Togetherness is bringing the right results for Torquay United

A welcome first victory on the road arrived for Torquay United at Salisbury in the National League South and manager Paul Wotton was full of praise for his match-winner Matt Worthington.

United’s midfield skipper notched the only goal on eight minutes, his first as a Gull, as the Yellow dominated their hosts throughout the first period.

A missed penalty from Jordan Young was brushed aside and United then survived a windy second half to secure three points that were all about togetherness as a squad, and a great reward for the travelling Yellow Army.

“We should have been out of sight at half-time because we started the game really well,” said Wotton. “We had a penalty miss and Worthy missed a really good chance.

“The wind was so strong in the second half, so we knew we would have to defend our box because it was pinning us right in there, but I think Salisbury had one chance where Hammy [James Hamon] made a good save, and that was it.

“I said to Worthy on Thursday, in front of everyone, have you ever scored a goal? He took offence to that and you could see him look over when he scored, so fair play to him. He was excellent all day, a real captain’s performance.

“We reacted really well [to the penalty miss] and it’s something we are really good at as a squad, reacting to disappointments and it could have proved a pivotal moment in the game, but it didn’t.

“It was all about staying calm. We are just over a fifth of the way into the season and we have worked really hard in pre-season on our attacking play, as well as defending.

“I said on Thursday in the press conference that they are a joy to coach, a great group, and we had Matt Jay come on in alien position and he was excellent. All the subs were very influential and we speak about being together, and that’s not just the 11 who start, it is everyone in the squad, those not in the squad and the coaching staff.

“It is about all of this being together, being constant, shutting out the outside noise and doing our jobs.

“I’ve always got a soft spot for away fans and I fully understand how much it costs to watch us play football. As always, I appreciate them massively.”