NLS: Torquay United v Dartford 3pm 9th March 2024

Both this game and Tuesday’s are absolute six pointers.

Looks like one of Welling, Dartford, Taunton and us to join the bottom three in relegation.

These are the kind of games we must win.

Another couple of draws would leave us staring down the barrel at an unthinkable relegation.

We could be playing one of Willand, Tavistock and Bideford in a league match next season!

Virtually a full squad to chose from today-apart from Craske, Hall and Marshall (suspended).

Possible recall for Booth to replace Marshall and will be interesting to see who drops out from the midfield to accommodate Lapslie- one of McGavin or Jenkins-Davies you would think?

Can't imagine there will be any changes up front- but would Archer playing behind Jarvis as lone striker work ,for the misfiring Ash?

Much stronger bench, with cover for most positions and players' that should have some impact if required.

Late bench change Hall for Martin.

Finally! Something to cheer about at Plainmoor!All we need now is a committed owner.

Delighted to see a win at last and just goes to prove when Torquay do up their game, they should have too much for a lot of these part time teams in this league. You could say Downes must have given a good half time team talk as our first half performance was poor. Dartford had 3 or 4 clear chances in the first half and seemed able to carve open our poor defence when they attacked. Even in the first couple of minutes a low shot beat Halstead at his near post and crashed off the post. I am not convinced about Tomlinson being in the middle of a back three as he does clearly lack physicality. Torquay's only attempts of note in the first half were a couple of shots by MacGavin and Ash that just went wide. Out defence looked vulnerable to say the least and nothing was clicking in midfield or attack. It was a disjointed first performance and made you think that there was no improvement post Johnson which is pretty condemning.

However all this uncertainty was forgotten in the second half when Torquay scored three quick fire goals. Jarvis won and converted a penalty, the impressive Jude-Boyd finished off a Stobbs cross and Ash finished from close range after their keeper spilled a shot. Torquay's confidence returned and finally looked like a decent team for the first time in many games. Dartford got a deserved goal back as 3-0 flattered Torqauy considering the number of clear chances Dartford had. The second half was an open and entertaining watch and there was a chance at 3-1 Torquay still might throw things away.

Jenkins-Davies came on with big Ofori-Acheampong up front that proved to be inspired substitutions. Jenkins-Davies added good energy and Ofori-Acheampong gave his usual commitment and ended up bundling over our fourth goal from close range. Hopefully this win will boost our confidence but question marks remain over our defence I'm afraid. Dartford over the entire match had many chances and only their finishing, decent goalkeeping from Halstead or last ditch defending prevented Dartford from scoring a similar amount to Torquay. Tomlinson did some decent defending at times but surely we need someone physical at the centre of a back three. The score line was harsh on Dartford and they also brought a decent away following. But it is the result is what matters in the end so well done Torquay for that. 4-1 is a very good score line and let us hope we can build on that.