Goals starting to flow for the Gulls

The unexpected break from football action has given Torquay United manager Paul Wotton an opportunity to reflect on four months of intense competition.

The Gulls have found some fabulous form in their last two league outings, defeating Weston-super-Mare 4-2 in a Plainmoor classic before a dominant 4-1 success at Enfield Town.

For Wotton, the goalscoring success that pushed United to within a point of league leaders Truro City has been coming for a little while and testament to a group of players adapting to their training ground tuition.

“The group works hard, they’re receptive to my ideas and they are slowly learning it,” he said.

“People will say we’ve clicked because we’ve scored eight goals in two games but we’ve probably just done it for longer periods in those games than in previous games this season.”

One of the major factors in the recent upturn in goals is Will Jenkins Davies, who has scored three times in the last two games, demonstrating the exciting midfield option he provides for the Gulls.

Will JD is in his second loan stint from neighbours Plymouth Argyle, having performed superbly for United last season, and Wotton was very candid in his desire to extend the current agreement if possible.

“We are in constant conversation with Argyle regarding Will, as I’m in constant conversation with Gloucester and Bath on our players at on loan to them,” he said. “It’s very normal to speak to the loaning clubs and all we can do is ask the question.

“The loan runs out on January 2 and, at the end of the day, he’s not our player. Will is contracted to Plymouth Argyle and they will do what they feel is right for Will’s development, which is always the pros and cons of loan deals.”

The weekend postponement of the FA Trophy game with Horsham due to Storm Darragh naturally means further pressure on a Plainmoor pitch that will see the rearranged game on Tuesday night followed by successive home fixtures in the league.

“The next four out of five games are played at home but our groundsman Julian [Gouldthorpe] does a great job, so hopefully it’s not something we have to worry about,” added Wotton.

Unavailable for Horsham, then Farnborough and Hemel Hempstead, is midfielder Lirak Hasani, who received a straight red card in the dramatic win over Weston.

While the three-game suspension is an obvious frustration for Hasani, who actually scored a superb goal before his dismissal early in the second period, it does give Wotton the opportunity to look at different options in midfield.

As well as players on his current roster, the United boss is always looking at possibilities in the market, with midfield a position he considers potentially open to a new addition.

“It is a shame for Lirak, he’s a really important player and brings energy to the midfield,” he said. “We’ve got options in that area and we’re always looking recruitment-wise. Even without Lirak’s suspension, we’re possibly a midfielder short anyway.

“We are looking to strengthen areas at all times. It’s part of my job to always be looking for improvement because it is a very dangerous thing to stand still in football.

“We’ve got Dan Hayfield, Will Jenkins Davies and Omar Mussa, plus Jordan Young could play as a 10, so we have got options in there. I’m also convinced Matt Carson could play in there as well and Dean Moxey could sit in there with his experience.

“Dean has been different class in training, an example to our younger players of how to have longevity in a career. He is still tremendously fit and still trains properly.”

At the other end of the experience scale is goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott, who is recovering from the broken arm that cut short his loan spell with Tiverton Town. While there is time to go in his rehab, Wotton believes the young stopper is making decent progress.

He said: “Matt suffered quite a complicated break and it has been a nightmare for him. He’s at training every day and working on fitness. I don’t know the exact date [he will be back] but he is due for another x-ray in a couple of weeks. It is all fine but a lot longer than we thought.”

Torquay United have unveiled a fetching new third team shirt that acts as a massive thank-you to those who have invested in the club through the TUST Community Share Issue.

The club said: “The long wait is finally over, with United’s stunning new 2024/25 third shirt now available to purchase via our Club Shop at Plainmoor, and also via our online Official Store.

“Proudly taking its place alongside The Gulls’ hugely popular home & away offerings from official kit supplier VX3, our white third kit includes a number of unique and subtle touches that are sure to be a massive hit with the Yellow Army.

“As part of the benefits offered to those partaking in TUST’s Community Share Issue, the names of all individual investors are woven into the fabric, with a navy & gold trim alongside gold ‘125’ numerals below the rear collar all amounting to a classy finish.

“Another notable element is the inverted classic seagull crest that adorned a number of Torquay’s shirts of the past, with the inclusion sure to raise a smile with a whole generation of supporters who grew up watching the likes of Robin Stubbs, Tommy Northcott, John Bond and John Benson amongst others.”