Torquay United 'have plenty more to come' as Gulls have break

Goal celebrations for Ben Seymour of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and St Albans City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Saturday 21st September 2024 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Paul Wotton says he doesn’t think Torquay United have hit full speed yet and there is much more to come from the team – as they head into an early-season break because of their FA Cup exit.

The 3-0 Cup defeat at Bishops Cleeve was the season’s lowlight so far, and Wotton promised the players would work hard in Saturday’s home game against St Albans City. And they did. And, after a forgettable first half, the second half was a feisty one, and in a game that Torquay were denied two pretty clear-cut penalties, they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Now, with a week off while the third qualifying round of the FA Cup takes place, Torquay have the chance to rest and recuperate after what Wotton says has been a ‘good start’ to the National League South season. “I am really, really happy with our start,” he said. “I don’t think we have hit full speed yet, which is understandable with – for fear of repeating myself – a new team that has only played 10 games together. I think we are only going to get better, so the fact that we are fifth after nine games I think is a huge positive.”

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With Jay Foulston and Dan Hayfield returning after injuries for the St Albans game, and Jordan Dyer’s hamstring problem improving, it might be a good time for a break – especially with Ed Palmer and Omar Mussa picking up injuries against St Albans.

Palmer’s is the most concerning. He was elbowed in the face by Zane Banton, who was sent off, and has been diagnosed with an orbital fracture. The defender will see a specialist this week to review the injury.

Match days mascots during the National League South match between Torquay United and St Albans City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Saturday 21st September 2024 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
Match days mascots during the National League South match between Torquay United and St Albans City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Saturday 21st September 2024 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK

Imaging Mussa’s ankle injury, sustained when he was ‘fouled’ in an injury time incident that the referee decided didn’t warrant a penalty, came back all clear.

“Going two weeks without a game is not ideal but we have got two weeks and it gives us the chance to have a rest and to do some work,” said Wotton. “I know that’s a contradiction and sounds crazy, but some players have played lots of minutes, and we have got young players who will have played so many games on the trot in men’s football, who need a little breather. Some need minutes topping up.”

On Tuesday night, Torquay were at Buckland Athletic for a Devon FA Challenge Cup tie, with Wotton expecting to have a mixture of squad players and youth players for that game. The next game in the NLS will be at Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday, October 5. The next home game is against Maidstone United the following Saturday.

Wotton said: “It is what it is – we will deal with the break accordingly.”