Match Preview: Consistency is the key for Torquay United

Torquay United are coming round the final bend ahead of the final straight in a long football season and the time for consistent results has arrived.

After the 4-2 defeat at Worthing last weekend, the Gulls are clinging on to the final play-off position in the National League South and the visit of St Albans on Saturday represents a chance to pull away from a side level on points in the table.

United manager Gary Johnson will have some different forward options to choose from tomorrow, with Duane Ofori-Acheampong back from a hamstring problem and Aaron Jarvis approaching full fitness, but youngster Osman Foyo has returned to Ipswich after the completion of his loan spell.  

“St Albans have done well and we know that they are a possession-based side,” said Johnson. “They are just behind us in the league and it is a big game.

“There are 18 games left and we can’t let one game spoil the rest. We’ve got to keep the confidence in the lads, we are going to lose people through injury and players have to work through little niggles.

“We will get the consistency. There are 18 games to play and our squad is getting bigger. It will feel like new signings to have the players back from injury.

“Jarvis is not a million miles away and the month for Osman Foyo was up. We thanked him, he enjoyed his time here and Ipswich were happy with what we did for him but he went back. We brought in another presence as a striker in Duane and his hamstring injury wasn’t as bad as first feared, so he’s available for selection this weekend. “

Looking back on the defeat to Worthing, Johnson conceded his side were punished by an excellent spell from the home side after United had taken an early lead through Tom Lapslie.

However, the Gulls battled back to 3-2 in the second period and had a strong penalty claim waved away before a late red card for Dean Moxey and Worthing’s fourth killed the contest.

“We had a very good first 20 minutes, which led to Lapslie’s goal, but they had a very good second part of the first half and we weren’t able to hold them back,” said Johnson. “We were 3-1 down at half-time, so we all had a chat and came out a bit brighter.

“We took the opportunity to go 3-2 and felt we should have got something from the game. We had a penalty decision turned down, which would have made it 3-3 and that would have been a fair result away from home against a team that is going well.

“It was a bit frustrating for us and we obviously then had Moxey sent off, and another goal from them at the end, which was an unbelievable strike.

“The opposition have their way of playing and all teams work very hard on stopping the opposition while trying to get your game going. Every game in every league has to and fro, and if you lose a game, you need to win the next two or three.”

The final ingredient to a big game at Plainmoor tomorrow will be the presence of special invited guests from local schools, which will undoubtedly add some extra noise and enthusiasm to the stadium.

“The Community Day is a great occasion and it is really nice to see the youngsters,” added Johnson. “They are very keen and those that come into the dressing room are great. It’s a great thing for the club to do and I love when that end is full of screaming young people.”