TALKING POINTS

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve discusses the draw at Plainmoor

PLAINMOOR REMAINS A FORTRESS

Despite not securing a sixth straight home league win, which would have equalled a club record dating back to the 1926-27 season, Torquay United remain unbeaten at Plainmoor in 2025-26.

However, the Gulls could have been looking at a sensational sixth out of six if Jordan Young’s late chance that hit the top of the cross bar had dipped slightly lower.

A strong home record has often been central to many of United’s successive campaigns over the years; it is worth noting that in the 2002 03 and 2003-04 campaigns under Leroy Rosenior, the second of which saw the Gulls secure automatic promotion from Division Three, United only lost five league fixtures at Plainmoor – three in 2002-03 and two in 2003-04.

The Gulls’ next home league fixture sees them host Chippenham Town on Tuesday October 21st before they host Hornchurch, currently managed by former loanee Daryl McMahon, in what could be a top of the table showdown on Saturday November 1st.

THREE IN A ROW

After waiting all season for a clean sheet, or cleano as they have become known in some quarters, Torquay United have now completed their third on the spin.

Credit must go to the Gulls’ backline, which consisted of goalkeeper James Hamon, Denzel Aykeampong, Jordan Thomas, who replaced Akyeampong on 24 minutes, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston.

And with former England striker Andy Carroll leading the line for the visitors, Dyer and Dreyer needed to be on top form in the centre of defence, and Foulston also made an important block near the end to deny former Gulls loanee Ashley Hemmings.

DAGGERS IN A FALSE POSITION

Although Dagenham & Redbridge went into the game in the relegation zone, most observers would have felt that their position was somewhat false.

The Daggers, managed by former AFC Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury, were certainly the most organised side to come to Plainmoor this season, as they went with a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Andy Carroll operating as lone front man on his return from suspension.

In addition to Carroll, Dagenham also have former United loanee Ashley Hemmings, who was top scorer in National League North last season, and Donovan Wilson, who joined from Grimsby Town in the summer, to call upon, so hopefully for their fans they will begin to climb the table.

CIAN DILLON

With Sonny Fish yet to return from injury and Cody Cooke injured, QPR loanee Cian Dillon was handed the task of leading the forward line for the Gulls for the second game in succession after making his debut away to Salisbury.

In the first half, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international produced a dangerous cross which found Louis Dennis, which Dennis couldn’t quite fully connect with, and his movement into the channels provided a decent outlet for United.

Then, in the second half, he was through on goal on 66 minutes, but saw his eventual shot deflected into the side netting for a corner. A chance missed but overall the striker did well on his first appearance at Plainmoor.

STRENGTH IN RESERVE

During Saturday’s match, Torquay boss Paul Wotton sent on Jordan Thomas, Dan Hayfield, Matt Jay and Dylan Morgan as substitutes. Last season, Thomas, Hayfield and Jay were first team regulars for the Gulls, whilst Morgan, who missed a large part of last season due to injury but was a regular this season before the injury he sustained at home to AFC Totton.

This kind of strength in depth will stand United in good stead over the course of the season, but it will also provide Wotton with a headache, albeit a good one!