WEBB WEAVES HIS WAY TO HUISH PARK

 Yeovil Town have appointed former player Danny Webb as their new manager in succession to Mark Cooper. 

Webb, who was previously employed as assistant manager to Paul Cook at League Two side Chesterfield, played seven times for the Glovers in the 2006-07 and is the son of former Yeovil manager Dave Webb, who famously scored the winning goal for Chelsea in the FA Cup final replay against Leeds United in 1970. 

Since his retirement in 2014, Webb worked with the youth teams at Leyton Orient before working with the first team, which included 12 games in temporary charge of the first team in 2017. He then returned to the club's backroom staff where he worked alongside Justin Edinburgh as they won promotion back to the Football League in 2019. 

He joined Chesterfield in 2021 and assisted Cook as the Spireites won promotion from the National League in the 2023-24 campaign. 

Webb has agreed a contract until 2027 in what will be his first permanent managerial role.  

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS SLOUGH TOWN

 1. 100% home record remains intact. 

United made it four wins out of four at Plainmoor by beating Slough Town 4-2, making the Gulls one of only two teams in National League South with a 100% home record (the league leaders Hornchurch are the other). 

It is the first time that United have won their opening four home league games of the campaign since the 1982-83 season under Bruce Rioch when they beat Stockport County 3-0, Aldershot 4-2, Darlington and Hartlepool United 3-2. 

2. A virtuoso display from Louis Dennis. 

He might only have been on the pitch for the duration of the first half, but Louis Dennis had a hand in all four of the Gulls' goals against Slough. After squaring the ball to Jordan Young for United's opener, he then headed home a corner from Young to restore the Gulls' lead five minutes later, shortly after Jared Myers had equalised for the Rebels. 

Dennis then saw his low cross inadvertently turned home for an own goal by Slough's Johnny Goddard to make 3-1 before he provided another low delivery, which was tapped home by Cody Cooke. 

He was replaced by Dan Hayfield before the start of the second half, but manager Paul Wotton will be hoping that he will be fit to face AFC Totton in the FA Cup. 

3. Jordan Young's fifth of the campaign. 

Jordan Young made it five for the 2025-26 season when he turned home from close range in the eighth minute after being teed up by Louis Dennis. 

Young found the back of the net 11 times in the 2024-25 campaign for the Gulls, as he won the club's player of the year award. He also finished the 2023-24 season as Yeovil Town's top scorer with 16 goals, you would bet against him ending the current campaign as United's leading scorer. 

4. Denzel Akyempong solid at right back. 

In the wake of a successful trial in pre-season, Denzel Akyempong recently joined the Gulls on a prove yourself deal, and he produced a solid display at right-back. 

As well as being strong defensively, he is also a good athlete and has a long throw which United can utilise to good effect when required.  

5.  An eighth game in 28 days. 

Games early on in the season in English football often come thick and fast and Torquay United's clash with Slough Town was their eighth in 28 days. It is also a schedule that United have faced with injuries to up to six players at any one time. 

However, with midfielder Callum Dolan and winger Dylan Morgan set to return before the end of the month, so manager Paul Wotton will have more options available to him.  

 

TORQUAY UNITED 4 SLOUGH TOWN 2

 Torquay United maintained their 100% home record in National League South thanks to a stunning first display that saw them hit four past Slough Town.

The Gulls looked to be in front after 40 seconds when Cody Cooke poked home from close range following good work from Matt Jay and Louis Dennis, but he was adjudged to have been offside.

United eventually edged ahead in the eighth minute when Dennis squared the ball to Jordan Young, who slotted home his fifth of the campaign.

The Rebels levelled matters three minutes later as Jared Myers raced beyond the Gulls defence before finding the back of the net with an angled effort.

Two minutes later, United restored their lead as Young’s corner was headed home by Dennis.

In the 27^th minute, the Gulls extended their advantage when Slough’s Johnny Goddard inadvertently turned a cross from Dennis into his own net.

Dennis was the architect again on 32 minutes when his low cross was tapped home by Cooke.

Four minutes before the break, Wiktor Makowski pulled one back for the Rebels after he latched onto a long punt down field from keeper Adam Desbois.

In the second half, Young and Jordan Dyer both went close for the Gulls as they saw the game out to clinch a fourth home win out of four.

 

 

 

WHO WILL REPLACE MARK COOPER AS YEOVIL MANAGER

 In the wake of their 4-3 defeat to Gateshead, Mark Cooper was relieved of his duties as Yeovil Town manager. Cooper had been in charge since October 2022 and had led the Glovers to the National League South title in the 2023-24 season. 

 Jamie McAllister:

A promotion winner with the Glovers in the 2012-13 season, Scotsman Jamie McAllister was a long-term assistant to former Yeovil midfielder Lee Johnson at Bristol City, Sunderland and Hibernian. He is currently managing Brunei based Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota FC in the Singapore Premier League. 

Scott Davies:  

Former Glovers loanee Scott Davies has performed well as manager of Slough Town in National League South with one of the league's smaller budgets, a club he still turns out for as a player at the age of 37. Could  he be ready for the step-up to the National League? 

Scott Bartlett: 

Another manager who has built a fine reputation in National League South, Weston Super Mare manager Scott Bartlett actually worked under Mark Cooper as head of academy at Forest Green Rovers. He has assembled a side that has established a reputation for playing passing football, and they just  missed out on the play-offs in National League South in 2024-25 - as they finished eighth. 

Steve Cotterill: 

The vastly experienced and well-travelled Steve Cotterill left Forest Green Rovers earlier in the season. If Yeovil did turn to him, he would join Gary Johnson in having managed Cheltenham Town, Bristol City and the Glovers. Like Johnson, he has also led Cheltenham into the Football League and Bristol City into the Championship, could he add a return to the Football League with Yeovil to that list? 

Derek Adams: 

No stranger to the South West from his four years in charge of Plymouth Argyle between 2015 and 2019, Derek Adams had been set to take charge of Morecambe in the National League prior to their takeover by the Panjab Warriors group. Ashvir Singh Johal was appointed as his successor, and he will no doubt be seeking a swift return to management. 

 

 

GULLS SECURE POINTS IN FACE OF ADVERSITY

 Torquay United manager Paul Wotton was quick to praise his players after they saw off the challenge of newly promoted AFC Totton on Tuesday night at Plainmoor. 

Goals from Dylan Morgan, an own goal and second half strike from Matt Jay sealed a 3-1 win for the Gulls, as they followed up their 1-1 draw at the weekend against Maidstone United to take their points tally from their opening three games to seven. 

After their win over Totton, Wotton described the win at 'one of the best results since we've been at the football club.' He also went on to say, 'I think - no, I know - we would have lost last Saturday (Maidstone A 1-1) last season, and I know we wouldn't have won tonight (versus AFC Totton). So I'm absolutely thrilled.'

Maidstone's Gallagher Stadium has traditionally been an unhappy hunting ground for United, and Jordan Young's late penalty secured their first ever point at the Stones' present home (the Gulls' previous draw in the 1990-91 season took place at Dartford United's Watling Street home, which Maidstone were sharing at the time). 

Against Totton, United were facing a newly promoted team with two ex-Gulls in their ranks in Joe Oastler and Scott Rendell, so they had a point to prove. 

This was also achieved against the back drop of injuries to Callum Dolan and Sonny Fish, who were joined on Saturday by Louis Dennis and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. The injury to Lo-Everton from a dangerous tackle from John Gilbert evoked memories of injuries sustained against the Stones by Phil Lloyd (1990-91) and Liam Davis (2019-20); however, Lo-Everton will now be out for three months with damaged ankle ligaments and I wish him a speedy recovery. 

Then on Tuesday night, Dylan Morgan joined the ever growing list when he was substituted at half time after sustaining a heavy challenge in the first half. Nevertheless, United still managed to get three points, which moves Wotton's men up to second in the table. 

Wotton's comments about saying that United wouldn't have won against AFC Totton rekindled memories of a result early in the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season. In United's second game of the campaign at home to Lincoln City, the Gulls, featuring the likes of Alex Russell, Jason Fowler and David Graham, created chance after chance, but couldn't break down the late Keith Alexander's Imps - until the 89th minute when Matt Hockley stabbed home to finally break Lincoln's resistance. 

In the previous 2002-03 campaign, United drew both games with the Imps, but completed the double over them in 2003-04, as they went on to clinch a top three finish, with a final day win over Southend United. If they can cope with the kind of adversity that they faced against Lincoln on that Saturday afternoon in 2003 and against Totton in 2025, then they will achieve their ultimate goals. 

 

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ENFIELD TOWN

 1. Matt Worthington with a stand out performance on debut. 

On his debut for Torquay United, skipper Matt Worthington underlined exactly why manager Paul Wotton committed to offering him a three-year deal following his transfer from Oldham Athletic. 

As well as dictating play with a great range of passing, most notably with his assist for Jordan Young's second goal, he was also dropping back to help shield the back four. He has the potential to be as influential figure as two other players who captained the club from midfield in Chris Hargreaves (2007-2010) and Asa Hall (2018-2024). 

2. Dennis has the potential to be a difference maker. 

Playing in the number 10 role behind Cody Cooke, Louis Dennis marked his debut for the Gulls with the opening goal of the afternoon in the ninth minute. Cooke managed to get a flick on on a goal kick from keeper James Hamon and raced onto it before Dennis calmly slotting home. 

Dennis comes to Plainmoor with promotion winning pedigree from his time with Bromley, where he helped them win promotion from the National League in 2023-24, and he will be hoping to add another promotion to his CV come the end of the current campaign. 

3. James Hamon's saves. 

Towards the end of United's 2-1 win over Enfield Town on the opening day of the 2024-25 season, James Hamon made an important save towards the end to help seal all three points. 

He was also called upon to make a number of important saves as he denied Lamar Reynolds in the 23rd minute as he tipped his shot onto the shot before smothering the danger. In the second half, he thwarted Tommy Wood (twice) and Harry Lodovica, which proved to be crucial come full time. 

4.  Changes. 

Almost a year ago to the day, Torquay United faced Enfield Town in Paul Wotton's first game in charge on the opening day of the 2024-25 season, and much has changed since then. 

 Only five of United's starting XI in 2025-26 also began against the Towners on that occasion; James Hamon, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston and Cody Cooke. Dan Hayfield also started in 2024-25, but came off the bench in 2025-26. 

5. A cameo from Aiden Edwards. 

Aiden Edwards, the 17 year-old son of United assistant Mike Edwards, made a late cameo as a replacement for skipper Matt Worthington in the 93rd minute. Edwards featured on several occasions in pre-season and looks set to be involved in around the first time over the course of the 2025-26 campaign.  

TORQUAY UNITED 3 ENFIELD TOWN 1

Last season’s National League South runners-up Torquay United got off to a winning start in 2025-26 against a spirited Enfield Town side.

Early goals from debutant Louis Dennis and Jordan Young set the tone for the Gulls before Cody Cooke netted from the penalty spot. Skipper Mickey Parcell pulled one back for the visitors, but United manager Paul Wotton was still happy with the result. “Everyone wants to win their first game on the opening day of the season and we’ve done that,” said Wotton.

The Gulls were in front on nine minutes when Cooke flicked on a goal kick from keeper James Hamon into the path of Dennis who marked his debut with United’s opener.

Two minutes later, United doubled their lead when skipper Matt Worthington picked out Young who cut inside onto his left foot before finding the top corner.

In the 24^th minute, Lamar Reynolds threatened for the Towners after United failed to clear a long throw, but Hamon turned his shot onto the post before smothering it.

Cooke then made it three from the spot on 41 minutes after Joe Payne felled Young.

In the second half, Parcell pulled one back against his former club after United failed to deal with a long throw in the 59^th minute.

Hamon was later called upon to deny Wood and sub Harry Lodovica, as the Gulls clinched all three points.