Johnson delighted by Ollie's progress

MANAGER Gary Johnson has hailed the eye-catching progress of Torquay United’s young defender Ollie Tomlinson, who has gone from a loaned-out prospect to an ever-present first-teamer in the space of eight months, writes Dave Thomas.
“Ollie has gone past the ‘potential’ stage, and when you get to the point where everybody wants you in the side, then you’ve suddenly earned your place as a first-team player – that’s what he’s done,” said Johnson.
The Gulls’ boss, who has watched centre-backs Kyle Cameron and Joe Lewis progress into EFL players with Notts County and AFC Wimbledon, sent 21-year-old Tomlinson out on loan to Taunton Town and Chippenham Town last season after signing him from Plymouth Argyle.
“He trusted us when we weren’t playing him, and that was really good,” added Johnson, who stressed the role of assistant manager Aaron Downes in Tomlinson’s development.
“He had to ‘man up’ a little bit – we asked him jokingly to change his haircut and get a few more cuts, like a proper centre-half. But I’m pleased to say that his haircut is fine and his aggression is very good.
“He’s a good learner, and he’s a clever footballer for a centre-half – that’s as big a compliment as I can pay him.
“We had to play him a couple of times earlier in the season when he hadn’t played very well, but you have to back your judgement sometimes.
“Ollie is still early in his career, but he’s doing well at the moment.”
Ivybridge-born Tomlinson volleyed his second goal of the season in United’s 4-1 FA Trophy win at Southern League Frome Town at the weekend.
On-loan Fleetwood Town striker Theo Williams scored twice and 19-year-old midfielder Will Jenkins Davies added the fourth with his first touch after re-signing on loan from Plymouth.
The win earned United a Fourth Round (last 32) trip to NL North Hereford on January 13.
Before then United have a run of league games up to and over Christmas, starting with Hemel Hempstead Town at Plainmoor this Saturday. Their own improved form and a stuttering run of five points out of 12 by Yeovil Town has seen the gap between the once runaway leaders and Torquay (4th) cut to nine points with two games left to the halfway stage of the season.
The Glovers put their unbeaten home record on the line against third-placed Hampton & Richmond at the weekend.
With no fewer than ten players either injured or cup-tied (Ethon Archer), Johnson had little option but to field a makeshift side for last Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Southern League Frome Town.
Five Academy players were named in the squad, including 16-year-old winger Jacob Wellington, who was given his start along with first-year pro defender Calum Thomas.
Kai Swann and Thomas Chastey also went on from the bench, but the gamble paid off as goals by on loan Fleetwood Town striker Theo Williams (2), Ollie Tomlinson and Jenkins Davies carried United through in front of 1,305 fans in Somerset.
Reserve goalkeeper Rhys Lovett also saved a penalty at 2-0 just before half-time