Torquay United manager Paul Wotton: “We are in a good place”

Five straight wins at home, third in the National League South table and players returning from injury all adds up to a period of positive momentum for Torquay United.

The Gulls racked up another Plainmoor success with a 1-0 win over a strong Ebbsfleet team on Saturday, thanks to a Jordan Young goal in the first period, and Wotton was delighted with the attacking play from his team in the opening 45 minutes.

“It was hard-earned, absolutely,” he said. “Credit to Ebbsfleet, they are a top team and will be right up there at the end of the season.

“First-half, I thought we were really good in a strong wind and good value for our lead at half-time. I loved us in the first half, you can see what we’re doing, you can see the forward play and we were defensively sound as well.

“It was a lovely three points.”

The second half was a very different challenge for the Gulls, but just as satisfying, with strong defensive discipline ensuring a first clean sheet of the campaign.

“I can’t remember them having one chance where I thought ‘uh-oh’, whereas we had three or four in the second half to put the game to bed,” said Wotton. “That’s the only disappointment, not getting another to take the sting out of the game.

“We worked really hard on our press in the week and we didn’t quite get it right second half, which is credit to Ebbsfleet as well because they changed a couple of things and we had to react to that.

“Callum Dolan hasn’t played this season, so he got tired, and Dylan Morgan came on [after injury], but we were fully focussed and Ebbsfleet have got some really good players.

“A 1-0 win was quite fitting, with the amount of goals we’ve scored at home, and the amount we’ve conceded. There were a couple of occasions where the boys showed huge desire to keep the ball out of the net.

“If we can do that, we’ve got a hell of a threat going forward. I’m pleased for the boys, they’re in a good place and the club’s in a good place, so it’s all positive.”

The game also marked a debut for Callum Dolan, signed permanently in the summer after a previous loan stint at Plainmoor, and his manager is understandably excited about the future for a talented midfielder.

“Callum Dolan is somebody I’ve known about since his first loan spell at Torquay, it’s my job to know about these players,” added Wotton.

“I wanted to sign him for a couple of years, he’s an infectious character with a bit of needle about him, but his quality is undoubted. He’s in a good place at the moment and he deserves all his plaudits, but it’s only one game.

“We’ve got a player we haven’t seen all season but an outstanding footballer. He wants to do well and wants to play for the badge of Torquay United.”