TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ST ALBANS CITY

1. Penalty claim. 

United had a penalty appeal late on for a challenge on Omar Mussa turned down which many in the ground thought was a stonewall penalty, including Gulls boss Paul Wotton. 

However, whilst Wotton was frustrated with the decision he admitted after the game that he didn't want to be 'that' manager who bemoans officials, but once again the question of officiating in the non-league game has reared its head again. 

One point which I personally believe to be a valid one is that the standard of player at National League level, and National Leagues North and South, is that the standard of player plying their trade at these levels is improving the standard of officiating needs to improve as well.

2. Injuries. 

Although Paul Wotton was able to welcome Jay Foulston and Dan Hayfield back into the starting line-up following their recent absence through injury, he saw both Ed Palmer and Omar Mussa suffer injuries. 

Palmer was elbowed in the face by Zane Banton, six minutes after he had equalised for St Albans, which earned him a red card and Mussa needed to be stretched off following the challenge mentioned under penalty claim.

3. The return of Will Jenkins Davies. 

During the week, Paul Wotton moved to strengthen his squad with the loan capture of Will Jenkins Davies on loan from Plymouth Argyle for what is a third seperate loan spell at Plainmoor. 

Jenkins Davies entered the field of play in place of Lirak Hasani in the 61st minute and brought a new level of energy and drive to the Gulls' midfield and even came close to scoring in the 74th minute. 

His loan spell will last at least until January 2025 and he will surely be pushing for a starting spot when United return to league action against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. 

4. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence. 

Once again Sam Dreyer was a man mountain in the centre of the Gulls defence and rightfully earned the sponsors man of the match award. In the first half, he blocked a shot from a tight angle from Zane Banton, who would open the scoring for the Saints in the second half, on the line on 37 minutes. He was also responsible for sniffing out the threat of St Albans City striker Sean Jeffers, who netted twice when the two sides met at Plainmoor last season, and he is fast establishing the reputation of being one of the best centre backs in National League South. 

5. Ben Seymour off the mark. 

After netting 16 times for Hampton and Richmond Borough in the 2023-24 season, Ben Seymour had found goals hard to come by since his summer move to Plainmoor. However, he finally got off the mark for United against St Albans in the 50th minute when he attempted to tee up strike partner Cody Cooke but his pass was cut out and fell invitingly into his path and he duly slotted home to open his account for the club. 

Hopefully it will turn out to be the first of many. 

6. Crowds holding up. 

Despite the disappointment of the Gulls' FA Cup exit to Bishops Cleeve, the Gulls maintained their record of attracting 3,000 plus crowds for all of their league games so far in the 2024-25 season. 

Their fixture with St Albans City attracted an attendance of 3,287, which included 35 St Albans City fans.

RESPONDING TO A SETBACK

 At what point does a setback become a crisis? 

While Torquay United have made a promising start to the managerial reign of Paul Wotton, which sees the Gulls occupy the play-off zone, but were dealt an unexpected blow in the FA Cup second qualifying round where they were beaten by Bishops Cleeve of Southern League Division One South. 

It was certainly a result that no United fan would have expected, in fact not even the most ardent of Bishops Cleeve fans would have thought that they would win 3-0. 

Therefore Wotton's post-match reaction was probably not surprising when he said:"It was humiliating and embarrassing. We were second best, in fact we weren't even that. There was absolutely zero credit to be had, Bishops Cleeve should have won by more."

Since the Bryn Consortium's takeover of the club in the summer, United have got so much right off the field in terms of supporter engagement, ranging from the new signing videos on social media, record season ticket sales, new home and away shirts that have sold in high volumes and a community share issue with the club's Supporter's Trust which has surpassed its fundraising target. 

So therefore a result like last Saturday is not in keeping with the renewed positivity surrounding the club.

Whilst Bishops Cleeve are lowest ranked side that the Gulls have lost to in the FA Cup in recent years, they are two divisions above the Mitres, which isn't the biggest divisional gap between United and one of their FA Cup giant killers. There was a divisional gap of three leagues existed between the Gulls and Hinckley United, who knocked United out of the cup in the 2004-05 season. At the time, the Gulls were in League One and Hinckley were in National League North. 

However, United bounced back from their premature cup exit at the hands of the Midlanders, as they went and won 2-1 at Port Vale with goals from Kevin Hill and Leon Constantine and then beat Wrexham 1-0 at Plainmoor thanks to a Tony Bedeau strike. 

Up until now the idea of a crisis at Plainmoor has been on par with what the Cobbolds of Ipswich Town would have regarded as one - namely the boardroom running out of wine. 

A response akin to the Gulls' class of 2004-05 would go a long way to maintaining that status.

BRINGING THE CROWDS BACK TO PLAINMOOR

 As well as their improved showings on the pitch, one of the hallmarks of Torquay United's 2024-25 campaign has been the crowds that have poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls in action. 

For the first time since the 2004-05 season, when United plied their trade in League One under Leroy Rosenior, Torquay United have attracted attendance above 3,000 for their opening four home games of the campaign. 

After attracting a crowd of 3,827 on the opening day of the season against Enfield Town, United followed this up with attendances of 3,566 against Dorking Wanderers, 3,263 against Aveley and then 3,087 against Chippenham Town.

In 2004-05, United drew a crowd of 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, which was followed by 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday in their second home fixture and 3,791 saw them face Walsall and 3,456 witnessed them draw 2-2 with Brentford. The season would ultimately end in relegation for the Gulls following their 2-1 defeat to Colchester United at Layer Road on the final day of the campaign, but their average attendance of 3,511 - this remains their highest seasonal average since United were relegated from the 'old' Third Division in the 1971-72 season under Jack Edwards. 

Since then the Gulls have only recorded seasonal average attendances above 3,000 on nine occasions, with the most recent being in the 2007-08 season, which stood at 3,125. A parrallel with that season can be found with the present day, as the Alex Rowe-led local consortium took over the club in the summer of 2007, just as the Bryn Consortium completed their takeover of the club in the close season.

Like in 2007-08, the Bryn Consortium, headed by co-chairman Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, have shown what can be achieved if you can create an enthusiasm amongst the United faithful for the club and make people want to come to Plainmoor. And if they can better the figure of 3,125, then it will be another tick on the list of things that they have got right since taking charge.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS AVELEY

 1. Matt Carson makes his mark. 

Fresh from signing a one-year extension to his existing contract at Plainmoor, left wing-back Matt Carson scored his second goal as he attempted a cross, but instead it flew past Aveley goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn and into the far corner. Throughout the game, Carson was one of the Gulls' best attacking threats and he was one of United's stand-out performers. 

2. More goals required. 

When former United manager Dave Smith was asked what was needed to win promotion, he replied 'score goals, lots of them'. It is probably no surprise then that current United boss Paul Wotton expressed his disappointment that his side didn't work the Aveley keeper enough throughout the course of 90 minutes, and said he considered the result as two points. 

A feature of the Gulls' last four promotion winning sides has been a strike partnership who have scored 30 or more goals over the course of the campaigns in question; Dean Edwards (19) and Tommy Tynan (19) in 1990-91, David Graham (23) and Jo Kuffour (11) in 2003-04, Tim Sills (20) and Elliot Benyon (11) in 2008-09 and Jamie Reid (32) and Saikou Janneh (19) in 2018-19. 

Messrs Ash, Cooke, Seymour and Crosbie over to you. 

3. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence. 

Centre back Sam Dreyer has been one of the Gulls most consistent performers so far this season and he was amongst United's star performers again against Aveley. 

Not only was Dreyer a commanding aerial presence, he also looked comfortably on the ball, and even could have won the Gulls a penalty as he had his shirt tugged in the box. 

At age of 20, his performance belied his relatively tender years.

4. A third crowd above 3,000.

For the third successive game, United had an attendance of over 3,000, and it is the first time in recent memory that the Gulls had achieved this feat. 3,263 witnessed United's 1-1 draw with Aveley, following on from the 3,837, who witnessed their opening day win over Enfield Town and 3,566 saw them follow up that result with a 1-0 victory over Dorking Wanderers. 

United attracted 3,000 plus crowds in two of their opening three fixtures in the 2007-08 and 2009-10 campaigns. However, this is the first time that they have managed it in all three of their opening home fixtures since the 2004-05 season under Leroy Rosenior. In 2004-05, they drew 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday and 3,791 against Walsall.

5. A contrast from United's last meeting with Aveley. 

Despite the disappointment of not winning the game, there is no question that the mood around Plainmoor is better than it was when the Gulls last faced Aveley in February 2024, shortly after Clarke Osborne announced his intention to put United in Administration. Under the ownership of the Bryn Consortium, the only way is up for the Gulls and they have the perfect opportunity to make amends on Tuesday night against Chippenham Town.

TORQUAY FACE AVELEY WITH NEW OPTIMISM

 As Torquay United prepare for the visit of Aveley to Plainmoor this Saturday, the between difference the siuation they found themselves their last meeting with the Millers in last February and the present couldn't be more stark.

On that occasion, the then Gulls owner Clarke Osborne had just served his notice to place the club in Administration, which would later result in the club received a ten-point penalty, Gary Johnson had resigned as manager and his assistant Aaron Downes had taken charge on an interim basis. 

In the end, United earned a creditable 2-2 draw with the Millers in front of an improved crowd of 3,642, an attendance that compares favourably to the 3,842 which they attracted for their opening game of the season against Enfield Town and the 3,566 who witnessed their last home game with Dorking Wanderers.

However, comparing what United were like then to the situation that they currently find themselves in is almost like comparing night to day. The club's present owners, the Bryn Consortium, brought the club out of Administration; they have since appointed Paul Wotton as manager with Neil Warnock as football advisor and a Community Share Issue which was launched recently by the club's Supporter's Trust (TUST) has more than reached its target of raising £100,000 to be invested in the club and secure a second Supporter's seat on the United board, joining TUST chair Nick Broderick. 

Add to the Gulls' fortunes on the pitch have improved, having won four of their opening five matches of the 2024-25 campaign. 

However, none of this would have been possible had it not been for the positivity created by the Bryn Consortium, headed by co-Chairman Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh. 

Since they took over, they have created an enthusiasm amongst the fanbase, which has seen United sell a record 1,500 season tickets and launched a new replica shirt, with a similar yellow and blue hooped design to the one they wore between 1993 and 1995, which has sold out in the club shop. 

The contrast to their approach to engaging with the fanbase couldn't be more different to the one adopted by Osborne and his former Chief Executive George Edwards. 

Other than his appearance at Ashton Gate in the 2021 National League Play-off final, the last time Osborne was seen at an event connected to Torquay United in South Devon was during the Presentation Evening held at the English Riviera Centre following United's National League South title triumph in 2018-19. On that occasion, Osborne's profile was so low that it left you wondering if there was any point in him actually being there at all. 

Compare this to the presence of the Bryn Consortium at Neil Warnock's 'Are you with me?' show at the Princess Theatre, they all turned up en masse and all looked as though they genuinely wanted to be there. And they will - to a man - undoubtably be looking forward to enjoying further success in partnership with Wotton and Warnock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DORKING WANDERERS

 1. Lirak Hasani opens his account for the Gulls. 

United midfielder Lirak Hasani opened his account for the Gulls in arguably the best way possible way when he struck from 20 yards in the 55th minute after being teed up by Dan Hayfield. 

Hopefully, it will be the first of many for the club. 

Hasani, who joined the club in the summer from Gateshead, was also responsible for taking United's set pieces, and he delivered a number of  corners, which asked plenty of questions from the Dorking defence.

Having made his initial appearances for United as a substitute, Hasani has begun to play his way into the side, and he will be looking to maintain his place in the starting line-up.

2. A hard fought win for the Gulls. 

For the first 15 minutes, Dorking looked the stronger side and enjoyed the majority of the possession. However, the Gulls had a late flurry of chances towards the end of the first half. 

However, the Gulls started the second half on the front foot and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Hasani found the back of the net on 55 minutes. 

Nevertheless, Dorking still had chances late on as skipper Charlie Carter, sub Matt Briggs and Barry Fuller all went close in the final ten minutes, but United hung on to win. 

It was also the Gulls first win over Dorking in three attempts. 

3. Ed Palmer stands out at the back. 

A few eyebrows were raised amongst the Yellow Army when Ed Palmer, a former United youth product who had a brief professional career with the club before going on to play for the likes of Truro City, Taunton Town and Weymouth re-signed for the Gulls in the summer. However, Palmer, who combines playing for United with running a Barber's Shop in Totnes, followed up scoring on his full debut for the club away to Bath City with a display that earned himself the sponsor's man of the match award. 

He also went close to scoring his second goal in as many games as he had a header blocked on the line by Dorking's Luke Moore in the 42nd minute. Moments later he attempted a long rang effort from 30 yards, which narrowly dipped over. In the second half, he also had a hand in United's goal as his pass found Dan Hayfield, who teed up Hasani for his goal. 

The centre back positions have been arguably the most heavily contested spots in the United side so far this season, and Palmer has certainly staked his claim with Jordan Dyer currently being out injured. 

4. Finley Craske produced a fine display at right wing-back. 

After he missed much of the 2023-24 campaign through injury, Torquay United fans are now starting to see the best of Finley Craske. 

Against Dorking he completed his first 90 minutes and he showed incredible athleticism as he made several marauding runs down the right hand side. 

His opposite number on the left hand side has produced a number of fine displays so far this season, so if Craske continues in this vein, they could be talked about in the same breath as Jim McNichol and Tom Kelly (1987-88) and Andy Gurney and Paul Gibbs (1997-98). 

5. United now up to third. 

We might be only four games into the new season and the new look United remained a work in progress under Paul Wotton, but Saturday's win over Dorking Wanderers lifts the Gulls up to third in the table. 

United currently trail leaders Boreham Wood by one point and are level on nine points with Slough Town and Farnborough, with only goal difference separating them. 

6. Crowd watch. 

Yesterday's attendance of 3,566 was comfortably the biggest crowd for a game in the sixth-tier, with only the 1,508 that saw Truro City defeat Enfield Town 3-1 coming close. In the National League, it was only bettered by the 3,614 which saw Hartlepool draw 1-1 with Wealdstone. It was also bigger than the 3,481 who saw Barrow defeat Port Vale in League Two. 

A special mention should also go out to the Torquay United Supporter's Trust Community Share Issue, which, at the time of writing, has raised in the region of £73,000 within days of being launched.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ENFIELD TOWN

1.  13 is unlucky for some - but not the Gulls. 

United's clash with Enfield saw 13 players make their debuts for the club, nine from the start and four more from the bench. The only players to have featured previously for the Gulls were James Hamon, during a loan spell in 2020-21 and last season's leading scorer Brad Ash.

It was the most number of debutants that United have fielded on an opening day since Paul Cox selected nine in his first starting line-up against Macclesfield Town in the 2015-16 campaign.

2. Ash off the mark. 

After finishing last season as the Gulls leading scorer with 14 goals, it was interested to see how Brad Ash fared in the 2024-25 campaign, especially with the increased competition from the signings of Ben Seymour, Cody Cooke and Jaydn Crosbie. However, Ash made a flying start to the new campaign when he headed home a cross from the left from Matt Carson and had chances to further add to his tally, and based on this showing he could hit double figures again.

3. Carson shows his class.

In recent years, Torquay United have been blessed with a number of fine left-backs, from Tom Kelly (1986-1989 & 1993-1996) to John Uzzell (1989-1991) to Paul Gibbs (1997-1998) to Robbie Herrera (1998-2001) to Brian McGlinchey (2003-2006) to Kevin Nicholson (2007 -2014, 2015-2017) to Liam Davis (2017-2021), and Matt Carson could join that list.

Carson, who joined from Southampton in the summer, played a key role in United’s opener as his shot from the edge of the penalty area on 15 minutes ricocheted off Enfield defender Scott Thomas before finding the back of the net to cancel out Lewis Taaffe’s opener for the visitors. He also played a key role in the Gulls’ second, and ultimately decisive, goal as it was his cross which Brad Ash connected with to head home.

What made his performance seem even more remarkable is that the Northern Ireland youth international’s only previous experience of senior competitive football was a loan spell with Braintree Town last season.

4. First opening day win since 2020-21. 

Torquay United's win over Enfield Town was the Gulls' first opening day win since the 2020-21 campaign when a late strike from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans sealed a 1-0 win over Stockport County. 

5. Parallels with Leroy Rosenior’s first game in charge.

While a lot of similarities were drawn between Paul Buckle’s first campaign in charge in 2007-08 and the beginning of Paul Wotton’s reign in 2024-25, there is one very big parallel between Leroy Rosenior’s first game in charge and Wotton’s. United marked the beginning of Rosenior’s reign with a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers after coming from behind as an equaliser from Martin Gritton and a penalty from Alex Russell cancelled out Guiliano Grazioli’s opener for the Pirates.

6. Crowd watch. 

The crowd of 3,837 who poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls' opening day clash with Enfield Town was only beaten by the attendances of Southend United versus York City (7,962) and Oldham Athletic versus Braintree Town (5,552). If United can build on their display against Enfield, then they will surely continue to pack in the crowds for the duration of the campaign.