FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WOKING

1. An unwanted record avoided.

Had Torquay United lost to Woking and fallen to an eighth successive league defeat, then it would have equalled an unwanted club record. The Gulls had lost eight league games on the spin twice before in 1948 and 1995 respectively, but a 4-1 win over the Cards meant that Gary Johnson's United of 2019 avoided this fate.

2. Two in two for Asa and Ben.

By scoring United's equaliser in the 25th minute, Gulls' skipper Asa Hall made it two goals in two games since his return from injury as he followed up his effort against Yeovil on Boxing Day to level matters. In the second half, Ben Whitfield, who was also on target versus the Glovers, nodded home United's third - which was his sixth of the season in all competitions and moves him level with Jake Andrews as the Gulls' joint-second top scorer.

3. Reid heads into 2020 with 20 as a target.

United leading scorer Jamie Reid is now heading into 2020 with the return of 20 goals firmly in his sights after scoring his 19th of the season in all competitions to put the Gulls 2-1 up. This is in addition to the 32 goals that he scored in United's 2018-19 National League South title winning campaign - 31 of which he scored since Gary Johnson's arrival as manager, and his goal scoring figures under Johnson now stands at 50.

4. Almost the equivalent of a full team missing.

Heading into yesterday's game, Gary Johnson had nine players absent either through injury or suspension. Goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, right-back Ben Wynter, central midfielder Matt Buse and winger Kalvin Kalala joined an injury list that already included Liam Davis, Opi Edwards, Armani Little and Frank Vincent plus Saikou Janneh was serving the second game of a three-match ban for his red card against Chesterfield.

5. United end Woking 'hoodoo'

Yesterday's encounter was the fifth time that United have faced Woking in the last two seasons, but their most recent meeting was the first of those five that has seen the Gulls come out on top. That sequence had consisted of three draws and one defeat, which came in the FA Cup first round last season. Arguably the most notable of those was the 3-3 draw at Kingfield last April - which proved to be crucial in helping United clinch the National League South title. Bizarrely enough that game was also refereed by James Durkin, who was in charge yesterday.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE TORQUAY UNITED SIDE THAT APPEARED IN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE DECADE

On Saturday 2nd January 2010, Torquay United faced Brighton and Hove Albion then of League One, in their first competitive match of the current decade in the third round of the FA Cup.

As the decade draws to a close - and with United's final game of the decade coming tomorrow against Woking in the National League - we will now take a look at the Gulls' side who faced the Seagulls at Plainmoor.

Michael Poke - Then in the middle of his third loan spell with the Gulls from Southampton, Poke would later sign for United's opponents Brighton in 2010. After failing to make an appearance for the Seagulls, Poke arrived at Plainmoor on a permanent basis in the 2012-13 season and stayed for two seasons. He later appeared for Eastleigh and Woking in the National League.

Lee Mansell- Mansell was appointed as club captain midway through the 2010-11 season, and in the subsequent 2011-12 campaign he finished the season as United's joint-top scorer, won the club's player of the year award and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, after making over 300 appearances for the Gulls, Mansell joined Bristol Rovers, where he won back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One before retiring in 2017. Upon retirement, he remained at the Memorial Stadium and became Under-18's manager.

Mark Ellis - One of several players who featured that day who are still playing, Ellis left Plainmoor in 2012 to sign for Crewe Alexandra for £80,000. Ellis then moved onto Shrewsbury Town and then joined Carlisle United following two loan spells with the Cumbrians. Further loan stints with Forest Green Rovers and Leyton Orient followed before he joined his present club Tranmere Rovers in 2018.

Kieran Charnock - After losing his place in the United side following the arrival of Guy Branston, Charnock joined Morecambe during the 2010-11 season - a move that was made permanent following a successful loan spell. Charnock then remained in his native North West as he went onto appear for Fleetwood Town, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Chester FC and Chorley.

Adam Smith - Then on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, further loan spells followed at AFC Bournemouth and MK Dons before Smith made two appearances for Spurs in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. He was then loaned to Leeds United, Millwall and Derby County before he re-joined Bournemouth on a permanent basis under Eddie Howe, where he has remained a permanent following the Cherries' promotion to the Premier League. He has also capped by England at Under-21 level.

Wayne Carlisle - Northern Irishman Carlisle left the Gulls early in the 2010-11 season before he joined Truro City, where he later became assistant manager to his former Exeter City teammate and ex-Gulls right-back Steve Tully. In partnership with Tully, Carlisle won promotion to the National League South with Tully and is currently back at St James Park - working as assistant manager to Matt Taylor.

Chris Hargreaves - Chris Hargreaves' time at Torquay United as a manager came to an end later that month as he re-joined his former club Oxford United, who he helped to win promotion back to the Football League. At the end of the 2009-10 season, Hargreaves retired from playing following his release by Oxford and then embarked on a coaching career with AFC Bournemouth. He worked as development coach and first team coach with the Cherries before returning to Plainmoor as manager to succeed Alan Knill in January 2014. Hargreaves left his position with the Gulls at the end of the 2014-15 season, after being placed on gardening leave. He is currently Under-21's manager of Bristol Rovers and works as a pundit on BT Sport's coverage of the National League.

Tyrone Thompson - After he was released at the end of the 2009-10 season, Thompson had spells with Mansfield Town and Lincoln City in the National League before becoming a player's agent.

Jake Thomson - On loan from Southampton at the time of this fixture, Thomson went on to have a short spell with Exeter City in the 2010-11 season. He then dropped into non-league football with Forest Green Rovers and Newport County - prior to their promotions to the Football League.
Thomson is currently appearing for Fareham Town in the Wessex League.

Scott Rendell - Rendell was half way through a successful year-long loan spell with the Gulls with Peterborough United at the turn of the decade. During the summer of 2010, he signed for Wycombe Wanderers, who he helped to win promotion from League Two in the 2010-11 season. He then went on to play under United's then manager Paul Buckle at Bristol Rovers on loan and Luton Town. Whilst with the Hatters, Rendell scored the winning goal in their FA Cup fourth round win Norwich City, where they became the first non-league side to defeat top flight opposition in the cup since Sutton United beat Coventry City in 1989. He has since appeared in the National League with Woking, Aldershot Town and his current side Eastleigh.

Elliot Benyon - Benyon earned himself a £125,000 move to Swindon Town in January 2011 and later moved on to Southend United who he re-joined the Gulls from in 2013, initially on loan before signing permanently. He remained with United until 2015, where he failed to replicate the form he displayed in his first spell at the club. Benyon has remained in non-league football ever since and is currently appearing for Oxford City in National League South.

Subs:

Kevin Nicholson - Remained a key performer for United in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him named in the PFA League Two team of the season - before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. After spells with Kidderminster Harriers and Bath City, he returned to Plainmoor in 2015 as player-manager and oversaw two great escapes. Currently head of coaching with Exeter City.

Tim Sills - Left United to join Stevenage in January 2010 and had spells with several clubs including Aldershot Town, Basingstoke Town, Gosport Borough (where he appeared in the FA Trophy final) and Weymouth Town. He is currently manager of Hamworthy United in the Wessex League, a role which he combines with working as a PE teacher.

Danny Stevens - Stayed at Plainmoor until the end of the 2012-13 campaign before returning briefly in the 2013-14 season. He later went on to play for Whitehawk in National League South.

TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART THREE

The final part of this trilogy concludes with the choice of substitutes and the manager.

SUBS:

Lee Mansell (2006-2014)- After spending much of the early part of this decade as a right-back, Mansell was moved to centre midfield by Martin Ling, following his arrival as successor to Paul Buckle in 2011, to great effective. Mansell went on to enjoy his best season to date - finishing the season as joint-top scorer with 14 goals, won the club's player of the year award for the second time and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, he joined Bristol Rovers, where he finished his career, and helped the Pirates win back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One

Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)- Kevin Nicholson can consider himself very unlucky not to get into this team. After forcing his way back into the side at the back end of the 2009-10 season, Nicholson enjoyed two memorable campaigns in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him make the PFA League Two of the season - and his long range strike against Barnet in December 2011 will live long in the memory banks of those who witnessed it. He returned to the club as manager in 2015, following the resignation of Paul Cox, and he became a symbol of defiance in what was a difficult period for the club. After successfully steering the club away from relegation to National League South in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. Now rebuilding his coaching career at Exeter City as head of coaching and despite missing out on the starting eleven, he can take some solace in the fact that three of the players that he signed as manager made the cut for it.

Billy Kee (2010-2011)- Arriving on a free transfer from Leicester City, Billy Kee displayed glimpses of the form for the Gulls that saw him become a prolific scorer for Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley later in his career. He returned to the Midlands with the Brewers - who he would hit double figures for over the next three years - early in the 2011-12 season. Kee would later help Accrington Stanley win promotion from League Two before taking a break from the game in the summer due to personal reasons. While at Plainmoor, he was also capped by Northern Ireland at Under-21 level.

Michael Poke (2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-10), 2012-2014) - After enjoying three separate loan spells with the Gulls, Michael Poke finally joined United on a permanent basis in 2012 following Bobby Oleijnik's sale to Peterborough United. A fine shot stopper, who also commanded his area well, Poke would surely have played at a higher level had it not been for a series of injuries.

Nathan Smith (2015-2016)- Nathan Smith became the first loan player to win the club's player of the year award in the 2015-2016 season whilst on a season-long loan from Port Vale. Although he was only five feet ten inches tall, Smith still managed to win numerous aerial duels with players who were far taller than him, which he combined with fabulous positional sense. Since returning to Vale Park, he has been a regular for the Valiants in both Leagues One and Two.

Luke Young (2014-2018)- A stand-out performer in a struggling team during much of his stay at Plainmoor, Luke Young offered Gulls' fans a beacon of hope during what was a difficult time in the club's history. During his four years at the club, following his release by home-town club Plymouth Argyle in 2014, he was voted as the club's player of the year three times (2014-15, 2016-17 and 2017-18). His long range volley against Wrexham, the club he would later join in 2018, is regarded by many as one of the best goals ever seen at Plainmoor .

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (2018, 2018-2019, 2019 - present date) Now in his third loan spell at Plainmoor from Bristol City, after first joining under Gary Owers and returning twice more under Gary Johnson. It is probably fair to say that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has become 'Torquay-fied' to borrow a phrase often used by Johnson. After joining at a time when the Gulls were relegated to National League South, he returned to help United win promotion back at the first attempt as champions. During his second loan spell, he also appeared for the Wales Under-21 squad and scored twice for them against their Swiss counterparts before returning to Plainmoor to do the same for the Gulls in a 4-1 FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Winchester City.

MANAGER: Gary Johnson

Despite strong challenges from Paul Buckle and Martin Ling, Gary Johnson gets the nod as manager.
Although the Gulls were at the lowest point in the history at the time of his arrival - namely 14th in the National League South - no manager in recent times has had a big an impact as Johnson. Let's not forget that following his arrival United went on a club record 16-match unbeaten run, which was only ended following a 3-2 defeat to Bath City in January 2019. Also United were ten points behind then leaders Woking but ended the campaign finishing ten points clear of the Cards as United secured their first league title in over 90 years. In the process Johnson also claimed a sixth career promotion to go with the ones that he won previously with Yeovil Town, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town. In spite of the Gulls' poor recent run, promotion to the Football League - which would see Johnson earn the seventh promotion - remains his long term aim.

Footnote: Whilst the likes of Ben Wynter, Kyle Cameron and Jake Andrews may have missed out on a place in this team, the 2020s could yet belong to them.

TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART TWO

Part two -which looks at the choices of midfielders and strikers.

RIGHT MIDFIELD: CHRIS ZEBROSKI (2007-08 & 2009-2011)

Following a season-long loan during the 2007-08 season from Millwall, Chris Zebroski re-joined the Gulls during the 2009-10 season as Paul Buckle looked to strengthen his side following their return to the Football League. Zebroski could play as a striker or as a winger, but gets the nod in this side on the right hand side of midfield. His finest season came in the 2010-11 campaign when he finished the season with 16 goals to his name as the Gulls reach the League Two play-off final, where they lost to Stevenage at Old Trafford. United's appearance at the 'Theatre of Dreams' proved to be his final appearance in a Torquay United shirt as shortly afterwards he followed Buckle to Bristol Rovers for a fee of £40,000. He is currently still playing for Chippenham Town in National League South.

CENTRE MIDFIELD:  EUNAN O'KANE (2010-2012)

Arguably the Gulls' stand-out player of the past decade, Eunan O'Kane arrived at Plainmoor as a virtual unknown from Northern Irish side Coleraine - after being released by Everton earlier in his career - but left as a club legend. After establishing himself as a first team regular in the second half of the 2009-10 season and in the 2010-11 campaign, he demonstrated a passing ability not seen in a Gulls' midfielder since Alex Russell and Jason Fowler strutted their stuff during Leroy Rosenior's reign as manager. Whilst at Plainmoor he represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level before switching his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, who he later represented a full international level. His marquee display in a United shirt came on 19th November 2011 when he netted twice from distance to help seal a 3-1 Devon derby against Plymouth Argyle - the Gulls' first since the 1971-72 season. At the end of the 2011-12 campaign, after he was named in the League Two team of the season, he joined AFC Bournemouth, for a fee of £175,000, who he helped to win promotion to the Premier League under Eddie Howe before moving on to Leeds United.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: DANNY RACCHI (2016)

Amongst the clutch of signings made by Kevin Nicholson in the January transfer of 2016 was central midfielder Danny Racchi, formerly of Huddersfield Town, Scottish side Kilmarnock and FC Valur of Iceland. His arrival helped to galvanise United and his debut away to Boreham Wood, which United won 1-0, proved to be the start of their first 'great escape' under Nicholson. Racchi's experience and know how proved to be important for the Gulls and although he only made 14 appearances in all - the club's financial situation at the time meant he wasn't able to commit to the club long term - his eye for a pass and ability to help break up play added some much needed grit to the United midfield. Unfortunately since leaving Plainmoor injuries have taken their toll on Racchi and he is currently playing for Grantham Town in the Northern Premier League.

LEFT MIDFIELD: MUSTAPHA CARAYOL (2008-2010)

The mercurial talents of Mustapha Carayol shone brightly but briefly for United in the second half of the 2009-10 season. His departure to Lincoln City in the summer of 2010 meant the Plainmoor faithful never got to see him display his talents over a prolonged period of time. However, he did show more than a few glimpses of the ability that saw him appear at Championship level with Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town amongst others. He has also had spells playing abroad with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol and in Turkey with his present club Adana Demirspor.

STRIKER: JAMIE REID (2015, 2016-2017, 2017- PRESENT)

For no player has the impact on the club made by current manager Gary Johnson perhaps been more evident than Jamie Reid. Torbay-born Reid had only scored 11 goals across his three separate spells with United prior to Johnson's appointment as successor to Gary Owers; since then Reid has taken his tally for United to 60 - following his recent brace against Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy - making him the Gulls' leading goal scorer in the 21st century in all competitions.

STRIKER: RENE HOWE (2011-2013)

After he was signed by Martin Ling on the eve of the 2011-12 season, Rene Howe marked his debut against Burton Albion on the opening day of the campaign against Burton Albion and went on to finish the season as joint-top scorer with Lee Mansell on 14 goals. Howe was amongst the goals again in the 2012-13 campaign as he found the back of the net a further 16 times before turning down the offer of a new contract and eventually signed for Burton Albion. As a target man with a 'good first touch for a big man' he would be the perfect foil for Reid in this team.

Part three to follow tomorrow, which contains the choices of seven substitutes and the manager of the team.

TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART ONE

As the end of the 2010s approaches, I will now undertake the perhaps unenviable task of naming my ultimate eleven who have represented Torquay United between the years 2010 and 2019.

For Torquay United the past ten years have served up a number of delights: two play-off appearances, including the final at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 season and the National League South title triumph last term. However there have also been a number of disasters namely relegation from the Football League in 2013-14 and a further relegation from the National League four years later.

Throw into the mix a number of 'great escapes' in the 2012-13, 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns from two different leagues - League Two in 2012-13 and the National League in 2015-16 and 2016-17 - and it gives life to the proverb that life as a Torquay United fan isn't dull.

The challenge now is to name a best XI from the many players to have represented United during this period. Due to the increased frequency of the signing of loan players in recent years longer term loan signings are eligible for selection, but short term loans aren't. Unfortunately this means the likes of Adam Smith, Kieffer Moore and Rhys Healey miss out.

Here's part one of the team, which focuses on the goalkeeper and defence.

TORQUAY UNITED 2010-19: 4-4-2

GOALKEEPER: BOBBY OLEJNIK (2011-2012)

Despite only spending one season at Plainmoor after being signed by Martin Ling from Falkirk in the 2011-12 season, Austrian Bobby Olejnik made a large and lasting impact. After keeping 23 clean sheets and saving three penalties, Olejnik earned a PFA League Two team of the year nomination before joining Peterborough United for a fee of £250,000 in the summer of 2012.

RIGHT-BACK: DURRELL BERRY (2014, 2015-2016)

Durrell Berry spent two spells with Torquay United in the 2010s; his first came in the 2014-15 season when he joined the Gulls on a non-contract basis after leaving Plymouth Argyle. However, United manager Chris Hargreaves was unable to offer him a full contract to due to budgetary constraints and he signed for Cheltenham Town. Berry later re-joined United in the 2015-16 campaign in between Paul Cox's ten game spell in the charge and the arrival of Kevin Nicholson. Berry went on to become a regular for the Gulls in 'Great Escape 1' under Nicholson - with arguably his best game coming in their 4-1 win on Boxing Day which he scored his only goal for the club.
Sadly a broken leg sustained in an away fixture with Dover Athletic towards the end of the 2015-16 season ended his season early and ultimately brought the curtain down on his United career. Nevertheless he did just enough to narrowly edge out Ben Wynter who looks set to come into his own in the coming decade.

CENTRE-BACK: ANGUS MACDONALD (2012, 2012-13 & 2014-2016)

After enjoying two loan spells with the Gulls under Martin Ling, Angus MacDonald joined the Gulls on a permanent basis following their relegation from the Football League in 2014 as United aimed for an immediate return. Unfortunately, despite a promising start to the 2014-15 campaign United floundered and they ended the season in 13th place. MacDonald then found himself playing under three different managers in a short space of time and Chris Hargreaves and Paul Cox both departed in a short space of time before Kevin Nicholson was appointed. MacDonald was handed the captain's armband by Nicholson following and he proved to be another influential figure during Nicholson's first great escape. He was one of United's key performers, despite having the threat of a three-match ban for receiving a 15th yellow card hanging over him for much of the time towards the end of the 2015-16 season. His efforts later earned him a £100,000 move to Barnsley and he has since appeared for Hull City and was recently given the all-clear following a battle with bowel cancer.

CENTRE-BACK: GUY BRANSTON (2010-2011)

When Guy Branston first arrived at Plainmoor on loan from Burton Albion, there were a few question marks hanging over his head as during the previous six months with the Brewers he had acquired three red cards. However, he answered those questions emphatically with a level of professionalism and leadership that saw him play a key role in a United side that moved away from the relegation zone and went on to reach the play-offs in the following after he had signed on a permanent basis. He also won the club's player of the year award in the 2010-11 and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season for the 2010-11 campaign.

LEFT-BACK: LIAM DAVIS (2017- PRESENT)

Over the years Torquay United have been blessed with a number of fine left-backs and it was a fiercely contested position in this team. Therefore, by a hair's breadth, Kevin Nicholson misses out to a player that he signed during his reign as manager in Liam Davis. Despite missing the first 13 games of the 2017-18 season - due to a heel injury - Davis was an ever-present for the remainder of the campaign as United dropped into National League South. He then went on to be a key figure in a United side that won the National League South title - and not only did he only play in every game of the 2018-19 campaign, but he also played in practically every minute as well, as his overlapping runs helped to set up numerous attacks. His absence has been strongly felt during United's recent poor run.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHESTERFIELD

1. An experienced centre back should be high on Gary Johnson's agenda.

If Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is compiling a wish list of prospective signings over the festive period, it would not be a great surprise if an experienced centre back wasn't near the top of his list. The Gulls are currently on a run of six straight league defeats in which they've conceded 16 goals. However, it's worth remembering that diagnosing the symptoms is often easier than prescribing the cure. Many fans may point to the signing of Guy Branston midway through the 2009-10 season as an example of the calibre of player required by Johnson, but part of the reason that Paul Buckle was able to sign Branston was due to the fact that he had been discarded by Burton Albion after receiving three red cards after arriving in the summer of 2009 - which took his career tally to 18! Therefore any prospective signing could arrive with similar baggage. For the record, Branston, who initially joined United on loan before making the move permanent, was voted as the club's player of the year for the 2010-11 season and was named in the PFA League Two team of the year for 2010-11 as well - and was never shown a red once by any referee throughout his 18 months at Plainmoor.

2. The effect of the injuries on United's form still shouldn't be underestimated.

United's defeat to Chesterfield saw the absence of Jamie Reid, Jake Andrews, Liam Davis and Armani Little. To put it another way, it would be like Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side of 2003-04 going into a game with David Graham, Kevin Hill, Brian McGlinchey and Jason Fowler all unavailable. To be without four important players is nearly always likely to have a detrimental effect on a team's pattern of play and the end result was there for all to see yesterday.

3. Saikou Janneh's red card was a turning point.

Saikou Janneh's dismissal for a red card following an alleged off-the-ball incident that saw Chesterfield's Laurence Maguire - brother of Manchester United and England defender Harry - require treatment proved to be a turning point in the game. Whether United would have managed to turn things around with eleven men on the pitch we will never know. However, Gary Johnson has said that he will receive the video evidence of the incident before taking the matter further.

4. Chesterfield become the second team to complete the double over the Gulls.

By coming away from Plainmoor with a 3-0 victory, Chesterfield join Eastleigh in becoming the second team so far this season to complete the double over the Gulls.

5. Is the 'Shezzarection mark 2' on for Chesterfield?

After experiencing Torquay United's two 'great escapes' under Kevin Nicholson many of the Plainmoor faithful will be able to relate to the struggles of Chesterfield as the Spireites find themselves battling relegation for the second season in a row. However, assistant manager Marc Crossley identified in the post-match interview that if Chesterfield can repeat their run of nine clean sheets from their final 20 league games, which they achieved last season, then they stand a chance of emulating their achievement of last season by staying in the National League.
It will also go a long way to maintaining manager John Sheridan's reputation as a managerial 'red adair' as he has also led Plymouth Argyle, Newport County, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town to safety during his career in management.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALDERSHOT TOWN IN THE FA TROPHY

1. Saikou Janneh is back on form.

Saturday's FA Trophy tie saw Saikou Janneh display the kind of form in front of goal that he displayed in his first loan spell at Plainmoor in the 2018-19 season. Janneh netted his first goals of his second loan stint from Bristol City and also provided the assist for Jamie Reid's second of the afternoon on 70th minute, which helped to earn him the sponsor's man of the match award. It was also the first time that Janneh and Reid had scored for United since their memorable 3-3 draw away to Woking last season.

2. The new signings are settling in well.

The Plainmoor faithful also got to see the first glimpse of Gary Johnson's two latest recruits in the form of central midfielder Lloyd James and winger Aaron Nemane. Both made significant contributions as James, a former Wales Under-21 international who joins on loan from Forest Green Rovers, started the move that led to Janneh's opener and provided the assist for Ruairi Keating's fourth goal. Former Manchester City Nemane, who has also appeared for Glasgow Rangers and Go Eagles in Holland amongst others, went on a mazy run before providing the pass to Saikou Janneh helped to enable Jamie Reid to score United's third.
James' loan spell at Plainmoor and Nemane initial deal with the Gulls are both for one-month, but there is every chance that their respective stays with United could last beyond that period.

3. Joe Lewis filled in well at left-back.

In the absence of Liam Davis through injury, Swansea City loanee Joe Lewis filled in at left-back. Despite being played out of position, Wales Under-21 international Lewis, who is primarily a centre back - and a right-sided one too, was one of United's leading performers on the day and as well as being defensively strong, he also offered an outlet going forward with a number of overlapping runs.

4. Could Ruairi Keating become Torquay United's answer to David Fairclough?

In the mid-to-late 1970's and early 1980's, David Fairclough carved out a niche for himself in Liverpool's all-conquering European Cup and league title winning sides as a 'super sub'. The question now is in the 2019-20 season, could Ruairi Keating perform a similar role for the Gulls? Keating found the back of the net in the 73rd minutes, just two minutes after coming off the bench with what was only his second touch of the ball. Could his cameo display have given Gary Johnson food for thought?

5. The losing streak is over, but have United's affiliations with the Trophy just begun?

Victory on Saturday ended Torquay United's run of six straight defeats in all competitions, but could United's interest in the FA Trophy have only just begun? Manager Gary Johnson has won the National League twice with Yeovil Town in the 2002-03 season and Cheltenham Town in the 2015-16 campaign - is their potential this season to add another FA Trophy to his CV next to the one that he won with the Glovers in 2002? Johnson sets his teams up to attack, which is a method that favours cup football, so watch this space.

ADAMS RETURNS TO HOME PARK FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PILGRIMS' DEPARTURE

Plymouth Argyle's first competitive league fixture in front of their newly redeveloped Mayflower stand will see the man currently hoping to lead the Pilgrims to their next promotion against the man who won their last.

Present Argyle boss Ryan Lowe will be going head to head with his predecessor Derek Adams when the Pilgrims host Morecambe, and Lowe will be also be hoping to emulate Adams' achievement of the 2016-17 season by leading Argyle to promotion from League Two.

Adams, however, is facing a very different task in his current role with the Shrimps, who are currently bottom of the division on goal difference, after succeeding the AFC Fylde-bound Jim Bentley, who had spent the last eight years in charge at the Globe Arena, last month.

It will be the first time that Adams has returned to Home Park since his dismissal last April which brought his four-year spell in charge of the Pilgrims to an end.

Whereas promotion was Adams' main brief when he first took over of Argyle, the Pilgrims also lost in the 2016 League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon in his first season in charge before they finished as runners-up in the 2016-17 campaign, his main challenge with Morecambe is to keep them in League Two.

The Shrimps are currently the longest serving club in the fourth tier of English football after winning promotion from the Conference National in the 2006-07 season when they beat the Pilgrims' arch-rivals Exeter City in the play-off final.

Whilst the size of the two clubs and the challenge of both jobs might be different, both managers will be eager to secure the three points on offer, which they both need for differing reasons.

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY BEGINS FOR THE GULLS AND THE GLOVERS

For Torquay United and Yeovil Town all roads will point  to Wembley this weekend as the Gulls and the Glovers both enter the FA Trophy fray.

Torquay host fellow National League outfit Aldershot Town, who they beat 2-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras in August, and Yeovil face National League South side Welling United at Huish Park.

Both sides have pedigree in the competition during this century as current United manager Gary Johnson led Yeovil to Trophy glory in 2002 with a 2-0 win over Stevenage at Villa Park; the Gulls marked their first season following relegation from the Football League by reaching the 2008 final where they lost to Ebbsfleet United.

However, with the National League play-offs now widened to include the division's top seven, has success in the Trophy become a lesser priority for a number of National League clubs?

Last season's competition proved to be an exception to this trend as the 2019 final was contested by the 2018-19 National League beaten play-off finalists AFC Fylde and champions Leyton Orient - which Fylde won 3-0. This was in direct contrast to the previous season as 2017-18 champions Macclesfield Town and play-off winners Tranmere Rovers both went out in the first round.

The prize money that clubs receive for competing in the Trophy isn't as lucrative as the money that they receive for making progress in the FA Cup, and with the competition operating on a national format from the second round onwards the cost can begin to add up.

Also there is the effect that it has on the fixture list - if either United or the Glovers progress beyond the second round and then all the way to the final they would need to re-arrange four league fixtures to accommodate their quarter final and two-legged semi-final.

One way of increasing interest in the Trophy could be to involve National League sides in the earlier rounds. It would give the clubs playing in the lower reaches of the non-league game an extra chance to earn a plum draw against a former league side.

Another idea could be to regionalise the competition all the way through in a similar way that the leasing.com Trophy, in its current guise, was before the introduction of Premier League Under-21 sides. This would reduce the cost of travelling for the teams remaining in the Trophy. It would the eliminate the possibility of the Gulls travelling away to Blyth Spartans in early January, which would have been the prize if they had overcome Boreham Wood in the first round of last season's Trophy.

LIKE ROME, TORQUAY UNITED PROMOTION WINNING TEAMS WEREN'T BUILT IN A DAY

Like the city of Rome most Torquay United promotion winning sides were not built in a day.

To give you the first of two examples three years passed between the Gulls' final day relegation against Barnet in 2001 to their first automatic promotion in 38 years which was secured with a 2-1 win over Southend United in the last fixture of the 2003-04 season. During this time Roy McFarland in the 2001-02 campaign and then Leroy Rosenior in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons cultivated a side that played a brand of football widely considered to be the most exciting seen at Plainmoor in many a year.

It also took Paul Buckle two years to transform a club that had just been relegated from the Football League for the first time in its history into one that made a swift return by beating Cambridge United 2-0 in the 2009 Conference play-off final. Buckle then needed another two years to turn his Blue Square Premier play-offs into League Two play-off contenders, as United were beaten by Stevenage at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 play-off final at Old Trafford in what proved to be Buckle's final game in charge.

Which is why Gary Johnson needs to be given time as he attempts to turn the 2019-20 Torquay United from National League South champions into would be National League promotion winners.

Johnson performed the footballing equivalent of alchemy when he took a side that was 14th in the National League South at the time of the departure of his predecessor Gary Owers from the Plainmoor hot seat to the league title with three games to spare.

Now after a promising start that saw the Gulls mount a challenge for a second successive promotion, United have now run into one of the icebergs that Johnson has often referred to during his time in charge as they have now lost six straight games in all competitions.

In isolation, the last of those losses to date, which was a 2-1 defeat away to Harrogate Town, is no disaster but after a five-match losing run it feels slightly more painful.

However, there are mitigating circumstances in the form of an injury crisis that has led to Johnson increasing the number of loan players currently at the club to eight: Robbie Cundy, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh (all Bristol City), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Ramarni Medford-Smith (Reading) and most recently Amrit Balsan-McNulty (Queens Park Rangers).

Such are the problems facing Johnson that many of the loan players that he has brought in are currently, along with senior pros skipper Asa Hall and left-back Liam Davis.

With a busy festive period approaching, Johnson is now faced with the task of building a bridge over increasingly troubled waters. Nevertheless he has already starting shuffling his pack as Dutch striker Manny Duku has already departed for pastures as he searches for that winning combination that will improve United's fortunes.

KIEFFER HOPING TO FIRE DRAGONS TO EURO GLORY

For Jamie Ward with Northern Ireland in Euro 2016, you could potentially read Kieffer Moore with Wales in Euro 2020.

If selected by Welsh boss Ryan Giggs for the European wide tournament next summer, former Torquay United loanee Moore, 27, will join the list of former Gulls player to have featured in major tournaments.

Torbay-born Moore, who currently plays his club football for Wigan Athletic in the Championship, can look back at his brief, but prolific loan spell with his hometown club midway through the 2016-17 season as the point that helped to propel him to his current level.

Moore spent four games on loan at Plainmoor from Forest Green Rovers, which included a goal on his debut against Wrexham that secured a 1-1 draw. This was soon followed by a hat-trick in a 3-0 home win against Solihull Moors and a further headed effort was instrumental in sealing a 1-0 win away at Dagenham & Redbridge.

His loan spell came to an end following 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers - in which Moore was handed the captain's by then United manager Kevin Nicholson. After his return to the New Lawn, a permanent return to South Devon appeared to be on the cards but little did we know that former United player-assistant manager Steve McCall who, after seeing Moore in action at Dagenham, had alerted Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy to his talents, and the Tractor Boys paid Forest Green £15,000 to take him to Portman Road.

Earlier in his career Moore had spent the 2013-14 season with Yeovil Town in the Championship under current United manager Gary Johnson and was keen to prove himself at that level again.

Since then Moore has changed hands for fees of over £3million, having joined Barnsley for £750,000 and his present club Wigan for £2.4 million and being eligible to play for Wales through his grandfather, and he has now been capped five times for the principality and scored twice. Both his goals came against Slovakia and Azerbaijan in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, so he can claim to have made a meaningful contribution to helping the Welsh reach their second successive Euro finals.

In the finals Wales will be facing Switzerland and Turkey in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, before facing Italy in their final group game in Rome's Stadio Olympico Stadium. If Moore is involved in either of those three games, it will be another exciting chapter in a career that began with Paignton Saints in the South Devon League and has taken in a spell in Norway with Viking FK as well as stints in the South West with Truro City and Dorchester Town.

Former Torquay United players who have previously represented their country at major finals:

Euro 92: Keith Curle (England)

1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Rodney Jack (St Vincent and the Grenadines)

1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)

1998 World Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica), Matt Elliott (Scotland)*

1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)

Euro 2016: Jamie Ward (Northern Ireland)

* Matt Elliott was named in the Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup in France, but didn't feature in any of their three matches against Brazil, Norway or Morroco.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS STOCKPORT COUNTY

1. The National League is a cruel league.

Yesterday's encounter between Torquay United and Stockport County saw the seventh best supported side in the National League face its third best. However, this wasn't reflected in the score line as the Hatters came away as 5-1 winners - a reverse of the winning margin when United beat them 4-0 at Edgeley Park last September. It was also the Gulls' fifth defeat in a row in all competitions, which further underlines why teams who succeed in the National League are the ones who are consistently good week in, week out.

2. The return of Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jamie Reid.

After seeing the Gulls' disrupted by injuries in recent weeks, it must have been a big relief for Torquay United manager Gary Johnson to see skipper Asa Hall, leading scorer Jamie Reid and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans back in action. The trio weren't fit enough to appear for the full 90 minutes as Hall and Reid were substituted on 54 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, and Lemonheigh Evans entered the fray as Hall's replacement. With a busy festive period just around the corner, if those three are also fit and firing on all cylinders and Jean Yves Koue Niate and Jake Andrews set to return from one-match suspensions then Johnson will soon have a near full strength squad to choose from.


3. Shaun MacDonald's goalkeeping display.

Had it not been for two first saves from Shaun MacDonald to deny Stockport's Tom Walker in the 28th and 33rd minutes respectively, then Stockport would have won by a bigger margin. Despite the injury problems that Gulls manager Gary Johnson has faced in other positions, particularly in midfield and upfront, but the goalkeeper position is one where he has plenty of options with MacDonald and summer signing Lucas Covolan keeping each other on their toes.

4. Ben Whitfield's fourth goal of the season.

Ben Whitfield's goal on 75 minutes was of little consolation to the Gulls by full minute, but it did ensure that he is now United's third top scorer of the season behind Jake Andrews with six and leading scorer Jamie Reid with 15.

5. Why strong home form is vital in any upturn in the Gulls' fortunes.

United's defeat to Stockport County was their fifth of the season, and if the Gulls want to be involved in the play-offs at the end of the season then they can't afford to lose to lose too many more times at Plainmoor. Out of the teams who finished in the top seven in the National League last season - only Harrogate Town and Eastleigh, who lost six and seven games at home respectively in the 2018-19 National League campaign, experienced more defeats at home than the Gulls have currently suffered. The challenge now for Johnson and his coaching team is to make Plainmoor into a fortress.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS SUTTON

1. The Gulls' injury list is mounting.

Heading into yesterday's encounter with Sutton United, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson was unable to call on Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Opi Edwards, Jake Andrews, Armani Little and Liam Davis due to injury - leaving him without a complete midfield and one of the division's leading left backs. Earlier in the season, Matt Buse, who was recently named as the National League player of the month for October, wasn't even making the squad and Frank Vincent was filling in as a makeshift left-back while Davis recovered from abdominal surgery, but in recent weeks they have formed United's central midfield pairing.
However, the injury list is now starting to take its toll as Johnson was dealt with the blow of losing Frank Vincent and Ben Whitfield, who were both carried off injured, which further depleted his squad. Johnson will be keeping his finger crossed that the duo are able to recover in time for next Saturday's trip to Chorley.

2. A magnificent seventh.

Left-back Ramarni Medford-Smith, who joined on loan from Reading as cover for Liam Davis, became the seventh loan signing to feature for the Gulls in the 2019-20 campaign. He joins a list that already includes Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Robbie Cundy and Saikou Janneh (all Bristol City); Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth) and Joe Lewis (Swansea City) who was absent due to international duty with Wales Under-21s.

3. Ben Wynter's display.

As well as scoring his first goal of the campaign, Gulls' right-back topped his display with receiving the sponsors' man of the match award. Wynter, who is one of only three ever presents in the United squad this season - along with Kyle Cameron and leading scorer Jamie Reid, has been amongst the Gulls' most consistent performers this season and successfully avoided a fifth yellow card, which would have earned him a one-match ban.

4. The league is wide open.

It is often said the Championship is the toughest league in English football to win promotion from, but the Vanarama National League has a strong case to rival it. The leadership of the division changed hands again following the latest round of matches as Barrow replaced Bromley as the league leaders. However, the Gulls are still only three points off the summit (they have 34 points whereas the Bluebirds have 37).

5. Sutton make it four wins out of five against the Gulls.

By defeating Torquay United on Saturday, Sutton United have now won four of their last five fixtures against the Gulls - a run that includes three wins at Plainmoor. Not since their 4-0 win over Chesterfield had the U's tasted victory in the National League - and prior to Saturday, they had gone seven league games without a win . It was also only the fourth time in total that Sutton had won in their league campaign.

LEFT BACK IN TIME: FIVE MEMORABLE TORQUAY UNITED LEFT-BACKS

Torquay United's FA Cup first round defeat proved to be a bittersweet occasion for left-back Liam Davis, as the fixture also saw him make his 100th appearance for the Gulls. We will now take a closer look at several other left-backs who, like Davis, have also played in United's promotion winning/play-off sides.

John Uzzell (1989-1992)

When the late Cyril Knowles paid Plymouth Argyle £11,000 for the services of John Uzzell in 1989, he knew that he was getting excellent value for a very dedicated professional. Uzzell had spent 12 years with his hometown club during which time the Pilgrims had reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1984 and had won promotion in the 1985-86 season under the guidance of Dave Smith. Uzzell would put his experience to good use and was soon made captain and he remained a key figure at the club after Smith was appointed as Knowles' successor in late 1989.
Whilst at Plainmoor, he would play a part in another memorable FA Cup run as he helped the Gulls to reach the fourth round of the competition in the 1989-90 season - after beating West Ham United in the third round - and a promotion campaign in the following 1990-91 season. The latter saw a dramatic climax for United as they beat Blackpool on penalties, however a hamstring injury sustained in the Gulls' final league game against York City denied Uzzell the chance to play in the final at Wembley - as well as both legs of the play-off semi-finals versus Burnley.
In the 1991-92 season, Uzzell was appointed as joint-caretaker manager with team-mate Wes Saunders following the dismissal of John Impey as manager. Shortly afterwards his career as a player  ended in tragic circumstances following a facial injury in a home match against Brentford following a challenge by Gary Blissett. Although his playing career ended, Uzzell remained involved football through his role as a sports analyst for the Press Association which saw him became a regular in the Plainmoor Press Box until 2016.


Paul Gibbs (1997-1998)

Despite only spending one season with Torquay United, Paul Gibbs proved to be something of a cult hero to the Gulls' faithful. As well as forming an iconic wing-back pairing with right wing-back Andy Gurney, Gibbs also chipped in with 10 goals - including numerous efforts from the penalty spot, and even went out with Soccer AM presenter and celebrity Gulls' fan Helen Chamberlain.
He was also on target in the Gulls' 4-1 play-off semi-final, second leg win over Scarborough which sealed United's place in the final itself against Colchester United - the club who had released him prior to his move to Plainmoor. The final at Wembley proved to be his final appearance for the club as he followed manager Kevin Hodges and his assistant Steve McCall to Plymouth Argyle.

Robbie Herrera (1992,1993, 1998-2001, 2001)

Torquay-born Robbie Herrera originally left Plainmoor to sign for Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 1986. He briefly returned on loan during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons before Wes Saunders paid Fulham £35,000 to bring him home in 1998, as a replacement for the Home Park bound Paul Gibbs. Herrera's impact was instant as he won the man of the match award on his third debut for the Gulls on the opening day of the 1998-99 campaign against Cambridge United.
He was a mainstay in the United side for the next three seasons before he was released at the end of the 2000-01 season, but he would return briefly at the start of the 2001-02 campaign on non-contract forms under Roy McFarland. In later years he undertook numerous roles in the club's youth department before becoming assistant manager to Kevin Nicholson between 2015-2017 and even a had a six-match spell as caretaker manager following Nicholson's dismissal early in the 2017-18 season.

Brian McGlinchey (2003-2006)

Considered by many to be the missing piece in the jigsaw in Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winning team, Brian McGlinchey was one of a number of players to make the journey from Home Park to Plainmoor in the early 2000s when he arrived on loan from the Pilgrims in September 2003. A former Northern Ireland Under-21 international who started his career with Manchester City, McGlinchey made the move permanent in January 2004 and his understanding with Kevin Hill on United's left flank was one of the most underrated strengths of Leroy's side. As well as being strong on the overlap, he was also sound defensively and his man-marking job on Bristol City winger Scott Murray when United went to Ashton Gate on the opening day of the 2004-05 season ensured that the Scotsman had a very quiet afternoon. Unfortunately a back problem curtailed his involvement towards the end of the 2004-05 campaign, as he missed the end of season showdown which saw the Gulls relegated on the final day of the season on goal difference. The same injury would also force him to retire at the end of the 2005-06 season at the age of 28.

Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)

One of the most popular players to have appeared for the Gulls in recent times, Kevin Nicholson's association with Torquay United began in the summer of 2007 when Paul Buckle signed him from Forest Green Rovers as he aimed to lead United back into the Football League.
Nicholson played a key role in helping to make the Gulls into a more competitive outfit, as he chipped in with numerous assists with his delivery from set pieces as United won promotion to the Football League in 2009 with victory over Cambridge in the Blue Square Premier play-off final.
On returning to the Football League, Nicholson, who had appeared in the league for Northampton Town and Notts County earlier in his career - as well as managing one appearance in the Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday, remained a regular for United.
In the 2011-12 campaign, he enjoyed what was without question one of his finest seasons in football as he helped the Gulls to reach the League Two play-offs under Martin Ling and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season, alongside fellow teammates Bobby Olejnik, Lee Mansell and Eunan O'Kane.
Nicholson remained at Plainmoor for two more years before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. However, early in the 2015-16 season, he returned to Plainmoor as player-manager and during one of the most difficult periods in the club's history he led the club to safety in the National League in the 2015-16 campaign with three games to spare - despite being bottom of the league at Christmas. He would repeat the feat again in the 2016-17 season before he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. After a spell as manager of South West Peninsula League side Mousehole, Nicholson is currently working for Exeter City as director of coaching.

A LESSON FROM THE PAST

The names might have changed but the outlook remains very much the same.

For David Graham read Jamie Reid, for Jo Kuffour read Saikou Janneh (at least for now), for Alex Russell and Jason Fowler read Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews- albeit younger versions, of course.

Gary Johnson's current Torquay United side of the 2019-20 campaign, who are currently aiming for promotion from the National League by attempting to play their way out of the division, bare more than a slight similarity to Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winners. It could even be said that the current Gulls' crop are the spiritual successors to Leroy's class of 2004.

However, whilst the flair and attacking of the likes of messrs Graham, Russell, Fowler and Kuffour earned the United of 2003-04 much praise from opposite managers, another parallel can be found here with FC Halifax manager Pete Wild recently described United as the best team his side has faced this season, there were a number of unsung players in that side who also played their part.

The centre back pairing of Steve Woods and Craig Taylor rank amongst the defensive partnerships to have appeared for the Gulls in recent seasons and left-back Brian McGlinchey was widely considered to have been the 'missing piece' in the jigsaw when he made his loan move from Plymouth Argyle permanent.

Matt Hockley and Kevin Hill are also worthy of an honourable mentions. Hockley's qualities as a ball-winning midfielder complemented the likes of Russell and Fowler. Hill also chipped in with a number of goals from midfield and his ability to outjump players who were far taller than his five foot nine inch frame also gave United another outlet when playing the ball out of defence.

You also have to wonder if United could have achieved promotion under Leroy a year earlier if Taylor had managed to extend his initial loan spell from Plymouth Argyle in March 2003 for the remainder of the 2002-03 campaign. Taylor, then 29, made his debut away against Cambridge United on 1st March 2003 in a 1-0 win for the Gulls, which was followed by a 0-0 draw with Swansea City and three successive 1-1 draws with Scunthorpe United, Hull City and AFC Bournemouth.

Of course in the following summer he made the move permanent and then went on to captain United to their first automatic promotion in 38 years. It makes you wonder what impact a similar type of signing could have on the fortunes of the present day United side.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WREXHAM

1. Liam Davis' goal - his third for the club.

Think Torquay United under Gary Johnson and you think goals - goals from either Jamie Reid or one of the many attacking midfielders currently in United's squad. However, on this occasion, the decisive goal came from a different, if not unlikely, source namely left-back Liam Davis.
After being teed up by Jake Andrews in the 56th minute, Davis found the back of the net with a shot from an acute angle to score only his third goal for the club - which ultimately sealed the three points for Johnson's men. Interestingly his two previous goal scoring efforts for the Gulls - against Bath City at home in National League South and away to Ebbsfleet United earlier this month - both came in midweek fixtures.

2. Shaun MacDonald's save.

Three minutes prior to Davis' goal, MacDonald made a crucial one-handed save to deny Wrexham's Paul Rutherford. His save was not only instrumental in keeping the scores level at that point, it also helped to give United a springboard to go on and win the game through Davis. MacDonald was recalled for the match in place of Brazilian Lucas Covolan and the competition between the pair for the goalkeeper's jersey this season looks set to continue to be an intriguing one.

3. The pitch is holding up well.

If South Devon experienced the kind of weather that it is currently experiencing 12 months ago  last night's clash with Wrexham and Saturday's meeting with Barrow would probably have been called off. However, thanks to the efforts of groundsman Julian Gouldthorpe - not to mention the assistance provided by managing director George Edwards (Edwards arrived at Plainmoor at 6am on the morning of the Barrow fixture to help ensure that the game went ahead) - both games were able to go ahead without the need for a pitch inspection to be held on either occasion.

4. Saikou Janneh is in the building.

After weeks of speculation, the Plainmoor faithful finally got to see Saikou Janneh in action following his return on loan from Bristol City. Janneh, 19, found the back of the net 18 times last season as United clinched the National League South title and he had chances to find the target on occasions after replacing Kalvin Kalala in the 63rd minute. Janneh has already scored for the Gulls against National League opposition as he netted for United in their FA Trophy first round defeat against Boreham Wood last season, and he has every chance of adding to that tally during his second loan spell at Plainmoor.

5. Gulls starting to look like real contenders.

With five wins in six league encounters, United moved up to sixth place in the table with a result that further strengthens their promotion credentials. If they can get another win away to FC Halifax Town on Saturday, that will surely put the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons as far as the promotion race goes and will give more and more observers reason to sit up and take notice.

YOUNGY'S RETURN

For the first time since his move to Wrexham in the summer of 2018, Luke Young is set to return to Plainmoor to face Torquay United with the Dragons - we will out look back at Young's career to date.

Amongst the hopes and aspirations of the thousands upon thousands of wannabe professional footballers in this country is to be able to make their professional debut for their home town club.

For a then 17-year old Luke Young that dream became a reality on January 29th, 2011 when he was sent on by the then Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Reid in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth as a late substitute in place of Northern Ireland international Rory Patterson. Reid, a former midfielder of some distinction with Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City and winner of 13 England caps, delivered a positive assessment of Young's late cameo against the Cherries.

"Rory took a knock, but the boy Young has got good feet. He's a bit slight, but he's a good little footballer," said Reid. "I knew Rory was struggling, so I just wanted to have a look at him."

For Young, his professional debut was something that he had been working towards for a long time. He had first joined the Pilgrims' the Centre of Excellence at the age of nine. The game was certainly in his blood as his father Mark was a former apprentice with Torquay United who later turned out for Plymouth Parkway and Torpoint Athletic in the Jewson South Western League.

Young's early days at Home Park coincided with a period of turbulence for Argyle. Following his full debut away to Brighton and Hove Albion, the Pilgrims entered Administration and the resulting ten-point deduction ensured their relegation from League One to League Two.

Despite the uncertainty that would surround the club until James Brent's takeover of the club was ratified in October 2011, Young would be finish the 2010-11 season with five appearances to his name and later signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2011.

In the 2011-12 season, the club's on-field struggles continued as Reid was replaced as manager by Carl Fletcher, initially on a caretaker basis, after the Pilgrims only managed to secure one point from their opening ten league games of the campaign. However, Young played his part in helping the Pilgrims avoid relegation from the Football League as he scored his first goal for the club on New Year's Day 2012 against Torquay United and he also featured for the Pilgrims in their penultimate home game of the campaign against Oxford United where they finally retained their League Two status with a 1-1 draw.

The following close season saw Young sign a new two-year deal with the Pilgrims.

Another managerial change followed in the 2012-13 season as Fletcher was replaced by John Sheridan, and it was under Sheridan's reign that Young's tenure with Argyle would come to an end as it was released perhaps surprisingly at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

His next move would see him join Torquay United as manager Chris Hargreaves' marquee signing as they made a bid to return to the Football League at the first attempt after being relegated from the Football League for a second time.

Young soon became a big hit at Plainmoor as he proved to be a talismanic figure as the Gulls won six games in a row in August-September 2014, which raised the expectation levels of an immediate return to League Two at the first attempt. This was followed by what arguably proved to be his finest hour in a Gulls' shirt as he scored a stunning 40-yard volley in a 2-1 win against Wrexham on October 4th, 2014. Had it been scored at a more scrutinised level of the game then it would have been a nailed on certainty to win FIFA's Ferenc Puskas award for the best goal scored all year.

Such was his popularity with the United faithful that he won what would prove to be the first of his three player of the year awards whilst with the club in the 2014-15 season.

Once again there was another managerial change for Young in the summer of 2015 as Paul Cox replaced Hargreaves as manager following a takeover by a fan-headed consortium led by Dave Phillips. A knee ligament injury in the 2015-16 pre-season would mean that he wouldn't appear for Cox in a competitive game as Cox resigned after ten games in charge and by the time he returned to full fitness, the Gulls were battling against relegation to National League South under Kevin Nicholson.

Thankfully Young did manage to return to play a part in helping United retain their National League status in their first 'Great Escape', and he would also play a big part in their second 'Great Escape' of the 2016-17 campaign - and won his second player of the year award.

Sadly there was to be no third 'Houdini act' in the 2017-18 season for the Gulls and Young - this time under Gary Owers who replaced Nicholson, who was sacked four games into the campaign, as United were relegated to the National League South. Young was one of the mainstays in the Gulls' side that season and along with central defender Sean McGinty they were the only two players to appear in every game of the 2017-18 campaign.

United's relegation also saw his time at Plainmoor come to an end as he signed for his present side Wrexham in the summer of 2018. In his first season with the Dragons, they reached the National League play-offs where they were beaten by Eastleigh at the Quarter-final stage.

Footnote: When Luke Young appeared for Plymouth Argyle on April 21st, 2012 - a game which the Pilgrims drew 1-1 to retain their Football League status - he lined-up alongside Durrell Berry, who would also find his way to Plainmoor after leaving Home Park, and against future Gulls Asa Hall and Liam Davis, a future team-mate at Plainmoor.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS BARROW

1. Jamie Reid returns to the top of the National League goal scoring charts.

Jamie Reid's brace for United against Barrow yesterday saw him return to the top of the National League goal scoring charts - at the expense of Scott Quigley, who failed to find the target for the Bluebirds. Reid's double moves him up to 12 league goals for the campaign - 13 in all competitions if you include his FA Cup goal against Boreham Wood - which places him above Quigley, who has 11.

2. Armani Little fashions impressive goal scoring feat.

After being a stand-out performer in pre-season injury had so far prevented Armani Little from hitting the same heights in the regular campaign. However, on his return from injury Little appeared to have found his perfect role in the side playing in the 'number 10' role behind Jamie Reid, which further emphasised by his display against Barrow which saw him bag a brace. Such was the quality of his performance, there was an understandable sense of disappointment when he was forced to leave the field towards the end with a hamstring injury.

3. Matt Buse and Frank Vincent continue to impress in the centre of midfield.

At the start of the season, Matt Buse - a pre-season arrival from Taunton Town - wasn't even making the Gulls' subs bench and Frank Vincent - who re-joined United on a season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth - was filling in at left-back whilst Liam Davis recovered from abdominal surgery.
Now the duo now have several games under their belts as the Gulls central midfield pairing - established in the absence of skipper Asa Hall and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans through injury.
Buse has become something of an unsung hero for the Gulls, having netted against AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United, whilst Vincent is still waiting to get off the mark, although he did have one chalked off against Ebbsfleet that had appeared to have crossed the line.
Manager Gary Johnson will have a serious selection dilemma on his hands when Hall and Lemonheigh-Evans become available again.

4. United are seventh in the league table and fifth in the form table.

United's victory over Barrow was their fourth in five league fixtures, and their fifth in six in all competitions, which moves them up seventh in the league table - and back into the play-off zone.
The win also moves them up to fifth in the National League form table over the last six league matches.

5. Saikou's coming back.

Striker Saikou Janneh is set to re-join the Gulls on loan from Bristol City, as he continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury. Janneh, 19, found the back of the net 18 times in all competitions for United last season as they clinched the National League South title. He will soon have the chance to renew his partnership with Jamie Reid and to reunite with Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

WHY CARL FLETCHER'S ACHIEVEMENTS AS PLYMOUTH ARGYLE MANAGER SHOULDN'T BE FORGOTTEN

Former Plymouth Argyle manager Carl Fletcher will be making his managerial return to Home Park for the first time since his dismissal as Pilgrims boss in January 2013 with Leyton Orient.

Fletcher, 39, has been appointed by Orient as the permanent successor to the late Justin Edinburgh in what will be his first managerial role since his spell in charge of Argyle.

His stint at Home Park, as a player and then as manager, was one of the most turbulent periods in the Pilgrims' history. They suffered back-to-back relegations between 2009 and 2011 as the club suffered a financial collapse of catastrophic proportions as they went into administration, and the ensuing ten points deduction was instrumental in sealing the second of those two demotions.

The then Argyle manager Peter Reid was then forced to build a squad using free transfers, loan signings and youngsters. The consequences of this were that the Pilgrims were unable to compete successfully in League Two and Reid was dismissed after only winning one point from their opening ten league games.

This resulted in Fletcher, who at the time was club captain and had won the club's player of the year award for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, being handed the managerial reins on a caretaker basis. His appointment had an immediate effect as they beat Macclesfield Town 2-0 in his first game in charge. He was later handed the role on a permanent basis following James Brent's takeover of the club, which helped to stabilise the club off-the-field.

Despite a number of bumps along the road, he managed to steer the Pilgrims to safety as they drew 1-1 with Oxford United in their penultimate home league fixture to retain their status as a Football League club. Fletcher also made several key signings, including experienced defender Darren Purse and the returning Paul Wotton and Nick Chadwick, who played a key role in keeping Argyle in the division.

However, in the following season he was unable to keep the momentum of his first season going and he was dismissed on New Year's Day 2013 after the Pilgrims lost to Bristol Rovers. Despite receiving this news he still managed to face the media and after giving his views on the game, he announced the news of his dismissal.

Since then Fletcher had a brief playing spell with Barnet in the National League and has worked for Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, his first club, in various roles. These have included Under-18's manager, Under-23's manager and loan manager, which involved dealing with players who the Cherries have loaned out to other clubs.

It's been nearly six years since he took charge of the Pilgrims and without his achievements of the 2011-12 season, then Plymouth Argyle could quite easily be in a very different place today.

If they had been relegated at the end of that campaign, there could have been no play-off campaign under John Sheridan or subsequent promotion in the 2016-17 season under Derek Adams. They might not even be harbouring their current aspirations of promotion under Ryan Lowe, who will be occupying the opposite dug out to Fletcher on Tuesday night.

YEOVIL AND HARINGEY TO GO AGAIN FOLLOWING WALK OFF

Yeovil Town and Haringey Borough will meet again in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round after their original clash was abandoned amid reports of racist abuse.

The Glovers were leading 1-0 through a Rhys Murphy penalty at Borouugh's Coles Park ground before Borough manager Tom Loizou instructed his players to walk off the pitch after Borough keeper defender Coby Rowe was allegedly racially abused and their Cameroonian goalkeeper Douglas Pajetat claimed he was spat at and had a bottle thrown at him.

Loizou opposite number Darren Sarll showed solidarity as the Glovers' players joined their Haringey counterparts and walking off the pitch.

Two men have since been arrested - aged 23 and 26 - in Chard and Yeovil in relation to the alleged incident and the Metropolitan Police are heading the investigation with their counterparts in the Avon and Somerset force.

In the wake of the FA Cup first round draw, a home tie against Yeovil's fellow National League outfit Hartlepool United awaits the winner.

This development comes in the same that saw England's Euro 2020 qualifier away to Bulgaria interrupted due to racial abuse directed at England's black players - most notably Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings who was making his debut for the Three Lions.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS BOREHAM WOOD

1. Torquay United maintain 100% FA Cup record against Boreham Wood.

By seeing off the challenge of Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, Torquay United's FA Cup record against the Wood now reads: played two, won two. The Gulls and the Wood previously met in the first round in the 2002-03 season where a brace from Martin Gritton and further efforts from Alex Russell, Jason Fowler and Jo Kuffour sealed a 5-0 win.

2. Jake's fine left peg.

Jake Andrews' fine strike on 26 minutes, which opened the scoring, was his fifth goal of the 2019-20 campaign - since re-joining the Gulls from Bristol City on a permanent basis. After scoring 12 times last season in all competitions, as United clinched the National League South title, Andrews - who turned 22 last Monday - has now almost reached half of that tally already and few would bet against him hitting double figures by the end of the campaign.

3. Late own goal shouldn't diminish Robbie Cundy's fine display.

Robbie Cundy's own goal deep in injury time, when he inadvertently turned a cross from Kane Smith into the back of his own net, set up a nervy finish for the Gulls - but shouldn't diminish Cundy's overall display. As well as making an important block to deny Sorba Thomas on 44 minutes, he also ensured that Wood striker Kabongo Tshimanga - one of the leading scorers in the National League - had an extremely quiet afternoon.

4. Armani Little showed glimpses of his full potential in first 90 minutes.

After being a stand-out performer in pre-season, with stunning free-kicks against Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City Under-23's, big things were expected from Armani Little once the regular campaign got underway. However, injuries have so far prevented him from enjoying a lengthy run in the team. Nevertheless, after getting a full 90 minutes under his belt - playing in the number 10 role just behind Jamie Reid - he showed more than a few glimpses of the form that he showed to help Woking win promotion from National League South with the Gulls. If he continues in this vein then it will only be a matter of time before he adds his solitary goal of the campaign, which he scored earlier in the season against Barnet.

5. A fourth FA Cup win out of five under Johnson.

After going seven years without a win in the FA Cup, United have now won four out of five under Gary Johnson. Their win over Boreham Wood yesterday joins a list of cup scalps under Johnson that now includes Lymington Town, Brightlingsea Regent and Winchester City. With United now going into Monday's draw as ball number 75 - so it will be interesting to see if another name ends up being added to that list in the first round proper.

FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND PREVIEW 2019-20

Ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round, we will now take a closer look at the South West sides hoping to join Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle amongst others in the first round proper.

Torquay United vs Boreham Wood

Saturday's encounter between Torquay United and Boreham Wood will the third time that the Gulls have faced the Wood in the past calendar year, and their second ever in the FA Cup.
The two sides met in the first round of the FA Trophy last December at Meadow Park where United, then of National League South, lost 3-1 after extra time after drawing 1-1 at the end of normal time.
Their second meeting occurred on the opening day of the 2019-20 campaign where the Gulls won 2-1 with goals from Opi Edwards and Jamie Reid, whilst Tyrone Marsh pulled a late goal back against his former club. Prior to this result, United had lost five of their previous six encounters against Luke Garrard's men.
However, whilst the opening day of the season can be something of a journey into the unknown, with only pre-season fixtures to act as a form guide - both Torquay and Boreham Wood head into the tie in 9th and 11th place in the National League table respectively. They also go into the match on similar runs of form - having both won three of their last six league encounters.
In addition to this, it will be also see two of the National League's leading marksmen in the form of Jamie Reid and Boreham Wood's Kabongo Tshimanga, who are second and third in the National League's top goal scorer charts with ten and nine goals respectively.
It will also be the second time that the two sides have met in the FA Cup - which came in the 2002-03 season when the Gulls won 5-0 with a brace from Martin Gritton and further goals from Alex Russell, Jason Fowler and Jo Kuffour.

Haringey Borough vs Yeovil Town

In their first FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie since the 2002-03 season, Yeovil Town travel to Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Haringey Borough. The Borough, who are based in Tottenham, North London, reached the first round of last season's competition for the first time in their history where they lost 1-0 to AFC Wimbledon.
The Glovers also have a fine pedigree in the competition - which goes back to their famous giant-killing victory over Sunderland in the 1947-48 season. In recent seasons they have also faced top level opposition in the form of Liverpool (2003-04) and Manchester United (2014-15 and 2017-18) in the cup and manager Darren Sarll, who is currently in his first season in charge at Huish Park, will be looking to write his own chapter in Yeovil's cup history.
With the Glovers currently flying high in the National League side at the time of writing and are currently in third place, with the dream of the possibility of an immediate return to the Football League being very much alive. So a good cup run could provide the Glovers with another morale boost following last season's relegation.

Weymouth vs Dover Athletic

After winning the Southern League title in the 2018-19 season, Weymouth are currently fifth in the National League South table and they are now looking to cause something of an upset against Dover Athletic. The two sides are separated by 19 league places, Dover are 14th place in the National League, but the Terras will be looking to defy that figure when the Whites come to the Wessex Stadium.
It will be an interesting contest for a number of Weymouth's more experienced players such as Brett Williams, Josh McQuoid and Yemi Odubade who have spent spells playing at National League level previously in their careers.

TON UP FOR GULLS UNDER JOHNSON

By making it three wins on the bounce to move into the play-off zone with an away win over bottom placed Ebbsfleet United, Torquay United took their league points haul under Gary Johnson to over one hundred.

Jake Andrews opened the scoring for the Gulls with his fourth goal of the season before Jamie Reid doubled their advantage with his 10th of the campaign - which is the same as his combined goal scoring hauls of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

Josh Umerah then reduced Fleet's deficit to a single goal with an effort on 35 minutes, but United's two-goal cushion was restored in the 47th minute when Matt Buse followed up his first goal for the club against AFC Fylde with his second goal in as many games.

Liam Davis then added a fourth on 54 minutes with what was only his second goal for the club - before Umerah headed home a Myles Weston cross to pull one back for Fleet. Frank Vincent then appeared to have added a fifth for the Gulls on 87 minutes, which hit the bar and bounced down - but the match officials adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line.

The win moves the Gulls up to sixth place in the table with 25 points, which combined with the 76 that they won in National League South, following Johnson's appointment in September 2018, takes the total number that they have won under his tenure to 101.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS AFC FYLDE

1. Matt Buse picked the perfect time to open his account for the club.

At the start of the 2019-20 season, Matt Buse wasn't even being named by manager Gary Johnson on the Torquay United sub's bench - let alone the first team. However, a number of injuries to United's first choice midfielders has seen Buse break into the first team and he picked the perfect time to score his first goal for the club when he connected with Kalvin Kalala's injury time cross to head home the Gulls' winner against AFC Fylde.
Buse had joined United in the summer from Taunton Town following a successful trial in pre-season and swapped combining playing for the Peacocks with working in a leisure centre in Yeovil for his first professional contract. If he can continue to produce displays like he did against AFC Fylde then Johnson will have a serious selection dilemma when skipper Asa Hall and Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans return to fitness.

2. Kalvin Kalala's moments of magic made the difference.

It could be argued that other than his stunning eighth minute volley and his precision cross which found Matt Buse in injury time that Kalvin Kalala didn't have that much of an effect on the proceedings against AFC Fylde. However, those two moments of magic -  on what was his 50th appearance for the Gulls - ultimately helped to make the difference for the Gulls against the Coasters and it's also arguably the biggest impact that Kalala has made when he has started a game this season.
If he continue to weave his magic over 90 minutes over the course of the season, then it may not be long before his talents attracts suitors from a higher level.

3. The welcome return of Armani Little.

After a promising pre-season that saw him two stunning free-kicks against Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City Under-23's, injury has denied the Plainmoor faithful the chance to see the full array of Armani Little's talents. However, after coming on as a sub for Frank Vincent in the 55th minute he showed glimpses of what he is capable of and hopefully with some extra match sharpness, Little can display the kind of attributes that he showed whilst on loan at Woking in the National League South last season.

4. A perfect send off for Pete Wiley.

Before yesterday's game, a minute's applause was observed in memory of the former Plainmoor matchday announcer Pete Wiley. For generations of Gulls' fans - Wiley, who retired as matchday announcer in 2007 before becoming one of the commentators for the blind or partially sighted, will always be regarded as the 'Voice of Plainmoor'. One of his most memorable moments came in 1990 when United hosted Red Star Belgrade and as they fielded the likes of Robert Prosinecki, Dejan Savicevic and Darko Pancev it was rather different to what he would have been accustomed for a regular Division Four fixture - but it was one that he came through with flying colours.
During his tenure in the PA box, the occasion for playing Queen's 'We are the Champions' had never come to pass - but he was invited back to the PA box when United clinched the National League South title last season against Eastbourne Borough to do the honours.

5. What a difference two points can make.

If United had been forced to settle for a point yesterday against AFC Fylde they would have ended the day in 13th place, firmly entrenched in the middle of the table. However, those two extra points meant that the Gulls now move up to 9th place and a win away over Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night could yet see United creep into the play-off zone. As we all know, Torquay United don't do mid-table mediocrity.

PARALLEL CAREERS: DAVID GRAHAM AND JAMIE REID

Throughout the history of professional football, many players have dreamt of emulating their heroes but for only the select few do those dreams become reality.

As a young Torquay United fan growing up in Torbay, Jamie Reid would have spent part of his youth watching David Graham lead the Gulls' forward line between 2001 and 2004, a period which saw the Scotsman scored 47 goals - which made him Torquay United's leading league goal scorer in the 21st century. That figure includes United's third goal in their 3-2 win against Barnet on the final day of the 2000-01 season and their second in their 2-1 victory over Southend United which sealed automatic promotion in the 2003-04 campaign.

Fast forward to 2019 and Reid has now surpassed that total following his brace in United's 4-0 win away at Stockport County with a current total that now stands at 48 - it also proved to be a double celebration in the Gulls' dressing room as manager Gary Johnson was also celebrating his 64th birthday.

Reid's journey to overhauling Graham's tally has taken always been a smooth one, with many a bump, detour and retreat along the way. However, there are a number of similarities and parallels that can be found between the two United strikers.

For starters, both strikers have been capped internationally at Under-21 level. Graham won eight caps for Scotland Under-21s between 1997 and 1999 and Reid received two caps for Northern Ireland in 2013.

The two men also made promising starts at the clubs where they began their careers as Graham was handed his debut for Glasgow Rangers in 1998 in a UEFA Cup tie against League of Ireland side Shelbourne at Prenton Park. He also made a substitute appearance in an Old Firm against Glasgow Celtic later on in the 1998-99 campaign before joining Dunfermline Athletic.

Reid also made a hugely impressive start to his career with the Gulls' local rivals Exeter City, who he joined after the Gulls' youth development was shut down in 2004. After a promising debut as a substitute against Oxford United for the Grecians on Boxing Day 2012, he later bagged a brace in his first start against AFC Wimbledon in April 2013.

When initially joining the Gulls, both players went through periods of indifference where they were often played out of position. Graham was frequently used as an attacking midfielder by Roy McFarland in the 2001-02 season, while Reid was often deployed as a winger during his first two loan spells at Plainmoor in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 campaigns under Chris Hargreaves and Kevin Nicholson respectively.

Nevertheless when they were both played as strikers they did so to excellent effect and played key roles in United sides that won promotion automatically. Graham found the back of the net 23 times in all competitions as the Gulls won automatic promotion for the first time in 38 years in the 2003-04 season under Leroy Rosenior, while Reid's 32 goals in the 2018-19 campaign were crucial in helping United clinch the National League South title under the guidance of Gary Johnson.

While many will no doubt be quick to point out that Graham's 47 goals for United were scored at Football League level whereas Reid's goals all came in non-league football. However, having found the back of the net nine times already this season, Reid could yet play a vital role in helping the Gulls return to League Two in the near future.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EASTLEIGH

1. Is the Gulls' injury list starting to take its toll?

With the continued absence of skipper Asa Hall, Armani Little and Bristol City loanees Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans amongst others, Torquay United's injury list is starting to have an adverse effect on their National League form. The Gulls have now only one game in their last seven - which came at home to Harrogate Town. For any team losing their captain is a serious blow and any team in the National League would miss a midfielder with Lemonheigh-Evans' ability.
However, it is worth mentioning that United are also three points off the play-offs and five points above the relegation zone.

2. The search for a win over Eastleigh goes on.

Not since United completed the double over Eastleigh in the 2014-15 season have they tasted victory against the Spitfires. A 1-1 draw on Boxing Day 2017 - which was secured by a Jamie Reid penalty - remains the only time positive result that the Gulls have earned against the Hampshire side since.

3. Danny returns to haunt the Gulls.

It is just over 13 years ago since Danny Hollands was drafted in on loan from Chelsea by then United manager John Cornforth in a bid to save the Gulls from what would have then been a first relegation from the Football League. Hollands appeared ten times for Unitedunder Cornforth and his successor Ian Atkins, who oversaw a great escape in which Hollands played a key role in securing. He also found the back of the net once in a thumping 4-0 win at home against Stockport County, which was followed by a memorable 2-1 away win over champions elect Carlisle United - which all but sealed United's survival. Hollands then went on to enjoy a fruitful career with Bournemouth, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and Crewe Alexandra amongst others before signing for the Spitfires in 2017.

4. The Gulls' midfield continues to chip in with goals.

One hallmark of United's National League South promotion triumph wasn't just the goal scoring prowess of Jamie Reid, who found the back of the net 32 times as he lifted the National League player of the year award, and Saikou Janneh, but the goals which United's midfielders chipped in with. Jake Andrews hit the target 12 times, Kalvin Kalala ten, Asa Hall seven and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans five, as United's free scoring style helped them to win the National League South title at a canter.
So far this season in the National League, United's midfield has already provided a reasonable haul of goals: Ben Whitfield's 25-yard curler for the Gulls' opener was his second of the campaign, while Andrews' headed effort which briefly restored United's lead was his third of the season - which makes him the Gulls' second top scorer behind Jamie Reid who has found the back of the net seven times.

5. Stacey follows in the footsteps of some well-known names.

Assistant referee Stacey Pearson became the latest in an ever growing list of female officials to be involved in a match at Plainmoor. Pearson, who also played for Yeovil Town Ladies in the Women's Super League in 2014 and 2015, joins Wendy Toms, who became the Football League's first ever female linesman when she ran the line in the Gulls' home league fixture with Carlisle United in the 1994-95 campaign, and Sian Massey-Ellis, who officiated at Plainmoor when United hosted Southend United in the 2010-11 season.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

1. Lucas Covolan continues to impress between the sticks.

Once again, Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan was a key performer for the Gulls and the stunning one-handed stop he made to deny Daggers' wide man James Dobson in the 54th minute was instrumental in keeping United level. The Brazilian also made a number of fairly routine saves throughout the match and in a week in which manager Gary Johnson that he believed he had two number one keepers in Covolan and Shaun MacDonald, Covolan firmly staked his claims against the Daggers.

2. Frank Vincent stepped up to the plate.

With Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Armani Little both absent through injury, and Jake Andrews only able to start from the bench, much of United's creativity from midfield rested on the shoulders of Bournemouth loanee Frank Vincent. It was a responsibility that the young London-born midfield schemer didn't shirk, as he passed the ball and generally looked comfortable in possession - a style befitting a player whose footballing education has been under the guidance of Eddie Howe. There is more to come from Vincent in the 2019-20 campaign for sure.

3. Has Gary Johnson unearthed a diamond in Matt Buse?

In his first start for United since joining in the summer from Taunton Town, Matt Buse made his first start and produced a very impressive display. Buse had previously appeared as a substitute in the Gulls' last two fixtures against Harrogate Town and Chesterfield and he very nearly marked his first ever start for United with a goal as he fired wide in the 26th minute, following a short corner routine involving Ben Whitfield and Frank Vincent. As the game wore on, Buse displayed a good range of passing and could also be seen dashing back to help shield the United defence.
It might be early days in his Torquay United career, but Buse could do well to follow the example of another former Gulls' midfielder who was picked up from South West non-league football in Kevin Hill. After joining United from Torrington Town in 1997, Hill became the Gulls' all-time record appearance maker with 474 before signing for Dorchester Town in 2008, and if Buse goes on to make even half of that number of appearances for United he would have done well.

4. A second clean sheet.

Remarkably United's clean sheet against the Daggers was only the second that they kept this season since returning the National League, and it was also completed with what was a makeshift defence.
The Gulls went into the game with a back five which consisted of Ben Wynter at right-back, a three-man central defence of Robbie Cundy, Joe Lewis and skipper Kyle Cameron with Liam Davis at left-back. Manager Gary Johnson then reverted to a flat back four at half-time after Lewis was replaced by Ruairi Keating, as he looked to give United a greater threat going forwards. However, once again the United backline were able to do their respective jobs to prevent the Daggers drawing what would could have been a decisive first blood.

5. A fixture that represents the strength in depth of English football - in the managerial department.

If ever there was a fixture that represented the strength in depth of the English footballing pyramid structure then it is Torquay United versus Dagenham & Redbridge - an encounter that saw two former international managers go head to head in Gary Johnson and Peter Taylor.
Johnson managed the Latvian national side between 1999 and 2001 before going onto enjoy a club managerial career with Yeovil Town, Bristol City, Peterborough United, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and the Gulls. Taylor, of course, famously managed England for a friendly against Italy in 2000 in which he became the first Three Lions boss to hand David Beckham the captain's armband, after a fairly successful spell in charge of the Under-21s. In addition to this, Taylor also had a brief spell in charge of Bahrain between 2011 and 2012.
Then there is the small matter of the 11 promotions that they have won between them. Johnson's current total stands at six: Yeovil (National League 2002-03, League Two 2004-05 and League One 2012-13), Bristol City (League One 2006-07), Cheltenham (National League 2015-16) and Torquay (National League South 2018-19) and Taylor is currently on five: Gillingham (League One 1999-00), Brighton and Hove Albion (League One 2001-02), Hull City (League Two 2003-04 and League One 2004-05) and Wycombe Wanderers (League Two 2008-09).