FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DULWICH HAMLET

1. Fine first half displays are a speciality for the Gulls at home under Gary Johnson.

Not for the first time this season under Gary Johnson, Torquay United went into the half time break in a home game having run up an unassailable lead. A brace apiece from Jamie Reid and Saikou Janneh gave the Gulls a 4-0 lead going into the interval, and it was one of a series of large leads held by the Gulls at the half way point in many matches - a list that includes a 4-0 lead against Concord Rangers and a 5-0 advantage over Oxford City.

2. 40 up for Reid and Janneh.

By scoring their respective doubles, Jamie Reid and Saikou Janneh have now taken their respective tallies for the 2018-19 season to 24 and 16 in all competitions. This makes them the most prolific Torquay United forward pairing of recent times, as they have now surpassed the 38 goals that Tommy Tynan and Dean Edwards scored during the 1990-91 season (19 apiece).
Other notable partnerships include David Graham and Jo Kuffour who scored 34 between them in the 2003-04 promotion season under Leroy Rosenior - Graham found the back of the net 23 times, while Kuffour managed to 11 times - and they were last double act to score more than 30 in a single campaign.

3. 58 minutes of fame.

On 23 minutes, the game was held up yesterday when referee Marc Whaley picked up a calf injury and was unable to carry on. As National League South matches go ahead without a fourth official, a volunteer was required to fill in for assistant referee Colin Hubbard, who stepped up to replace Whaley, in running the line. Gulls supporter Stan Weedon emerged from the Popular Side to step in for Hubbard and preceded to do an excellent job.

4. A fine send off for Cliff.

Before the match, a minute's silence was observed in memory of former United midfielder Cliff Myers, who passed away recently at the age of 72, who played for the Gulls between 1973 and 1976 - his son Chris also played for United and was part of the side that beat Blackpool in the Division Four play-off final at Wembley in 1991. As well as the Gulls, three of Cliff's other former clubs Yeovil Town, Brentford and Charlton Athletic also tasted victory.

5. United's goal difference is looking healthy.

United's win over Dulwich Hamlet and Woking's 2-0 defeat away to Dartford ensured that the Gulls return to the summit of the Vanarama National League South, which they now lead by one point.
In addition to this, United also have a goal difference of plus 40, which is significantly greater than the Cards' GD of plus 26. This means that Woking will need to be two points better off in order to overhaul them and with both sides have two fixtures which they will be heading into this week as heavy favourites - the Gulls travel to East Thurrock and host Weston Super Mare and the Cards head to Truro City and Hungerford Town - so it will be interesting to see what the state of play is this time next week.

A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT

The statement made famously made by Bill Shankly that the race to become league champions is a marathon not a sprint no doubt ring true to Torquay United manager Gary Johnson.

Having come away from Hemel Hempstead with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night, the Gulls were brought back down to earth against Welling United - as Johnson's men were beaten 2-0 by the Wings.

To compound matters for United, title rivals Woking made it two wins out of two with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Weston Super Mare. That result means that the Cards, who still have a game in hand over the Gulls, now trail United by one point.

Nevertheless Johnson will need to call on his many years of managerial experience as the Gulls enter the final straight of the Vanarama National League South race, from a career that has seen him win five promotions with Yeovil Town, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town, as they aim to clinch the league title to attain automatic promotion and avoid the play-offs.

United return to league action next Saturday at home to Dulwich Hamlet, by which time Woking would have played their game in hand against Hemel Hempstead, and will have a clearer idea of what is required. It will also be the start of a Saturday-Tuesday sequence for the Gulls, as they will then face a trip to East Thurrock United which will be followed by two home games against Weston Super Mare and Chelmsford City on March 2nd and 5th respectively.

It is also worth reminding the Plainmoor faithful of Woking's three potentially season defining fixtures at end of March against Bath City away (March 30th), United at home (April 6th) and then Chelmsford City at home (April 10th). Those three games could yet go a long way to deciding the Cards' fortunes come the end of the season.

The Gulls, of course, will finish their regular campaign with a trip to St Albans City on April 26th, and given United's of crucial end-of-season matches taking place in the South East of England don't bet against it being of significant importance.

SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE

When first placed Torquay United face Chelmsford City, who currently lie in third place, in the Vanarama National League South something will have to give.

The Gulls head into the game having won 11 of their last 12 league encounters, whilst the Clarets have tasted victory in eight of their previous nine league fixtures, which provides firm evidence that the two sides are the most in-form teams in the division.

Following Woking's defeat against Dartford, a result which aids United's promotion cause, a win for the Gulls will surely provide the Gulls with a tremendous boost. However, a win for the visitors would blow the title race wide open.

All the signs suggest that it will be a higher scoring contest than their opening day contest which ended goalless. One of the reasons for this is the fact as well as seeing two of the strongest teams going head-to-head with each other, the Plainmoor faithful will also be catching a glimpse of the league's two top scorers in United's Jamie Reid and Chelmsford's Rhys Murphy.

The pair were teammates last season, as the Gulls mounted what was ultimately an unsuccessful battle against relegation from the National League under previous manager Gary Owers, when Murphy joined United on loan from Forest Green Rovers. They were also both on the score sheet when United beat Maidenhead United 4-0 in October 2017, along with Josh McQuoid and Luke Young.

Both strikers have found the back of the net 18 times each in the league, however Reid has the edge over Murphy as he has scored three times in cup competitions (two in the FA Cup and one in the FA Trophy) - taking his tally so far for the season to 21.

What perhaps makes Reid's haul more remarkable is that he had only scored once prior to Gary Johnson's arrival as manager last September.

GRECIANS WIN ENSURES UNHAPPY RETURN FOR TISDALE

Paul Tisdale's return to St James Park for the first time since he left Exeter City for Milton Keynes Dons proved to be an unhappy one as the Grecians came out on top with a convincing victory.

Midfielder Nicky Law gave City the lead in the seventh minutes before Jake Taylor netted a second ten minutes later.

Early in the second half, the Dons pulled one back through Joe Walsh, but the Grecians sealed maximum points when Law completed his brace on 71 minutes following a mix-up between Dons keeper Lee Nicholls and Walsh, earning manager Matt Taylor a win over his predecessor Tisdale.

As well as the game marking Tisdale's St James Park return, the Dons' line-up also included former Grecians midfielder Ryan Harley and David Wheeler, currently on loan from QPR, and former Exeter loanee Lawson D'ath made an appearance from the subs bench.

The victory also puts City level on points with the Dons, and they now only trail them on goal difference.

JANUARY 2019 TRANSFER WINDOW ROUND-UP

In recent weeks and months 'no deal' has been an often used term in politics, but in the January 2019 transfer window has seen the four professional sides in the South West all complete at least one.

Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams has secured the returns of Oscar Threlkeld and Lloyd Jones to Home Park. Threlkeld rejoins Argyle on loan following an unhappy six months in Belgium with Beveren and Plymouth-born Lloyd Jones, who left Home Park for Liverpool as a teenager, has agreed a loan move until the end of the season.

Despite the sale of star striker Jayden Stockley to Preston North End, Exeter City manager Matt Taylor has acted to strengthen his squad with a number of loan signings and the permanent addition of former Torquay forward Ryan Bowman. Amongst the Grecians' loanees is Kane Wilson, who returns to St James Park for a second spell on loan.

With backing from prospective new American owners, Darren Way has brought in a number of new faces and has also captured the signature of an old favourite in the form of right-back Craig Alcock, following his release by Cheltenham Town. The Glovers have also seen one notable departure in the form of midfielder Jordan Green, who joins League One side Barnsley.

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has been the least busiest of the four respective managers, having only made one loan signing in the form of Frank Vincent from Bournemouth. However, the Gulls are not bound by the transfer window as a National League South side, so they can still sign players outside the window. Also, whilst Johnson may only have made one signing - he has also persuaded 10 players who were out of contract at the end of the season to sign new deals.

Plymouth Argyle:
In: Oscar Threlkeld (Beveren, loan); Lloyd Jones (Luton Town, loan)
Out: Peter Grant (Carlisle United); Callum Dyson (Stevenage, loan)

Exeter City:
In: Ryan Bowman (Motherwell); Kane Wilson and Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion, loan); Randell Williams (Watford, loan); Jaden Brown (Huddersfield Town, loan); Donovan Wilson (Wolves, loan)
Out: Jayden Stockley (Preston North End, £750,000); Jordan Tillson (Cheltenham Town, loan)

Yeovil Town:
In: Josh Grant (Chelsea, loan); Alex Dobre (AFC Bournemouth, loan); Matthew Worthington (AFC Bournemouth), Ryan Seager (Unattached); Courtney Duffus (Oldham Athletic, undisclosed fee); Tristan Abrahams (Norwich City, loan), Craig Alcock (Unattached)
Out: Jordan Green (Barnsley, undisclosed fee),

Torquay United:
In: Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth, loan)
Out: None

(Free transfers unless stated)

A TORQUAY UNITED - AFC BOURNEMOUTH XI

After Frank Vincent's deadline day loan move from AFC Bournemouth to Torquay United, we will now take closer look at some of the other players to have moved between the Dorset coast and the English Riviera over the years.

Over the years, there have been a number of players who have plied their trade with both Torquay United and today’s visitors AFC Bournemouth, so I have compiled a team featuring eleven players who have served the Gulls and the Cherries during their careers.

In goal, Kenny Allen won promotion from the ‘old’ Division Four with Bournemouth in the 1981-82 season. He would go on to enjoy three spells with Torquay later in the decade and appeared in the ‘Great Escape Side’ of the 1986-87 season and the Gulls first ever Wembley appearance in the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy Final, after being called out of retirement by the late Cyril Knowles following an injury to Kenny Veysey.

At right back, Derek ‘the Dude’ Dawkins gets the nod. Like Allen, the Dude also won promotion with Bournemouth in the 1981-82 campaign before becoming a pivotal figure for the Gulls. The highlight of his time at Plainmoor came when he scored the winning goal in the first leg of Torquay’s League Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur in 1987. He also had a spell in charge of the Gulls youth side and amongst his young charges was a certain Lee Sharpe.

In the centre of defence, Alex Watson and John Impey both served the Gulls and Cherries with great distinction. Watson arrived at Plainmoor in October 1995 after Eddie May paid the Cherries £50,000 for his services. He would later captain the Gulls in the 1998 Division Three Play-Off Final before serving as assistant manager to Wes Saunders from 1998 to 2001.

Impey was first brought to Plainmoor in 1984 when Dave Webb signed him from Bournemouth. He stayed until1985 when he left to join Exeter City before he was brought back to Plainmoor by Stuart Morgan on the eve of the 1986-87 campaign. Impey stayed with the Gulls for two seasons as a player and would later succeed Dave Smith as Torquay manager in 1991. He guided the Gulls to Fourth Division Play-Off glory later that year, but was dismissed in the opening months of the 1991-92 campaign.

Left back Bill Kitchener was one of many players with West Ham United connections who were attracted to Plainmoor by Frank O’Farrell during his first spell as Torquay manager during the 1960’s. Kitchener made 187 appearances for the Gulls and scored nine goals before following his former Gulls team-mate John Bond to Dean Court in 1970.

The midfield of this side is dominated by players who served the Gulls in the late 60’s and early 70’s period before John Bond signed them for the Cherries. Right winger Tony Scott, who like Kitchener had started his career with West Ham, was another player who was signed by O’Farrell and later joined Bond at Bournemouth.

In his raid on his former club during his reign as Cherries manager Bond also snapped up Tommy Mitchinson and John Benson who are selected as the central midfield pairing for this team. Dubbed ‘the Prime Minister of Plainmoor’ by the fans, Mitchinson proved to be a big hit with the Torquay faithful during his three year stay with the club after arriving from Aston Villa for £6,000 in 1968.

Benson was one of a number of players inherited by Frank O’Farrell when he was appointed as Torquay manager in 1965. After linking up with John Bond at Bournemouth, Benson would also serve under him at Norwich City as a player and coached under him at Manchester City and Burnley.

On the left hand side of midfield is Jo Kuffour, a player of more recent times. A former Arsenal trainee, he arrived at Plainmoor in 2002 when he was signed by Leroy Rosenior. Primarily a striker, although he was sometimes used on the left wing, Kuffour was Torquay’s second highest scorer during the 2003-04 promotion winning season. Kuffour remained at Plainmoor until 2006 when he signed for Brentford where he stayed for one season before joining Bournemouth in 2007. He is currently playing for Bristol Rovers.

Up front, Eddie Rowles started his career with the Cherries in 1969 before joining York City in 1971. He was brought to Plainmoor by Malcolm Musgrove in 1973 and stayed for two seasons, making 59 appearances and finding the back of the net 13 times.

Partnering him is John Rudge who arrived at Plainmoor in 1969 from Carlisle United. Rudge, who later made his name as manager of Port Vale, was the Gulls top scorer with 17 goals in the 1970-71 campaign and joined Bristol Rovers in 1973 before signing for the Cherries in 1975. He is still working in the game as Director of Football of Port Vale.

Other notable figures who have also played for both clubs in more recent years include Republic of Ireland international midfielder Eunan O’Kane and Adam Smith.

O’Kane joined the Gulls in January 2010 from Irish League side Coleraine and remained at Plainmoor for two and a half years before joining the Cherries in the summer of 2012 for a fee of £175,000. Highlights of his time at Plainmoor included a memorable brace in a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle in November 2011, helping United to reach the League Two play-offs in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons and being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2011-12 campaign.

Smith arrived at Plainmoor on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2009-10 season and produced a number of impressive displays before returning to White Hart Lane. He would enjoy further loan spells at Bournemouth, MK Dons, Millwall, Leeds United and Derby County before joining the Cherries permanently in the 2013-14 season and is currently a regular under Eddie Howe. Smith has also represented England Under-21 level.

 

 

KOUE NIATE MAKES IT A PERFECT TEN FOR JOHNSON

The commitment to a new contract by French central defender Jean Yves Koue Niate made it a perfect ten for Torquay United manager Gary Johnson, as he takes the number of United players he has persuaded to commit to new deals into double figures.

Paris-born Koue Niate, 25, now joins a list that includes skipper Asa Hall, Kalvin Kalala, goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, Kyle Cameron, Jamie-Sendles-White, Liam Davis, Ruairi Keating, Ben Wynter and leading scorer Jamie Reid.

To have offered new deals to so many players underlines the faith that Johnson has in his squad that they can make the step up to the National League should they win promotion at the end of the current campaign.

When United have faced National League opposition this season in the form of Boreham Wood, one of their 'bogey sides' from the seasons prior to their relegation to National League South, they held their own for 90 minutes. Despite playing much of the tie with ten men, following the 31st minute dismissal of Ruairi Keating, the Gulls were level at 1-1 on the full time whistle - before eventually losing 3-1 after extra time.

Next up for the Torquay United promotion bandwagon is a trip to Essex to face East Thurrock United, who they beat 2-0 at Plainmoor earlier in the season with Keating netting twice, as they look to build on their 7-2 destruction of Oxford City - their biggest league win for 55 years.