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.
