Defence on top at Torquay United

A 0-0 draw at Boreham Wood in a game largely ruined by horrendous weather conditions will not take a starring role in the annuls of Torquay United history.

It was, as they say, a solid away point, but the wider story is a defensive record of growing influence in the shape of United’s campaign in the National League South.

Prior to the midweek visit of Weston-super-Mare, the Gulls have conceded just once in five games, and they have only conceded more than two in a single fixture on one occasion this season – the horror day at Bishops Cleeve.

United have conceded just 16 goals in 18 league games this season, a record that puts them in the top five of defensive records in the division and manager Paul Wotton was full of praise for his backline as a group, and especially goalkeeper James Hamon.

“The conditions at Boreham Wood were really tough and fair play for getting the game on, but we were really brave in our shape,” said Wotton. “Defending into the wind, we were excellent. They defended the line really well, clearances were excellent and we were strong aerially.

“A 0-0 at Boreham Wood is a fourth clean sheet out of five, so we are defending well and we’re hard to beat. It was a good point against a team with a huge budget and one that many fancy to win the league.

“I’m really happy for James [Hamon] because he’s had some criticism but he’s now kept four out of five clean sheets, and you can see why he is the goalkeeper for Torquay United. I’m happy for him because the criticism was unfair a few weeks ago.

“Our concentration levels are really high and you always have to respect a point away from home, and the fans were magnificent to travel all that way in difficult conditions.”

The defensive platform is in place for United and they know a little more potency at the other end of the pitch could lead to a strong Christmas period.

“We are always looking to improve and we know we have to test opposition goalkeepers more, especially at home, and we know that,” added Wotton.

“We are in a good place, the boys put in a shift for Torquay United and we know at home we’ve got to be a little bit more progressive, a bit more forward-thinking.”