 September 2018
FIVE FACTS ABOUT GARY JOHNSON
Following Torquay United's 2-0 away win over Hungerford Town in Gary Johnson's first game in charge - we will now look at five interesting facts about the Gulls' manager.
1. Johnson started his career in football as an apprentice with Watford at the age of 16 before signing a professional in 1973. He later went on to play in Sweden for Malmo, where Bobby Houghton was manager and it was there that his coaching ambitions were first nurtured.
2. In 1993, Johnson got his first taste of Football League management at Cambridge United after serving as reserve team manager under John Beck at the Abbey Stadium between 1988 and 1993. During his time working under Beck, the U's had risen from the Football League's basement division to the brink of the top-flight in a relatively short time. He is the fourth manager in recent times to have managed the Uniteds of Torquay and Cambridge, a list that also includes Ian Atkins, Roy McFarland and Martin Ling.
3. In April 2013, Johnson senior faced Johnson junior in the dug-out as Gary's Yeovil side came up against Lee's Oldham Athletic in a League One encounter. At the time both sides needed the points for different reasons as the Latics were fighting against relegation, whilst the Glovers were heading for the play-offs. In the end, Johnson junior's Oldham came out on top to win 1-0, in a what was the first managerial head-to-head between father and son since Bill Dodgin senior's Fulham faced Bill Dodgin junior's Bristol Rovers 40 years earlier.
4. In March 2017, Johnson underwent a triple heart bypass operation after being admitted for emergency heart surgery. The heart surgeon performing the surgery was Alan Bryan - father of the then Bristol City wing-back Joe Bryan - and the operation was so successful that Johnson was able to resume his duties as Cheltenham Town manager at the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Fast forward to December 2017 and the Johnson family had another reason to be gratuitous to the Bryan family, as Bryan junior scored the winner for Bristol City, now managed by Johnson's son Lee, in a Carabao Cup Quarter Final tie against Manchester United at Ashton Gate.
5. They are three current Football League managers who played under Johnson during his time as manager Yeovil Town, including his son, Lee, who is currently manager of Bristol City (who Johnson senior led to the brink of the Premier League in 2008), Darren Way (who is manager of Yeovil Town - another of Johnson's former clubs) and Nathan Jones who is in charge of Luton Town).
1. Johnson started his career in football as an apprentice with Watford at the age of 16 before signing a professional in 1973. He later went on to play in Sweden for Malmo, where Bobby Houghton was manager and it was there that his coaching ambitions were first nurtured.
2. In 1993, Johnson got his first taste of Football League management at Cambridge United after serving as reserve team manager under John Beck at the Abbey Stadium between 1988 and 1993. During his time working under Beck, the U's had risen from the Football League's basement division to the brink of the top-flight in a relatively short time. He is the fourth manager in recent times to have managed the Uniteds of Torquay and Cambridge, a list that also includes Ian Atkins, Roy McFarland and Martin Ling.
3. In April 2013, Johnson senior faced Johnson junior in the dug-out as Gary's Yeovil side came up against Lee's Oldham Athletic in a League One encounter. At the time both sides needed the points for different reasons as the Latics were fighting against relegation, whilst the Glovers were heading for the play-offs. In the end, Johnson junior's Oldham came out on top to win 1-0, in a what was the first managerial head-to-head between father and son since Bill Dodgin senior's Fulham faced Bill Dodgin junior's Bristol Rovers 40 years earlier.
4. In March 2017, Johnson underwent a triple heart bypass operation after being admitted for emergency heart surgery. The heart surgeon performing the surgery was Alan Bryan - father of the then Bristol City wing-back Joe Bryan - and the operation was so successful that Johnson was able to resume his duties as Cheltenham Town manager at the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Fast forward to December 2017 and the Johnson family had another reason to be gratuitous to the Bryan family, as Bryan junior scored the winner for Bristol City, now managed by Johnson's son Lee, in a Carabao Cup Quarter Final tie against Manchester United at Ashton Gate.
5. They are three current Football League managers who played under Johnson during his time as manager Yeovil Town, including his son, Lee, who is currently manager of Bristol City (who Johnson senior led to the brink of the Premier League in 2008), Darren Way (who is manager of Yeovil Town - another of Johnson's former clubs) and Nathan Jones who is in charge of Luton Town).
Thursday 13 September 2018
GULLS GO FOR JOHNSON
Following the departure from Plainmoor of Gary Owers, Torquay United reacted swiftly to appoint Gary Johnson as his replacement.
Johnson, 62, arrives at the Gulls after being dismissed as manager of Cheltenham Town after the opening four games of the 2018-19 campaign - which brought the curtain down on three-year spell in charge at Whaddon Road.
During the course of those three years, Johnson guided the Robins back into the Football League by winning the National League title at the first attempt in the 2016-17 campaign. They became the first team to win promotion back into the Football League at the first attempt as champions since Darlington in the 1990-91 season.
However, Johnson's achievements as a manager don't end there. His managerial career started with non-league Newmarket Town in the mid-1980's before he was persuaded to enter the professional game as reserve team manager with Cambridge United by the then U's manager John Beck in 1988.
He was part of the U's coaching staff during Cambridge's rise from the 'old' Fourth Division to the brink of the top-flight in the late 1980's and early 1990's and he had a spell in charge at the Abbey Stadium between 1993 and 1995.
A spell in charge of Kettering Town and Watford's youth academy followed before he was appointed as manager of Latvia in 1999. Johnson remained in charge of the Baltic state for two years and he recommended Marian Pahars and Igor Stepanovs to Southampton and Arsenal respectively; he also came into contact with Andrejs Stolcers, who would later play under him at Yeovil Town.
On his return to England, Johnson took charge at Huish Park in 2001 - following the departure of Colin Addison - and in his first season at the helm he led the Glovers to FA Trophy glory with a 2-0 win over Stevenage at Villa Park.
The following season, he ended Yeovil's 108-year stay in non-league football as the Glovers won the Nationwide Conference title - with a record winning margin of 17 points - to secure a long-awaited promotion to the Football League.
Once back in the Football League, the Glovers proved they weren't just there to make up the numbers as they finished 8th in the debut campaign in Division Three, as they missed out on the play-offs on goal difference with 74 points.
In the 2004-05 season, Yeovil built on their promising first season by winning the title of the newly rebranded League Two with a final day win over Lincoln City, and scored 90 goals in the process.
In September 2005, Johnson was on the move again as he left Huish Park to manage Bristol City following the departure of Brian Tinnion. The Robins would finish the 2005-06 campaign in 9th place in League One, but they would finish the subsequent 2006-07 season as runners-up.
His success with Bristol City was achieved with a core of players who played under him at both Huish Park and Ashton Gate, including goalkeeper Chris Weale, central defender Liam Fontaine, midfielders Lee Johnson - his son - and Michael McIndoe and striker Phil Jevons.
Once back in the Championship, Bristol City spent the entirety of the 2007-08 season in the top six and they reached the play-offs, where they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the final at Wembley - courtesy of a stunning strike by Dean Windass.
Johnson remained at Ashton Gate for two more years before spells in charge of Peterborough United and Northampton Town followed prior to a return to Huish Park in the 2011-12 season, a move which saw his predecessor Terry Skiverton, who also captained the Glovers during his previous successes with the club, become his assistant.
On his return to Huish Park, Johnson led the Glovers to safety in League One and then in the 2012-13 he led them to the play-offs against the odds, as they beat Sheffield United in the semi-finals to set up a meeting in the final with Brentford. The Glovers beat the Bees 2-1 in the final - with goals from Paddy Madden and Dan Burn - to reach the second tier of the Football League for the first time ever.
Unfortunately, their stay in the Championship proved to be an extremely brief one as the Glovers were relegated after their penultimate game of the 2013-14 season against Brighton and Hove Albion.
He left Huish Park during the 2014-15 campaign and was appointed as Cheltenham Town towards the end of the season, but he was unable to save them from relegation from League Two.
Following the Robins' return to the National League after 16 years in the Football League, Johnson then guided Cheltenham to a return to League Two at the first attempt before re-establishing them as a Football League club.
He now takes over a Gulls' side looking to win promotion from National League South, and he inherits a squad three points off the play-off zone that includes several players that he has worked with before including Liam Davis, Jakub Sokolik and Ryan Dickson at Yeovil and Asa Hall and Jake Andrews at Cheltenham.
Gary Johnson honours:
Yeovil Town:
FA Trophy winners 2001-02
Conference champions 2002-03
League Two champions 2004-05
League One Play-off winners 2012-13
Bristol City:
League One runners-up 2005-07
Cheltenham Town:
National League champions 2015-16
Johnson, 62, arrives at the Gulls after being dismissed as manager of Cheltenham Town after the opening four games of the 2018-19 campaign - which brought the curtain down on three-year spell in charge at Whaddon Road.
During the course of those three years, Johnson guided the Robins back into the Football League by winning the National League title at the first attempt in the 2016-17 campaign. They became the first team to win promotion back into the Football League at the first attempt as champions since Darlington in the 1990-91 season.
However, Johnson's achievements as a manager don't end there. His managerial career started with non-league Newmarket Town in the mid-1980's before he was persuaded to enter the professional game as reserve team manager with Cambridge United by the then U's manager John Beck in 1988.
He was part of the U's coaching staff during Cambridge's rise from the 'old' Fourth Division to the brink of the top-flight in the late 1980's and early 1990's and he had a spell in charge at the Abbey Stadium between 1993 and 1995.
A spell in charge of Kettering Town and Watford's youth academy followed before he was appointed as manager of Latvia in 1999. Johnson remained in charge of the Baltic state for two years and he recommended Marian Pahars and Igor Stepanovs to Southampton and Arsenal respectively; he also came into contact with Andrejs Stolcers, who would later play under him at Yeovil Town.
On his return to England, Johnson took charge at Huish Park in 2001 - following the departure of Colin Addison - and in his first season at the helm he led the Glovers to FA Trophy glory with a 2-0 win over Stevenage at Villa Park.
The following season, he ended Yeovil's 108-year stay in non-league football as the Glovers won the Nationwide Conference title - with a record winning margin of 17 points - to secure a long-awaited promotion to the Football League.
Once back in the Football League, the Glovers proved they weren't just there to make up the numbers as they finished 8th in the debut campaign in Division Three, as they missed out on the play-offs on goal difference with 74 points.
In the 2004-05 season, Yeovil built on their promising first season by winning the title of the newly rebranded League Two with a final day win over Lincoln City, and scored 90 goals in the process.
In September 2005, Johnson was on the move again as he left Huish Park to manage Bristol City following the departure of Brian Tinnion. The Robins would finish the 2005-06 campaign in 9th place in League One, but they would finish the subsequent 2006-07 season as runners-up.
His success with Bristol City was achieved with a core of players who played under him at both Huish Park and Ashton Gate, including goalkeeper Chris Weale, central defender Liam Fontaine, midfielders Lee Johnson - his son - and Michael McIndoe and striker Phil Jevons.
Once back in the Championship, Bristol City spent the entirety of the 2007-08 season in the top six and they reached the play-offs, where they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the final at Wembley - courtesy of a stunning strike by Dean Windass.
Johnson remained at Ashton Gate for two more years before spells in charge of Peterborough United and Northampton Town followed prior to a return to Huish Park in the 2011-12 season, a move which saw his predecessor Terry Skiverton, who also captained the Glovers during his previous successes with the club, become his assistant.
On his return to Huish Park, Johnson led the Glovers to safety in League One and then in the 2012-13 he led them to the play-offs against the odds, as they beat Sheffield United in the semi-finals to set up a meeting in the final with Brentford. The Glovers beat the Bees 2-1 in the final - with goals from Paddy Madden and Dan Burn - to reach the second tier of the Football League for the first time ever.
Unfortunately, their stay in the Championship proved to be an extremely brief one as the Glovers were relegated after their penultimate game of the 2013-14 season against Brighton and Hove Albion.
He left Huish Park during the 2014-15 campaign and was appointed as Cheltenham Town towards the end of the season, but he was unable to save them from relegation from League Two.
Following the Robins' return to the National League after 16 years in the Football League, Johnson then guided Cheltenham to a return to League Two at the first attempt before re-establishing them as a Football League club.
He now takes over a Gulls' side looking to win promotion from National League South, and he inherits a squad three points off the play-off zone that includes several players that he has worked with before including Liam Davis, Jakub Sokolik and Ryan Dickson at Yeovil and Asa Hall and Jake Andrews at Cheltenham.
Gary Johnson honours:
Yeovil Town:
FA Trophy winners 2001-02
Conference champions 2002-03
League Two champions 2004-05
League One Play-off winners 2012-13
Bristol City:
League One runners-up 2005-07
Cheltenham Town:
National League champions 2015-16
Wednesday 12 September 2018
GARY OWERS AND TORQUAY UNITED: A PARTNERSHIP THAT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE
When it was announced that Gary Owers was preferred choice to succeed Kevin Nicholson as Torquay United more than a few eyebrows were raised.
Not least because of the names who had been linked with the position; a list that included names like Ronnie Moore, Mark Yates, Richard Money and Graham Westley - all of whom had a great track record of experience and pedigree in the game.
Owers, by contrast, was into a third season of what was a second spell as Bath City manager in the National League South and the Romans were just a point off the newly expanded top seven play-off zone.
He had previous experience of managing in the National League with Forest Green Rovers between 2005 and 2006 - during which time he helped Rovers to avoid relegation (these were the days before Dale Vince assumed control at the New Lawn and made money freely available) before being sacked early on in the 2006-07 campaign.
In addition to this, he had also held coaching roles with Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle - as first team coach to Derek McInnes and assistant manager to John Sheridan respectively - as well recruitment roles with Scottish Premier League sides Motherwell and Partick Thistle. So, on the face of it, he appeared to possess the three credentials that former chairman Tony Boyce believed that every prospective Torquay United manager should possess: contacts, contacts and contacts.
Nevertheless Owers was unveiled as manager, with his former Bristol City teammate Martin Kuhl named as his assistant, in what was described as a new chapter by general manager Geoff Harrop.
However, there was six-match gap in between Owers taking the reins and Nicholson's dismissal and during this time the Gulls conceded a number of costly late goals. It was trait that continued early into Owers' reign of a brief time in away fixtures against Barrow and Dagenham & Redbridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 defeat respectively.
These results were then followed by a 4-0 home win over Maidenhead United, their first under Owers, and the corner appeared to be turning for United. This was followed by more promising results, including 1-0 win away at Ebbsfleet United after which Owers made a quote that would later come back to haunt him as declared that 'We're not rubbish anymore.' Although to be fair to Owers, it wasn't a great night of predictions as his opposite number - former United loanee Daryl McMahon - said that the Gulls wouldn't get relegated.
As far as Owers' relationship with the fans was concerned, the high point arguably proved to be a 3-0 home win over Leyton Orient - courtesy of goals from Josh McQuoid, Luke Young and Jamie Reid - during which chants of 'Gary Owers' Yellow Army' could be heard emanating from the Popular Side.
Following in the footsteps of a manager as popular as Kevin Nicholson was always going to be difficult for Owers to win over the fans, and it was an act that was made extra difficult by failing to fulfil the task that he was brought into achieve - to keep United in the National League.
One of United's biggest problems in the 2017-18 campaign was their ability to score goals, as it wasn't until the arrival of loan signings Elliot Romain, from Dagenham and Redbridge, and Rhys Healey, from Cardiff City, who managed goal scoring hauls of four and seven respectively (Healey's tally would see him finish the season as the Gulls' top scorer). Brett Williams also managed four goals after returning to Plainmoor in February 2018, which meant that United's most prolific strikers were players who didn't start the campaign with the club.
Another task facing Owers was the fact that smaller clubs in the National League who were outperforming United were starting to be seen as a more attractive proposition to potential signings.
This was emphasised by the decision of centre back Alex Davey, who was signed on loan from Cheltenham Town, to reject a permanent move to Plainmoor in January 2018 to sign for Boreham Wood.
Relegation to National League South was eventually confirmed for the Gulls with a 1-1 draw away at Hartlepool United in their final away game of the season in a game that Williams missed a penalty early on. It meant that the Gulls would be playing in regional non-league football for the first time since 1927.
This was then followed by a 4-3 defeat in their penultimate home fixture against Guiseley - a number of part-time sides that United have found difficult to overcome since their relegation from the Football League in 2014 - in which Romain missed from the spot early on before the Lions took the lead and went on to win.
Had either of those spot-kicks been converted and had United gone on to win those games in question, then the Gulls would have needed a win in their final game at home to Ebbsfleet to stay up.
However, whether they would have managed to overcome a Fleet side that needed a point to secure a play-off spot is a different matter - the eventual outcome was a 1-1 draw.
Over the course of the season, United used 41 players - a figure that was only bettered by the 1995-96 season (42) and the 2006-07 campaign (43) - which included 16 loan signings, 11 of which were signed by Owers. Aside from Davey, Romain and Healey, only Bristol City starlet Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Aaron Barnes from Charlton Athletic and Colchester United (who loaned him back to the Gulls after he moved to the Weston Community Stadium) proved to be consistent performers. Whether all of the 11 loanees signed by Owers were his number targets remains to be seen - possibly not.
Over the summer, Owers had the opportunity to build a new squad ready to win promotion back to the National League at the first attempt - it was a task that he approached with much vigour and despite losing his assistant Kuhl in pre-season to an academy coaching position at Bisham Abbey.
However, once again United found goals hard to come by as the only managed five in their opening nine matches and had failed to win any of their four away games. Home defeats against Hampton and Richmond and Chippenham Town both saw the team leave the field to chants of 'Owers Out' and in an away match at Gloucester City he had a cup of coffee thrown over him - an act which, regardless of the situation, shouldn't be tolerated.
It was the latter of those two aforementioned home defeats which prompted chairman Clarke Osborne to act, a decision that comes a month after York City, a former Football League contemporary of United's who currently reside in National League North, decided to part company with Owers' former Sunderland teammate Martin Gray.
The decision brings the failure to of a club of the Gulls' stature to retain National League status and potential failure to retain it into sharp focus.
Whoever United appoint as Owers' successor will need to bring some much needed stability to the club, as he will be the Gulls' seventh manager in as many years since Paul Buckle's departure to Bristol Rovers in 2011.
Not least because of the names who had been linked with the position; a list that included names like Ronnie Moore, Mark Yates, Richard Money and Graham Westley - all of whom had a great track record of experience and pedigree in the game.
Owers, by contrast, was into a third season of what was a second spell as Bath City manager in the National League South and the Romans were just a point off the newly expanded top seven play-off zone.
He had previous experience of managing in the National League with Forest Green Rovers between 2005 and 2006 - during which time he helped Rovers to avoid relegation (these were the days before Dale Vince assumed control at the New Lawn and made money freely available) before being sacked early on in the 2006-07 campaign.
In addition to this, he had also held coaching roles with Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle - as first team coach to Derek McInnes and assistant manager to John Sheridan respectively - as well recruitment roles with Scottish Premier League sides Motherwell and Partick Thistle. So, on the face of it, he appeared to possess the three credentials that former chairman Tony Boyce believed that every prospective Torquay United manager should possess: contacts, contacts and contacts.
Nevertheless Owers was unveiled as manager, with his former Bristol City teammate Martin Kuhl named as his assistant, in what was described as a new chapter by general manager Geoff Harrop.
However, there was six-match gap in between Owers taking the reins and Nicholson's dismissal and during this time the Gulls conceded a number of costly late goals. It was trait that continued early into Owers' reign of a brief time in away fixtures against Barrow and Dagenham & Redbridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 defeat respectively.
These results were then followed by a 4-0 home win over Maidenhead United, their first under Owers, and the corner appeared to be turning for United. This was followed by more promising results, including 1-0 win away at Ebbsfleet United after which Owers made a quote that would later come back to haunt him as declared that 'We're not rubbish anymore.' Although to be fair to Owers, it wasn't a great night of predictions as his opposite number - former United loanee Daryl McMahon - said that the Gulls wouldn't get relegated.
As far as Owers' relationship with the fans was concerned, the high point arguably proved to be a 3-0 home win over Leyton Orient - courtesy of goals from Josh McQuoid, Luke Young and Jamie Reid - during which chants of 'Gary Owers' Yellow Army' could be heard emanating from the Popular Side.
Following in the footsteps of a manager as popular as Kevin Nicholson was always going to be difficult for Owers to win over the fans, and it was an act that was made extra difficult by failing to fulfil the task that he was brought into achieve - to keep United in the National League.
One of United's biggest problems in the 2017-18 campaign was their ability to score goals, as it wasn't until the arrival of loan signings Elliot Romain, from Dagenham and Redbridge, and Rhys Healey, from Cardiff City, who managed goal scoring hauls of four and seven respectively (Healey's tally would see him finish the season as the Gulls' top scorer). Brett Williams also managed four goals after returning to Plainmoor in February 2018, which meant that United's most prolific strikers were players who didn't start the campaign with the club.
Another task facing Owers was the fact that smaller clubs in the National League who were outperforming United were starting to be seen as a more attractive proposition to potential signings.
This was emphasised by the decision of centre back Alex Davey, who was signed on loan from Cheltenham Town, to reject a permanent move to Plainmoor in January 2018 to sign for Boreham Wood.
Relegation to National League South was eventually confirmed for the Gulls with a 1-1 draw away at Hartlepool United in their final away game of the season in a game that Williams missed a penalty early on. It meant that the Gulls would be playing in regional non-league football for the first time since 1927.
This was then followed by a 4-3 defeat in their penultimate home fixture against Guiseley - a number of part-time sides that United have found difficult to overcome since their relegation from the Football League in 2014 - in which Romain missed from the spot early on before the Lions took the lead and went on to win.
Had either of those spot-kicks been converted and had United gone on to win those games in question, then the Gulls would have needed a win in their final game at home to Ebbsfleet to stay up.
However, whether they would have managed to overcome a Fleet side that needed a point to secure a play-off spot is a different matter - the eventual outcome was a 1-1 draw.
Over the course of the season, United used 41 players - a figure that was only bettered by the 1995-96 season (42) and the 2006-07 campaign (43) - which included 16 loan signings, 11 of which were signed by Owers. Aside from Davey, Romain and Healey, only Bristol City starlet Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Aaron Barnes from Charlton Athletic and Colchester United (who loaned him back to the Gulls after he moved to the Weston Community Stadium) proved to be consistent performers. Whether all of the 11 loanees signed by Owers were his number targets remains to be seen - possibly not.
Over the summer, Owers had the opportunity to build a new squad ready to win promotion back to the National League at the first attempt - it was a task that he approached with much vigour and despite losing his assistant Kuhl in pre-season to an academy coaching position at Bisham Abbey.
However, once again United found goals hard to come by as the only managed five in their opening nine matches and had failed to win any of their four away games. Home defeats against Hampton and Richmond and Chippenham Town both saw the team leave the field to chants of 'Owers Out' and in an away match at Gloucester City he had a cup of coffee thrown over him - an act which, regardless of the situation, shouldn't be tolerated.
It was the latter of those two aforementioned home defeats which prompted chairman Clarke Osborne to act, a decision that comes a month after York City, a former Football League contemporary of United's who currently reside in National League North, decided to part company with Owers' former Sunderland teammate Martin Gray.
The decision brings the failure to of a club of the Gulls' stature to retain National League status and potential failure to retain it into sharp focus.
Whoever United appoint as Owers' successor will need to bring some much needed stability to the club, as he will be the Gulls' seventh manager in as many years since Paul Buckle's departure to Bristol Rovers in 2011.
Monday 10 September 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHIPPENHAM TOWN
1. Chippenham proved to be yet another 'Guiseley'.
They came, they scored, they conquered and came away with three points. Chippenham Town joined the long list of part-time clubs who have come away from Plainmoor after claiming victory.
Such teams have proved to be an achilles heel for the Gulls over the last four years and United, who now slip to 14th in the National League South, will need to learn their lessons quickly.
2. The pressure on Gary Owers increases.
Following the full time whistle, the Gulls exited the field to a loud chorus of boos and chants of 'Owers Out', as the Plainmoor faithful vented their fury at manager Gary Owers. This was not the first occurrence of fans unrest directed at Owers - it was a repeat of the scenes that followed their defeat to Hampton and Richmond. And then of course there was 'Coffeegate' away to Gloucester City.
A first away win of the season at Hungerford Town could not come at a better time.
3. Is Jack Compton the one that got away for the Gulls?
After having trials with United in 2008 and 2017 under Paul Buckle and Kevin Nicholson respectively, and being linked with the Gulls since the arrival of Owers, who he played under at Bath City, Jack Compton could be regarded as the one that got away by Torquay United fans.
Not only did Compton, whose dad Paul played for, managed and coached the Gulls and his maternal grandfather Jack Philbin played for the club in the 1930s, provide the service for Matt Smith's header from a 26th minute, he also curled a long range effort over the bar shortly afterwards.
The Plainmoor faithful can only wonder what might have been if United had been able to make him an offer that he couldn't refuse.
4. Could more experience at the back helped the Gulls cause?
On Saturday, Torquay United lined up with George Essuman (21) and Kyle Cameron (also 21) as centre backs. Every goal that United have conceded at home so far this season has been from the result of a set piece.
United have only kept one clean sheet at home since Jakob Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate have been out injured, and if messrs Essuman and Cameron had a more experienced alongside them to advise them and organise things could the Gulls backline have held out?
5. Yan Klukowski finally wins a game at Plainmoor!
Former United midfielder Yan Klukowski made a late cameo for Chippenham against the Gulls on Saturday, and it was the first time that he had featured in a winning side at Plainmoor. During his year with United last season he featured in a opening day draw with Tranmere Rovers and two defeats against Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors.
They came, they scored, they conquered and came away with three points. Chippenham Town joined the long list of part-time clubs who have come away from Plainmoor after claiming victory.
Such teams have proved to be an achilles heel for the Gulls over the last four years and United, who now slip to 14th in the National League South, will need to learn their lessons quickly.
2. The pressure on Gary Owers increases.
Following the full time whistle, the Gulls exited the field to a loud chorus of boos and chants of 'Owers Out', as the Plainmoor faithful vented their fury at manager Gary Owers. This was not the first occurrence of fans unrest directed at Owers - it was a repeat of the scenes that followed their defeat to Hampton and Richmond. And then of course there was 'Coffeegate' away to Gloucester City.
A first away win of the season at Hungerford Town could not come at a better time.
3. Is Jack Compton the one that got away for the Gulls?
After having trials with United in 2008 and 2017 under Paul Buckle and Kevin Nicholson respectively, and being linked with the Gulls since the arrival of Owers, who he played under at Bath City, Jack Compton could be regarded as the one that got away by Torquay United fans.
Not only did Compton, whose dad Paul played for, managed and coached the Gulls and his maternal grandfather Jack Philbin played for the club in the 1930s, provide the service for Matt Smith's header from a 26th minute, he also curled a long range effort over the bar shortly afterwards.
The Plainmoor faithful can only wonder what might have been if United had been able to make him an offer that he couldn't refuse.
4. Could more experience at the back helped the Gulls cause?
On Saturday, Torquay United lined up with George Essuman (21) and Kyle Cameron (also 21) as centre backs. Every goal that United have conceded at home so far this season has been from the result of a set piece.
United have only kept one clean sheet at home since Jakob Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate have been out injured, and if messrs Essuman and Cameron had a more experienced alongside them to advise them and organise things could the Gulls backline have held out?
5. Yan Klukowski finally wins a game at Plainmoor!
Former United midfielder Yan Klukowski made a late cameo for Chippenham against the Gulls on Saturday, and it was the first time that he had featured in a winning side at Plainmoor. During his year with United last season he featured in a opening day draw with Tranmere Rovers and two defeats against Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors.
Saturday 8 September 2018
NEW LOOK LADY GLOVERS READY TO START SECOND WSL TOP FLIGHT CAMPAIGN
It will a new look Yeovil Town Ladies side that commences their second Women's Super League campaign against Reading Women on Sunday.
The game will also mark the Lady Glovers' transition from part-time football to full-time football, as they aim to improve upon the two points which they gained from their debut campaign.
Yeovil haven't won a game in any competition since they beat Sheffield FC to clinch the Women's Super League Two title and have only scored 14 goals and conceding 104 goals.
However, the Lady Glovers, now managed by former Millwall Lionesses manager Lee Burch after his predecessor Jamie Sherwood became Director of Football as he was unable to commit to managing Yeovil on a full time basis, will be more determine than ever to better that statistic.
Burch, who won the Women's Super League Two manager of the year award after guiding the Lionesses to the league title - but were denied promotion after failing to meet the new WSL Licence criteria, has enticed a number of his former players to the Lady Glovers, including right-back Amy Goddard, left-back Megan Alexander, midfielders Bonnie Horwood and Ellie Mason and forward Amber Gaylor.
As well as the new, they were also joined by the 'old' as Hannah Short and Emily Donovan - who were both with the Lady Glovers win WSL Two in 2016 - both returned to Yeovil after spending the 2017-18 season with Oxford United Ladies.
Other new arrivals include Olivia Fergusson who arrives from Bristol City Women.
Familiar faces still with the Lady Glovers include long serving defender Nicola Cousins, the evergreen Annie Heatherson and goalkeeper Megan Walsh, who could yet force her way into the mind for Lionesses manager Phil Neville ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup.
Amongst the other changes at the club, the Lady Glovers also have a new home as they will now be playing their home games at Dorchester Town's Avenue Stadium after playing at Huish Park (Yeovil Town), the Viridor Stadium (Taunton Town) and the Woodspring Stadium (Weston Super Mare).
Regardless of whether they are able to better their record of the previous season, but there's one thing that can be guarantee that the players will remain true to the club's motto of 'Achieve by Unity.'
The game will also mark the Lady Glovers' transition from part-time football to full-time football, as they aim to improve upon the two points which they gained from their debut campaign.
Yeovil haven't won a game in any competition since they beat Sheffield FC to clinch the Women's Super League Two title and have only scored 14 goals and conceding 104 goals.
However, the Lady Glovers, now managed by former Millwall Lionesses manager Lee Burch after his predecessor Jamie Sherwood became Director of Football as he was unable to commit to managing Yeovil on a full time basis, will be more determine than ever to better that statistic.
Burch, who won the Women's Super League Two manager of the year award after guiding the Lionesses to the league title - but were denied promotion after failing to meet the new WSL Licence criteria, has enticed a number of his former players to the Lady Glovers, including right-back Amy Goddard, left-back Megan Alexander, midfielders Bonnie Horwood and Ellie Mason and forward Amber Gaylor.
As well as the new, they were also joined by the 'old' as Hannah Short and Emily Donovan - who were both with the Lady Glovers win WSL Two in 2016 - both returned to Yeovil after spending the 2017-18 season with Oxford United Ladies.
Other new arrivals include Olivia Fergusson who arrives from Bristol City Women.
Familiar faces still with the Lady Glovers include long serving defender Nicola Cousins, the evergreen Annie Heatherson and goalkeeper Megan Walsh, who could yet force her way into the mind for Lionesses manager Phil Neville ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup.
Amongst the other changes at the club, the Lady Glovers also have a new home as they will now be playing their home games at Dorchester Town's Avenue Stadium after playing at Huish Park (Yeovil Town), the Viridor Stadium (Taunton Town) and the Woodspring Stadium (Weston Super Mare).
Regardless of whether they are able to better their record of the previous season, but there's one thing that can be guarantee that the players will remain true to the club's motto of 'Achieve by Unity.'
Saturday 1 September 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
1. Jake Andrews added a badly needed touch of flair to the Gulls side.
Those Gulls fans who witnessed their pre-season friendly against Bristol City's Under-23 side would have no doubt gone home with the memory of Jake Andrews' sweetly struck free-kick which found the top corner fresh in their mind. Those same supporters would have no doubt been very happy to have seen Torquay United secure his signature this week on a loan deal.
His debut for the Gulls proved to be equally memorable as his pass provided the assist for Jamie Reid's opener and his corner picked out Asa Hall to head home his first for the club, as he added a touch of flair to a side that was crying out for some extra invention - especially in the second half when United switched to 4-4-2.
2. The pace of Opi Edwards made a big difference as well.
As well as Andrews, Opi Edwards - who was also on target for Bristol City's Under-23's on the same night in question - made a big impact on his debut as he gave the Gulls an injection of extra pace. If at any point in the game the Hemel Hempstead players felt that they were up against two players it wouldn't have come as a great surprise such were the levels of energy shown by Edwards.
Not only did he support the attack, he was also willing to track back and help out defensively as evidenced by the way he snuffed out an overlapping run from Tudors' left-back Callum Martin and helped the Gulls to win a goal kick in the process. His performance, in addition to that of Andrews, would no doubt have been pleasing for Bristol City loans manager Brian Tinnion.
3. Jamie Reid ends the Gulls' goal scoring drought.
Jamie Reid picked the perfect time to score his opening goal of the campaign - which ended 474 minutes without a goal for the Gulls, a figure which equates to six hours and 57 minutes.
Although United's goals against column reads three, their goals for column also read three before the start of today, so if they can marry scoring more goals with a resolute defence then United will start to rise up the table.
Hopefully this will also see Reid, who scored three goals in five appearances on loan at Truro City in the National League South in the 2015-16 season from Exeter City, find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.
4. Alex Bass once again proved to be revelation between the sticks.
United once again had Portsmouth loanee Alex Bass to thank for helping them to keep another clean sheet. Bass made a number of important saves, most notably in the first half when he recovered in time - despite being off his line - to turn a 35-yard effort from Tudors striker Steve Cawley over the bar.
Much has been made over the summer of the spells in non-league football enjoyed by Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, which helped them to make the England squad for last summer's World Cup in Russia. It might be early days yet for Bass, but there is every chance that his career could follow a similar trajectory.
5. Success achieved in the light of absences.
It is also worth noting that United's win over Hemel Hempstead was achieved despite the Gulls missing a number of players who would have been in contention to start had they been fit. Central defenders Jakub Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate would probably have featured in defence and midfield duo Samir Nabi and Ryan Dickson could have been involved as well.
Where the latter two will fit into the side in the light of the displays of Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards will surely give manager Gary Owers something to think about.
Those Gulls fans who witnessed their pre-season friendly against Bristol City's Under-23 side would have no doubt gone home with the memory of Jake Andrews' sweetly struck free-kick which found the top corner fresh in their mind. Those same supporters would have no doubt been very happy to have seen Torquay United secure his signature this week on a loan deal.
His debut for the Gulls proved to be equally memorable as his pass provided the assist for Jamie Reid's opener and his corner picked out Asa Hall to head home his first for the club, as he added a touch of flair to a side that was crying out for some extra invention - especially in the second half when United switched to 4-4-2.
2. The pace of Opi Edwards made a big difference as well.
As well as Andrews, Opi Edwards - who was also on target for Bristol City's Under-23's on the same night in question - made a big impact on his debut as he gave the Gulls an injection of extra pace. If at any point in the game the Hemel Hempstead players felt that they were up against two players it wouldn't have come as a great surprise such were the levels of energy shown by Edwards.
Not only did he support the attack, he was also willing to track back and help out defensively as evidenced by the way he snuffed out an overlapping run from Tudors' left-back Callum Martin and helped the Gulls to win a goal kick in the process. His performance, in addition to that of Andrews, would no doubt have been pleasing for Bristol City loans manager Brian Tinnion.
3. Jamie Reid ends the Gulls' goal scoring drought.
Jamie Reid picked the perfect time to score his opening goal of the campaign - which ended 474 minutes without a goal for the Gulls, a figure which equates to six hours and 57 minutes.
Although United's goals against column reads three, their goals for column also read three before the start of today, so if they can marry scoring more goals with a resolute defence then United will start to rise up the table.
Hopefully this will also see Reid, who scored three goals in five appearances on loan at Truro City in the National League South in the 2015-16 season from Exeter City, find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.
4. Alex Bass once again proved to be revelation between the sticks.
United once again had Portsmouth loanee Alex Bass to thank for helping them to keep another clean sheet. Bass made a number of important saves, most notably in the first half when he recovered in time - despite being off his line - to turn a 35-yard effort from Tudors striker Steve Cawley over the bar.
Much has been made over the summer of the spells in non-league football enjoyed by Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, which helped them to make the England squad for last summer's World Cup in Russia. It might be early days yet for Bass, but there is every chance that his career could follow a similar trajectory.
5. Success achieved in the light of absences.
It is also worth noting that United's win over Hemel Hempstead was achieved despite the Gulls missing a number of players who would have been in contention to start had they been fit. Central defenders Jakub Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate would probably have featured in defence and midfield duo Samir Nabi and Ryan Dickson could have been involved as well.
Where the latter two will fit into the side in the light of the displays of Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards will surely give manager Gary Owers something to think about.
GULLS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST TUDORS
Second half goals from Jamie Reid and Asa Hall were enough
to see Torquay United end their goal drought against Hemel Hempstead as the
Gulls returned to winning ways.
United hadn’t scored for 397 minutes heading into the game but they found their stride early on, as Bristol City loanee duo Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards combined to tee up Chris Regis for a shot that the ex-Port Vale man blasted over on nine minutes.
The Gulls' persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Reid slotted home from close range following good build up play from Regis and Andrews.
United hadn’t scored for 397 minutes heading into the game but they found their stride early on, as Bristol City loanee duo Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards combined to tee up Chris Regis for a shot that the ex-Port Vale man blasted over on nine minutes.
Two minutes later, Tudors striker Steve Cawley attempted an
audacious effort from 35-yards out, but Gulls keeper Alex Bass tipped his
effort over for a corner.
The post came to United’s rescue in the 27th
minute as Herschel Sanchez-Watt nodded a free-kick from Tudors skipper Jordan
Parkes against the upright.
Seven minutes later, Tudors keeper Laurie Walker was forced
into making his first serious save of the match when he got his fingertips to
an angled effort from Andrews.
After the break, Parkes tested Bass
with a free-kick, in the opening minute of the second half, which the Gulls keeper gathered comfortably.
Two minutes later, Jamie Reid made a bursting run into the
penalty area before finding Edwards, who saw his effort turned behind for a
corner as United upped the ante.
On 59 minutes, Owers made his first change of the afternoon
as Williams made way for Ruairi Keating and Hall took possession of the captain’s
armband.
Edwards and Andrews combined again in the 67th
minute to set up Keating, who nodded the ball straight at Walker. The Gulls' persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Reid slotted home from close range following good build up play from Regis and Andrews.
With six minutes to go, Gulls stand-in skipper Hall
connected with a corner from Andrews to double United’s lead with his first
goal for the club to make the result safe to ease the pressure on manager Gary Owers.
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