Sunday 25 August 2019

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALDERSHOT TOWN

1. The Gulls finally called the Shots over Aldershot.

In completing victory over the Shots, the Gulls secured their first win over the Shots since 2nd October 2012, when they recovered from being three goals down to win 4-3 thanks to goals from Billy Bodin, Ryan Jarvis, Ashley Yeoman and Rene Howe. It was also only their second win over Aldershot as a non-league team - their only previous National League triumph over them came early in the 207-08 when Tim Sills, Danny Stevens and Chris Zebroski struck to secure a 3-0 victory.

2. Reid is now joint top of the charts.

After finding the back of the net with a low, 25-yard strike in first half injury time, which was his fourth of the 2019-20 season, Jamie Reid is now the joint-top scorer in the National League.
It's a feat that he shares with former Gulls Nathan Blissett and Paul McCallum, now of Solihull Moors, Barrow's Scott Quigley, Simeon Akinola of Barnet and Chesterfield's Scott Boden.

3. Opi Edwards is displaying his full potential.

Despite making a promising start to his first loan spell from Bristol City last season injuries prevented Opi Edwards from displaying his true potential as United clinched the National League South title.
However, he did return to find the back of the net in their final game of the campaign as they beat St Albans City 4-0 and he has carried on where he left off last season, by scoring the second goal of his current loan spell against Aldershot yesterday.

4. Half century not out for Kyle.

In the wake of yesterday's victory, United defender Kyle Cameron revealed on Twitter that he has now made 51 appearances for the Gulls, with his 50th appearance coming last week against Dover Athletic. All of the Plainmoor faithful will no doubt be keen to see Cameron convert this half century into a century in the near to distant future.

5. United now above the line.

By winning automatic promotion last season, United therefore missed out on the new National League play-off format. The new system, which came into being in the 2017-18 season, now sees the side in fourth place face the team in seventh and the team in fifth play whoever finishes sixth before the National League runners-up and third placed teams enter the fray - with the highest placed team receiving home advantage each time.
Should the Gulls finish the 2019-20 campaign in their current position of seventh place, then they will be receiving their first taste of it. Of course they could replicate last season's achievements and avoid it all again!