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.
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.
