Match Preview: Torquay United craving three points

Torquay United face a decisive double-header at Plainmoor and an opportunity to reignite their play-off ambitions in the National League South.

Aside from the ongoing concerns with administration, interim manager Aaron Downes is purely focussed on achieving maximum points at home to Dartford on Saturday and then Taunton Town on Tuesday night.

The Gulls lost 3-0 at Dartford in November but the Kent club have since slipped close to the relegation spots and appointed Ady Pennock as their new boss prior to the Torquay visit.

For United, wins are essential if they are to have any hope of closing the ten-point gap to the play-offs.

“We have two great games coming for us, especially because they’re at home,” said Downes. “I was happy with certain elements of the performance from Saturday [the 1-1 draw at Weymouth] but the result is the most important thing.

“It’s all about the three points and that’s something we’re craving, something we’ve talked about all week and we will try our hardest to implement the things that will get us a win.

“We’re really looking forward to two great games and to the atmosphere.

“The players have been fantastic over the past couple of weeks. Their commitment and attitude has been spot on, and I can’t thank them enough for the effort they’ve given to this football club.

“Every coach and manager has their own ideas, so I have tried to implement a couple of things. Hopefully, we will see them come to fruition and I feel we are really close to getting wins.

“We have to deal with a tough Dartford team. We got beat up at their place [earlier in the season] but they’ve had a few personnel changes, including the manager. I’m not sure how they will set up because this is his first game but their players will want to impress him and we have to counteract that.”

United go into the weekend with a virtually fully fit squad, a massive rarity this season, and Downes is also looking to see further development from Arkell Jude-Boyd.

The young wing-back on loan from QPR scored his first United goal at Weymouth and has been a breath of fresh air since arriving at Plainmoor.

“Arkell is a great young man,” said Downes. “We’re really happy to have him with us and we thank QPR for working with us. He gives us versatility, great athleticism, a real nice kid and a good footballer.

“We’re just trying to help him express himself. It’s great that he got his goal and we feel there are more in him.

“We’ve got everybody fit and available, apart from Fin [Craske] and Ross Marshall, who is suspended. It’s been a collective effort behind the scenes to get the boys fit and ready.”