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.
