When Torquay United last appeared at Plainmoor in front of fans they secured back-to-back wins for the first time
since early November with victory over Chorley on 29 February 2020.
Robbie Cundy's maiden goal for the club and Jamie Reid's 21st of the campaign sealed a 2-0 win for United against the Magpies, who have knocked Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United out of this season's FA Cup. So - as the Plainmoor faithful (or at least a proportion of them) gear up for a return to the ground - we will now look back at the players who featured for United that day.
Torquay United (3-5-2):
Shaun MacDonald - Currently enjoying a return to action following an injury to Lucas Covolan and looks set to continue between the sticks for the Gulls in the immediate future.
Joe Lewis - The Swansea City loanee's free-kick on the stroke of half-time set up Robbie Cundy for the Gulls' opener that day. His efforts saw him make the Non League Paper's National League team of the day. At present Lewis is a regular for the Swans' Under-23 side and also featured for Wales Under-21's in their recent 3-0 win over Moldova.
Robbie Cundy - Robbie Cundy opened his account for the Gulls in what proved to be the penulimate game of his loan spell from Bristol City. After returning to Ashton Gate amid the Covid-19 induced suspension of the National League, Cundy was loaned out to Cambridge United for the 2020-21 season. He has been a regular for the U's, who are currently sixth in League Two at the time of writing.
Kyle Cameron - The United vice-captain is still the mainstay of the Gulls' defence and has worn the captain's armband on a number of occasions this season when skipper Asa Hall has been rested. Cameron has proved to be a rmajor threat from set plays for United this season, as evidenced by his brace in United's 2-0 win over Dover in October.
Ben Whitfield - Playing in a slightly unfamiliar position of right wing-back that day against Chorley, Ben Whitfield's cross provided the assist for Jamie Reid's second goal. He was voted as the Gulls' player of the year for the 2019-20 season. Whitfield has been an ever present for United in the 2020-21 campaign and is the Gulls' third top-scorer with three goals.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was coming towards the end of his fourth and final loan spell with the Gulls from Bristol City. In the summer of 2020, he agreed a deal to return to Plainmoor on a permanent basis and marked his first game as a fully fledged Gull with the decisive, winning goal in the 90th minute against Stockport County on the opening day of the campaign.
Asa Hall - He might have turned 34 recently, but Asa Hall continues to make his experience count in the heart of United's midfield. Hall is currently United's second top scorer with four goals this season- which includes a brace of penalties in their 5-6 FA Cup first round defeat at the hands of Crawley Town.
Jake Andrews - A regular for United in the 2019-20 season, Jake Andrews hasn't featured as much for United in the 2020-21 campaign. This has been largely due to a combination of injury and the form of Ben Whitfield on United's left-wing. However, he did return to the Gulls' starting line-up against Wealdstone as a makeshift left-back, standing in for Dean Moxey.
Jackson Longridge - Signed on loan from Bradford City, Scottish left-back Jackson Longridge successfully filled the void left by the injury to Liam Davis on the left-hand side of the United defence. Longridge has yet to feature for the Bantams since returning to Valley Parade.
Jamie Reid - Reid's effort for United that afternoon was his 21st of the campaign, and it would prove to be his final goal for the Gulls. In the summer of 2020, he opted to try his luck in the EFL with Mansfield Town. After experiencing a change of manager early in the 2020-21 season when Graham Coughlan, who was responsible for signing him, was replaced by former Burton Albion and Derby County boss Nigel Clough. Reid is currently looking to impress Clough after opening his League Two account for the Stags with the winning goal in their recent away win over Cambridge United.
Ade Azeez - Ade Azeez had returned to United for a second loan spell from Newport County. The week before had seen him emulate former Gulls' striker Dave Caldwell by scoring on both debuts for the club when he netted the winner against FC Halifax Town. However, on this occasion he would agonisingly miss the target from six yards early in the second half, with an effort he would rather forget. In the summer, Azeez was released by Newport and then signed a deal with Dover Athletic.
Subs:
Aaron Nemane - The Frenchman, who lists Manchester City and Rangers amongst his former clubs, came on as an 82nd minute substitute for Connor Lemonheigh-Evans for Unired against Chorley. After being used sparingly by United boss Gary Johnson since his arrival midway through the 2019-20 season, Nemane has established himself as a regular for the Gulls in the 2020-21 campaign.
