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.

LEMONHEIGH-EVANS STARS FOR YOUNG DRAGONS

Whilst his Torquay United colleagues were preparing for their trip to Eastbourne Borough, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was playing a starring role of Wales Under-21's in their Euro 2019 qualifying campaign at Rodney Parade, Newport.

The Young Dragons, managed by former Watford defender and ex-Port Vale and Northampton Town boss Rob Page, won their final game in Group H against Switzerland 3-1 - and Swansea-born Lemonheigh-Evans, who is currently enjoying a second loan at Plainmoor from Bristol City, was amongst the scorers as he netted a brace in what was his first start for the Welsh.

His Ashton Gate colleague Joe Morrell opened the scoring in the first half for Page's side before Lemonheigh-Evans, who also featured for the Young Dragons against Romania on the previous Friday, doubled their lead two minutes later.

The Swiss then pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go through Andi Zeqiri before Lemonheigh-Evans struck again to complete his double - which effectively ended the match as a contest.

It was a result that ensured that the Welsh finished fourth in the group behind Romania, Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Although he is only on loan at Plainmoor, Lemonheigh-Evans joins Alex Lawless and Billy Bodin in representing Wales Under-21's whilst appearing for the Gulls. Billy Kee and Eunan O'Kane have also represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level during their time with United, and O'Kane also appeared for the Republic of Ireland after completing his international 'transfer.'

Next up for Lemonheigh-Evans and the Gulls is an FA Cup fourth round tie with Southern League Division One West side Winchester City, and the possibility of a plum draw with Sunderland, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic et al, should they win.

PLAINMOOR LIFE IS THREESY FOR REIDY

After waiting over a half a decade to see a player score a hat-trick, the Torquay United faithful have now seen a third player hit a treble in as many seasons - following Jamie Reid's triple strike against Eastbourne Borough.

Torquay-born Reid, who grew up supporting the Gulls, took his tally for the 2018-19 season to nine - eight of which have come since the appointment of Gary Johnson as successor to Gary Owers - against Eastbourne.

In completing this feat, he joins a list that includes Kieffer Moore (Solihull Moors at home in 2016-17) and former Cardiff City loanee Rhys Healey (at home to Guiseley in 2017-18) who have managed the feat for United in recent seasons.

Prior to the aforementioned two, the last time a player hit a hat-trick in a United shirt was Elliot Benyon against Stockport County in the FA Cup second round in the 2009-10 campaign.

Last season, Reid managed to find the back of the net a mere six times, which saw him finish the campaign as second top scorer behind Healey - and he has comfortably surpassed that figure this time around. In addition to this, as well as showing what he is truly capable of - thus far, he has demonstrated why a number of managers have shown faith in him throughout his career.

Not only has Johnson been prepared to show faith in his ability, and Owers before him, Kevin Nicholson and Chris Hargreaves were also prepared to play him. Paul Tisdale, his manager at his first club Exeter City, was always willing to reward him with a succession of new contracts - the last of which was due to expire at the end of this season before the Gulls took over his deal to make his loan move into a permanent one. Let's not also forget he was part of the Grecians side that drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the FA Cup third round in the 2015-16 season to force a replay.

It is also worth mentioning that during his managerial career, Johnson has a history of recognising and improving strikers. During his two spells with Yeovil Town, he spotted the potential of the late Adam Stansfield, Paddy Madden and Kieffer Moore and whilst in charge of Cheltenham Town he spotted Mohamed Eisa, who recently joined Bristol City after being plucked from Greenwich Borough in the Isthmian League by Johnson for the Gloucestershire club.

If Reid maintains his current form, he could also join what is an already illustrious list.

TORQUAY UNITED'S ASHTON GATE FOUR

In 1982, eight Bristol City players agreed to the termination of their contracts in a bid to help the Robins avoid liquidation and entered club folklore as the 'Ashton Gate Eight'. 

However, in 2018 four products of the Robins' youth academy are making their way in the game thanks in no small part to what has so far been fruitful loan spells with Torquay United, currently under the guidance of Gary Johnson - father of current Bristol City manager Lee.

The most senior of the quartet - Wales Under-21 midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - is currently enjoying his second loan spell at Plainmoor after linking up with the Gulls last season under Johnson senior's predecessor Gary Owers - where he joined up with another Robins academy graduate George Dowling.

Lemonheigh-Evans, who had previously played under Owers at Bath City, made 15 appearances for United and scored once - with a stunning long range strike against Woking. He was also voted as the Man of the Match in a 1-0 over FC Halifax Town in April 2018, as the Gulls were unable to retain their National League status.

Another two players who were first brought to Plainmoor by Owers, but have continued to excel under Gary Johnson, are midfield duo Opi Edwards and Jake Andrews.

The pair made their respective debuts at home to Hemel Hempstead Town, which the Gulls won 2-0 - a game in which Andrews provided their assist for Jamie Reid's opening goal and Edwards also impressed.

Andrews was a player who was no stranger to Johnson senior, as he had a stint on loan under him at Cheltenham Town towards the end of last season - in a spell in which he made seven appearances and scored once. Edwards appeared in the National League and the National League South in the 2017-18 with Solihull Moors and Bath City respectively.

They've since built on that display, as Andrews has twice found in the target in the FA Cup second and third qualifying rounds against Lymington Town and Brightlingsea Regent.

Another player who has also joined the Gulls from Bristol City following Johnson's arrival is striker Saikou Janneh.

Born in Gambia, Janneh - who has already had a taste of non-league football with a range of sides including Clevedon Town and Cadbury Heath. He made an immediate impact when he came on as a substitute to make his debut against Woking - in a game that Johnson described as a 'six-pointer' - and he helped stretch the Cards defence and, on another day, could have found the target himself.

As things currently stand,  Lemonheigh-Evans will be remaining with United until the festive period and Andrews and Edwards agreed a further extension to their original loan deals, Janneh's stay also looks set to be extended as some point in the near to distant future.

With the appointment of Johnson senior now at the helm at Plainmoor, the relationship between the two clubs looks set to continue.

Footnote: Two of the 'Ashton Gate Eight' found their way to Plainmoor in the 1981-82 season, in the form of Trevor Tainton and David Rodgers who experienced brief spells with the Gulls under Frank O'Farrell after their contracts with the Robins were terminated.

GULLS AT HOME TO WINCHESTER IN FOURTH QUALFYING ROUND

Torquay United's reward for coming away from a near marathon journey to Brightlingsea Regent with a win is a home tie with Winchester City in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

A first half Jamie Reid penalty set the Gulls on their way in deepest Essex. This was followed in the second half by skipper Asa Hall heading home his third goal of the season before Bristol City loanee completed the scoring with his second of his loan spell from Ashton Gate to set up a tie with the Citizens, who play in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

Tiverton Town will have to go again against the Metropolitan Police after drawing 3-3 at Ladysmead; the reward of a home tie with National League outfit Havant and Waterlooville awaits them should they win their replay.

The only way could be Essex for Taunton Town, who could be travelling to National League South big spenders Billericay Town if they overcome St Albans City, also from National League South, on Wednesday night.

WIN TAKES ARGYLE OFF THE BOTTOM

Finally Plymouth Argyle are off the bottom of League One, following a win over AFC Wimbledon at Home Park that ends their 12-match wait for a win.

Freddie Ladapo scored the game's decisive goal on 75 minutes, with Graham Carey the architect as he produced an inch-perfect cross - following a Ruben Lameiras corner - which proved to be the difference for the Pilgrims.

It was perhaps no surprise that Argyle's winless came against the Dons, as a number of significant matches under the managerial reign of Derek Adams have taken place between them and the Pilgrims.

On the opening day of the 2015-16 season, the Pilgrims came away from AFC Wimbledon's Kingsmeadow Stadium with a 2-0 - thanks to goals from Gregg Wylde and Carey.

Then in the League Two play-off of the same campaign, in what was Argyle's second ever appearance at Wembley, the Dons won 3-0 to deny the Pilgrims promotion in Adams' first season in charge.

Saturday's fixture was Adams' 150th league game in charge at Home Park, and one that could prove to be a turning point in the current campaign.