McGAVIN THUNDERBOLT SEALS THE POINTS AS IT WAS DOVER AND OUT
MOXEY MODEL PRO WHILE FIT TOM LAPSLIE SO IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS
YEARS 7, 8, 9 LOOKING FORWARD TO COMMUNITY DAY
Whilst the match itself won’t live long in the memory, Brett McGavin’s eighth goal of the season most certainly will. Against the league’s bottom side, Dover, who are fighting for their lives, Torquay, despite a number of returning players, struggled to play an entertaining, positive role.
With the clock ticking down and referee George Warren not interested in at least four penalty shouts, two maybe worth a VAR look, step forward McGavin with a 60th minute thunderbolt hitting the back of the net from the moment it left his boot. The poor Dover keeper could only clutch thin air as the ball whistled past him.
Before the goal the patience of many on the Popside was being severely tested and derogatory shouts could be heard but the goal changed the mood.
After the game in his Press call manager Gary Johnson was clearly a relieved man but his relationship with a number of fans appears to be under scrutiny.
The win took the club back into the play-offs and the aim now is to finish second as, at the moment, Yeovil are seemingly out of sight for United to catch, eighteen points ahead in fact.
As many have pointed out, a return to winning ways and three points were really important for of the next eight fixtures, taking us to the end of February, six are away and Torquay’s form on other grounds is patchy at best.
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That Brad Ash got minutes on Saturday and Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie were able to share the ninety minutes while Dan Martin fitted back into defence were reasons for optimism. Hall and Lapslie shared pitch time at Chippenham but Martin was missing, again. It was another case of dropped points in a 1-1 draw.
Lapslie’s presence in the team is of real significance. With him Torquay have won 12, drawn 2, lost 3 with a points return of 38, a 73% win ratio; without him the stats are very different, won 2, drawn 1, lost 7, points 7, a win ratio of 20%. Stay fit Tom, your team needs you!
Finally, credit to Dover’s travelling support. Following a team bottom of their league is real dedication so hats off to the thirteen who turned up.
Before the match there was a well observed minute’s silence for those inside Plainmoor to show their respects to the family and friends of Kenneth and Bronson Battersby who both died recently in tragic circumstances.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Macclesfield 4,002, Yeovil 3,591, Kidderminster 3,089, Bromley 2,744, Hereford 2,497.
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“It’s time for a new voice in the dressing-room and on the touch line,” says outgoing Women’s manager Steve Elswood who stepped down after last Sunday’s defeat to Abingdon. Whilst Elswood will continue as Chairman and director, he is heartened by the number who have already applied for the vacant position. TUST continues to sponsor four of the squad and are sponsoring the forthcoming February home match at Wall Park, Brixham with Exeter City.
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Ex-Gull Watch: Shaun Donnellan made his debut for Livingstone in the Scottish Cup 4th Round win over Raith Rovers, Sinclair Armstrong scored for QPR in their 2-0 win over Millwall, Dylan Crowe started his first game for King’s Lynn in their 2-2 draw at Hereford, Chris Hargreaves’ son Cameron scored for King’s Lynn and it was a hat-trick for Dorchester’s Olaf Koszela in their 3-2 win.
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While Yeovil are 13 points clear of their nearest challenger in the National League South, Chesterfield are eleven points clear of Bromley in the league above. Before Saturday’s local derby with Boreham Wood, Bromley announced Project 30,000 - with nine home matches (now eight after Saturday) Bromley were looking to average 3,333 each game to reach their 30,000 target. To help achieve this they introduced 4-4-2, that’s attend any four of the remaining fixtures for the price of two. To help make this a great experience the club have added a new sports bar and a fan zone.
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Many United fans like the local press are always keen to find out about the long term injured players. Sadly senior pros Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie, who on their day are key members of the squad, seem to miss as many games as they play. But step forward evergreen Dean Moxey who, in football terms, appears to defy his advancing years. Week after week he rarely puts a (left) foot wrong as he shows how his experience is so invaluable. He was named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day for his calm assured performance against Dover; here’s hoping many of his team mates are able to copy his example.
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The club is keen to promote its #OneClub #OneCommunity and it has another popular Community Day planned for Saturday February 3 with the visit of St Albans. Year 7,8,9 pupils in schools in the TQ postal area are eligible to apply for tickets along with their parent/guardian. At only £2 it’s a great offer and it should guarantee a noisy away end.
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The big question nobody can yet answer is, was the win over Dover the start of a run? The answer on Tuesday at Chippenham was inconclusive as it is swiftly followed by a long trip to Worthing on Saturday with the hosts looking to clinch a league double.
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Is TV ruining football? That was last week’s question. Reader Chris Mackey’s views were typical of many,”It’s about time TV companies began considering the travelling away fans….but do they really care especially with clubs anxious for TV revenue.”
Which is your top McGavin goal so far this season?
Send to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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SUPPORT TUST - SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
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