SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WREXHAM

1. Mark Halstead's penalty save. 

The majority of Gulls' fans would probably have feared the worst when Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence was adjudged Sam Dalby's fifth minute cross and Wrexham's leading scorer Paul Mullin stepped up to take the subsequent spot-kick. 

However, United keeper Mark Halstead correctly guessed the direction of Mullin's strike and turned it behind for a corner to deny Mullin what would have been his 48th goal of the season in all competitions. 

Halstead then on to make a string of saves throughout the course of the match and the Plainmoor faithful will be hoping that he remains at Plainmoor, as United attempt to win promotion from National League South at the first attempt.

2. Frank Nouble's goal and link up play

Frank Nouble’s third goal of the season looked like it might prove to be his most crucial when he turned home a cross from United’s leading scorer Aaron Jarvis on 53 minutes to give the Gulls lead.

Since his arrival on deadline day, Nouble has developed a good understanding with Jarvis and the duo had combined earlier in the game on 12 minutes when Jarvis’ cross from the left picked out Nouble, who nodded the ball straight into the arms of Wrexham keeper Ben Foster.

It would be a plus if either of those remained with the Gulls in National League South, but it would be a massive bonus.

3. Gary Johnson to remain as Gulls manager.

In his post-match interview, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson revealed that he is set to stay as Gulls manager in the 2023-24 season, as United aim to repeat their success of the 2018-19 campaign when they won National League South at the first attempt.

Whilst the Gulls struggled in the early part of the season, their form over the last eight games has seen them win five of their last eight league games – which is play-off form.

The great question remains is how would they have done over the course of the entire campaign if Johnson had had the group of players that he finished the season with from the start?

However, the challenge now facing Johnson is to keep as many of those players with the club as they aim to win a second National League South title.

4. Shaun Donnellan – United’s overlapping centre back.

Originally signed to provide cover in midfield, Shaun Donnellan had played in a variety of positions for the Gulls this season, from centre midfield to centre back to right back and even right wing-back on occasions.

However, in recent games he has established himself as a centre back and has emerged as one of the new innovations in the game as an ‘over lapping centre back.’

Over the course of the match, Donnellan made a number of marauding runs, producing the kind of crosses that wing-backs would be expected to make.

After making the position his own over the course of the campaign, he looks set to retain it in the 2023-24 season.

5.  A number of local derbies to look forward to.

Had United managed to stay up then the nearest thing that they would have had to a local derby would have been Eastleigh. As it stands, the Gulls will be facing Yeovil Town (who were also relegated from the National League), Bath City, Chippenham Town, Taunton Town, Weston Super Mare, Weymouth and potentially Truro City as well if they can make it through their Southern Premier South play-off final with Bracknell Town.

These trips are great news for the fans, but as ever they are more fun if you are winning them.

5. What now for Wrexham?

Wrexham have inevitably attracted plenty of headlines since Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhinney completed their takeover of the club.

With their substantial financial backing, which has enabled them to bring in the likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, Ben Tozer, Ben Foster etc, the Red Dragons have now won the National League with a record 111 points.

The challenge now facing Wrexham and their manager Phil Parkinson is to win back to back promotions, which would see the North Wales club reach League One – a division that they haven’t played in since the 2004-05 campaign. If themselves and Notts County – should the Magpies seal a return to the EFL through the play-offs – can both challenge for a second successive promotion then the argument for introducing three up, three down between League Two and the National League would not doubt be strengthened.

Another factor that also reflects how strong a division the National League is is the fact for the first time ever four ex-league clubs have been relegated from it (the Gulls, Yeovil, Scunthorpe United and Maidstone United).

 

ARGYLE ON THE BRINK OF CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN

Should Plymouth Argyle beat Burton Albion in their final home game of the 2022-23 campaign then they will mark their return to the Championship for the first time since 2010 after beating Bristol Rovers. 

A overhead kick from Niall Ennis sent the Pilgrims on their way against a Rovers side who were reduced to ten men after Antony Evans received two yellow cards. Centre back Macauley Gillesphey then headed home a corner from Matt Butcher to help put the result beyond doubt. 

The result caps a memorable week for Argyle as Norwich City loanee Bali Mumba was named as the League One young player of the year for 2022-23, and then was also named in the League One team of the season alongside goalkeeper Michael Cooper. 

Clinching promotion would also see manager Steven Schumacher join a managerial which includes Tony Waiters (1974-75), Dave Smith (1985-86) and Paul Sturrock (2003-04) who have all led the Pilgrims to promotion from the third tier since the end of regionalisation. 

THE GULLS' REACH NEEDS TO EXCEED THEIR GRASP

As Torquay United head north to face Altrincham in their penultimate National League, they will be looking to reach for three points to bring their National League survival hopes back within their grasp. 

After their thumping 5-1 midweek defeat to play-off hopefuls Chesterfield at the Technique Stadium, the Gulls, currently on 46 points, trail York City and Maidenhead United, who are both on 49, by three points. 

United's defeat to the Spireites also brought United's five-match winning run to an end, which had seen them secure wins over Boreham Wood (1-0), Scunthorpe United (1-0), Eastleigh (2-0), Maidenhead (3-1) and York (3-2).

Another win for the Gulls at Moss Lane, coupled with defeats for York and Maidenhead against Aldershot Town and Barnet respectively, would mean that they would need a point against possible champions elect Wrexham on the final day to stand a chance of completing a 'great escape.' The Hollywood backed Red Dragons could go to Plainmoor as champions

The squad travel to Altrincham on a Thursday, a late earlier than normal. It was a plan used by Paul Buckle before United faced Ebbsfleet United in the 2008 FA Trophy final, which the Gulls lost 1-0. However, that occasion came after they saw their play-off hopes ended by a local derby defeat to Exeter City. 

Nevertheless, Gulls manager Gary Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes would have planned this in advance and considered the pros and cons before deciding on it. Much of this time will no doubt be used to get at least one, if not both, of their experienced midfield duo Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie fit.  

In their last meeting with Alty, United famously 4-4 with Dylan Crowe scoring a late equaliser with virtually the last kick of the match that was screened live on BT Sport. If United can repeat the scoreline for, but reduce their scoreline after then the journey back to South Devon will undoubtably be a happy one.

 

BUTCHER SCORES WINNER IN EL PASTYCO

If Cheltenham Town versus Forest Green Rovers is 'El Glousico' and Port Vale versus Stoke City is 'El Ceramico' then Plymouth Argyle versus Exeter City is 'El Pastyco'. 

The two sides have faced each other every year since 2010, and the latest installment produced a fixture that could potentially be a destiny defining one for the Pilgrims and their promotion prospects in the 2022-23 campaign.

Matt Butcher wrote his name into Argyle folklore with the only goal of the game in the 70th minute with a shot that took a deflection off the Grecians former Pilgrims defender Will Aimson, following a short corner routine. The result also sees Argyle boss Steven Schumacher complete the double over his opposite number Gary Caldwell.

It was a result that sees the Pilgrims gain ground on fellow promotion challengers Sheffield Wednesday, who lost 3-2 to Burton Albion, and return to the summit of League One. 

Should Argyle achieve their ultimate aim and win promotion then the Devon derby with Exeter will be off their agenda and both sides will need to cast their net further in search for their nearest local fixture to Bristol. Nigel Pearson's Bristol City in the case of the Pilgrims and Joey Barton's Bristol Rovers in the case of the Grecians.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS YORK CITY

1. Aaron Jarvis' hat-trick. 

When Aaron Jarvis netted a hat-trick for Torquay United in the Gulls' 6-1 win over Aldershot Town last October, he became the sixth player to hit a treble for United under Gary Johnson (Jamie Reid, Saikou Janneh, Jake Andrews, Danny Wright and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans are the others). 

However, after finding the back of the net three times against York City, Jarvis has now become the only player to manage the feat under Johnson's reign. For his goal, he headed home a cross from Kieron Evans on 14 minutes; he then turned home a cross from Lewis Collins in the 21st minutes and in the 57th minute he converted from the spot after he was obstructed by Minstermen defender Max Kouogun. 

His efforts take his tally for the season in all competitions to 18 and he also had the double distinction of winning the club's player of the season prize. 

In addition to this, he also becomes the first player to score two hat-tricks in a season for the Gulls since Robin Stubbs in the 1965-66 campaign. 

2. Mark Halstead's saves. 

At the other end of the pitch, United keeper Mark Halstead made a number of important saves to keep York City at bay. 

Amongst the vital stops the former Blackpool man made were to deny a header from Max Kouogun and a one-handed stop which denied Ryan Fallowfield with an effort from distance. With the latter, the rebound fell to Shaq Forde who hit the post and Max Kouogun who had a shot which was cleared off the line by Dean Moxey. 

3. Jack Stobbs has adapted well to the wing-back role. 

Although he was signed as a winger, Oldham Athletic loanee Jack Stobbs has proved himself adept when deployed as a wing-back. As well as pushing forward to support the attack, Stobbs also diligently tracked back and he started the move which led to Jarvis' scoring United's second as he fed Lewis Collins down the right hand side, which enabled Collins to produce the vital cross that found United's leading scorer. 

4. Five wins in a row. 

United's victory over York was also their fifth win in a row, which is the first time that the Gulls have won five successive league games since April 2, 2021 to April 20, 2021. This sequence included wins over Woking and Wrexham (1-0), Weymouth (2-1), Sutton (1-0) and Woking (2-1). 

5. Shades of Barnet in 2001. 

It is worth noting that 3-2 wins over relegation rivals are nothing new for Torquay United. Many fans who worth there will no doubt remember the final day decider at Underhill against Barnet in 2001, when United beat the Bees 3-2 to retain their Football League status. On that occasion the Gulls raced into a 3-0 lead and half-time, but two second half goals set up a nervy finish - which Adam Crookes' late strike helped to set up. 

6. The gap is now down to two points. 

After the latest round of fixtures, the Gulls currently have 46 points and remain two points behind Aldershot Town, who won 2-1 against already relegated Scunthorpe United to move on to 48 points. 

York's defeat at Plainmoor keeps them on 49 points, level with Maidenhead United followed up their Easter Monday defeat to the Gulls with another loss against Oldham Athletic.

SCORING GOALS KEY TO UNITED REVIVAL

One of the hallmarks of Torquay United's upturn in form which has seen them win their last four National League fixtures has been the number of times they have found the back of the net. 

The Gulls scored seven times in a run which has included a 1-0 away wins against Boreham Wood and Scunthorpe United, a 2-0 home victory over Eastleigh on Good Friday and a 3-1 win on Easter Monday against Maidenhead United. 

During this sequence, skipper Asa Hall and deadline day signing Frank Nouble have netted twice, whilst Newport County loanee Lewis Collins, leading scorer Aaron Jarvis and midfielder Tom Lapslie have one goal each to their names. 

While there is still work to do for United between now and the end of the campaign, scoring goals will be key to the Gulls' prospects of avoiding the drop. 

In their 'great escape' of the 2005-06 season under Ian Atkins, the Gulls famously won four of their last five fixtures - scoring nine times in the process. This included a 2-0 away win over Macclesfield Town, a 1-0 home win over Wrexham, a thumping 4-0 victory over fellow strugglers Stockport County on a Tuesday night at Plainmoor and then memorably came away 2-1 winners against League Two champions elect Carlisle United at Brunton Park. They then drew 0-0 at home to Boston United on the final day of the campaign to make things mathematically certain. 

Over the course of that run, Jo Kuffour found the back of the net four times, Lee Thorpe, then on loan from Swansea City scored twice and Martin 'Buster' Phillips, Danny Hollands (on loan from Chelsea) and Kevin Hill struck once each. 

Similar returns will be required in 22-23 as United look pull off a feat which had seemed a distant prospect not so long ago, but there goals in this team - as their recent run has proved. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that the Gulls need to keep scoring and keep winning - starting with Saturday's fixture at home to York City. 

 

 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EASTLEIGH

Torquay United 2: Hall (51), Lapslie (65)

Eastleigh 0:

1.  Cometh the hour, cometh Asa Hall.

When Torquay United needed their most experienced players to step up to the plate and deliver a big performance, skipper Asa Hall was amongst those who duly delivered.

Hall, 36, looked assured in possession throughout the match and in the 51st minute he got himself on the end of Jack Stobbs’ free-kick from the right to head home his sixth goal of the campaign.

His presence in the United side will be of huge benefit between now and the end of the campaign.

2.  We need to talk about Kevin – Kevin Dawson.

Gloucester City loanee Kevin Dawson produced yet another all-action display in the centre of midfield alongside goal scorers Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie.

As well as helping to break up play, Dawson always looked to get his foot on the ball and look for a pass.

With Gloucester looking to ease him off their wage bill, a permanent deal for him should surely be in the offing from the Gulls – regardless of which league they end up playing in.

3.  Aaron Jarvis led the line superbly well again.

Whilst he wasn’t on target, Gulls leading scorer Aaron Jarvis led the forward line superbly well for United against Eastleigh.

As well as laying on the assist for Tom Lapslie’s second goal, he was perhaps unlikely not to find the target as he had a shot blocked in the first half and he also forced a save from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell in second half injury time.

4.  Nico Lawrence displayed a maturity that belied his tender years.

It might be difficult for some United fans to believe that Nico Lawrence is only 18 years of age based on his current displays.

The Southampton loanee once again produced a performance that proved himself to be an ‘old head on young shoulders’ – as he read the game well and produced a number of important blocks and interceptions.

A loan spell in the EFL beckons for him next season – possibly in League One or Two – or he could even be in and around the Saints first team in the event of them being relegated to the Championship.

5.    Three wins from three. 

For the first time this season, United have secured three wins in three successive National League games. They did complete a hat-tricks of victories in January, but that run included a 4-2 FA Trophy win over Taunton Town to go alongside two 1-0 wins over FC Halifax Town and Maidstone United respectively. 

One thing that was obvious from the Gulls’ display was the confidence that each member of the side has in the ability of their teammates, which will undoubtably stand United in good stead in their remaining games of the 2022-23 campaign.

6.    Mind the gap.

Good Friday’s result moves the Gulls to within four points of safety – as they currently reside four points behind Aldershot Town, who occupy 20th place (fifth from bottom) with 44 points – United currently have 40.

Dorking Wanderers also remain catchable in 19th place with 46 points, but the Gulls have to keep their winning run going.

Torquay United (3-5-2): Halstead; Donnellan, Lawrence, Moxey (Omar 79); Stobbs, Lapslie, Hall, Dawson (Evans 84), Collins; Nouble, Jarvis; 

Subs not used - Hanson, Wyatt, Lovett.

Eastleigh (4-4-2): McDonnell; Camp, Martin, Maghoma, Kelly; Carter, Cisse (Rutherford 62), McKiernan, Hill (Lloyd 62); Whitehall (McDonagh 73), Mitchell; 

Subs not used - Langston, Harper.

 

PILGRIMS ATTENTIONS TURN TO LEAGUE FOLLOWING FINAL HAMMERING

Plymouth Argyle's minds will now switch firmly to securing automatic promotion from League One after their Papa John's Trophy final loss to Bolton Wanderers. 

The Pilgrims went down 4-0 to the Trotters at Wembley, but the challenge of finishing ahead of Sheffield Wednesday, who currently sit at the top of the table, and third placed Ipswich Town, who themselves appear to be hitting form at the right time. 

The next three fixtures give Steven Schumacher's side a great chance to bounce back. On Good Friday, they travel to Morecambe, who are managed by former Argyle manager Derek Adams. Then on Easter Monday, they host Lincoln City before a trip to Exeter City in the Devon derby on April 15.

However, if the Pilgrims were to miss out on the top two and have to make do with the play-offs then not only would a return to Wembley, but there's also the possibility of a re-match with Bolton. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: THE PLYMOUTH ARGYLE SIDE WHO APPEARED IN THE 2016 LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFF FINAL

As Plymouth Argyle prepare to face Bolton Wanderers in the final of the Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley, we will now look back at the last Argyle side to play at Wembley in the 2016 League Two Play-off final. 

Many of these players are still playing, although only two have retired, and a number of them have playred in countries as diverse as Bulgaria, Finland and India.

Luke McCormick:

Luke McCormick added to the two promotions he won under Paul Sturrock in 2001-02 and 2003-04 when he helped the Pilgrims win another automatic promotion under Derek Adams in the 2016-17 campaign. He finished his career with the Pilgrims in 2019 and became a club ambassador.

Kelvin Mellor:

Returned to his native North West to sign for Blackpool in the summer of 2016 and helped them to win promotion from League Two in the 2016-17 season, where they beat Exeter City in the play-off final.

He served under Derek Adams at both Bradford City and Morecambe before he signed for his current club Carlisle United.

Curtis Nelson:

Argyle’s Wembley defeat proved to be Curtis Nelson’s final appearance for the Pilgrims as he joined Oxford United for a fee of £250,000. He is currently plying his trade in the Championship with Cardiff City.

Peter Hartley:

Centre back Peter Hartley moved to League One to sign for Bristol Rovers and went on to appear for Blackpool, Motherwell, Jamshedspur in the Indian Super League and is currently in his second spell with Hartlepool United.

Gary Sawyer:

Another player who helped win automatic promotion under Derek Adams in the 2016-17 season. He retired from playing at the end of the 2018-19 season and became a club ambassador.

Carl McHugh: Joined Scottish Premier League side Motherwell in the following summer and is currently playing in India for ATK Mohun Bagan FC.

Hiram Boateng:

Crystal Palace loanee Hiram Boateng returned to his parent club Crystal Palace and had further loan spells with Bristol Rovers and Northampton Town before returning to Devon to sign for Exeter City in the 2017-18 season. He is currently appearing for MK Dons in League One.

Jake Jervis:

One of several players to have appeared for Derek Adams at both Ross County and Argyle, Jake Jervis remained with the Pilgrims until the summer of 2018 when he joined Luton Town.

Whilst with the Hatters, he was loaned to AFC Wimbledon and Salford City and then headed abroad where he had a spell with SJK in Finland prior to his move to his present club East Bengal in India.

Graham Carey:

Irishman midfielder Graham Carey, who also played under Derek Adams at Ross County, helped the Pilgrims to win automatic promotion in the 2016-17 season and displays earned him a place in the League Two team of the season. Carey was a key part of the Argyle side that finished seventh in the 2017-18 campaign. The Irishman left Home Park in 2019 to sign for Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia for whom he appeared in the Europa League for against Jose Mourinho's Roma side. 

Carey returned to the UK in 2022 to sign for his present club St Johnstone.

Gregg Wylde:

Scottish winger Gregg Wylde left Home Park in 2016 to sign for Millwall but later returned to the Pilgrims in 2017 and stayed for two further seasons.

He then returned to Scotland and had spells with Livingston, Clyde, East Stirlingshire, East Kilbride and is currently playing for Dumbarton in Scottish League Two.

Jamille Matt:

Jamille Matt scored five goals in 11 appearances while on loan from Fleetwood Town and later appeared for Blackpool, Newport County and Forest Green Rovers, where he won the League Two title in the 2021-22 season.

Subs:

Jordan Forster:

Centre back Jordon Forster joined the Pilgrims on loan from Hibernian, who he appeared in their 2013 Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic.

He returned to England in 2017 to sign for Cheltenham Town under current Torquay United manager Gary Johnson and remained for two years before heading back north of the border to join Dundee.

Forster is currently appearing for Kelty Hearts.

Craig Tanner:

After spending the 2015-16 season on loan with the Pilgrims from Reading, Craig Tanner returned to Home Park for a second loan spell in the 2016-17 campaign.

Tanner then had a spell in the Scottish Premier League in Motherwell before joining Aldershot Town and he is currently with National League South side Ebbsfleet United.

Reuben Reid:

In his second spell with the Pilgrims, Reuben Reid became one of the select band of players to join all three Devon clubs when he signed for Exeter City later in the year. He later went on to play for Forest Green Rovers before returning to Yeovil Town and is currently appearing for Weston Super Mare.