TALKING POINTS

Harry Salvidge – @H_Salvidge14

Harry discusses the game at Roots Hall

BACK TO WINNING WAYS

After 4 straight defeats against Bromley, Boreham Wood, Maidstone and Woking a win against Southend is so crucial for this squad of new players as they look to gel together. Very similar to the F.C. Halifax win, it was a game where Torquay had their backs against the walls the whole time and not once, did they look like giving up under the waves of attacks Southend put on.

GOALS

For the first time this season, the Gulls scored twice in a game. Goals have been a rarity so far this campaign but just like buses, at Roots Hall they came twice in the same game. With the pressure constantly being put on Rhys Lovett’s goal, you always felt it was going to be a counter attack or a set-piece which was the best way for the Gulls to attack.

Both goals came from counter attacks, the first from an early cross by Wyatt, which Andrews cushioned down for Hanson to nod home. A selfless bit of play by Andrews who is still yet to find the net but an assist in his locker is a positive. The second was down to the work of Will Goodwin, aided by a deflection his shot came off the post and nestled into the back of the net. You could see the confidence Goodwin had after that goal, looking positive on and off the ball you feel there could be a snowball effect with Goodwin’s goal tally.

GARY JOHNSON

Gary Johnson was in a good mood heading into this game, he knew exactly what type of game Southend wanted to play and Torquay frustrated them for the whole afternoon. He knew that they’d pass the ball around across the whole pitch and even if at times the midfield was too open, the defence was airtight and Southend during crucial moments of the game were forced into shots from distance or tried to find a gap with a shot in a congested penalty area.

RETURNING TO FULL FITNESS

Another big positive of the day was seeing all 3 substitutes get some minutes under their belts. Dan Martin played the whole of the second half, the most minutes he’s played all season, Asa Hall got a strong 20 minutes under his belt, reassuring a young midfield in the closing stages. Striker Aaron Jarvis made his Torquay debut in the final 12 minutes replacing the former Colchester man Corie Andrews, even though he didn’t get a shot away he held the ball up well in the last minutes of the game to keep the ball in the Southend half.

YELLOW ARMY

Finally, the traveling Yellow Army deserves a mention. It’s a long trek from Devon to the Essex coast and the 120 fans who made the trip probably wouldn’t have minded coming through the door in the early hours after that win. The videos and photos which appeared on social media after the game was great viewing, can’t wait to be in the away end at York City in October.