TT REVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

SHIELD EXCELS AGAIN

For the third home game in a row, Harry Shield was one of Torquay’s star performers and deservedly claimed the sponsor’s man of the match award.

Primarily a right-back, Shield was deployed as a right wing-back in manager Jimmy Ball’s 5-3-2 formation and he played a key role in the opening goal of the game in the 27th minute. His cross from the right was inadvertently turned into the back of his own net by Maidstone’s Franky Hvid.

SOLID DISPLAY FROM JENKINS

Whilst Harry Shield looked sharp at right wing-back, Kian Jenkins produced arguably his best display for the Gulls to date at left wing-back.

Like Shield, Jenkins dealt well with Maidstone’s attacks and was strong offensively as well.

Although, it’s still too early to be comparing them to Jim McNichol and Tom Kelly (1987-88) and Andy Gurney and Paul Gibbs (1997-98), they are both acquitting themselves well to life at Plainmoor.

A DAY TO FORGET FOR CODY

Saturday was a day that Gulls striker Cody Cooke will want to forget in a hurry; firstly he saw his penalty turned behind for a corner by Maidstone keeper Lenny Holden in the 32nd minute. Then, with six minutes to go, his sliced headed clearance landed straight in the path of Franky Hvid who nodded home the Stones’ equaliser.

Nevertheless, Cody did work hard and put a real shift in, and helped to tee up Deon Moore for a chance in the 56th minute which was parried away by Holden.

MATT JAY

The term ‘thinking man’s footballer’ could easily be applied to Matt Jay, who recently announced that he will be combining his playing duties with that of head of youth at the club.

Having made a big contribution when coming off the bench this season, he also had a big impact on starting against Maidstone in weather conditions that weren’t ideal for a cultured ball player like Jay.

However, Jay made an impact as he helped win the penalty on 31 minutes and also had a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the second half that narrowly cleared the cross bar.

ANOTHER DRAW

Although the Gulls remain unbeaten at home in National League South, they also have drawn five at Plainmoor – which gives them the joint-third highest number of draws in the division.

It’s a record that they jointly hold with Hemel Hempstead Town and Dorking Wanderers, Horsham are second on the list with six while to Chelmsford City who have nine draws to their name.

As former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock, who won five promotions in England and Scotland, once said: ‘draws can kill, as it’s better to win one and draw one.’

Two draws will earn you two points, whereas a win and a loss earns you three and the challenge facing Jimmy Ball and United is to turn those draws into wins.