1. 'Gary time' makes a comeback.
In the 2020-21 season, Torquay United made a habit of scoring late goals in what became known as 'Gary time' by the Plainmoor faithful. The first United player to score a winning goal in 'Gary time' was Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in their opening game of the season at home to Stockport County, so it was quite apt that a goal from Lemonheigh-Evans secured the Gulls' first home win of the season against Southend United.
2. Return of the Mac.
United's win over Southend also marked Shaun MacDonald's second debut for the Gulls, after he returned to Plainmoor following an injury to Mark Halstead against Solihull Moors in midweek, which later turned out to be concussion. MacDonald, who was a free agent after leaving United in the summer, kept a clean sheet on his return and looks set to continue for the immediate future.
3. Formation switch.
After starting the season with 4-4-2, Gary Johnson switched United's formation to 3-5-2, which saw Ben Wynter, Joe Lewis and Dean Moxey form a central defensive trio with Chiori Johnson and Keelan O'Connell deployed as wing-backs. The changes paid off as it gave the Gulls a more solid structure and, perhaps more importantly, it helped them to complete their first clean sheet of the season.
4. Dean Moxey's cross.
The quality of the delivery from Dean Moxey for the cross which led to Connor Lemonheigh-Evans netting United's winner undoutably showed the qualities that saw him appear in the Championship for the likes of Derby County, Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers earlier in his career. As one of the senior pros in the Gulls' squad, Moxey's experience will no doubt prove to be vital in helping to guide many of United's younger players in the coming months.5. Managerial re-match of the 2008 Championship Play-off final.
In the 2021 Championship Play-off final, Brentford defeated Swansea City to win promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 74 years, and whether Bees manager Thomas Frank ends up facing former Swans boss Steve Cooper in a National League fixture in 13 years time remained to be seen. However, Gary Johnson and Phil Brown locked managerial horns in the 2008 Championship Play-off final as managers of Bristol City and Hull City respectively and crossed each others paths again with Torquay and Southend. A wonder strike from Dean Windass won the day for the Tigers that day, but in their two meetings since then Johnson's sides have come out on top on both occasions; in the 2013-14 Capital One Cup first round in 2013-14, which Yeovil won 1-0, and Saturday's encounter which saw the Gulls come out on top.
6. Gabby Rogers' family connections with the Shrimpers.
Young Gulls' midfielder Gabby Rogers was celebrating his first win as a Torquay United player against the club where his father, Andy Rogers, ended his career. Rogers senior, who famously scored the goal that secured Plymouth Argyle's place in the 1984 FA Cup semi-final against Derby County, spent the final two years of his career with Southend United between 1986 and 1988.
