WHEN JAKE TAMED THE SHREWS

On Saturday, former Torquay United loanee Jake Robinson– injury permitting - is set to return to Plainmoor with Billericay Town in what will be a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ in Vanarama National League South. I will now take a closer look at another match that he made a big impact in – a game that featured two sides who both had promotion ambitions.

Jake Robinson’s 22-match loan spell with Torquay United from Shrewsbury Town in 2011 threw up a number of talking points. 

Firstly, he made his debut in a 3-1 defeat against Hereford United when he wasn’t registered to play for the Gulls. He found the back of the net in the fixture, which would later see the club docked one point for his selection.

Secondly – he was allowed to appear in games against his parent club; this was to be a decision that would briefly come back to haunt Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner, as Robinson helped the Gulls to tame the Shrews in spectacular fashion.

Robinson was one of five loan signings named in Paul Buckle’s starting line-up to face the Shrews; and it was two of that quintet who combined to score the Gulls’ opener after five minutes. Ronan Murray – making his debut for Torquay after joining on loan from Ipswich Town – picked out fellow debutant Gavin Tomlin who duly opened his account for the Gulls.

Three minutes before half-time, the Shrews were reduced to ten men when right-back Jermaine Grandison was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Robinson.

After the break, Robinson was to have a further influence on the proceedings when he converted from the penalty spot on 54 minutes, after Shrews defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was adjudged to have handled a knock down from Tomlin by referee Andy U’rso.

Robinson struck again two minutes with a stunning individual strike from 25-yards to extend the Gulls’ lead to three.

On 70 minutes, Chris Zebroski increased Torquay’s advantage to four when he drilled home with an angled effort from close range from a cross from Craig Stanley.

Five minutes from time, the Gulls added a fifth when Shrewsbury skipper Ian Sharps inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, as Torquay completed a five-star performance to tame the Shrews.

Afterwards, Buckle spoke of his delight that Robinson wasn’t overawed by the occasion of playing against his parent club.

“I said to him that you must play the game and not the occasion,” said Buckle.

 “Because it was an occasion for him; playing against the club who sent you out on loan. 

“We spoke before the game and he played his normal stuff, cutting in from the left and he cut in and it was an unbelievable finish.

"It was a fabulous performance and to actually get five goals as well is the icing on the cake.”

The Gulls would later face the Shrews again in the semi-finals of the end of season Play-offs, where they won 2-0 on aggregate over two legs to set up a final meeting with Stevenage at Old Trafford.

Torquay (4-4-2): Scott Bevan; Lee Mansell, Chris Robertson, Guy Branston, Kevin Nicholson; Gavin Tomlin, Craig Stanley, Ben Pringle, Jake Robinson; Chris Zebroski, Ronan Murray (Danny Stevens 58)

A full account of this match and another 49 in Torquay United's history can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches which is available from: https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES FOR THE PILGRIMS

They say that a week can be a long time in politics, and it can be equally lengthy in football.

That phrase has certainly proved to be the case for Plymouth Argyle in the last seven days, as the Pilgrims followed up their midweek home win over Gillingham with a 4-1 win over Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park.

Freddie Ladapo opened the scoring for Argyle, with his fifth goal in three matches, before Niall Canavan doubled their lead as he headed home against his former club in first half injury time.

Early in the second half, the Iron pulled a goal back through substitute Lee Novak and a minute later they looked to have found an equaliser through Ike Ugbo, but his header was ruled out for offside.

Argyle restored their two-goal advantage in the 57th minute when Joel Grant connected with a cross from Antoni Sarcevic.

In the dying minutes of the game, Sarcevic went from being provider after taking advantage of ample time on the ball to find the target with his first goal since February to complete a memorable win for the Pilgrims.

The game also marked the final game of James Brent's chairmanship, as he passed the baton onto Simon Hallett, a US-based fan who is now the club's majority shareholder.

During his seven years at the helm, Brent has taken Argyle out of Administration and overseen a play-off campaign under John Sheridan in the 2014-15 season, as well as a period of sustained success under Sheridan's successor - Derek Adams.

Since Adams was appointed in the summer of 2015, the Pilgrims have reached the League Two play-off semi-final in the 2015-16 season before winning automatic promotion by finishing second in the 2016-17 campaign. This achievement was then followed up with a seventh placed finish in League One last season, after spending much of the first half of the campaign fighting relegation.

HOME DRAWS GALORE FOR THE SOUTH WEST'S FA CUP CONTINGENT

All three Devon clubs and Somerset pair Yeovil Town and Weston Super Mare will all be at home in the first round proper of the 2018-19 FA Cup.

Torquay United's reward for overcoming Lymington Town, Brightlingsea Regent and Winchester City so far in this season's competition is a home draw against fellow Vanarama National League South side Woking.

It will be the third time that the Gulls have faced the Cards in the current calendar year. The previous two meetings have United win 2-1 on Easter Monday at Plainmoor with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scoring the game's decisive goal with a 25-yard strike and a late, second half brace from Jamie Reid secured a well deserved point for the Gulls in what was manager Gary Johnson's first game in charge.

Exeter City will also be at home as they were paired with 1953 cup winners Blackpool, in what will be the first time that the two sides have met since the 2017 League Two Play-off final at Wembley - when the Tangerines won 2-1.

The FA Cup could provide Plymouth Argyle and manager Derek Adams some respite from their disappointing league form, which currently sees them slumped at the foot of League One, as they entertain League Two side Stevenage at Home Park.

Yeovil Town enjoyed a fantastic run in the FA Cup last season, which saw them reach the fourth round where they hosted Manchester United at Huish Park in front of the BBC cameras. This season they have been handed another chance of experiencing another lengthy spell in the competition, as they have been paired with Stockport County of National League North.

Weston Super Mare might be bottom of the National League South table, but a home tie with either Wrexham or Harrogate Town, who are both flying high in the National League, awaits them in the FA Cup first round as a reward for overcoming Bath City.

Should Taunton Town upsets the odds in their fourth qualifying round replay against National League South big spenders Billericay Town then they will be at home to Chesterfield, now of the National League, who famously reached the semi-finals of the cup in the 1996-97 campaign where they lost to Middlesbrough.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WINCHESTER CITY

1. The five year wait is over.

For the first time in five years, Torquay United will be featuring in the FA Cup first round draw. On that occasion the Gulls were beaten 2-0 by Rochdale at Plainmoor in the 2013-14 season - but they haven't appeared in the first round proper after losing in the fourth qualifying round to Aldershot Town (twice), Basingstoke Town and Woking in the intervening years. That, of course, was in complete contrast to the previous eight years between 2005-06 and 2012-13 when United made it at least as far as the second round in all seasons bar the 2012-13 campaign when they came unstuck against Harrogate Town in round one. It also included two runs to the fourth round proper in 2008-09 and 2010-11. United will be ball number 72 in Monday's draw.

2. The 'Ashton Gate four' come to the fore again.

Yet another Gulls' victory has a feel of 'made at Ashton Gate' to it, as three of the four goals that United scored were scored by their Bristol City loan contingent. Striker Saikou Janneh finally got off the mark with the Gulls' second of the game, as he headed home a Jamie Reid cross, before Connor Lemonheigh-Evans followed up his brace for Wales Under-21s against Switzerland with another double for United. If either Janneh, Lemonheigh-Evans or their fellow Ashton Gate loanees Opi Edwards and Jake Andrews need any inspiration then they'd need look no further than their contemporary Max O'Leary, who made his debut in goal for the Robins in their 1-0 away win over Brentford in the Championship. Last season, O'Leary was loaned out to Solihull Moors in the National League - a spell which played a big part in forcing his way into Robins' manager Lee Johnson's plans, and who would bet against either of the Robins' loan quartet currently at Plainmoor doing the same next season.

3. United strengthen their French connection.

Over the years, a number of French players have found their way to Plainmoor. Players as diverse as Jean-Pierre Simb, Khalid Chalqi, Morike Sako and Vincent Dorel have plied their trade for the Gulls and that link is continuing with Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kalvin Kalala. Niate was once again a key part of a defensive unit that kept Winchester at bay until Joe Hayward netted a consolation goal from the penalty spot on 71 minutes and Kalala opened his goal scoring account for the club with the afternoon's opening goal on what was his home debut. The duo look set to continue to be a big part of Gary Johnson's plans for the remainder of the campaign.

4. Is Asa Hall the 'new Chris Hargreaves'?

After taking on the captain's armband since Gary Johnson's arrival, Hall has revelled in the responsibility and can now be regarded as being every bit as integral to the current United side as Chris Hargreaves was to Paul Buckle's team between 2007 and 2009. As well as sporting long hair, Hall has proved to be highly effective at breaking up play and chipping with the odd important goal - two traits that Hargreaves possessed - and Johnson stated yesterday in his post-match interview that his choice of man of the match would have been between Hall, who also played under him at Cheltenham Town, and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

5. United have increased the number of goals that they have scored from midfield.

Last season the Gulls only managed to score nine goals from midfield as they were relegated from the National League, and five of those were scored by Luke Young. So far in the 2018-19 campaign, United's midfielders have overhauled that figure in all competitions following yesterday's result: Asa Hall and Jake Andrews have each scored three, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' brace takes his tally to two and Kalvin Kalala scored his first for the Gulls yesterday and Chris Regis, who looks set to leave the club netted against Lymington Town.
If United are to challenge for promotion this season, they are currently one point off the play-offs, then goals from all positions are going to be important to the Gulls' cause. Left-back Liam Davis remains the only defender to have found the back of the net this season, but centre back Kyle Cameron has threatened to the back of the net once or twice from set pieces and it's surely only a matter of time before he finds the target from one.

LEMONHEIGH-EVANS STARS FOR YOUNG DRAGONS

Whilst his Torquay United colleagues were preparing for their trip to Eastbourne Borough, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was playing a starring role of Wales Under-21's in their Euro 2019 qualifying campaign at Rodney Parade, Newport.

The Young Dragons, managed by former Watford defender and ex-Port Vale and Northampton Town boss Rob Page, won their final game in Group H against Switzerland 3-1 - and Swansea-born Lemonheigh-Evans, who is currently enjoying a second loan at Plainmoor from Bristol City, was amongst the scorers as he netted a brace in what was his first start for the Welsh.

His Ashton Gate colleague Joe Morrell opened the scoring in the first half for Page's side before Lemonheigh-Evans, who also featured for the Young Dragons against Romania on the previous Friday, doubled their lead two minutes later.

The Swiss then pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go through Andi Zeqiri before Lemonheigh-Evans struck again to complete his double - which effectively ended the match as a contest.

It was a result that ensured that the Welsh finished fourth in the group behind Romania, Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Although he is only on loan at Plainmoor, Lemonheigh-Evans joins Alex Lawless and Billy Bodin in representing Wales Under-21's whilst appearing for the Gulls. Billy Kee and Eunan O'Kane have also represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level during their time with United, and O'Kane also appeared for the Republic of Ireland after completing his international 'transfer.'

Next up for Lemonheigh-Evans and the Gulls is an FA Cup fourth round tie with Southern League Division One West side Winchester City, and the possibility of a plum draw with Sunderland, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic et al, should they win.

PLAINMOOR LIFE IS THREESY FOR REIDY

After waiting over a half a decade to see a player score a hat-trick, the Torquay United faithful have now seen a third player hit a treble in as many seasons - following Jamie Reid's triple strike against Eastbourne Borough.

Torquay-born Reid, who grew up supporting the Gulls, took his tally for the 2018-19 season to nine - eight of which have come since the appointment of Gary Johnson as successor to Gary Owers - against Eastbourne.

In completing this feat, he joins a list that includes Kieffer Moore (Solihull Moors at home in 2016-17) and former Cardiff City loanee Rhys Healey (at home to Guiseley in 2017-18) who have managed the feat for United in recent seasons.

Prior to the aforementioned two, the last time a player hit a hat-trick in a United shirt was Elliot Benyon against Stockport County in the FA Cup second round in the 2009-10 campaign.

Last season, Reid managed to find the back of the net a mere six times, which saw him finish the campaign as second top scorer behind Healey - and he has comfortably surpassed that figure this time around. In addition to this, as well as showing what he is truly capable of - thus far, he has demonstrated why a number of managers have shown faith in him throughout his career.

Not only has Johnson been prepared to show faith in his ability, and Owers before him, Kevin Nicholson and Chris Hargreaves were also prepared to play him. Paul Tisdale, his manager at his first club Exeter City, was always willing to reward him with a succession of new contracts - the last of which was due to expire at the end of this season before the Gulls took over his deal to make his loan move into a permanent one. Let's not also forget he was part of the Grecians side that drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the FA Cup third round in the 2015-16 season to force a replay.

It is also worth mentioning that during his managerial career, Johnson has a history of recognising and improving strikers. During his two spells with Yeovil Town, he spotted the potential of the late Adam Stansfield, Paddy Madden and Kieffer Moore and whilst in charge of Cheltenham Town he spotted Mohamed Eisa, who recently joined Bristol City after being plucked from Greenwich Borough in the Isthmian League by Johnson for the Gloucestershire club.

If Reid maintains his current form, he could also join what is an already illustrious list.

TORQUAY UNITED'S ASHTON GATE FOUR

In 1982, eight Bristol City players agreed to the termination of their contracts in a bid to help the Robins avoid liquidation and entered club folklore as the 'Ashton Gate Eight'. 

However, in 2018 four products of the Robins' youth academy are making their way in the game thanks in no small part to what has so far been fruitful loan spells with Torquay United, currently under the guidance of Gary Johnson - father of current Bristol City manager Lee.

The most senior of the quartet - Wales Under-21 midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - is currently enjoying his second loan spell at Plainmoor after linking up with the Gulls last season under Johnson senior's predecessor Gary Owers - where he joined up with another Robins academy graduate George Dowling.

Lemonheigh-Evans, who had previously played under Owers at Bath City, made 15 appearances for United and scored once - with a stunning long range strike against Woking. He was also voted as the Man of the Match in a 1-0 over FC Halifax Town in April 2018, as the Gulls were unable to retain their National League status.

Another two players who were first brought to Plainmoor by Owers, but have continued to excel under Gary Johnson, are midfield duo Opi Edwards and Jake Andrews.

The pair made their respective debuts at home to Hemel Hempstead Town, which the Gulls won 2-0 - a game in which Andrews provided their assist for Jamie Reid's opening goal and Edwards also impressed.

Andrews was a player who was no stranger to Johnson senior, as he had a stint on loan under him at Cheltenham Town towards the end of last season - in a spell in which he made seven appearances and scored once. Edwards appeared in the National League and the National League South in the 2017-18 with Solihull Moors and Bath City respectively.

They've since built on that display, as Andrews has twice found in the target in the FA Cup second and third qualifying rounds against Lymington Town and Brightlingsea Regent.

Another player who has also joined the Gulls from Bristol City following Johnson's arrival is striker Saikou Janneh.

Born in Gambia, Janneh - who has already had a taste of non-league football with a range of sides including Clevedon Town and Cadbury Heath. He made an immediate impact when he came on as a substitute to make his debut against Woking - in a game that Johnson described as a 'six-pointer' - and he helped stretch the Cards defence and, on another day, could have found the target himself.

As things currently stand,  Lemonheigh-Evans will be remaining with United until the festive period and Andrews and Edwards agreed a further extension to their original loan deals, Janneh's stay also looks set to be extended as some point in the near to distant future.

With the appointment of Johnson senior now at the helm at Plainmoor, the relationship between the two clubs looks set to continue.

Footnote: Two of the 'Ashton Gate Eight' found their way to Plainmoor in the 1981-82 season, in the form of Trevor Tainton and David Rodgers who experienced brief spells with the Gulls under Frank O'Farrell after their contracts with the Robins were terminated.