1. James Hamon's heroics.
Goalkeeper James Hamon was twice called upon to make two important saves to keep Hemel Hempstead at bay. A minute before half time, he denied Tudors' leading scorer Ricky German who attempted a shot on the turn and then in the second half he turned a header from Hemel centre back Kyle Ajayi from a Brandon Barzey onto the bar and over.
Hamon came away with the sponsor's man of the match prize in recognition of his efforts, which proved to be important in helping United secure the three points.
2. Cody Cooke's ninth of the campaign.
After missing from the spot against Weston Super Mare, Gulls' leading scorer Cody Cooke exorcised any negative he may have had about that miss as he duly converted from 12 yards after sub Matt Carson had been felled by the Tudors Brandon Barzey in the 74th minute.
It took Cooke's tally for the season to nine, which means he is almost halfway to emulating his 20-goal haul from the 2023-24 season with Bath City.
3. Matt Carson's impact off the bench.
Northern Ireland youth international Matt Carson emerged as one of United's key performers of the early part of the season after being taken out of the firing line by manager Paul Wotton.
However, Carson's display from the bench was remincient of his performances earlier in the campaign as he entered the fray in the 68th minute, and within 60 seconds of coming on his cross found Jordan Dyer who missed the target. Then on 73 minutes, he won the penalty which Cody Cooke converted as he drew a foul from Hemel's Brandon Barzey.
Wotton is often keen to remind the Plainmoor faithful that it's a squad game in the modern era, so don't be surprised to see Carson continue to make an impact as the season progresses.
4. Five straight wins and ten unbeaten.
United's result against Hemel Hempstead Town extends their winning run in all competitions to five and their unbeaten sequence in all competitions to ten, which includes two FA Ttophy wins over Truro City and Horsham in addition to eight league games.
The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since losing to Hornchurch on October 26, and their current run of eight league games without loss means they are now halfway to equalling their club record 16-match unbeaten league run, which they set during the 2018-19 season between September 2018 and January 2019.
5. Top of the table at Christmas.
By winning against the Tudors in the final home game of 2024, Torquay United ensured that they head into the festive period as the leaders of National League South. The Gulls are currently on 43 points, two points ahead of second placed Truro City on 41 while Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers are a further point behind on 40 and the teams in fifth to eighth (Maidstone United, Weston Super Mare, Worthing and Eastbourne Borough) are only separated by goal difference on 39.
