Archer firing for Torquay United

Ethon Archer is going to be ‘a big part of our season’, says Torquay United manager Gary Johnson.

Archer, 21, scored his first goal for the Gulls, and was named Man Of The Match, in last Saturday’s 3-2 win over Hemel Hempstead Town.

It was his sixth appearance since being plucked out of the Isthmian League where he had been playing for Sussex side Three Bridges.

Johnson explained: “There are a lot of 20/21-year-olds who suffered because of the Covid pandemic, because their leagues were cancelled.

“They’ve been lost to the game a bit, but they weren’t all lost,” added Johnson, whose brother Peter is United’s London-based head of recruitment.

“A lot of people have said what’s he (Peter) doing, but he knows so many players, he’s out watching all the time.

“If we put out a statement of where he goes and who he recommends to us, we wouldn’t get many of them.

“Ethon was one of those, we took a punt on him, he’s done really well and he’s enjoying himself.

“He’s a long way to go and he’s still learning, but he’s going to be a big part of our season.”

Johnson confirmed that the departure of Shaun Donnellan has freed up a wage to help with possible new signings.

“He was one of our better paid players,” revealed Johnson of Donnellan, who has joined Scottish Premier League club Livingston on a pre-contract agreement before a full transfer is completed when the January transfer window opens.

“Once somebody has decided to go, you look past that person to people who are going to be here,”

Johnson said at his weekly press conference, adding: “Ross Marshall has done well there (right-back), and Dylan Crowe has also come back from Havant (loan) and he’s playing well.”

Neither Torquay nor Livingston have said whether a fee is involved for Donnellan, who was under contract until next summer, but it appears that United may have negotiated a clause which could make them money later.

United are still frustrated about the suspension of midfielder Brett McGavin for this Saturday’s match at Chelmsford City.

He was booked a second time for kicking the ball away against Hemel, but Torquay insist that was before referee Craig Scriven had blown for a foul.

“If you’re sent to prison, and you’re then found innocent, you come out,” said Johnson.

“Unfortunately, in football, you still have to do the punishment.”