Gulls locked in battle of ‘heart and guts’

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has described the closing stages of the National League South promotion battle as ‘a war of attrition’ with ten games to go.

Barely nine months after hauling themselves out of administration, the Gulls (6th) head to Tonbridge Angels this Saturday as one of seven teams, covered by seven points, still in with a chance of the title, let alone promotion (writes Dave Thomas).

Wotton managed current rivals Truro City to promotion and then through a 2023-2024 season wracked by off-field problems, so he knows the territory.

“Every player in our league has got aches, bumps and bruises at this stage, and it becomes a war of attrition,” said Wotton.

“It becomes about heart and guts.”

United picked themselves up from losing 2-0 leads against at Chelmsford City (2-3) and Boreham Wood (2-2) at home, split by a 1-1 draw at Weston-super-Mare, to win 3-1 at Chippenham Town on Tuesday.

“Last Saturday night was probably as low as I’ve ever been in football,” said former Plymouth Argyle defender Wotton.

“But the best way I get over it is in the next coaching session.

“And our squad are a resilient bunch, and I am very proud of them for that.”

Wotton picked out young midfielders Lirak Hasani and on-loan Will Jenkins Davies as players who epitomise that spirit.

Wotton kept Hasani and Jenkins Davies in his starting XI at Chippenham, despite accepting that they make occasional mistakes on the ball.

“They are both resilient and they go right to the end,” he said.

“They are both infectious characters, they train properly every second of every training session.

“They were crucial to the way we started the second half at Chippenham and set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Wotton confirmed that he does see centre-forward and leading scorer Cody Cooke and new signing Offrande Zanzala as a potential strike partnership, as well as an ‘either or’.

But he is waiting on fitness checks for both players ahead of the Tonbridge match, especially Zanzala, who had to come off in midweek after scoring United’s second goal.

Defender Jay Foulston is back in full training and returns to the squad.