Western Morning News (Saturday)
Torquay aim to build on midweek win against Weymouth
TORQUAY United go into today’s home match against struggling Weymouth with half an eye on the challenges ahead as they try to get their drive towards the National League play-offs back on track.
Four successive draws and a defeat at AFC Halifax Town last weekend put the Gulls behind the target set for them by manager Gary Johnson.
But Tuesday’s sparkling 4-0 win over Aldershot at Plainmoor has put a spring back into their step, and they know a win over Weymouth would set them up nicely for the run-in.
Weymouth, however, will have other ideas, and come to Plainmoor fighting their own battle to avoid the drop to National League South.
Nine points away from safety with games running out rapidly, the Terras will take to the field this afternoon knowing nothing less than a win will do for them.
Johnson told reporters at his weekly press conference that he had been delighted by his team’s performance on Tuesday, when they cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead and finished the game off despite an Aldershot rally in the second half.
“The boys saw the game out well,” he said.
“We had to change the shape right at the end when they brought on their subs and got a bit lively.
“It was a good performance from everybody.”
He said his side had defended well, and looked “comfortable”. Their finishing had been clinical, he said, and added: “Our goals were perfect goals for us.
“They were all things that we had worked on. We had worked on being relentless, and we were. I was really pleased with all the goals.”
Johnson paid tribute to ever-present full-back Ben Wynter, who made his 150th appearance for United on Tuesday and was also called up to play for the England C team.
He and team-mate Armani Little will be in the England squad to face Wales in Caernarfon next Wednesday.
And Wynter has an even better reason to remember this week, as he became a father for the second time on Wednesday morning.
Johnson revealed that his full-back had taken his wife Holly to hospital before Tuesday’s game, but she had insisted that he play. After the match he raced back to be with her, and baby Leo was born early the following morning.
With the scheduled game at Stockport on April 2 rescheduled due to County’s successful run in the FA Trophy, Torquay have a blank weekend, giving them a fortnight after Weymouth to prepare for the visit of Notts County to Plainmoor on April 9.
The last time Notts County played at Torquay was in a thrilling play-off semi-final last season, a game Torquay won 4-2 to book their place in the final.
“It gives us time to prepare for what could be a very important game for us,” said Johnson.
“It will give us a chance to get everybody fighting fit.
“We want to be able to play Notts County in almost the same vein as the play-off semi-final last season.”
National Lottery players will have the chance to see Torquay United in action on Saturday in a special “Buy One Get One Free” offer.
The Weymouth match is part of the National Lottery Football Weekend.
Promotional tickets can be bought from 2pm on Friday until 1pm on the day of the match. The offer can not be purchased after 1pm on matchday. It is valid to those purchasing adult and concessionary rate tickets only, and is for home supporters only.
Tickets can be bought online, over the phone on 01803 328666 between 10am and 2pm until Friday or via the club shop between 10am and 2pm up until Friday.
Buyers select tickets as normal, then add the Promotional Code NL at the ‘View Basket’ stage of the transaction. They will then be prompted to enter the Receipt Number from their National Lottery Ticket to qualify for the offer.
Season Ticket holders can also benefit from the promotion by entering promotional code NLS prior to entering the Receipt Number.