TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FARNBOROUGH

 1. Four wins out of four. 

By beating Farnborough, Torquay United made it four wins out of four and nine games unbeaten in all competitions. The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since they went down 2-1 to Hornchurch on October 26, and if you subtract their FA Trophy fixtures against Truro City and Horsham from that sequence, they are currently seven without loss in the league, which leaves them half way to equalling the club record 16 match run they set when they last won the National League South title in 2018-19. 

2. A second successive clean sheet. 

As a former centre back himself Gulls manager Paul Wotton would no doubt have been delighted to see United keep a second successive clean sheet. To a man, the Gulls' back four of Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston were excellent to a man to keep Farnborough, who were fifth in the table at the start of play, at bay. 

Surely Wotton's message to them would be 'more of the same please lads.' 

3. Will Jenkins-Davies nets his fourth of the campaign. 

By scoring the Gulls opening goal of the afternoon, Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies took his goal tally for the season to four, which now makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Dan Hayfield. With his loan spell with United due to expire in early January, Wotton will be hoping that he can retain his services for the remainder of the campaign. 

4. A promising debut from Jack Wood. 

Attacking midfielder Jack Wood made a promising debut after replacing Omar Mussa on 61 minutes after joining from Southend United on loan. Six minutes after entering the fray he cut inside on the right, onto his left foot, before producing a shot which was deflected behind. 

Wood has joined the Gulls for an initial 28-day period, which could be extended if he continues to build on his early cameo. 

5. Top of the league. 

For the first time since May 8, when they were top of the National League, Torquay United find themselves at the summit of a league. However, manager Paul Wotton is refusing to get carried away whilst the Gulls are only one point clear of second placed Boreham Wood. 

6. Crowds remain impressive. 

United's crowd once again topped the 3,000 mark as they drew an attendance of 3,303, which included 96 Farnborough fans. With the festive season approaching, there is speculation that their New Year's Day encounter with Truro City might draw a crowd in the region of 4,500 to 5,000.

WOTTON WINS MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARD

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has been awarded the Vanarama National League South Manager of the Month Award for November.

After United picked up 13 points from a possible 21 over the course of the month that saw United record three wins and four draws in the league; highlights of this sequence included a 4-2 win over then-leaders Weston-super-Mare on November 26. 

In addition to this, the Gulls also progressed in the FA Trophy at the expense of Wotton's former club Truro City. 

On receiving the award, Wotton took the opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of everyone at the club. 

He said: "It's lovely, we've had a good month, and it's just reward for everyone's hard work at the Football Club."

The National League prize was claimed by Barnet's Dean Brennan, whilst the experienced Phil Brown, now in charge of Kidderminster Harriers, won the prize in National League North. 

ARGYLE DRAFT IN PHELAN

 In the wake of the departure of assistant manager Peter Shuttleworth, Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has reacted quickly to bring former Manchester United number two Mike Phelan as his replacement. 

Phelan previously worked with Rooney during his first spell as assistant manager at Old Trafford, between 2008 and 2013, where he served under Sir Alex Ferguson and won numerous honours, including the club's most recent Premier League title to date in the 2012-13 campaign. 

In addition to this, Phelan has also worked as assistant manager at Blackpool, Norwich City and Hull City, who he has a brief spell in charge of, before returning to Old Trafford in 2018 to assist Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. 

As a player, Phelan started his career with Burnley and later moved on to Norwich City, Manchester United (who he won the European Cup Winner's Cup with in 1991) and West Bromwich Albion.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY

 After a Storm Darragh enforced break, Torquay United will attempt to continue their run in the FA Trophy on Tuesday night against Horsham - and one player in particular will be looking to carry where he left off from. 

In their previous two fixtures, against Weston Super Mare and Enfield Town, the Gulls found the back of the net eight times, with Plymouth Argyle loanee midfielder Will Jenkins Davies netting three of those eight goals. 

Jenkins Davies, 20, struck once against the high flying Seagulls, as United won 4-2, which he then followed up by bagging a brace away to Enfield Town in a game in which the Gulls sealed a 4-1 victory - despite conceding early on. 

It's a haul that now means that Jenkins Davies is now almost half way to emulating the eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions which he managed during his first spell on loan at Plainmoor during the 2023-24 campaign. 

With his loan spell with the Gulls due to come to an end in early January, there is now a question mark over his immediate future. Is he likely to remain with the Gulls on loan until the end of the current campaign, or are the Pilgrims going to recall him before loaning him out to a League Two or National League club? Then there is the possibility of United attempting to sign him on a permanent basis. 

One thing is for certain is that there certainly will have been, and probably still will be, constant dialogue between Gulls manager Paul Wotton and Pilgrims' first team coach Kevin Nancekivell. The pair know each other well from working together as part of the Home Park backroom staff under Derek Adams, and both will be looking for a solution that will serve Jenkins Davies well, in addition to the needs of United and Argyle. 

Given the sterling role that the Gulls played in the development of Adam Randell in the 2020-21 season, who has since gone on to become a regular in the Pilgrims' midfield, it would not be a surprise to see Jenkins Davies remain at Plainmoor - until the end of the season at least.

PAUL WOTTON'S COMEBACK KINGS

 By beating Enfield Town 4-1 despite conceding a penalty early on, Torquay United took the number of points that they have won in the 2024-25 campaign after going behind to 17. 

We will now take a look back at the games where the Gulls have shown bouncebackability to achieve success. 

(Torquay United scorers indicated in bold)

W 2-1 Enfield Town H - Saturday 10th August, Lewis Taaffe (4), Matt Carson (15), Brad Ash (27)

W 3-2 Chesham United A - Monday 26th August Joe Grant (36, 65), Cody Cooke (45 pen), Dan Hayfield (70), Brad Ash (90 +5)

D 1-1 Eastbourne Borough A - Saturday 19th October, George Alexander (33), Finley Craske (36)

W 2-1 Worthing H - Tuesday 22nd October, Jack Spong (36), Omar Mussa (51), Jay Foulston (72)

D 1-1 Maidstone United H - Tuesday 12th November, Charlie Seaman (39(, Jay Foulston (86)

W 4-2 Weston Super Mare H - Tuesday 26th November, Luke Coulson (17) Lirak Hasani (29), Sam Avery (42), Will Jenkins Davies (34), Cody Cooke (69,78)

W 4-1 Enfield Town A - Saturday 30th November, Sam Youngs (3 pen), Jordan Thomas (30), Will Jenkins Davies (33, 80), Jordan Young (47)

 

BOUNCEBACKABILITY THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR THE GULLS UNDER WOTTON

 Not for the first time this season, bouncebackability was the name of the game for Torquay United as they came from behind to beat National League South leaders Weston Super Mare. 

Luke Coulson gave the Seagulls the lead in the 17th minute before United replied with a stunning 20 yard strike from Lirak Hasani, which was the former Gateshead midfielder's third of the campaign. Five minutes later, Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies capitalised on a sloppy back pass from former Pilgrims striker Reuben Reid and raced towards goal before firing into the bottom corner. 

Three minutes before the break, Sam Avery bundled home a corner from Coulson to level matters, but the Gulls were then handed the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot after Hasani was upended in the area. United's leading scorer Cody Cooke stepped up to take it, only to be denied by a save from Weston keeper Max Harris. 

Early in the second half, the Gulls were reduced to ten men when Hasani was dismissed following a challenge on Reid. However, manager Paul Wotton shuffled his pack and introduced club captain Oscar Threlkeld from the bench in place of Omar Mussa. 

Instead of clinging onto their share of the spoils, United edged ahead in the 69th minute when Jenkins-Davies burst down the right and found Cooke who backheeled home the Gulls' third of the evening.

Then on 78 minutes, Dan Hayfield intercepted the ball inside his own half and made a lung busting run before teeing up Cooke for his brace, and his eighth of the campaign. 

The result took the number of points that United have won after conceding first to 14; the Gulls have won away to Chesham United, drawn away to Eastbourne Borough and at home to Maidstone United and beaten Worthing and Saturday's opponents Enfield Town. They defeated the latter on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign after conceding after four minutes. 

One thing is fairly certain, and that's that no one could accuse Wotton's charges of lacking resilience.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS TRURO CITY

 1. The goal that never was. 

A minute before half time, Paignton-born Connor Riley-Lowe appeared to have given Truro the lead, which, had it stood, could have changed the course of the game. However, United keeper James Hamon protested to the linesman that he had been obstructed and it was promptly disallowed. 

The circumstances were similar to the goal that Sam Dreyer scored against Chelmsford City, which he then saw chalked off following protests from a number of Chelmsford players. Nevertheless, if decisions that go against you over the course of the season even themselves out eventually, the Gulls got a slice of luck that they were possibly due.

 2. Dan Hayfield's free kick. 

In the end it was a closely fought contest decided by one piece of quality, namely Dan Hayfield's 53rd minute which was awarded after United substitute Will Jenkins Davies was upended by Will Dean.

Over the years, the Gulls have had a number of fine free-kick takers in their squad, including Brian Healy, Mick O'Brien, Alex Russell, Luke Young and Armani Little, and each of them would have been proud of Hayfield's effort. 

It was also Hayfield's third goal of the season, which makes him the Gulls' second top scorer behind Cody Cooke who currently has six.

3. Warnock in the dug out. 

As Paul Wotton was serving a touchline ban, United's football advisor Neil Warnock made a return to the dugout to assist United's number two Mike Edwards. It was 31 years since he last took his seat in the Plainmoor home dug out, on the final day of the 1992-93 season when the Gulls beat Gillingham 2-1 - a week after they had retained their Third Division status with a 1-0 away win at Carlisle United. It was the first time he has been involved in an FA Trophy tie since he was manager of Scarborough in the 1986-87 campaign. 

4. A promising debut from Jordan Thomas. 

After joining the Gulls on loan from Yeovil Town, Jordan Thomas marked his debut for United with an assured display. They were shades of former Gulls right-back Ben Wynter in his performance, as he got forward well and looked strong defensively.

5. Jordan Dyer steps up. 

With Sam Dreyer rested, Jordan Dyer switched to the centre of the back three for the Gulls with Ed Palmer coming into the side on the right hand side of defence. Dyer produced a commanding display, even when him and Palmer formed a centre back pairing, they won numerous headers and made plenty of blocks to keep the Tinners at bay.

6. The midfield. 

The Gulls' midfield also played an important in helping them to reach the next round of the FA Trophy. Skipper Oscar Threlkeld returned to the starting line-up and he led by example as he proved to be an unsung hero for the Gulls. He excelled at breaking up play and going the ugly side of his job, which can often go under the radar. 

The introduction of Will Jenkins-Davies at half-time also helped to bring more energy to the Gulls midfield, and it was the challenge on him by Truro's Will Dean that resulted in the awarding of the free-kick from which Dan Hayfield scored.