Paul Wotton: “Do you want to be part of something special and try to win promotion?”

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton asked a blunt question of his players at half-time in the 2-1 victory over Enfield, and he received the right response.

On a breezy afternoon in North London, the Gulls fell behind to their lowly hosts in the first half and Wotton called on his team to ‘do something special’.

Dylan Morgan gave the first answer with an equaliser three minutes into the second period and United won it with a late penalty from youngster Kieran Wilson.

“I’m just glad we got the three points, it wasn’t a particularly good game and really windy here, so all the normal rubbish managers say after a long trip,” said Wotton. “I don’t care, we just got three points, and we go home with those points.

“We started the game alright and then Enfield scored after some poor clearances. Enfield then had a good few chances and could have scored. I just said to the boys at half-time ‘do you want to be part of something special and try to win promotion, or do you want to keep bobbing along and hope something happens?’

“We started the second half aggressively and carried that on to get our just rewards. There have been times this season when we’ve been in the ascendancy and even been against ten men, and we haven’t taken that chance.

“We kept going, showed endeavour and made a couple of changes on the pitch that worked. I’m just glad for the fans because they were brilliant and the players got them three-hard-earned points.

“It was one of those games that won’t live long in the memory but if you’re going to do anything in football, if you want to achieve something and believe in yourself, you’ve just got to grab it.

“Nobody’s going to give Torquay United anything and that’s what I said to the players at half-time, and fair play to them for responding.

“I’m a passionate person, we’re all in it together, and even when we were 1-0 down, the fans didn’t stop singing, the drum was going, and I appreciate them all. There was a bit of passion at the end because I was annoyed with the boys first half, and I actually don’t like shouting at them, but I’m happy we could have a good bus ride home.”

The winner was a second in Yellow for Wilson, on loan at Plainmoor from Exeter City, and a fabulous moment for the teenage forward.

“Kieran struggled in the first half but he kept going and he grew into the game,” added Wotton. “He showed tremendous confidence and looked assured with the penalty.”