Torquay United are top of the league after a sensational week for the Gulls

On the pitch, it has been a dream week for Torquay United; three wins, nine points, 12 goals scored and top of the National League South.

After the 7-0 drubbing of Eastbourne, United fought back from two goals down to defeat Worthing 3-2 and now a solid 2-0 victory after a long trip to Chelmsford City.

Debutant Kieran Wilson and Jordan Young were the scorers for the Gulls, who have come together as a squad following the unfortunate incident involving Matt Worthington and Callum Dolan.

“We looked a tiny bit fatigued in the first half and we needed to get through to half-time at 0-0, which is not to say Chelmsford had a load of chances,” said United boss Paul Wotton.

“We spoke at half-time that the game would open up and we had two moments of real quality with the goals. We defended our box magnificently and showed a maturity and calmness at the end of a very good week for us.

“Kieran is a player I really like and it’s a great hit. It’s an argument over whose goal was better, two great strikes. Young has great quality and the game changed before our goals. Excellent finishes after a really long day.”

There was little to choose between the sides in the early exchanges, James Hamon making a couple of routine blocks for United, who were content to spar with their hosts over the opening quarter of the game.

When the Gulls did spring to life as an attacking unit, Jordan Thomas was the man to ping an effort narrowly wide before the magical feet of Young danced into space for a shot that rebounded back off the post, but Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was unable to keep the rebound down.

United were given a reprieve when Harry Barbrook fired wide from a good position in the final minutes of a tepid first period.

Wotton sought to inject some impetus into his forward line with the introduction of Wilson on 55 minutes. Young took the hint with a rising drive that home custodian Chris Haigh failed to gather at the first attempt before the danger was cleared.

Haigh denied Young again moments later but the headline writers were waiting for Wilson, who duly obliged with a fabulous strike for the deadlock-breaker, cutting inside before fizzing a drive into the home net from 25 yards.

One became two from the next attack, as United won a free-kick in a dangerous position and the irrepressible Young delivered yet another sumptuous set-piece finish. Two great goals in the space of four minutes and Chelmsford looked understandably deflated.

The hosts turned to former Gull Tom Lapslie in the closing stages but there was an impressive composure and efficiency in the way United soaked up the late pressure to secure three points, as Weston-super-Mare and Hornchurch both failed to win, lifting Wotton’s men to the top of the table.