1. Back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
By following up their away victory over Weymouth with a home win over Stockport County, Torquay United recorded back to back wins for the first time in the 2021-22 campaign. It was also the first time that the Gulls have put a successive run of wins together since they beat Aldershot Town (2-1), Eastleigh (3-1) and Chesterfield (2-0) between late April and May 2021.
2. Asa Hall is back.
He may have lacked a bit of sharpness when he returned to the starting line-up against FC Halifax a fortnight ago, but United skipper Asa Hall was back to his best yesterday against Stockport. Hall was a commanding presence in the centre of midfield and scored the Gulls' decisive second goal from the penalty spot. In addition that he nearly netted a second deep in second half injury time with a volleyed effort which he fired straight at Stockport keeper Ben Hinchcliffe.
3. Shaun MacDonald was imperious between the sticks.
United goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald produced arguably his best performance since he returned to Plainmoor last September as he pulled a string of fine saves to help keep Stockport at bay. His reflexes denied the Hatters' former Plymouth Argyle and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Antoni Sarcevic and in the second half he was twice called upon to deny Stockport skipper Paddy Madden in the second half in the 47th and 79th minute - of all which proved to be crucial in keeping the Hatters at bay.
4. Joe Lewis superbly marshalled the defence.
With Ben Wynter to the right of him and Dean Moxey to the left, Joe Lewis also played a crucial role in restricting Stockport to just the one goal. The former Wales Under-21 defender made a number of important blocks, interceptions and clearances as the United back line nullified an attack consisting of Paddy Madden, a player with considerable Football League, and Ollie Crankshaw, the Hatters' current leading scorer.
5. Dan Martin looked at home at left wing-back.
After a slow start, the signs are that Dan Martin is slowly establishing himself at Plainmoor. The young left-back, who joined the Gulls in the summer from Cardiff City, produced a fine display in October against Wealdstone but suffered the ignomnity of being sent off in the Gulls' FA Cup fourth qualifying round against Havant and Waterlooville. However, he followed up a promising display against Weymouth to produce arguably his finest performance to date against Stockport as he consistently pressed the Hatters throughout the 90 minutes.
The Gulls have been blessed with a number of fine left backs and left wing-backs over the years; it's a list includes the likes of John Uzzell, Tom Kelly, Paul Gibbs, Robbie Herrera, Brian McGlinchey, Kevin Nicholson, Liam Davis and Dean Moxey. If Martin continues in the same vein as yesterday, then he could yet add his name to that list.
6. The first managerial clash between Gary Johnson and Dave Challinor since that Play-off final.
Saturday's encounter was also the first managerial head to head between Gary Johnson and Dave Challinor since last season's National League Play-off final between the Gulls and Hartlepool United. On that occasion, United keeper Lucas Covolan memorably scored an equalising goal in 'Gary time' to take the game at Ashton Gate into extra time and then penalties. However, on there was no need for 'Gary time' on Saturday.
