As Torquay United made a winning return to National League life against Boreham Wood, there was a certain irony that Jamie Reid would score the winning goal - as he also scored the winning goal in United's last victory prior to their relegation to National League South against FC Halifax Town on 6th April 2018. His effort against the Shaymen was Reid's sixth of the 2017-18 campaign, but - whilst he may not find the back of the net 32 times as he did last season - in a team that plays fast, attacking football that creates plenty of chances he is more than capable of hitting double figures in the 2019-20 campaign.
2. The Ashton Gate connection is as strong as ever.
Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans returned from Bristol City as two of four 11th hour signings made by Gary Johnson ahead of Saturday's encounter with Boreham Wood - Matt Buse on a free transfer and the loan signing of Momodou Touray from Newport County were the other two - and they both made big impact. The pair were introduced from the bench in the 55th minute in place of Jake Andrews and Manny Duku respectively, and Lemonheigh-Evans combined well with Jamie Reid on the left hand side as he enabled Reid to produce the cross which Edwards tapped home.
There is a strong possibility that the duo will be in line for a place in the United starting line-up against Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.
3. United aren't the Man City of the National League.
In his post-match interview, United boss Gary Johnson warned his side not to rest on their laurels and was quick to point out that the Gulls aren't the Man City of the National League.
“We are not the Man City of this league," said Johnson. "We were the Man City of the last league (National League South), so every game we play we are going to have to play well otherwise the opposition are going to punish us.”
Despite playing with ten men following the dismissal of Jamal Fyfield on 30 minutes, Boreham Wood still gave a good account of themselves as they gave United a late scare when former Gulls' striker Tyrone Marsh netted with a debut strike in the dying minutes of the game.
United finished last season ten points clear of second placed Woking, but they are unlikely to have it all their own way this time around and a number of the 'icebergs' that Johnson often refers to are likely to be lurking in the background.
On this evidence, the 2019-20 National League campaign could yet turn out to be the toughest and most competitive of recent times.
4. A measure of progress.
Torquay United's opening day encounter with Boreham Wood was the fourth time that the two sides have faced each other in the past two years. The Wood completed the double over the Gulls in the 2017-18 season - winning 4-2 at Plainmoor and 2-0 at Meadow Park, the first of those results proved to be Kevin Nicholson's last game in charge.
They also met in the FA Trophy 1st round where the Wood won 3-1 after extra time after the Gulls were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of Ruairi Keating and Kyle Cameron.
United's victory over the Wood, their third in nine attempts, can certainly be seen as a measure of progress.
5. Riding high in the table - on and off the field.
Saturday's win over Boreham Wood not only puts United in sixth place in the provisional National League table, but their attendance of 3,138 puts them in fourth place in the National League average attendance table. Only Hartlepool United versus Sutton United (3,812), Chesterfield versus Dover Athletic (4,332) and Stockport County versus Maidenhead United (4,626) attracted more spectators.
The crowd at Plainmoor was also higher than Forest Green Rovers versus Oldham Athletic (2,541) and Morecambe versus Grimsby Town (2,872) in League Two.
