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/