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.
