UNITED WEATHER THE STORM FOR A RARE HOME WIN
JANUARY IS THE MONTH FOR WHEELING AND DEALING
WOMEN’S SIDE HIT SEVEN
At long last Torquay United’s die-hards, all 1,975 of them, braved an afternoon of weather almost of biblical proportions to witness just the second home win of the season.
At one stage, just before half-time, the rain was so torrential we almost expected to see a plague of frogs flying across the pitch. It was so heavy that not only were the players totally drenched that it must have gone through the referee’s mind to start the interval early.
But credit to not only the ground staff for getting the match on in the first place but also to the club for the time and money spent on the pitch over the last couple of years. For certain in years gone by this fixture would have been called off long before Saturday.
And, of course all the effort was rewarded with a victory which, whilst being long overdue, was deserved as some of the players under fire for under-par performances came good.
It is clearly obvious to all us fans that the experience of Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie is a key component of United’s play. When these two are in the side there’s always a chance.
Not only did he score the vital goal but also captain fantastic Asa Hall was picked for the Vanarama Team of the Week. Dean Moxey was selected for the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day.
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Last week’s column highlighted Shaun Donnellan’s contribution to the team and if there were a ‘Most Improved Player Award’ given now it would be to him.
One win doesn’t turn the season around but it’s a start and hopefully will be built upon.
Whilst most supporters are sorry to see Will Goodwin return to Stoke, subsequently he’s moved on to Cheltenham Town for a fee, and to a lesser extent Stephen Wearne to Grimsby, their departures are countered by the arrivals of Ricky Aguiar from Swindon and James Crole from Cardiff. While a centre-back, Nico Lawrence, is joining on loan from Southampton, that probably leaves another striker.
It is clear that January is going to be a busy month for comings and goings. To counter the new signings Corie Andrews, after a disappointing time at Plainmoor, has left for a fee to join Wealdstone. And maybe there will be more departures.
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Coming up is the visit of Bromley next Tuesday but before then is the much-anticipated arrival of Somerset rivals Taunton Town in the FA Trophy 4th Round on Saturday.
Taunton are a useful side under manager Rob Dray and they have made a solid start to life in National South with one of the meanest defences, having conceded only 17 goals although they had a long, long trip to Dover on Tuesday going down 1-0 and missing a penalty. That’s a long way to travel for part-time players.
United will need to be on their game to avoid a cup shock.
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Three cheers for the three National League sides left in the FA Cup. Pride of place goes to Wrexham for their 4-3 win at Coventry while the other two face replays, Chesterfield at West Brom and Boreham Wood at Accrington.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Chesterfield pulled in 9,819 for their 3-3 draw with West Brom while Wrexham’s away support swelled Coventry’s gate to 18,218. Macclesfield in the Northern Premier Western Division continue to impress, on Saturday 4, 313 saw them defeat Leek Town 4-0, taking their season average to 3,475.
In the National League Southend were watched by 5,705 and in National South Dulwich had 3,001.
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In other National League news manager Andy Hessenthaler parted company with Dover Athletic after four years in charge in order to take up a Head of Recruitment role at Gillingham. The two co-owners of Gloucester City have put the club up for sale and within days the Chairman of Hungerford Town has started discussions to take over.
Then late on Monday fellow strugglers Maidstone United sacked manager Hakan Hayrettin as the Stones lost their sixth consecutive match.
Southend United facing an annual funding gap of around £2million have a High Court winding-up hearing on January 18. However, they are confident this will be dismissed as in the short-term they intend to take out a bridging loan. The club, though, are still looking to build a new ground at Fossetts Farm.
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Sunday saw Torquay United Women return to action for their first league game of 2023 with a thumping 7-0 home win over Ilminster Town. And there were seven different players on the scoresheet: Ellie Bishop, Connie Pengelly, Becky McMullen, Daisy Self, Tracey Cross, Sasha Mole and Danni Wyatt. Prior to the match manager Steve Elswood announced a new signing, Natalie Warman who previously played for Buckland, Exeter City and Ilminster.
Not to be outdone the club’s Under-18s got their New Year off to a great start with a 4-0 home win over BRS Coaching.
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Oh for some prolific scoring from the men’s side but as we all know strikers who live up to the name are hard to find and cost money when they do. The leading scorers from Steps 1-3 are: Macaulay Langstaff (Notts County) 50, Shaun Jeffers (St. Albans) 46 and Paul Mullin (Wrexham) 45.
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The majority answering last week’s question would wish for United to avoid relegation and as Johnson has hinted, fifth from bottom at the finish if necessary. Let’s hope it’s clearer cut than that.
There were a number of FA Cup upsets over the weekend so does the magic of the Cup still stand for you? Send your views to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT
There’s another seven days of football action to look forward to, first on Saturday the visit of Taunton and then next Tuesday Bromley are at Plainmoor for a 7.45pm kick-off.
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