TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HUNGERFORD TOWN

1. Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash back on the score sheet. 

After three games without finding the target, Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash were both on target against Hungerford Town for the Gulls in the FA Cup third qualifying round. 

Jarvis netted twice from the penalty spot - in the 35th and 45th minutes - and Ash connected with a through ball from Brett McGavin on 41 minutes. 

With United returning to league action next week against Maidstone United, both Jarvis and Ash will no doubt be going into the game full of confidence having ended their mini-drought.

2. Bringing back memories of Gary Johnson's first season in  charge. 

One of the things that United fans found most enjoyable during Gary Johnson's first season in charge (2018-19), which, of course, ended with the Gulls clinching the National League South title was the number of big wins that United secured. 

Results such as 7-2 against Oxford City, 5-2 against Dulwich Hamlet and 7-0 against Lymington in the FA Cup were a regular occurence. After leading 5-0 at half-time against Hungerford, it looked as though United might emulate their result against Lymington. 

However, it wasn't due to a lack of effort as Aaron Jarvis was denied a hat trick as he headed a cross from Jack Stobbs against the post in the 54th minute. Brad Ash was also denied a brace by Hungerford keeper Ryan Clarke, who appeared for the Gulls in the 2017-18 season.

3. Jack Stobbs and Tom Lapslie have now scored in every round of the competition so far. 

In United's 3-0 win over Tim Sills' Wimborne Town side in the second qualifying round, Jack Stobbs and Tom Lapslie were amongst the scorers for the Gulls and they were on target again. 

Stobbs produced arguably his best display in a United shirt and gave the Gulls the lead in the 20th minute, and he played a key role in Lapslie's effort as he teed up Lewis Collins for a shot that Ryan Clarke parried away before the former Colchester United midfielder tapped home. 

The question can they make it three out of three in the fourth qualifying round. 

4. A quiet afternoon for Mark Halstead. 

On a number of occasions this season United keeper Mark Halstead has produced a string of saves that have played a key role in helping the Gulls secure a result. 

However, on this occasion, Halstead didn't have a serious save to make until the 56th minute, by which time United were already five goals to the good.

5. The biggest win of the round. 

The Gulls' 5-0 win over Hungerford was the biggest win of the FA Cup third qualifying round, and it also earned United another £5,625 worth of prize money.

 

EXETER REWARDED WITH BORO TIE AFTER KNOCKING OUT HATTERS

 Exeter City will host Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after producing arguably the shock of the round to defeat Premier League side Luton Town. 

Demetri Mitchell's 83rd minute proved to be difference between the two sides, and Mitchell later went from being a hero to a zero when he was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card on 88 minutes.

It was the first time that the Grecians had defeated top-flight opposition since they beat Leicester City 3-1 in a fourth round FA Cup during the 1980-81 season en route to reaching the quarter finals of the competition. 

City will now face Middlesbrough of the Championship in the last 16 of the cup, and the possibility of them drawing another exists should they manage to cause another upset.

NO OLD PALS ACT FOR LOWE

 There was no old pals act for Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe as his Lilywhites' side defeated his former club Plymouth Argyle, now managed by his former assistant Steven Schumacher. 

Duane Holmes got Preston off to a dream start when he turned home Liam Millar's cross to give the hosts the lead on 45 seconds. 

Millar then doubled Preston's lead in the 25th minute with a shot that found the bottom corner. 

The Pilgrims pulled one on 61 minutes through Scottish striker Ryan Hardie, following good work from Wolves loanee Luke Cundle. 

However, despite Argyle enjoying plenty of possession, the Lilywhites held onto win to ensure that they remain top of the Championship table.

UNITED GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH SILLS

 As a player, Tim Sills never returned to Plainmoor to face Torquay United after he left the club in January 2010. 

However, he will be going head to head with United as a manager as Gary Johnson's men travel to Dorset to face his Wimborne Town side in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup. 

During his two-and-a-half year stay on the English Riviera, Sills etched his name into United folklore when he headed home Wayne Carlisle's 74th minute to score the Gulls' second goal in their 2-0 win over Cambridge United in the 2009 Blue Square Premier play-off final - thus securing United's return to the Football League. 

In addition to this, Sills was also present in some of the Gulls' biggest FA Cup results. In the 2007-2008 season, he was part of the United side who beat Yeovil Town 4-1 in the first round of the competition live on the BBC. Then in the 2008-09 campaign, he was part of the Gulls' side who beat Blackpool 1-0 in the third round, which was United's first FA Cup win over a second tier team since they beat West Ham United 1-0 in 1989-90. 

Back to the present day, many of Johnson's Gulls of 2023-24 have already had a taste of the rewards that a cup run can bring from both of their ties against Derby County in the first round - at Plainmoor and in the replay at Pride Park, both of which were televised. 

GARY JOHNSON'S FIVE YEARS IN CHARGE OF TORQUAY UNITED

 When Gary Johnson was appointed as Torquay United manager in September 2018, few would have believed at the time that he would end up becoming the Gulls' third longest serving manager

A 1-0 defeat at home to Chippenham Town on September 8, 2018 saw his predecessor Gary Owers relieved of his duties – and many of the Plainmoor faithful were expecting an appointment along the lines of Lee Hodges or Steve Tully. 

However, it would be the former Yeovil, Bristol City and Cheltenham boss Johnson who United chairman Clarke Osborne and CEO George Edwards turned to when selecting a successor to Owers.

The Gulls' journey under Johnson began with a 2-0 away win over Hungerford United on September 15, 2018, which was followed by a 7-0 rout of Wessex League side Lymington Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round a week later.

Then came the first real challenge of Johnson’s then brief reign – the visit of league leaders Woking to Plainmoor for a game he described as a ‘six-pointer’. Despite trailing 2-0 at half-time, United rallied to draw 2-2 - with Jamie Reid netting a brace for the Gulls.

Under Johnson, Reid was a player transformed as he finished the 2018-19 campaign with 32 goals to his name. He then went on to score a further 21 in the 2019-20 National League season.

Johnson also made good use of his connections with Bristol City, where his son Lee was manager. United had already loaned Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards from the Ashton Gate club, and they would be joined at Plainmoor by Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh. He was also joined at Plainmoor by his brother Pete, who became his head of recruitment, and former Gulls defender Aaron Downes, who was appointed as his assistant.

It wasn’t until January 19, 2019, that United tasted defeat for the first time in the league when they were beaten 3-2 by Bath City at Twerton Park. By this time, the Gulls had set a new record for unbeaten league games of 16. However, Oxford City would find themselves on the receiving end of the backlash of that loss, as United won 7-2 – after leading 5-0 at half-time. It was also a game that saw Jake Andrews score a hat trick from midfield, while Reid and Janneh netted a brace apiece.

The second half of the season also saw United produce a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary which – amongst other things - captured the scenes in the dressing room before and after each game. This included a scene when Johnson tore into his charges, giving them the full ‘hairdryer’ treatment when they trailed 1-0 away to East Thurrock on a Tuesday night in February 2019. However, Johnson’s message had the desired effect as United turned things around to win 2-1, with Ruairi Keating scoring a late winner.

At the end of March 2019, the Gulls beat Chelmsford City 3-1 at Plainmoor which left them with one hand on the title. A 3-3 draw with second-placed Woking a week later at the Kingfield Stadium – which was secured with a Ben Wynter volley in stoppage time - effectively ended the Cards’ challenge for top spot. This meant that when United beat Eastbourne Borough 2-0 at Plainmoor in front of a crowd of more than 4,500, with goals from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews, which saw them confirmed as National League South champions for 2018-19.

Defeats against Chippenham Town and Hungerford followed – the latter saw the Gulls receive the trophy in front of a National League South record crowd of 5,351 - before United said goodbye to the National League South with a 4-0 win away to St Albans City. It was a game that saw another record fall as Kalvin Kalala – who Johnson brought to Plainmoor from Cheltenham - opened the scoring with the fastest goal in the club’s history after 10 seconds.

Back in the National League, United started the 2019-20 campaign with a 2-1 win over Boreham Wood.  It would be a season that would throw up several inconsistencies for the Gulls – partly due to injuries – as United recorded 4-2 wins against eventual champions Barrow and play-off winners Harrogate Town. Nevertheless, they would also lose 5-1 to Stockport County at Plainmoor in November 2019 and were thrashed 6-2 to Yeovil Town on Boxing Day 2018. Bizarrely the heavy defeat to Stockport occurred around a month after the Gulls had beaten the Hatters 4-0 at Edgeley Park – making the aggregate score from both fixtures 5-5.

The Covid-19 enforced suspension of the National League saw United end the campaign after 36 matches. The outcome of the season was decided using PPG (points per game) to calculate the league’s final placings, which saw the Gulls finish in 14th place.

In the extended close season before the start of the delayed 2020-21 campaign, Johnson was busy in the transfer market, as Danny Wright, top scorer in his National League title winning side with Cheltenham, joined as a replacement for the Mansfield Town bound Reid. Other notable new arrivals included Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Gary Warren, who joined the Gulls permanently following successful loan spells from Bristol City and Exeter City respectively, and experienced left-back Dean Moxey also arrived from Exeter. On the eve of the season, Johnson also made three loan signings in the form of Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle), Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth) and Louis Britton (Bristol City).

United started the campaign with a 1-0 home win over pre-season favourites Stockport, with Lemonheigh-Evans netting a last-minute winner, in a match played behind closed doors – due to coronavirus restrictions. They followed this up with a number of other impressive results, including a 5-0 win away to Hartlepool United on October 31, 2019 (which was broadcast live on BT Sport), as the Gulls established themselves amongst the league's front-runners. 

Other memorable results included a 6-5 FA Cup first round exit to Crawley Town, a 6-1 drubbing of Yeovil Town on Boxing Day and a 4-0 away victory over Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy fourth round – which marked Johnson’s 100th game in charge. 

Over the course of the campaign, United would score a number of late goals in what became as known as 'Gary time'. 

The remainder of the season saw the Gulls remain neck and neck with Sutton United, with both sides sharing the lead at various stages. The title race itself was decided in their penultimate game of the season, as United drew 2-2 with Barnet and Sutton beat Hartlepool United (more on them later) 3-0 to claim top spot. 

Nevertheless, United could at least console themselves with their highest ever finish in the National League of second place - the Gulls' finished third and fourth in the division under Paul Buckle between 2007 and 2009 - as they prepared to face Notts County in the play-offs. The Magpies were promptly dispatched 4-2 after extra time to set up a final with Hartlepool United. 

The final was played at Ashton Gate to avoid clashing with matches from the delayed Euro 2020 matches being staged at Wembley. The Gulls appeared to have taken the lead on eight minutes through Kyle Cameron, however referee Simon Mather deemed Cameron to have impeded Hartlepool goalkeeper Brad James - even though the replay of the incident showed that contact appeared to be minimal.

On 36 minutes, the Pools were in front when Luke Armstrong found the target when he capitalised on a rebound, after strike partner Rhys Oates had been denied, with a shot that went in off the cross bar. 

In the second half, Cameron had another effort disallowed for a foul on James, but just when it seemed as though Hartlepool would hold onto win, goalkeeper Lucas Covolan went up for a corner and headed home an equaliser for United to force extra time. 

There were no further goals in extra time, as the final went to penalties. Despite Covolan saving two Hartlepool penalties, misses from Billy Waters and Danny Wright meant the Gulls remained level at 4-4 after Asa Hall, Joe Lewis, Armani Little and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans all converted.

Ryan Donaldson then made it 5-4 to Hartlepool before Matt Buse had his spot-kick saved by James, as the Pools secured their return to the Football League at the expense of the Gulls. 

The close season saw a number of players leave Plainmoor as Ashton Gate hero Lucas Covolan earned himself a move to the EFL with Port Vale. Kyle Cameron and Aaron Nemane both moved to Notts County and Ben Whitfield joined Stockport County.

New arrivals included goalkeeper Mark Halstead from Morecambe, central midfielder Tom Lapslie from Colchester United and a number of young prospects, who included Dan Martin (Cardiff City), Ali Omar (Barnsley), Keelan O’Connell (AFC Bournemouth) and Klaidi Lolos (Plymouth Argyle).

Johnson also brought in a number of players following pre-season trials, including Dan Holman, who served under him at Cheltenham Town, and winger Gabby Rogers, a former United youth team player who had been released by Yeovil. 

United made a slow start to the 2022-23 campaign, losing their opening three home games of the campaign against Altrincham (1-3), Woking (0-4) and Grimsby Town (1-3). However, a 1-0 victory over Southend United in September courtesy of a late winner from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans got the Gulls up and running at Plainmoor. The Southend win also marked goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald’s return to the club, after turning down a new contract in the summer.

For the remainder of the season, they would only lose two more home league fixtures (against FC Halifax Town and Solihull Moors).

Johnson also used the loan market to good effect, bringing in Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna from Queens Park Rangers and Stephen Wearne from Sunderland.

Memorable results from the campaign included completing a first ever league ‘double’ over Yeovil Town (3-0 on Boxing Day at Plainmoor and 2-1 in the return at Huish Park on January 2, 2022) and a 5-1 win over Notts County which saw Lemonheigh-Evans bag his first career hat-trick.

In the end, United finished 11^th – only falling out of contention for a play-off spot with three games to go. 

The summer of 2022 saw a number of departures as Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Joe Lewis both signed for League Two side Stockport County and Armani Little and Shaun MacDonald also headed to the EFL to sign for Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town. Amongst others leaving for pastures new were the long serving Ben Wynter and the experienced Danny Wright.

New arrivals included Kieron Evans on a season-long loan from Cardiff City, strikers Aaron Jarvis (Scunthorpe United) and Corie Andrews (AFC Wimbledon), midfielders Brett McGavin (Ipswich Town), Ryan Hanson (Dover Athletic) and Shaun Donellan (Maidenhead United), centre backs Ross Marshall (Stevenage) and Ollie Tomlinson (Plymouth Argyle) and right-back Dylan Crowe (Ipswich Town).

However, the first half of the season saw the Gulls get off to a slow start. They didn’t win their first home game in the league at Plainmoor until the eighth attempt, when United beat Aldershot Town in emphatic style, winning 6-1 with Aaron Jarvis becoming the sixth Gulls’ player to score a hat-trick under Johnson’s reign. The Gulls also experienced a number of heavy defeats, losing 4-1 at home to Solihull Moors, 6-0 away to Wrexham, 4-0 away to Notts County and 5-1 at home to Chesterfield.

A combination of injuries and poor form saw Johnson dip into the loan market, as Mark Ellis and Stephen Wearne returned to the club for second spells, Dillon De Silva followed in the footsteps of Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna in joining on loan from QPR and central defender Lucas Ness came in from Charlton Athletic.

The FA Cup offered them some respite, as they reached the first round where they memorably drew 2-2 with Derby County at Plainmoor before losing the replay at Pride Park 5-0.

Nevertheless, United remained in trouble and Johnson once again looked again to the loan market to strengthen his side. Experienced midfielder Kevin Dawson, who served under Johnson at both Yeovil and Cheltenham, arrived from Gloucester City, Jack Stobbs and Lewis Collins joined from Oldham Athletic joined from Oldham Athletic and Newport County in provide the squad with more width and young centre back Nico Lawrence signed from Southampton. They were also joined by experienced Frank Nouble, who counted the likes of West Ham United and Wolves amongst his former clubs.

A run of five straight wins in late March and April (Boreham Wood a 1-0, Scunthorpe United a 1-0, Eastleigh h 2-0, Maidenhead United a 3-1 and York City h 3-2) lifted the Gulls into contention for survival. However, a 5-1 defeat away to Chesterfield and draws in their last two games – 2-2 away to Altrincham and 1-1 at home to Wrexham – saw United’s relegation to National League South confirmed on the final day of the campaign.

During the summer of 2023, Johnson secured the signatures of Kevin Dawson, Jack Stobbs and Lewis Collins on a permanent basis as the Gulls aimed to build a squad capable of winning promotion from the National League South at the first attempt.

They were joined by Brad Ash, who signed from Weymouth, young defender Finley Craske signed from Plymouth Argyle and Torbay-born Will Jenkins-Davies arrived on loan from the Pilgrims. Dillon De Silva also returned to Plainmoor on a permanent basis after he was released by QPR.

A draw at Dover Athletic and a defeat against Worthing at Plainmoor left the Gulls with one point from their opening two National League South fixtures. Nevertheless, a run of six wins from seven points have lifted United firmly into promotion contention.

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHELMSFORD CITY

 1. Brett McGavin's goal of the season contender. 

After producing arguably his best display in a Torquay United shirt against Farnborough, Brett McGavin scored a goal that was worthy of joining the list of most memorable ones scored at Plainmoor. 

A ball from Will Jenkins-Davies, following a short corner routine, was headed clear only as far as McGavin, and the former Ipswich Town starlet volleyed home from 25 yards. 

Aside from the goal, McGavin looked comfortable in possession throughout and also produced a number of important blocks and clearances. Following an indifferent start to the campaign, he now looks to have cemented himself as a first team regular.

2. Mark Halstead's contribution shouldn't be overlooked. 

United goalkeeper Mark Halstead picked up the sponsor's man of the match, even though he wasn't as busy as he has been in previous games. 

However, Halstead made a number of important saves in the first half to deny Chelmsford's Callum Jones in the second and 20th minutes, which shouldn't be forgotten. 

3. Will Jenkins-Davies continues to grow as a player. 

Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies continued to build on his promising display in the Gulls' midweek win over Farnborough with an impressive display against Chelmsford. 

Wales youth international Jenkins-Davies had a hand in both goals, as his ball into the box was cleared into McGavin's path for his goal, and it was his free-kick that the Clarets' Samir Carruthers inadvertantly turned into his own net for United's winner. 

In pre-season, Jenkins-Davies showed that he had the potential to play his way into the Gulls' starting line-up and he has turned that potential into reality in his last two matches. 

4.'Gary time' is back. 

During the 2020-21 season when Torquay United just missing out on promotion from the National League, the Gulls scored plenty of late goals in what became known as 'Gary time.' 

United's winning goal against the Clarets is the third goal scored by the Gulls in injury time, along with Aaron Jarvis' winner against Braintree Town on August Bank Holiday Monday and also Jarvis' second against Farnborough in midweek. 

With time being added onto matches for all stoppages, don't bet against the Gulls scoring more goals in injury time. 

5. Six wins out of seven. 

United's victory over the Clarets was their sixth win in seven National League South matches, with their copy book only being blotted by a 2-1 defeat away to Aveley. 

Overall the Gulls also 19 points from nine games, which is over two points a game. If United can maintain that form over the course of the 2023-24 campaign they would finish the season with 92 points - a figure that should be enough to win the title. 

However, there's a long way to go yet.

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FARNBOROUGH

1. Brett McGavin came to the fore. 

Recalled to the United starting line-up in a new role as a deep lying playmaker sitting in front of the back four, Brett McGavin produced arguably his finest display for the Gulls. 

However, the Ipswich Town product looked comfortable in possession, seldom giving the ball away cheaply and picked out a number of astute passes which enabled United to push forward. 

When he left the field of play on 80 minutes, when he was replaced by Ryan Hanson, he did to a standing ovation, which told its own story.

2. Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash clicking as a partnership. 

When the Gulls won the National League South title in 2018-19, one of the hallmarks of that side was the strike partnership of Jamie Reid and Saikou Janneh, who scored over 50 goals between them - Reid 32 and Janneh 19. 

Fast forward to 2023-24 and Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash have now scored eight goals between them, as they both took their respective individual figures to four. Jarvis netted a brace, which included an angled drive in the first half after latching onto a through ball from centre back Ollie Tomlinson and a penalty in second half injury time. Ash netted from close range in the second half following good work from midfielder Tom Lapslie and Jarvis. 

Ash also came close to netting a double of his own, as he hit the post shortly before finding the back of the net, and if the pair can continue in this vein then the Gulls will have done very well indeed.

3. Will Jenkins-Davies produces best game of loan spell to date. 

Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies' display in midfield almost went under the radar in light of the displays of his other team-mates. 

However, the Wales Under-18 international, who hails from Torbay, showed great energy levels on his recall to the starting line-up and looked composed on the ball and produced the best display of his loan spell to date. 

Jenkins-Davies is highly regarded at Home Park and it is hoped that he could end up following in the footsteps of Adam Randell, who is currently a first team regular for the Pilgrims two years after a hugely successful season-long loan spell at Plainmoor. 

4. The best performance of the season so far. 

"Every player to a man was fantastic" - said Gulls manager Gary Johnson in his post-match interview, as United produced their finest performance of the season to date. 

The result and display also came shortly after a 2-1 away defeat to current leaders Aveley, where goalkeeper Mark Halstead produced a virtuoso performance that prevented United suffering a heavier loss. 

If that display can now become the benchmark for the Gulls then they emerge as the league's front runners. 

It is also worth noting that it was also United's fifth win in their last six National League encounters. 

5. First ever win over their opponents. 

Tuesday night's victory over Farnborough was also the Gulls' first ever win over their opponents. Their previous meeting came in the 1991-92 season in the FA Cup second round. United drew 1-1 in the original fixture, with Mark Loram finding the target before losing the replay 4-3.