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.
Wednesday 25 September 2019
Sunday 22 September 2019
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).
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).
Wednesday 18 September 2019
TAYLOR PROVING TRANSITON FROM TISDALE IS A SEAMLESS ONE
In a week in which Exeter City manager Matt Taylor banished the curse of the manager of the month award and rejected the advances of another club, he saw the Grecians remain top of League Two.
Taylor received the award for August 2019 after City drew 2-2 at home to Leyton Orient, and shortly afterwards he was approached by an unnamed club - an offer which he turned down.
This was then followed by a 2-0 win over Port Vale that served to maintain the Grecians' unbeaten run and also keeps at the summit of League Two, three points clear of second placed Crewe Alexandra.
The identity of the club who made the approach for Taylor's services hasn't been revealed but two clubs in League One are currently without a manager, namely Lincoln City and Southend United due Danny Cowley's appointment as Huddersfield Town manager and the dismissal of Kevin Bond respectively.
Remarkably Taylor is currently in only his second season in senior management, after succeeding the long serving Paul Tisdale in the summer of 2018, but already his reputation is growing considerably.
After missing out on the play-offs in his maiden campaign in charge - partly influenced by the mid-season sale of leading scorer Jayden Stockley to Preston North End - City are once again amongst the division's early pacesetters. However, with the responsibility of scoring goals now being spread more evenly across the team - midfielder Nicky Law is the club's current top scorer with four while striker Ryan Bowman and midfielder Lee Martin are joint-second top scorers with three each - the Grecians are no longer reliant on just one player finding the back of the net.
Similarities could yet be found with City's last League Two promotion winning side of the 2008-09 season, which Taylor was part of, who ended the campaign as runners-up with the late Adam Stansfield finishing the season with only ten goals to his name.
Needless to say it is still early days yet for Taylor and his Grecians and a trip to Newport County, who are currently sixth in the League Two table and managed by another of the division's highly-rated young managers in Michael Flynn, is next up in what will be their tenth league game of the campaign. Another three points at Rodney Parade and more and more observers will be sitting up to take notice of Taylor, as he proves that the transition after replacing Tisdale is a seemingly seamless one.
Taylor received the award for August 2019 after City drew 2-2 at home to Leyton Orient, and shortly afterwards he was approached by an unnamed club - an offer which he turned down.
This was then followed by a 2-0 win over Port Vale that served to maintain the Grecians' unbeaten run and also keeps at the summit of League Two, three points clear of second placed Crewe Alexandra.
The identity of the club who made the approach for Taylor's services hasn't been revealed but two clubs in League One are currently without a manager, namely Lincoln City and Southend United due Danny Cowley's appointment as Huddersfield Town manager and the dismissal of Kevin Bond respectively.
Remarkably Taylor is currently in only his second season in senior management, after succeeding the long serving Paul Tisdale in the summer of 2018, but already his reputation is growing considerably.
After missing out on the play-offs in his maiden campaign in charge - partly influenced by the mid-season sale of leading scorer Jayden Stockley to Preston North End - City are once again amongst the division's early pacesetters. However, with the responsibility of scoring goals now being spread more evenly across the team - midfielder Nicky Law is the club's current top scorer with four while striker Ryan Bowman and midfielder Lee Martin are joint-second top scorers with three each - the Grecians are no longer reliant on just one player finding the back of the net.
Similarities could yet be found with City's last League Two promotion winning side of the 2008-09 season, which Taylor was part of, who ended the campaign as runners-up with the late Adam Stansfield finishing the season with only ten goals to his name.
Needless to say it is still early days yet for Taylor and his Grecians and a trip to Newport County, who are currently sixth in the League Two table and managed by another of the division's highly-rated young managers in Michael Flynn, is next up in what will be their tenth league game of the campaign. Another three points at Rodney Parade and more and more observers will be sitting up to take notice of Taylor, as he proves that the transition after replacing Tisdale is a seemingly seamless one.
Friday 13 September 2019
ONE YEAR ON: IN CELEBRATION OF GARY JOHNSON'S FIRST YEAR IN CHARGE OF TORQUAY UNITED
What a difference a year makes.
After 365 days and following a rise of 30 league places in the footballing pyramid, with a Vanarama National League South title thrown in for good measure, there has been a lot to celebrate in Gary Johnson's first year in charge of Torquay United.
When the Gulls decided to part company with Gary Owers - it was vitally important that United chairman Clarke Osborne and managing director George Edwards ensured that they appointed the right candidate. At the time of Owers' departure - the Gulls were 14th place in National League South and there were genuine concerns that they could be in for a lengthy stay in the division, not to dissimilar to the spells ex-league clubs Stockport County and York City have experienced in the league's northern equivalent.
And almost immediately after he left the building, Johnson, who enjoyed a successful and varied career. After starting out as part of John Beck's backroom staff at Cambridge United as the U's rose up through the divisions in late 1980s and early 1990s, his career had included spells with the Latvian national side, Yeovil Town (twice), Bristol City and Cheltenham Town amongst others - with whom he had won five promotions.
Johnson's appointment came shortly after he was dismissed by his previous club Cheltenham after four games into the 2018-19 season, but he didn't allow that to knock him out of his stride as he won his first game in charge away to Hungerford Town 2-0. This was then swiftly followed by a resounding 7-0 win away against Lymington Town of the Wessex League, a game that was streamed live on the BBC's red button service.
His first home game against league leaders Woking, who were ten points ahead of the Gulls at the top of the table at the time, laid down another marker. United trailed the Cards 2-0 at half-time - and Johnson made two substitutions before the break as he replaced Ruairi Keating and Chris Regis with Saikou Janneh and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - both signed on loan from Bristol City as he made his use of his connection with his son Lee being in charge at , which showed he wasn't afraid to make a big decisions. It was a move that paid off as Janneh set up Jamie Reid for his second goal of the afternoon to secure a creditable 2-2 draw.
For no player could the transformation by Johnson be more evident than for Reid. The one-time Northern Ireland Under-21 international had only found the target once in the 2018-19 campaign and is goal-to-game ratio in the region of one in eight across his Gulls' career.
However, under Johnson's guidance, he finished the season with 32 goals to his name in all competitions, which saw him scoop the National League South Player of the Year award. So far in the 2019-20 campaign back in the National League he has found the back of the net seven times - which places him at the top of the league's goal scoring charts and has seen him surpass his previous highest National League tally of six from the 2017-18 season).
The records then began to tumble as the Gulls set a new club record for unbeaten league games of 16, which ran from Johnson's first game in charge against Hungerford to a 4-0 home win over Slough Town in early January before it was ended a week later at a 3-2 defeat away to Bath City. Their victory over Slough also saw them complete a record 10th successive league win.
It was then a case of mission accomplished on 13th April 2019, when a 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough, with goals from Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews sealed the National League South title, as they finished ten points clear of second placed Woking (who United had previously trailed by ten points themselves).
At the time of writing, United have hit the ground running in the National League and are currently 8th in the table. Under Johnson, they also have a record in 49 league and cup games under Johnson of W32 D 7 L 10 - giving him a win ratio of 65%.
Other than Johnson, only Danny Cowley, prior to his departure from Lincoln City for Huddersfield Town, and the late Justin Edinburgh, who oversaw Leyton Orient's recent resurgence, can claim to have such a profound impact at one club in lower league football in recent years.
And it is a club styled very much in his image, with a backroom staff that includes former United defender Aaron Downes, who also served him as both a player and a coach at Cheltenham, as his assistant, his brother Pete Johnson as head of recruitment and Physio Kai Hepworth, who worked with him at Whaddon Road, to compliment first team coach and Under-18's manager Shaun Taylor and goalkeeper coach Phil Osborn.
Long may it continue.
After 365 days and following a rise of 30 league places in the footballing pyramid, with a Vanarama National League South title thrown in for good measure, there has been a lot to celebrate in Gary Johnson's first year in charge of Torquay United.
When the Gulls decided to part company with Gary Owers - it was vitally important that United chairman Clarke Osborne and managing director George Edwards ensured that they appointed the right candidate. At the time of Owers' departure - the Gulls were 14th place in National League South and there were genuine concerns that they could be in for a lengthy stay in the division, not to dissimilar to the spells ex-league clubs Stockport County and York City have experienced in the league's northern equivalent.
And almost immediately after he left the building, Johnson, who enjoyed a successful and varied career. After starting out as part of John Beck's backroom staff at Cambridge United as the U's rose up through the divisions in late 1980s and early 1990s, his career had included spells with the Latvian national side, Yeovil Town (twice), Bristol City and Cheltenham Town amongst others - with whom he had won five promotions.
Johnson's appointment came shortly after he was dismissed by his previous club Cheltenham after four games into the 2018-19 season, but he didn't allow that to knock him out of his stride as he won his first game in charge away to Hungerford Town 2-0. This was then swiftly followed by a resounding 7-0 win away against Lymington Town of the Wessex League, a game that was streamed live on the BBC's red button service.
His first home game against league leaders Woking, who were ten points ahead of the Gulls at the top of the table at the time, laid down another marker. United trailed the Cards 2-0 at half-time - and Johnson made two substitutions before the break as he replaced Ruairi Keating and Chris Regis with Saikou Janneh and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - both signed on loan from Bristol City as he made his use of his connection with his son Lee being in charge at , which showed he wasn't afraid to make a big decisions. It was a move that paid off as Janneh set up Jamie Reid for his second goal of the afternoon to secure a creditable 2-2 draw.
For no player could the transformation by Johnson be more evident than for Reid. The one-time Northern Ireland Under-21 international had only found the target once in the 2018-19 campaign and is goal-to-game ratio in the region of one in eight across his Gulls' career.
However, under Johnson's guidance, he finished the season with 32 goals to his name in all competitions, which saw him scoop the National League South Player of the Year award. So far in the 2019-20 campaign back in the National League he has found the back of the net seven times - which places him at the top of the league's goal scoring charts and has seen him surpass his previous highest National League tally of six from the 2017-18 season).
The records then began to tumble as the Gulls set a new club record for unbeaten league games of 16, which ran from Johnson's first game in charge against Hungerford to a 4-0 home win over Slough Town in early January before it was ended a week later at a 3-2 defeat away to Bath City. Their victory over Slough also saw them complete a record 10th successive league win.
It was then a case of mission accomplished on 13th April 2019, when a 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough, with goals from Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews sealed the National League South title, as they finished ten points clear of second placed Woking (who United had previously trailed by ten points themselves).
At the time of writing, United have hit the ground running in the National League and are currently 8th in the table. Under Johnson, they also have a record in 49 league and cup games under Johnson of W32 D 7 L 10 - giving him a win ratio of 65%.
Other than Johnson, only Danny Cowley, prior to his departure from Lincoln City for Huddersfield Town, and the late Justin Edinburgh, who oversaw Leyton Orient's recent resurgence, can claim to have such a profound impact at one club in lower league football in recent years.
And it is a club styled very much in his image, with a backroom staff that includes former United defender Aaron Downes, who also served him as both a player and a coach at Cheltenham, as his assistant, his brother Pete Johnson as head of recruitment and Physio Kai Hepworth, who worked with him at Whaddon Road, to compliment first team coach and Under-18's manager Shaun Taylor and goalkeeper coach Phil Osborn.
Long may it continue.
United's records under Gary Johnson:
• Biggest FA Cup win (7-0 v Lymington)
• Most consecutive league wins (10 - 13/11/18 to 05/01/19)
• Most league games unbeaten (16 - 08/09/18 to 05/01/19)
• Most goals (93)
• Best goal difference (+52)
• Most league wins (27)
• Fewest league defeats (8)
• Most points (88)
• Fastest ever goal (10 seconds, Kalvin Kalala v St Albans – away)
Sunday 8 September 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HARROGATE TOWN
1. The world can be Kalvin Kalala's oyster.
If Kalvin Kalala can replicate his second half display after coming on as a half time substitute for Torquay United against Harrogate Town then his talents are destined for a far higher stage.
After replacing Dutchman Manny Duku on 46 minutes, Kalala was the architect for Jake Andrews' 51st minute equaliser, netted United's second equaliser on 70 minutes with a stunning strike from 25-yards and then teed up Jamie Reid for the Gulls' fourth of the afternoon which settled the game as a contest. As manager Gary Johnson said in his post-match interview: "We want him to be an impact player from the start, and if he can do start then the world is his oyster."
2. Two milestones for Jamie Reid.
By netting a second half brace, Jamie Reid has now taken his tally for the season to seven goals.
Not only has Reid's brace made him the top scorer in the National League for the 2019-20 so far, he has now surpassed the six goals that he scored in the entirety of his last National League campaign in 2017-18, he is now also the Gulls' joint-leading scorer this century with David Graham on 49 goals.
3. Injury crisis, what crisis?
What made United's display against Harrogate seem that bit more remarkable is that they achieved it in light of a number of key players being absent through injury. Skipper Asa Hall, Armani Little, Bristol City loan pair Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, central defender Jean Yves Koue Niate and Ruairi Keating were all absent through injury, which only serves to strongly reflect the strength in depth that the Gulls possess at the moment.
4. United's latest recruits are settling in well.
Yesterday's match also saw midfielder Ben Whitfield make his home debut and central defender Robbie Cundy make his actual debut for the Gulls. Whitfield, who arrived at Plainmoor on a free transfer from Port Vale, marked his maiden appearance for United with the equalising goal in their midweek draw with Woking and threatened to add to his tally on occasions against Harrogate. Cundy, who started the season on loan at Exeter City, becomes the latest player to join United on loan from Bristol City - making good use of the father and son connection between Gary and Lee Johnson - and he produced a solid display in the centre of the Gulls' defence alongside stand-in skipper Kyle Cameron.
5. Veteran Stead proves he still has the scoring touch.
The dismissal of former England Under-21 striker Jon Stead for Harrogate after receiving two yellow cards was one of the key talking point to emerge from Town's defeat to the Gulls. However, up until his second yellow on 63 minutes, for what was adjudged to have been a deliberate hand ball, Stead, who lists Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town amongst his former clubs, had arguably been the best player on the pitch - although Kalvin Kalala would later take centre stage. In an era where players where players who have played at the top level of the game don't drop down the leagues in the same way as they once did, Stead's presence at Harrogate and in the National League is something that should be celebrated.
If Kalvin Kalala can replicate his second half display after coming on as a half time substitute for Torquay United against Harrogate Town then his talents are destined for a far higher stage.
After replacing Dutchman Manny Duku on 46 minutes, Kalala was the architect for Jake Andrews' 51st minute equaliser, netted United's second equaliser on 70 minutes with a stunning strike from 25-yards and then teed up Jamie Reid for the Gulls' fourth of the afternoon which settled the game as a contest. As manager Gary Johnson said in his post-match interview: "We want him to be an impact player from the start, and if he can do start then the world is his oyster."
2. Two milestones for Jamie Reid.
By netting a second half brace, Jamie Reid has now taken his tally for the season to seven goals.
Not only has Reid's brace made him the top scorer in the National League for the 2019-20 so far, he has now surpassed the six goals that he scored in the entirety of his last National League campaign in 2017-18, he is now also the Gulls' joint-leading scorer this century with David Graham on 49 goals.
3. Injury crisis, what crisis?
What made United's display against Harrogate seem that bit more remarkable is that they achieved it in light of a number of key players being absent through injury. Skipper Asa Hall, Armani Little, Bristol City loan pair Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, central defender Jean Yves Koue Niate and Ruairi Keating were all absent through injury, which only serves to strongly reflect the strength in depth that the Gulls possess at the moment.
4. United's latest recruits are settling in well.
Yesterday's match also saw midfielder Ben Whitfield make his home debut and central defender Robbie Cundy make his actual debut for the Gulls. Whitfield, who arrived at Plainmoor on a free transfer from Port Vale, marked his maiden appearance for United with the equalising goal in their midweek draw with Woking and threatened to add to his tally on occasions against Harrogate. Cundy, who started the season on loan at Exeter City, becomes the latest player to join United on loan from Bristol City - making good use of the father and son connection between Gary and Lee Johnson - and he produced a solid display in the centre of the Gulls' defence alongside stand-in skipper Kyle Cameron.
5. Veteran Stead proves he still has the scoring touch.
The dismissal of former England Under-21 striker Jon Stead for Harrogate after receiving two yellow cards was one of the key talking point to emerge from Town's defeat to the Gulls. However, up until his second yellow on 63 minutes, for what was adjudged to have been a deliberate hand ball, Stead, who lists Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town amongst his former clubs, had arguably been the best player on the pitch - although Kalvin Kalala would later take centre stage. In an era where players where players who have played at the top level of the game don't drop down the leagues in the same way as they once did, Stead's presence at Harrogate and in the National League is something that should be celebrated.
Sunday 1 September 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HARTLEPOOL UNITED
1. Lucas Covolan continues to impress.
While Brazilian goalkeepers Ederson and Allison impressed in the Premier League last season for Manchester City and Liverpool, and continue to do so, their compatriot Lucas Covolan is emerging as a stand out performer for Torquay United in the National League. Covolan, 28, who joined the Gulls in the summer from Worthing FC, made a string of fine saves against Hartlepool with the pick of them coming in the 70th minute when he denied Pools defender Fraser Kerr.
The goalkeeping position is one area where United manager Gary Johnson is spoilt for choice, as he has the choice between Covolan and Shaun MacDonald - a scenario very similar to the one he faced at Bristol City where he had to choose between another Brazilian in Adriano Basso and former Yeovil keeper Chris Weale.
2. Reid makes it five in eight.
One player who continues to make the step up from the National League South is United's Jamie Reid who made it five goals in eight games for the season. Former Northern Ireland Under-21 international Reid scored the Gulls' equaliser in the 51st minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after being teed up by left-back Liam Davis.
Reid is now the National League joint second top scorer with Gime Toure (Hartlepool), Innih Effiong (Dover) and Liam McAlinden (FC Halifax), who have also scored five.
3. A Football League game in everything but name.
In the build-up to the game, Gary Johnson described the Gulls' clash with Hartlepool as a 'Football League game' in everything but name' and as a contest it lived up to that billing. It was also reflected by the game's attendance of 2,683, which was the third highest crowd in the National League behind Wrexham versus Stockport County (5,777) and Chesterfield and Dagenham & Redbridge (3,708) - both Football League fixtures of old as well.
4. A nice one for the memory of Cyril.
Saturday's match also marked the 28th anniversary of the death of Cyril Knowles - who managed both the Gulls (1987-1989) and the Pools (1989-1991) with great success. He led Torquay to the brink of promotion in the 1987-88 season, where they lost a two-legged play-off final against Swansea City, and then to the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1989 and he assembled the Hartlepool side that won automatic promotion in the 1990-91 season before his death from a brain tumour on August 30th, 1991. He would surely have been pleased to see two of his former clubs turning their fortunes around after several difficult years for both.
5. A feeling of de ja vu?
When Gary Johnson was first appointed as Gulls manager, United were ten points behind Woking, who were top at the time, in the National League South. Fast forward nearly a year on and United are ten points behind the Cards in the league above, and we all know what happened next!
While Brazilian goalkeepers Ederson and Allison impressed in the Premier League last season for Manchester City and Liverpool, and continue to do so, their compatriot Lucas Covolan is emerging as a stand out performer for Torquay United in the National League. Covolan, 28, who joined the Gulls in the summer from Worthing FC, made a string of fine saves against Hartlepool with the pick of them coming in the 70th minute when he denied Pools defender Fraser Kerr.
The goalkeeping position is one area where United manager Gary Johnson is spoilt for choice, as he has the choice between Covolan and Shaun MacDonald - a scenario very similar to the one he faced at Bristol City where he had to choose between another Brazilian in Adriano Basso and former Yeovil keeper Chris Weale.
2. Reid makes it five in eight.
One player who continues to make the step up from the National League South is United's Jamie Reid who made it five goals in eight games for the season. Former Northern Ireland Under-21 international Reid scored the Gulls' equaliser in the 51st minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after being teed up by left-back Liam Davis.
Reid is now the National League joint second top scorer with Gime Toure (Hartlepool), Innih Effiong (Dover) and Liam McAlinden (FC Halifax), who have also scored five.
3. A Football League game in everything but name.
In the build-up to the game, Gary Johnson described the Gulls' clash with Hartlepool as a 'Football League game' in everything but name' and as a contest it lived up to that billing. It was also reflected by the game's attendance of 2,683, which was the third highest crowd in the National League behind Wrexham versus Stockport County (5,777) and Chesterfield and Dagenham & Redbridge (3,708) - both Football League fixtures of old as well.
4. A nice one for the memory of Cyril.
Saturday's match also marked the 28th anniversary of the death of Cyril Knowles - who managed both the Gulls (1987-1989) and the Pools (1989-1991) with great success. He led Torquay to the brink of promotion in the 1987-88 season, where they lost a two-legged play-off final against Swansea City, and then to the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1989 and he assembled the Hartlepool side that won automatic promotion in the 1990-91 season before his death from a brain tumour on August 30th, 1991. He would surely have been pleased to see two of his former clubs turning their fortunes around after several difficult years for both.
5. A feeling of de ja vu?
When Gary Johnson was first appointed as Gulls manager, United were ten points behind Woking, who were top at the time, in the National League South. Fast forward nearly a year on and United are ten points behind the Cards in the league above, and we all know what happened next!
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