Torquay United back to serious business

There were no points, and not a lot of prizemoney, for knocking Yeovil Town out of the FA Trophy last weekend, and plenty of Torquay United fans will tell you that the 2-0 league win at Havant & Waterlooville seven days before was far more important.

The NL South is what counts this season, and the Gulls are back to more serious business at Dartford this Saturday and Eastbourne Borough next Tuesday night.

Eighteen points at home and ten away – that imbalance has to change if United are to match their ambitions this season.

Pre-Havant memories of defeats at Hemel Hempstead, Hampton & Richmond and Weston-super-Mare haven’t gone away yet, and manager Gary Johnson was quick to admit this week that the Havant and Trophy results don’t yet represent a turning of any corners.

United need something more solid and consistent to match their own and everybody’s expectations.

The big question is whether, still without injured leading scorer Aaron Jarvis, the Gulls have the attacking firepower to do it.

Loan striker Theo Williams and young winger Ethon Archer have brought some new pace and energy to the attack, but can they, Brad Ash & Co keep doing it until Jarvis returns?

At least, from failing to fill his subs bench last Saturday, Johnson should have stronger resources at his disposal at Dartford.

Archer, cup-tied for the Trophy, is available again, and goalkeeper Mark Halstead, defender Ross Marshall and midfielders Tom Lapslie and Jack Stobbs could all be over their injuries.

Johnson, who has just reached 250 games in charge at Plainmoor, says he wants a selection ‘headache’ each week, and a return for Stobbs will give him an immediate one.

Dillon De Silva staked a claim for the right-wing spot against Yeovil, and Archer can also play there.

Of Dartford, Johnson adds: “They often play with two big men up front, so we need to be aware of that. The best way to handle them is to keep the ball.”

Dartford would have moved above Torquay if they’d beaten Braintree this week, but they lost 2-0, their third successive home defeat.

That’s a surprise, considering the experience available to manager Alan Dowson, who will be remembered by Gulls fans for a series of feisty matches against his Woking teams not long ago.

Men like defenders Jordan Wynter and Moussa Diarra and forwards Luke Coulson, Harvey Bradbury, Paul Rooney – he was sent off against Braintree - Alex Wall and Charlie Sheringham have all been in demand at these levels for many seasons, and they’re always capable of winning matches on their day.

Saturday’s referee is Emily Heaslip from Suffolk.

United’s Women don’t have a game this weekend, but the Under-18s are at home to Hamworthy United in the SW Counties Youth League at South Devon College on Saturday morning (10.30am).