FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EBBSFLEET UNITED

1. For Craig Taylor in 2002-03 and Guy Branston in 2009-10, read Gary Warren in 2019-20.

In the 2002-03 season, then Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior looked to shore up a porous defence with the loan signing of the experienced Craig Taylor from Plymouth Argyle. Fast forward to the 2009-10 campaign and Paul Buckle did the same when he brought in the much travelled Guy Branston from Burton Albion to add more experience to a central defensive roster that included Chris Robertson and Mark Ellis amongst others.

This season Gary Johnson has opted to go down the same route with the loan acquisition of Gary Warren from Exeter City and yesterday's encounter displayed the evidence that he is having the same impact in 2019-20 as messrs Taylor and Branston in 2002-03 and 2009-10 respectively. Warren produced a calm and authoritative display in the centre of the Gulls' defence and made a number crucial blocks and interceptions to keep Ebbsfleet at bay. After Taylor and Branston made their loans permanent the Gulls went on to enjoy successful seasons; in the 2003-04 campaign automatic promotion was achieved and in 2010-11 the Gulls reached the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford where they lost to Stevenage, so if Warren can turn his loan deal into a full time deal then another successful campaign could follow in 2020-21.

2. The irony of the National League's two worst defences producing a goalless draw.

On paper it would have seemed that with the National League's two worst defences (Torquay 57 and Ebbsfleet 60) yesterday would have seen a goal fest, possibly in the favour of the Gulls - who are the division's fourth highest scorers with 52. However, the opposite proved to be the case as it ended goalless.

3. Joe Lewis and Jackson Longridge produced solid displays at full-backs.

With Ben Wynter and Liam Davis remaining long-term absentees through injury, right-back Joe Lewis and left-back Jackson Longridge were amongst United's stand out performers. Both players performed well defensively, and also provided an extra ammunition in an attacking sense - Lewis' 39th minute cross was agonisingly headed wide by Ben Whitfield being an example of this.

Longridge also had his moments as well as a possible element of good fortune just before half-time as Fleet midfielder John Goddard was adjudged to have dived after going down under a challenge from the Bradford City loanee.

4 Ebbsfleet embargoed.

In his post-match interview, Ebbsfleet manager Kevin Watson revealed that his side went into the game under a transfer embargo over an unpaid bill. This meant that Watson was unable to name new signing Michael Timlin in his matchday squad and went into the game with only four players on the sub's bench. Watson told the assembled media: "“We are under an embargo, he (Michael Timlin) was signed, his registration was put before the FA who allowed it to go through but the National League put a block on it for reasons I prefer not to go into, but it’s not down to me it’s an internal issue regarding our club– a bill needs paying."

5. An opportunity missed for the Gulls perhaps?
 
At the start of the day, the Gulls were five points off the play-off zone and eight points clear of the relegation places. At full-time that remained the case for Gary Johnson's men and partly due to United's own results, and other results elsewhere. Had they managed to beat Ebbsfleet, they would have been three points off the play-offs instead.
 
Footnote: United's crossbar challenge winner provided arguably the best half-time entertainment seen at Plainmoor for many a year as he managed to hit the crossbar twice in three attempts.
 

 

ONCE A CHAMPION, ALWAYS A CHAMPION

It could be said that life following Torquay United is like riding a roller coaster, so it was perhaps apt that the Gulls would sign the nephew of Irish singer Ronan Keating.

However, United did indeed secure the signature of Ruairi Keating and his time at the club proved to be a series of highs and lows.

Having appeared as a forward for a series of clubs in the Republic of Ireland including Sligo Rovers, Galway FC and Finn Harps, he decided to try his luck with the Gulls as he signed for then manager Kevin Nicholson in February 2017 on non-contract terms.

Ruairi made his debut for the Gulls as a late substitute for Brett Williams against Macclesfield Town on February 11th 2017, but it wasn't long before he made his first significant contribution in a United shirt. A month later, he came off the bench to score a late winner against Southport after initially not travelling with the squad due to illness and only travelled on the day to make up the numbers. The win moved the Gulls out of the relegation zone.

Towards the end of the campaign, he then went on to form a useful strike partnership with the mercurial Brett Williams as the Gulls pulled off a second successive 'great escape'. Ruairi netted two further goals against Aldershot Town and champions elect Lincoln City away, and proved to be excellent foil for Williams, who scored four times in United's final three matches.

After securing their survival, Ruairi agreed a new deal with the Gulls but United didn't get off to the best of starts to the 2017-18 campaign and Nicholson, the manager who signed him, was sacked following a 4-2 home defeat against Boreham Wood - a game that saw Ruairi net both of the Gulls' goals. Unfortunately Nicholson's successor Gary Owers was unable to stop the rot as United were relegated to National League South at the end of the season.

Despite the Gulls' relegation, Ruairi remained at Plainmoor and played a key part in helping United adapt to life at a new level as he netted twice in the Gulls' 2-0 home win over East Thurrock United in their second home game of the season, which helped United to clinch seven points from a possible nine in their opening three National League South fixtures.

Sadly the Gulls weren't able to build on this start and Owers was sacked in the following September in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat to Chippenham Town. Within days of his departure, former Yeovil Town, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson was unveiled as his successor.

Johnson's arrival galvanised a struggling team who were 14th in the National League South as United went on a club record run of 16 league games unbeaten, which culminated in a 4-0 win over Slough Town - and Ruairi was amongst the scorers. A month later, his late winner away to East Thurrock, which secured United a 2-1 win also proved to be an important moment in the context of the season.

Under Johnson, Ruairi often found himself deployed in a new position on a right-wing, a role which he adapted to fairly well. Before his substitution in the Gulls' 3-3 draw with Woking in April 2019, a result that was crucial in helping them to secure the National League South, Ruairi had provided the assists for six of United's previous seven goals - including an exquiste pass that set up leading scorer Jamie Reid up for the Gulls' opener that afternoon.

Back in the National League, Ruairi found himself in and out of the United starting line-up, but still managed to chip in with three goals - including a stunning strike from distance in the Gulls' 4-1 win over Woking on December 28th, 2019 in their final match of the decade.

His desire for first team football has prompted his impending move to National League North outfit Gateshead, managed by former United defender Mike Williamson, but as Johnson said following United's 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough: "they can call each other champions for the rest of their lives'.

And Ruairi can certainly do that.

FYLDE WIN COULD BE TURNING POINT FOR GULLS

If when looking back on the 2019-20 season the Gulls faithful find one result that proved to be a turning point for Torquay United and manager Gary Johnson then AFC Fylde away is a very strong candidate.

Despite falling behind to an effort from Tom Walker, who had previously tormented United during their 5-1 home defeat to Stockport County last November- for whom he was on loan from Salford City, the Gulls rallied as skipper Asa Hall equalised with his fourth goal of the campaign two minutes later.

In the 29th minute Jamie Reid fired home his 20th goal of the season in all competitions - which also proved to be his first in 2020 - to give the Gulls a lead which they held until the half-time interval.

In the second half, United further extended their advantage on the hour mark after Reid's shot was palmed away by former Gulls keeper Dan Lavercombe and fell invitingly to Ben Whitfield, who slotted home his seventh goal of the campaign - which makes the Gulls' second top scorer outright.

However, leading scorer Jordan Williams pulled one back 12 minutes from time for the Coasters to ensure a nervy finish - but ultimately it wasn't enough to signal a comeback for Jim Bentley's men, as United completed their first double of the season.

The win lifts the Gulls up to 13th place in the Vanarama National League table, which leaves them five points off the play-off spots and eight clear of the relegation zone. Had they lost then the opposite would be true. Meanwhile the Coasters, under the command of Bentley, who took charge at Mill Farm after over eight years at Morecambe, now find themselves three points adrift from safety with a game in hand.

WINDOW WATCH 2020

With the January 2020 transfer window having passed the midway point, Plymouth Argyle have so far been the busiest movers having seen two players arrived and one depart so far.

Midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson and striker Ryan Hardie have arrived on loan from Bristol City and Blackpool respectively to boost Ryan Lowe's squad as the Pilgrims continue to strengthen their promotion challenge. Experienced striker Billy Clarke has left Home Park and has signed for former Argyle boss Ian Holloway at Grimsby Town.

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor hasn't had any incomings at St James Park, but the Grecians have seen central defender Gary Warren join near neighbours Torquay United on loan and central midfielder Jordan Tillson has headed north of the border to join Ross County.

As National League clubs, Torquay United and Yeovil Town aren't restricted by the January transfer window in the same way as Plymouth and Exeter are, but Gulls manager Gary Johnson has delved into the market. As well as the signing of the experienced Warren to play in the centre of defence, Johnson has also drafted in left-back Jackson Longridge from Bradford City on loan. Experienced midfielder Ryan Dickson has extended his loan spell with Truro City until the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Glovers' manager Darren Sarll has so far re-signed midfielder Jimmy Smith on loan from Crawley Town and vastly experienced striker Marc Richards has recently put pen to paper for a deal until the end of the season. However, Sarll has lost the services of loan signing James Tilley, after a permanent deal was agreed between Grimsby Town and his parent club Brighton and Hove Albion.

Torquay United:

In: Gary Warren (Exeter City, loan), Jackson Longridge (Bradford City, loan)

Out: Ryan Dickson (Truro City, loan)

Exeter City:

In: None

Out: Gary Warren (Torquay United, loan), Jordan Tillson (Ross County)

Plymouth Argyle:

In: Tyreeq Bakinson (Bristol City, loan), Ryan Hardie (Blackpool, loan)

Out: Billy Clarke (Grimsby Town)

Yeovil Town:

In:

Out: James Tilley (loan ended with Brighton and Hove Albion after securing permanent move to Grimsby Town)

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FC HALIFAX TOWN IN THE FA TROPHY

1. Jackson Longridge has answered the left-back conundrum.

Since Liam Davis suffered a fractured ankle against Maidstone United in the FA Cup first round Gary Johnson has tried several different options at left-back. Ramarni Medford-Smith joined on loan from Reading and came and went and centre backs Joe Lewis and Kyle Cameron - normally centre backs by trade - both played there with mixed results and so did Jake Andrews. However, Jackson Longridge, a Scottish loanee who joins United from Bradford City, looks a far better bet following his debut FC Halifax in the FA Trophy. Longridge, 24, who has also appeared for Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic, looked assured going forward as well as being strong defensively, and was one of United's stand out performers.

2. Gary Warren appears to be the experienced centre back the Gulls have been crying out for?

An experienced centre back in the mould of Alex Watson, Craig Taylor or Guy Branston has been on the wish list of several United fans over the past few months and their wishes appeared to have been answered with the arrival of Gary Warren on loan from Exeter City. Warren, 35, who lives in Taunton, has also played for Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Yeovil Town in his career. He started the game as part of the back three with Robbie Cundy and Kyle Cameron and was denied a debut goal for the Gulls on the hour mark after his overhead kick cleared off the line.

3. An eighth home defeat.

If anyone had said that by the middle of January 2020 that the Gulls would have lost eight home games in all competitions few would have believed them, but that has now come to pass following yesterday's result. The past few months has seen United knocked out of their stride by a massive casualty list, which appears to be easing, but if they are to make a late run for the play-offs then they can't afford to lose anyone matches at Plainmoor. Yesterday's result also emphasised that they did to score when they are on top, as United couldn't turn their first half dominance into goals.

4. Lemonheigh-Evans' first goal since last August.

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' 72nd minute consolation goal was his first goal since United's 3-3 draw with Bromley last August. It was also the 24th goal that the Gulls had scored from midfield this season in all competitions. The full list includes: Jake Andrews and Ben Whitfield (6), Asa Hall, Kalvin Kalala and Armani Little (3) and Lemonheigh-Evans, Matt Buse and Opi Edwards (2).

5. A free date.

Owing to Notts County's victory over Dagenham & Redbridge United will now have a free weekend on 8th February, which was when they were due to face the Magpies in the National League. The fixture will now have to be re-arranged for a midweek date.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS YEOVIL TOWN

1. Ben Wynter and Liam Davis were big misses for the Gulls.

Out of the list of absentees from the Torquay United squad on New Year's Day against Yeovil Town, arguably the one's that were most keenly felt were Ben Wynter and Liam Davis at right-back and left-back respectively. While Joe Lewis and Kyle Cameron, both centre backs by trade, did an admirable job against Woking, but they struggled to make a similar impact against the Glovers. In the modern game, the full back has evolved from being a defensive position to an attacking position and messrs Lewis and Cameron lacked the natural attacking instincts of Wynter and Davis - which resulted in a number of promising attacking moves breaking down as Yeovil were able to regroup and get men behind the ball. How much of a difference their presence in the side would have made nobody will ever know. However, since Davis sustained a fractured ankle against Maidstone United in the FA Cup first round United have lost eight of their following ten fixtures in all competitions.

2. The Glovers only need ten men.

For the second time this season Yeovil Town have won a game after being reduced to ten men. Veteran striker Chris Dagnall received a straight red in the 12th minute for kicking out at United keeper Lucas Covolan, which didn't prevent the Glovers from going onto clinch all three points. Yeovil also beat FC Halifax  2-0 at Huish Park last month, with a brace from Courtney Duffus, after Gold Omotayo had received his marching orders.

3. 'It felt like they have eleven men and we had ten'.

That was the quote from Torquay United assistant manager Aaron Downes when he filled in for manager Gary Johnson in the post-match interview following the Gulls' defeat to Yeovil. Early in the 2015-16 season, Downes was part of a Cheltenham Town side - managed by Johnson - who beat the Gulls 3-0 with ten men- in a game that saw him score the Robins' opening goal on his return to Plainmoor. Cheltenham went on to win the National League title that season, and, on the evidence of their festive fixtures against the Gulls, the Glovers looked well equipped to do the same in the current campaign.

4. The Glovers present a benchmark for further progress to United.

If Torquay United want to win promotion to the Football League then Yeovil represent a possible benchmark for what they need to aspire to in order to do it. The Glovers side did bear certain similarities to the United side that Paul Buckle assembled in his first season in the National League in the 2007-08 season. In centre back Lee Collins they had a strong, commanding centre back who could easily be compared to Chris Todd, in midfield Charlie Lee possesses similar leadership qualities to those of Chris Hargreaves and up front Courtney Duffus and Rhys Murphy are as prolific, if not more so than, as Tim Sills and Lee Phillips. It promises to be an interesting month or so, as manager Gary Johnson looks to remould his squad ahead of his next challenge.

5. Highest crowds of the season.

The Boxing Day encounter between the Glovers and the Gulls at Huish Park attracted a crowd of 5,056 and the return fixture at Plainmoor drew a crowd of 4,165 - with nearly 1,000 away attending both. With both Yeovil and Torquay still in the FA Trophy, it would be interesting to see if they were able to replicate those attendance figure if they were to meet in the two-legged semi-final stage of the competition.