MANAGER Gary Johnson admitted that Torquay United’s finishing could have been better, and he dedicated their 2-0 win over struggling Chorley to Plainmoor groundsman Julian Gouldthorpe and his staff.
The Gulls followed up their 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing FC Halifax Town seven days before with three more points which may not have closed the gap on the National League Play-Offs but put more daylight between them and the relegation zone.
“I am happy with the result, although obviously the performance wasn’t fantastic – it could have had more finishing touches to it,” said Johnson.
“But credit to both teams in those conditions – when that wind blew, it really blew. It was difficult to get a grip on the game and the ball.
“The boys had to work hard. Chorley have had a lot of nil-againsts, but their trouble is that they don’t score many.
“I’m pleased that Robbie Cundy scored from a set-play – he knew he was due one – and Reidy (Jamie Reid) got his goal near the end after missing a couple.
“It’s nice to get a second win, and we’ve got two difficult away games now (Sutton, Boreham Wood).
“It’s also nice to get clear of a few teams below us.”
Johnson, who confirmed that AFC Bournemouth loanee Frank Vincent has returned to the club after recovering from ankle surgery, added: “I want to dedicate the win to Julian, Mark (assistant groundsman Mark White) and also George Edwards (chief operation officer).
“With the amount of rain we’ve had in this region, they’ve worked so hard to get the pitch as good as it is – they were out at two o’clock on Friday morning trying to keep the covers on the pitch.
“I also thought the crowd played their part. They could have got a bit frustrated, but they stayed with the lads.”