KIEFFER EFFORT PROVES TO BE DECISIVE FOR WALES

While Ollie Watkins took all the headlines after scoring on his debut for England against San Marino, another of South Devon's footballing exports Kieffer Moore was on target for Wales against Mexico. 

Torquay-born Moore, 28, who is currently plying his trade for Cardiff City in the Championship, scored the game's only goal in the 11th minute. After Jonny Williams' low cross picked him in the penatly box, Moore brought the ball under control before rolling it into the bottom corner. It was Moore's fifth goal in 14 appearances for the Welsh, who he qualifies to represent through his grandfather, and also equals the number he scored during his four-match loan spell with Torquay United in the 2016-17 season. 

He was later substituted at half time and replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu - who was one of three players who has since been sent home from the squad for breaching 'protocols'. 

The win was also Wales' first over the Mexicans in five attempts and it proved to be the perfect way to celebrate Wales' record appearance holder Chris Gunter receiving his 100th cap. 

 

 

 

DOVER AND OUT

Torquay United's narrow defeat away to Dagenham & Redbridge wasn't the only blow to their National League title chances that they received this weekend. 

Before the Gulls kicked off against the Daggers it had been revealed that the National League's decision to punish bottom club Dover Athletic for not fulfilling their fixtures over a lack of government grants including expunging all of the White's results from the ten games that they did manage to play - including their 2-0 defeat to United on October 17. A brace from vice-captain Kyle Cameron made the difference for the Gulls that day - but that result has now been ruled null and void, which means United have lost further ground on leaders Sutton United and United now trail the U's by ten points.

In addition to this, Dover have also been fined £40,000 and will start the 2021-22 National League campaign on minus 12 points. Similar fines have also been issued to a number of clubs in National Leagues North and South - ranging from £1,400 to £8,000. A number of clubs are believed to be considering a vote of no confidence against the National League Board

Meanwhile, White's chairman Jim Parmenter has said that he will not pay the fine, as it will push Dover towards insolvency.

 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR OLLIE

Ollie Watkins' debut for England against San Marino proved to be a night of many firsts for the Newton Abbot-born Aston Villa striker. 

The one-time Exeter City starlet entered the field in place of Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 63rd minute. With eight minutes left left-back Ben Chilwell worked the ball to West Ham's Jesse Lingard who found Manchester City's Phil Foden who, in turn, found Watkins who beat San Marino keeper Elia Benedettini with a low shot as England completed a handsome 5-0 victory - as they started out on the road to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Not only did he mark his first appearance for the Three Lions with his maiden goal - joining an exclusive group of players who have scored on their England debut - but he also became the first South Devon born player to appear for England since Ralph Birkett in 1935. In addition to this, he also became the first former Exeter City player to feature for England since Cliff Bastin in 1938 and the first Devon born player to represent the Three Lions since Trevor Francis in 1986. 

It was a night where club rivalries could be put to one side to admire what should surely rank as one of the great South West sporting success stories of all-time. 

For those who have followed Watkins' career closely it was another milestone which ranked alongside his memorable brace for the Grecians in their 2-1 Devon derby win over Plymouth Argyle in April 2016, helping his previous club Brentford reach the Championship play-off final last season and his hat trick in  Villa's 7-2 win over defending Premier League champions Liverpool in October last year.

On the face of it, Watkins' journey from South Devon schoolboy hopeful to England international might appear like the stuff dreams are made of, but that shouldn't deflect away from the hardwork and dedication that he has shown to progress from League Two to the game's elite level. 

While other Exeter City youth products such as Matt Grimes and Ethan Ampadu were whisked away frm St James Park in their teens, Watkins was 21 when he left the Grecians to join Brentford in the summer of 2017 for a club record fee of £1.8million, with a 15% sell on clause which they cashed in on when former Bees manager Dean Smith took him to Villa Park in the summer of 2020. His appearance also earned Exeter a further £75,000. It also also worth remembering that earlier in  his career Watkins had joined Weston Super Mare on loan in National League South in December 2014 - where he received his first taste of senior adult football.

The challenge now facing Watkins is to secure himself a place in England manager Gareth Southgate's squad for the delayed Euro 2020 finals this summer. With Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Keane and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Calvert-Lewin looking like certainties for Southgate's squad, he could yet his way into one of the remaining places in the Three Lions' forward roster.  

His story is one that shouldn't just serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Exeter City academy products, who Grecians manager Matt Taylor will be hoping could turn out to be the 'next Ollie Watkins' - but even to young hopefuls at Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United. Players such as the Pilgrims' Wales Under-21 striker Luke Jephcott, goalkeeper Michael Cooper and midfielder Adam Randell - currently on loan at Plainmoor. The likes of Olaf Koszela, Louis Slough, JJ Evans and Owen Price who are harboring hopes of breaking into the Torquay United side - in fact any youngster in Devon who has dreams of making it as a footballer.

 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS SOLIHULL MOORS

1. So good he nearly did it twice. 

After producing a man of the match display against King's Lynn Town on Saturday, Jake Andrews was one of the United's stand-out performers again. Andrews opened the scoring for the Gulls in the 9th minute with a free-kick that went in after Moors keeper Ryan Boot parried his left hand post. Six minutes later, United won another free-kick in virtually the same spot, which Andrews once again took. This time he aimed for the other corner, but Boot guessed the direction correctly and was able to smother it. Andrews later turned provider when his 40th minute cross picked out Adam Randell who struck with United's second of the night -and his own second of the campaign. 

2. A strong first half display. 

In what was arguably their strongest first half display since they beat Yeovil Town 6-1 on Boxing Day, United went into the half-time interval with a two-goal cushion for the first time since their hammering of the Glovers (On that occasion United led 4-0 at the break). The second half, however, the Gulls showed a different side of their game, as game management came into play as they saw out the game without giving the visiting Moors' side a real sniff.

2. Jamie Ward's return. 

Former Torquay striker Jamie Ward marked his first return to Plainmoor since his departure to Chesterfield in January 2007 for £95,000. Appearing as a left winger, Ward, who went on to appear for Northern Ireland in Euro 2016 amongst others things after leaving the Gulls, almost returned to haunt United in the 39th minute, when he found himself unmarked in the penalty area, but his eventual shot hit the side netting.

3. Back to back clean sheets. 

For the first time since January, United managed to keep clean sheets in successive games. It was a feat achieved with one of the youngest defences in the club's history, which consisted of right-back Ben Wynter (23), centre backs Sam Sherring and Joe Lewis (20 and 21 respectively) and Plymouth Argyle loanee Ryan Law at left back (21). However, between them, they managed to successfully deal with a forward line that featured the Moors six foot nine inch centre forward Kyle Hudlin.

4. First double of the season. 

By beating Solihull Moors, United have also completed their first 'double' of the 2020-21 campaign. They had previously beaten the Moors 2-1 at Damson Park on February 23 - exactly one month before.

5. As you were at the top of the National League. 

Despite United's victory, it's a case of 'as you were' at the top of the National League. Sutton United managed to win 3-1 away to Bromley, which means that the gap between the Gulls and the U's remains at six points. Hartlepool United beat Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 to remain in second place on 56 points and fourth placed Stockport County defeated Eastleigh 3-0. 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS KING'S LYNN TOWN

1. Stopping the rot. 

As well as their win over King's Lynn Town being their first home win since their 6-1 drubbing of Yeovil Town on Boxing Day, it was also ended a run of four games without a win for United. Not since their 3-2 away win against Solihull Moors on February 23.

2. Two in two for Scott Boden. 

Danny Wright's absence from the United starting line-up has been well documented since the hamstring injury that he sustained against Yeovil Town on Boxing Day. However, after following up his first goal for the club against Maidenhead United last Tuesday with the Gulls' winner early in the second half against King's Lynn, United's first from open play in 433 minutes, Chesterfield loanee Scott Boden appears to be the answer - at least in the short term. 

As well as finding the back of the net, Boden also linked up well with Armani Little, who was playing in the 'number 10' role just behind him, and led the line well. If he can hit the target again against Solihull Moors and Dagenham & Redbridge in the coming week - then he could yet emerge as a cult hero for United.

3. Jake's progress. 

Injuries and the form of Ben Whitfield on the left wing has meant that first team football has limited for Jake Andrews. Nevertheless, in Whitfield's absence through injury, Andrews produced man of the match display on the left wing, producing a number of dangerous looking crosses that asked questions of the Linnets' defence, and was the Gulls' greatest attacking threat throughout. Previously in this column your correspondent has likened him to the former Everton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Sheedy, and those comparisions proved to be apt on Saturday. 

4. Ryan's Law

For Plymouth Argyle loanee Ryan Law the journey from fan to player became complete as he made his full debut for the Gulls at left-back. Law, the son of former United player and physio Gareth Law, grew into the game and produced an assured display in a position that has been of concern to United this season following the injuries to Liam Davis and Dean Moxey. 

5. The youngest defence in the club's history?

United's back four against King's Lynn of Ben Wynter, Sam Sherring, Joe Lewis and Ryan Law had an average of 21 must be one of the youngest defensive line-ups in the club's history. Right-back Wynter was the elder statesmen of the quartet at 23, while Lewis and Law are both 21 and Sherring is currently 20, but will turn 21 in May.

5. Closing the gap. 

The importance of United's win over the Linnets became more apparent at the final whistle when it emerged that Stockport County had scored a late equaliser against National League leaders Sutton United to secure a 1-1 draw. Manager Gary Johnson has said that he wants the Gulls to be within three points of Sutton when they face each other at Gander Green Lane on April 13. The gap between the Gulls and the U's is currently six points, so if the Gulls can pick up further points against Solihull Moors and Dagenham & Redbridge and Sutton drop further points against Bromley and FC Halifax the gap could yet shrink further over the next seven days.

WATKINS RECEIVES THREE LIONS CALL-UP

Former Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins has been rewarded for his fine form for his present club Aston Villa in the 2020-21 season with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's side for their forthcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers. 

England are due to face San Marino on March 25, Albania on March 28 and then host Poland on March 31 - and Southgate will be looking to assess his selection options ahead of the summer's delayed Euro 2020. 

Over the years - a number of players have forced their way into a tournament squad for the Three Lions within a year or so of a major and have gone on to make a big impact. Names that spring to mind include David Platt (Italia 90) and Michael Owen (France 1998) - and the opportunity is there for Watkins to force himself into Southgate's thoughts. 

Since Watkins - who was born in Torquay, but grew up in Newton Abbot - left the Grecians for Brentford, for a club record fee received of £1.8million in 2017, his career has gone from strength to strength. He was named as the EFL Championship player of the year for the 2019-20 season after helping the Bees to reach the Championship play-off final in 2020, where they were beaten by Fulham, which proved to be his last game for them prior to his £28million move to the Villains. 

Watkins has taken to the top-flight like duck to water, with a perfect hat-trick of a right footed, left footed strike and a header in a 7-2 win over reigning champions Liverpool being the highlight of what has been a hugely successful campaign for him on a personal level. He has also become the first Devon-born player to hit double figures in the top-flight since Trevor Francis achieved the feat with Manchester City in the 1981-82 season.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Nick Pope (Burnley).

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham, on loan from Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

UNITED SEARCHING FOR HOME COMFORTS AT PLAINMOOR

The absences of key players for Torquay United this season have been discussed at length, but there is another issue that might have potentially turned the season on its head for Gary Johnson's Gulls. 

While United's goalless draw with Boreham Wood kept the Gulls in third place and - perhaps most importantly - five points behind current leaders Sutton United, it also took the points that they've gained on their travels to 27 - which gives Johnson's men the best away record in the 2020-21 National League. 

However, in addition to this, the Gulls are one of select band of clubs in the division who have earned more points from their away fixtures than they have from playing at home. At the time of writing, United's away record stands at won eight, drawn three and lost two - which is in direct contrast to their home form which reads won six, drawn three and lost four. 

United are one of six teams in the National League who are currently experiencing this phenomenom. The same is also true for Stockport County (h 20,a 23), FC Halifax Town (h 18, a 22), Boreham Wood (h14, a 24), Altrincham (h 15, a 22) and Maidenhead United (h 17, a 19 - prior to United's trip to York Road tomorrow night) - as playing behind closed doors during the coronavirus pandemic has flipped the normal status quo of picking points on your home turf on its head. 

And it's not just in the National League where this is the case. In the Premier League, Everton and Manchester United have both picked up more points away from Goodison Park and Old Trafford respectively. Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti has been on record as saying that the lack of fans inside the stadium has been hitting his side the most in the second half of matches - as they have failed to score in their second half for 11 home league games in a row.

For the Gulls - apart from Billy Waters' last gasp equaliser against Wealdstone, which secured a 1-1 draw against the Stones, the only other goal that they have scored in the second half since their 6-1 win over Yeovil Town on Boxing Day - where four of United's goals came in the first half and two in the second - was an Asa Hall penalty against FC Halifax on February 20. It is also worth mentioning that a limited number fans were allowed into Plainmoor to witness their Boxing Day massacre of the Glovers - some 1,323. 

Perhaps the answer lies in a change of system specifically for home games - or perhaps a win inspired by a rousing second half display over Kings' Lynn Town this Saturday, when the Norfolk side make their first ever visit to Plainmoor, might be the solution.

THE CHAMP BECOMES THE CHALLENGER

Torquay United will head to Boreham Wood on Saturday in third place in the National League after midweek results went against them. 

Sutton United's win over Yeovil Town sees the U's become the new leaders of the division, while Hartlepool United followed up their win at Plainmoor on Saturday with a draw against Altrincham which lifts them above the Gulls. 

After being 11 points clear at one stage, United are now in their first serious title race since their maiden season following relegation from the Football League - the 2007-08 campaign - as they looked to bounce back at the first attempt under Paul Buckle. 

Just like in 2020-21, the Gulls got off to a flying start in 2007-08 - losing only two of their opening 14 league fixtures and during the course of the winter it became the clear that the identity of the champions of the Blue Square Premier - as the league was then known - would be either United, Aldershot Town or Cambridge United. 

In the end the Gulls eventually ended up becoming victims of their own success. Their runs in the FA Cup, which saw them reach the second round, and the FA Trophy, where they reached the final, ended up working against them as they didn't have a strong enough squad to compete effectively on three fronts. United's title eventually came to a shuddering halt on March 3, when they lost 2-1 at home to Aldershot in a match that was broadcast live on Setanta Sports on a Monday night - which itself came two days after a trip to Grays Athletic on the previous Saturday such was the level of fixture congestion they faced. 

The Gulls' current squad under Gary Johnson has seen their form undermined by injuries to key players. On Saturday against Hartlepool United, Johnson was without Lucas Covolan, Gary Warren, Kyle Cameron, Liam Davis, Dean Moxey, Aaron Nemane, Andrew Nelson and Danny Wright. With them back in the team - United are a completely different proposition. 

As a consequence of this, the Gulls are also yet to win at Plainmoor in 2021. You need to go back to Boxing Day and their 6-1 drubbing of Yeovil Town to find their last home win. However, on the road United have been surprisingly successful. Since their home win over the Glovers, the Gulls have won three times in the league on their travels (Weymouth, Barnet and Solihull Moors) - five if you include FA Trophy victories over Boreham Wood and Southport. United's exit to Woking, as well as their 2-1 lost to Yeovil on January 2, are their only away defeats during this period. 

Hopefully they will be able to continue their away form when they face Boreham Wood in front of the BT Sport cameras on Saturday, in their new roles as the challengers as they aim to knock Sutton off top spot. 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HARTLEPOOL UNITED

 1. The National League title race is well and truly on. 

Hartlepool's win over the Gulls yesterday moves them level on points with United on 47 points, after having trailed Gary Johnson's men by 11 points at the turn of the year. Sutton United's draw with Wrexham also moves them level with both Torquay and Hartlepool. Make no mistake about it, United are now in their closest title race since they locked horns with Alf Ramsey's Ipswich Town in their 1956-57 Division Three South campaign. 

2. A need for speed. 

Amongst the many of United's absentees that were keenly felt yesterday against Hartlepool was French winger Aaron Nemane - as they struggled to move the ball quicker. In recent years, United's side has been blessed with a number of pacey players, including Liam Davis, Kalvin Kalala, Jamie Reid and Saikou Janneh. However, out of the Gulls' starting XI yesterday only right-back Ben Wynter and left midfielder Ben Whitfield could genuinely be described as being quick and many the sooner that Nemane is available again for United the better. 

3. The back ups for the back ups. 

When reading an article about Liverpool's injury woes under Jurgen Klopp this season, one thing your correspondent came across was the fact that the Reds have often been deploying back ups for their back ups. The same could also be said of Gary Johnson and United this season; for example, Dean Moxey was signed in the summer following his release by Exeter City due to the unavailability due to injury of Liam Davis. However, since then Moxey has succumbed to injury so left midfielder Jake Andrews is now filling as a makeshift left-back. 

4. Boden settling in well. 

With Danny Wright still waiting to return to full fitness, Chesterfield loanee Scott Boden made his full debut up front for the Gulls and proved to be one of the few plus points for the Gulls. Boden, 31, led the line well - forcing a save from Hartlepool keeper Ben Killip in the first half and then seeing an effort deflected behind for a corner by Pools right-back James Sterry. Had Ben Whitfield's cross in first half injury time not been intercepted by Hartlepool defender Gary Liddle then Boden may have managed to get himself on the scoresheet. 

5. MacDonald strengthens his claims. 

Due the loan signings of James Hamon and Marcin Brzozowski from Truro City and Queens Park Rangers respectively, Torquay United currently have four goalkeepers on their books - thus increasing the competition for the position. Following his return from a one-match suspension, MacDonald produced a creditable display and his save to deny Hartlepool leading scorer Luke Armstrong in the 83rd minute, following a corner, helped to keep United in the game. Had he not made that the save, the game as a contest would have been as good as over. 

6. 20 years and waiting. 

After beating Hartlepool 5-0 at Victoria Park last October, there were high hopes that the Gulls might have been able to secure their first win over Hartlepool since October 20, 2001 when a David Graham strike secured a 1-0 win for Roy McFarland's Gulls. If you had said at that point that United would still be waiting over 20 years later for their next home win over the Pools, then few would have believed you.

GULLS HEADING INTO CRUCIAL SPELL

 After Torquay United's exit from the FA Trophy to Woking, the Gulls' attentions are now solely focused on the National League as they head into a make or break month regarding the outcome of their league campaign. 

When the Gulls, who are still top of the National League, entertain third placed Hartlepool United on Saturday - March 6 - it will be the first of six matches in the space of 21 days. 

Then United will face a trip to Hertfordshire to face Boreham Wood four days later - March 13 - that is being televised on BT Sport. Three days later United are on their travels again as they head to Maidenhead United on March 16 before returning to Plainmoor for a first ever visit of King's Lynn Town on Saturday March 20 before hosting Solihull Moors on March 23 and then rounding things off with a trip to Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday March 27. 

It would have been seven matches, but United's home fixture against Aldershot Town - previously pencilled in for Tuesday March 9 - has fallen victim to a Covid-19 postponement, following a positive coronavirus test in the Shots' squad.

With this in mind squad rotation will be key for United manager Gary Johnson, and he will be hoping that as many of the Gulls' injured players return to full fitness as possible. 

Johnson's present injury list includes goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, defenders Dean Moxey, Liam Davis and Kyle Cameron, midfielders Aaron Nemane and Armani Little and strikers Danny Wright and Andrew Nelson. Defender Joe Lewis also missed the Gulls' FA Trophy defeat to Woking due to a concussion protocol. 

In addition to this, Johnson was also without goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald through suspension following his sending off against Solihull Moors and loanees James Hamon (Truro City) and Scott Boden (Chesterfield) were both cup-tied, along with youngsters Louis Slough and Olaf Koszela. This resulted in Johnson signing Polish starlet Marcin Brozozski on loan from Queens Park Rangers to play in goal at Woking. However, Johnson will be able to call on several of them on Saturday against Hartlepool. 

Despite the injury problems that Johnson has faced this season, he has still been able to call upon a core of players throughout the campaign. Ben Whitfield has been the only ever present so far for the Gulls in the 2020-21 season, with 30 appearances in all competitions. Central defender Kyle Cameron had also featured in every game until he succummed to a hamstring injury against FC Halifax Town. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell have both made 29 appearances - therefore missing all bar one of United's fixtures - and Sam Sherring, on loan from AFC Bournemouth, has appeared 28 times for Johnson's men. 

While the aforementioned individuals have all been important players for United in the 2020-21 campaign, now could be the time when a number of United less-heralded players step up and make their mark - as they head into what could yet turn out to be a crucial spell of the season. 

March 6, 2021 vs Hartlepool United (home)

March 13, 2021 vs Boreham Wood (away)

March 16, 2021 vs Maidenhead United (away) 

March 20, 2021 vs King's Lynn Town (home)

March 23, 2021 vs Solihull Moors (home)

March 27, 2021 vs Dagenham & Redbridge (away)