Will JD bringing hope to a bleak situation

Even in the darkest times for a professional football club, there are often shards of light that bring some hope, and the form of Will Jenkins Davies has been that glimmer for Torquay United during the gloomy recent run of four straight defeats.

Will JD, as he’s affectionately known, is on loan at Plainmoor from Plymouth Argyle, but there is still plenty of ‘homegrown’ pride surrounding the former Torquay Boys’ Grammar School student, who has adapted superbly to his first full campaign in senior football.

The enterprising midfielder was always highly regarded in the Argyle Academy and his trajectory has continued on an upward curve. Will JD made his Argyle debut as a 16 year-old in the Papa Johns Trophy loss at Newport and signed his first pro deal on his 17th birthday two months later. He made his league debut in a 4-1 win at Accrington Stanley.

The exciting young midfielder made the season-long loan switch to United in the summer and enjoyed a steady start to life in Yellow. After a brief spell back at Argyle for treatment on an injury, Will JD has returned to Plainmoor in goal-scoring form.

He is getting forward from midfield with increasing confidence and, crucially, timing his runs with maturity. The opening goal in Saturday’s 3-4 loss to Slough was taken with assurance and his second a neat header after taking up a good position.

While that game ended in another painful defeat, Will Jenkins Davies provides a beacon of hope with his goals from midfield, and United need hope more than anything.

In the spirit of young talent emerging through the ranks, Torquay United U18s continued their stellar form with a 5-0 walloping of fourth-placed Bath City on the weekend.

From the very first whistle, United controlled the game and cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead with goals from Jacob Wellington, Liam Poole and Jack Kennell. A second-half brace from Tom Chastey completed the victory for the young Gulls.

United now have a three-point lead at the top of the South-West Counties Youth League and face a trip to their main rivals Bridgwater United this weekend.