EPIC TITLE RACE ENDS WITH HISTORY BEING MADE BY TRURO

 The National League South has been described as the closest title race in Europe in some quarters, and it was decided by the narrowest of margins. 

A 5-2 win for Truro City at home to relegation threatened St Albans City saw them secure top spot on goal difference ahead of Westcountry rivals Torquay United, who won 4-1 away to Hemel Hempstead in which the Gulls' former Tinners' striker Cody Cooke netted a hat-trick. 

By winning the title, Truro City created two pieces of history. Not only did they become the first Cornish side to reach the National League, manager John Askey also becomes the first manager to promotions from the National League (Macclesfield Town 2017-18), National League North (York City 2021-22 and National League South (Truro City 2024-25). 

Trips to far flung locations such as Gateshead, Hartlepool United and recently relegated Carlisle United now await the Tinners.

For Torquay United and Paul Wotton, the man who Askey succeeded as Tturo manager, the play-offs now await, with Boreham Wood or Dorking Wanderers their opponents in the semi final stage. 

Promotion for the Gulls would be Wotton's second promotion in three seasons, after he guided Truro to play-off glory in the 2022-23 season from Southern League Premier South. It will also be United's second promotion from National League South, after winning the title themselves in the 2018-19 campaign.

TORQUAY UNITED FINAL DAY DECIDERS IN THE SOUTH EAST

 For Torquay United fans, all road and rail links will be leading to Hemel Hempstead, as the Gulls head into the final day of the 2024-25 National League South campaign knowing that a win could see them clinch the league title. 

United are second in the table and are one of six teams who could finish top of the division, but the Gulls , who are level on points on 86 points with Truro City with a slightly worse goal difference, could still win and finish second. This would ensure that they would have home advantage in the play-off semi-finals, and potentially the final. 

However, it isn't the first time that the Gulls have faced a final day decider in the South East of England, and there's a look at the selection of them. 

1. Crystal Palace 1 Torquay United 1, 1st May 1957 - Division Three South

United went into the final day of the 1956-57 season needing a win over Crystal Palace to secure the Division Three South title at the expense of a Ipswich Town side managed by Alf Ramsey. 

After being goalless at half-time, Barry Pierce gave Palace the lead before John 'Jimmy' James equalised for United. James was then denied a late winner by an off the line clearance by future Torquay manager Jack Edwards, as they were forced to settle for second place, as Ipswich beat Southampton 2-0. 

2. Leyton Orient 2    Torquay United 1, 2nd May 1998, Division Three

A club record run of eight wins between January and March 1998 lifted the Gulls into the automatic promotion contention, but a loss of form saw them stutter before they won 3-1 against Peterborough United in their final home game of the campaign. 

They needed a point in the final game of the season at Leyton Orient and they got off to a bad start as Craig Maskell gave Orient the lead after four minutes. The hosts then doubled their lead from the penalty spot through former Aston Villa and Leicester City manager Dean Smith. 

United fought back, despite seeing goalkeeper Kenny Veysey sent off, as Andy McFarlane pulled one back, but they couldn't find an equaliser, so Lincoln City clinched the third automatic promotion. The Gulls ended up finishing fifth and faced Scarborough, who they beat 7-2 on aggregate before losing 1-0 to Colchester United in the final at Wembley. 

3. Barnet 2    Torquay United 3, 5th May 2001, Division Three

It was billed as 'loser loses all' contest as Torquay United headed to Underhill to face Barnet with relegation from the Football League awaiting the loser. 

The Gulls started the game attacking down the slope at Underhill and took the lead on ten minutes with a 25 yard strike from Jason Rees. In the 25th minute, Kevin Hill connected with a Paul Holmes corner to head home his tenth goal of the season to give United a two-goal cushion. 

On 40 minutes, the Bees were awarded a penalty when Jimmy Aggrey was adjudged to have handled the ball. Darren Currie stepped to take it, but Gulls' keeper Stuart Jones guessed its direction correctly and saved it - it was his third spot-kick save of the campaign. 

Once Jones had saved the penalty, United got the ball forward to David Graham who slotted home the Gulls' third after being teed up by strike partner Eifion Williams. 

In the second half, an own goal from Ryan Green and a second from Wayne Purser reduced Barnet's arrears, but United dug deep to hang onto their lead and thus retained their Football League status. 

4. Southend United 1    Torquay United 2, 8th May 2004, Division Three

In their second season under Leroy Rosenior, the Gulls headed to Southend United's Roots Hall on 78 points needing a win to stand a chance of claiming the division's third and final automatic promotion spot ahead of Huddersfield Town, who were on 80 points and were travelling to Cheltenham Town. Victory for the Gulls and a draw for the Terriers would see United promoted at their expense on goal difference.

United got off to a flying start as Steve Woods volleyed home a corner from Alex Russell in the third minute. Eight minutes later, David Graham nodded home a Jo Kuffour cross to score his 23rd goal of the season to double the Gulls' lead. 

Lawrie Dudfield pulled one back for the Shrimpers in the 17th minute and news was also coming through from Cheltenham's Whaddon Road home that Huddersfield were winning 1-0. 

The Gulls managed to maintain their 2-1 lead and with 15 minutes to go, the Robins equalised through Shane Duff, which was how it stayed as United won automatic promotion for the first time in 38 years on goal difference. 

5. Colchester United 2        Torquay United 1, 7th May 2005, League One

Nearly a year to the day since their promotion success, the Gulls headed to Essex in very different circumstances as they needed a point to retain their League One status that they had won 12 months earlier. 

A run of four straight wins over MK Dons, Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Blackpool had given United a chance of beating the drop, potentially at the expense of either MK Dons or Oldham (United were on 51 points, the Dons on 48 and Oldham on 49). 

The Gulls fell a goal down just before the break as Neil Danns gave the U's the lead and a minute before the end of normal time, Marino Keith doubled Colchester's advantage. 

Left back Craig Woodman pulled one back for Torquay in injury time, but it proved to be in vain as MK Dons beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1 and Oldham beat Bradford City 1-0, which saw the Gulls relegated on goal difference.

 

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TRURO CITY VERSUS TORQUAY UNITED

 1. Three out of three. 

For the third time this season, Torquay United emerged as winners against Truro City thanks to one moment of quality. On this occasion, it was a 20-yard strike from Matt Jay in the 66th minute. It was possibly quite apt that Jay, who spent a brief time on loan with Truro earlier in his career, would score the game's decisive would score the winner in a game which saw several members of the playing and management staff facing their former club. 

It was also Jay's sixth goal for the Gulls since he returned to Devon to sign for United in January following his departure from Colchester United.

2. Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer were immense in defence. 

In addition to Jay's goal, it could be successfully argued that United's centre back duo Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer provided the Gulls with the platform to go on and win the game. 

Shortly before Jay broke the deadlock for United, Dyer produced a late saving tackle to deny Tinner's striker Jezie Kabia. Kabia and his strike partner Tyler Harvey have scored over 40 goals this season, but Dyer and Dreyer kept them at bay in a game in which they were strong both aerially and on the ground.

3. James Hamon's save. 

As well as Dyer and Dreyer's defensive display, United keeper James Hamon also made an important one-handed save to deny Tyler Harvey with nine minutes to go. 

It was the third clean sheet that Hamon has kept his former club, and as an ever present for the Gulls this season, he also set to win the Ian Twitchin award for the most appearances in the 2024-25 season.

4. A fourth away win in a row for the Gulls. 

United's victory over the Tinners was also their fourth successive win on their travels, all of which were achieved by a single goal margin.

This result follows wins over Tonbridge Angels, Dorking Wanderers and Aveley, which takes their number of away wins for the 2024-25 season to ten.

5. The Gulls are now level on points with the Tinners. 

United's win over the Tinners moves them level on 83 points with their Cornish rivals and one point behind leaders Worthing. With the Gulls set to host Weymouth on Easter Monday and Worthing due to host Dorking Wanderers who themselves are on 82 points and still in contention of promotion to the National League. 

Come teatime on Monday, we may still not know the identity of the National League South champions, but we will certainly know who can't win it.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS SLOUGH TOWN

 1. Cody Cooke recovers from elbow to score the opener. 

Cody Cooke netted his fourth goal in as many games on the stroke of half time - nearly 20 minutes after receiving an elbow to the face which earned Slough defender Guy Hollis a straight red card. 

Those old enough to remember Gary Blissett's challenge on John Uzzell all those years ago know how much damage can be caused by flailing elbows, but Cooke was able to shrug it off and carry on. He also headed a cross from Jay Foulston against the cross bar on 42 minutes. 

However, he was on hand to open the scoring in injury time, shortly after Foulston had seen his initial shot blocked. 

2. Changes to the midfield pay dividends. 

After going with a 4-4-2 against Chesham, United boss Paul Wotton switched to a 4-3-3 formation with included a midfield trio which comprised of Omar Mussa, Dan Hayfield and Lirak Hasani. The switch also saw Mussa deployed as the holding player in the three, a role which he played well. He also started the move that led to United's second goal.

On his respective return to the starting line-up, Hasani displayed great composure throughout and also displayed high energy levels.

3. Matt Jay nets his fifth of the campaign. 

After scoring a spell of scoring four goals in four games, Matt Jay ended a run of six games without a goal when he found the back of the net on 58 minutes, when he turned home the rebound after Dan Hayfield's initial shot had been blocked following a cross from Jordan Young. 

He could also have added a second in the 73rd minute when he hit the post after being teed up by Jordan Thomas. 

Jay has previous experience of winning promotion from League Two with Exeter City in the 2021-22 season; should he help United to win promotion to the National League this season, he will join Wayne Carlisle in being the only other player to win promotion with both the Gulls and the Grecians. 

4. The case for the defence. 

What was remarkable about United's back four which kept Slough at bay was that they consisted of three 24 year-olds (Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer and Jay Foulston) and a 21 year-old (Sam Dreyer). 

Despite being the youngest of the quartet, Dreyer wore the captain's armband, which is undoubtably a reflection on the fact that he is an old head on young shoulders, until he was replaced by Ed Palmer in the 72nd minute. 

Such was the quality of their display that goalkeeper James Hamon was seldom troubled and full backs Jordan Thomas and Jay Foulston also got forward to good effect. 

5. The crowd of 4,141. 

Once again, the Gulls drew a crowd that would rank amongst the highest in the National League and would also possibly be bigger than some in League Two, as 4,141 witnessed United's win over Slough. 

With the Gulls' current average attendance currently standing at 3,788, which is their highest seasonal average since the 2004-05 season in League One under Leroy Rosenior (3,511), it will also be their highest average since the 1971-72 campaign - the last of the six seasons that they spent in the 'old' Third Division - now League One - under the managerial reigns of Frank O'Farrell, Allan Brown and Jack Edwards.

6.  The gap from the top remains at three points. 

Results elsewhere in National League South meant that the gap between United and the top of the table remains at three points. United's win over Slough Town moves them up one place to fourth with 80 points. The Gulls overtook Dorking Wanderers who drew 2-2 with Bath City, where Gulls loanee Brad Ash netted the Romans' opening goal.

Truro City are still at the summit after beating Hornchurch 3-1 and currently lead second placed Worthing, who won 4-1 against Chippenham Town, on goal difference, while Eastbourne are currently on 81 points. 

Good Friday will see all of the current top four go head to head, as the Gulls travel down to Cornwall to face Truro and Eastbourne host Worthing. Easter Monday also sees Worthing host Dorking, so the question of how the 2024-25 National League South will end up will be closer to being answered heading into the final day of the campaign.

 

TORQUAY UNITED 2 SLOUGH TOWN 0

 Torquay United maintained their promotion bid with a comfortable win over ten man Slough Town.

Goals from Cody Cooke and Matt Jay sealed victory for the Gulls against the Rebels, who were reduced to ten men after Guy Hollis was dismissed, much to the delight of manager Paul Wotton.

“Scoring two goals and keeping a clean sheet is always nice, all in all it was a very professional performance,” said Wotton.

The Rebels found themselves down to ten on 28 minutes when Hollis saw red for elbowing Cooke.

In the 42^nd minute, Cooke headed a Jay Foulston cross against the upright, as United looked to make their numerical advantage count.

Then in injury time, the Gulls edged ahead when a cross from Jay found Foulston, who saw his shot blocked into the path of Cooke who stabbed home his fourth in as many games.

United doubled their advantage in the 58^th minute when Dan Hayfield’s initial shot was blocked and Jay turned home the rebound to score his fifth of the campaign.

On 73 minutes, Jay looked well placed to complete a brace after being teed up by Jordan Thomas, but he struck post before Lirak Hasani and Thomas both went close.

With nine minutes to go, Jordan Young looked to have added a third but it was ruled out for offside, as United claimed all three points.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHESHAM UNITED

 1. Gulls not out of it yet by any means. 

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has stated previously that he thinks that the 2024-25 National League South title race will be decided on the final day of the campaign, and that could still be the case. 

Although the Gulls' defeat against Chesham United sees them fall to fifth place in the league table, the gap between United and the league's summit remains at three points. However, a greater emphasis is now placed on the Gulls' Good Friday visit to current leaders Truro City, which will be one of four cup finals that United now face.

2. Chesham United.

Chesham didn't endear themselves to the Plainmoor faithful as they set up to stifle the Gulls with their 5-2-3 formation. Interestingly, the Generals left their top two scorers Nathan Minhas (12) and Joe Grant (8) on the bench. 

One of the gripes that the home fans had with Chesham was their time wasting, as evidenced by referee Alex Beckett's booking of Generals' keeper Ben Goode in the 90th minute. Had he booked him earlier in the game, he would have had more control of the proceedings. 

3. The goal. 

There was some debate as to who scored United's goal. Jordan Young's corner caused havoc in the penalty area and Jordan Dyer headed the ball against the bar and bounced on the line. It appeared that Cody Cooke may have got a final touch and the goal was initially given to Cooke, but replays have since shown that Dyer scored his fourth of the campaign.

4. Finley Craske. 

In recent weeks, United right-back Finley Craske has emerged as one of the Gulls' most consistent performers. Whereas as many modern full-backs are strong in an attacking sense in their younger days, Craske is stronger defensively and has improved offensively over the course of the season - in a similar vein to Gary Neville. 

5. Strength in depth. 

One of the positives from yesterday was that Paul Wotton was able to leave out the likes of Lirak Hasani, Matt Carson as well as loan signings goalkeeper Owen Foster and midfielder Cameron Ashia - signed from Hull City and Huddersfield Town respectively. Arguably Wotton now has greater choice and greater strength in depth than at any point during the course of the season, and he has the option to change things where he feels necessary. 

6. Looking ahead. 

Next week's round of National League South fixtures sees Bath City host United's fellow promotion challengers Dorking Wanderers. One of the most intriguing aspects of that game will see United loanee Brad Ash feature for the Romans, as well as former Gull Ollie Tomlinson. Could the duo still have a part to play in United's promotion run-in?

 

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH TITLE RACE REMAINS AS INTRIGUING AS EVER

 As the 2024-25 National League South title race enters its final furlong, the identity of the eventual winner may not be revealed until the final day. 

With five games to go, Torquay United manager Paul Wotton is predicting that the season could go down to the last five minutes of the final game. Nevertheless, Wotton has never mentioned the 'p' word, or the 'c' word over the course of the campaign. I'll let you make your own mind up what those two words are, but I'll give you a hint that it's a policy that Wotton's former boss Paul Sturrock followed during the 2001-02 season during his first spell as Plymouth Argyle manager, which, incidentally, ended very successfully for the Pilgrims. 

Wotton has always made it clear that he never looks further ahead than the next game, and a policy of only controlling what he has control over is probably a sensible one at this moment in time. Nevertheless, with a trip to Hemel Hempstead Town on the final day of the season for United, Wotton's prediction of the campaign being decided in its last five minutes would be keeping with the Gulls' history, which includes several 'final-day deciders' in the South East of England. 

The only one of the Gulls' fellow promotion contenders that they still to have face are Truro City, who they travel to on Good Friday; the same day that league leaders Worthing travel to Eastbourne Borough. The league had been seen as Worthing's to lose, and - in addition to Eastbourne - they still have to face Truro City (away) and Dorking Wanderers (home). They also have the lowest goal difference of the top eight, which could yet prove to be an achilles heel for them. 

Eastbourne and Truro are managed by Adam Murray and John Askey, who both have experience of winning promotions from National League North, Murray with AFC Fylde (2022-23) and Askey with York City (2021-22), and should they achieve another one with the South, it would represent an historic feat. For Askey, it would represent a treble for him, as he also has a promotion from the National League with Macclesfield Town (2017-18) to his name.

As far as the race for the play-offs goes, Weston Super Mare are very much a team to keep an eye on, even though they currently sit outside the top seven. If they can maintain the form that has seen them win five out of their last nine, they look set to be part of the shake-up.  

For all of those interested, be it a vested one or a casual one, the best advice I can give is to 'strap yourself in and enjoy the ride!'