Manager Gary Johnson was once again pleased with both the quality and commitment shown by his side, after United triumphed over Maidenhead 2-1 at Plainmoor on Tuesday evening.
“I’m always delighted with every three points that we get,” began Johnson
“As I’ve said before, it puts teams that are in the pack further behind you. If they slip up, we mustn’t, and that’s how you have to go about it. We’ve played some great football this season so far, but the first 20 minutes was cosmic, it’s the only word I can think of, and we put so much energy into demoralising them we needed to be 4-0 up, and deserved to be 4-0 up.
“Credit to them, they threw themselves in front of everything, but it wasn’t necessarily missed chances – it was chances with great bits of combination play, with nearly an end product. It was good to get the goal just before half time, that was good going in, it warmed up our supporters. We got the second goal and it looked ok then.”
It was not just the attacking verve shown by his charges that shone through in another excellent display though, with United’s boss reporting that a number of players played through the pain barrier in a bid to extend United’s record-breaking start to the season.
“I’ve got to give credit to Danny Wright, he’s been on the treatment table the last couple of days. We didn’t think he’d be available, but he wanted to play, and had a pain killing pill. Connor played when he had a scything down last week – if he’s not a super hero, he doesn’t play today – but he wants to play, his pain threshold is unbelievable. We had Asa, who had to take painkillers as well, so there’s some people that went beyond the call of duty today, and that’s why we have to change a couple, because ‘Whits’ got injured down there on his Achilles.
“Hopefully they’ll be ready for the weekend, but every game is coming thick and fast. All teams are having the same problem, but I can understand why some teams sit back a little bit, we didn’t want them to score that one and make it a little closer, but I think we saw out the last ten minutes very well. I’m very proud of them again.”
With supporters once again able to cheer on their heroes from close-quarters, Johnson also praised the contribution played by the Yellow Army in securing another valuable three points.
“The crowd were good just when they needed them to be. When it was all quiet and we had a goal kick and there were a few minutes to go, then the chant goes up, and it does pick the players up I promise you, so please keep that going, if they’re allowed to, I don’t want to upset anybody! It was another result for the club, I always see it as a club thing, it’s nice to still be top of the league.
“That’s what they are coming in for, to support the team. It’s great to celebrate with them at the end, and the boys deserve the support and applause they’re getting from the crowd and vice versa. It’s still early, it’s 12 games now – normally by Christmas you’ve played 28 games or something- it’s still early, but we’ve certainly made an fantastic start, so well done to everybody.”
United continue to set the pace at the top of the division, and although some rivals slipped up during the course of another topsy-tervy evening in the National League, Torquay’s boss is quick to stress out there is still a very long way to go yet.
“Every win you make, every win you take. You make ground up on the opposition because there’s going to be teams that want to be up the top themselves. Before the season started, there were a few that were more ‘favourites’ than us, but it’s good. When you’re there, you’re there to be shot at, everyone’s going to try to beat the team at the top, so they can gloat that they beat the top of the league team, but we’re hanging on in there, and they’re playing some great stuff.
“When you put the highlights together, and credit to the highlight makers, because it shows you how many opportunities we created, whereas when maybe last year when we didn’t quite get it together, the highlights were about three minutes long. Now they’re getting to 11, 12s and things like that!
“That’s good, and I’m very pleased that we’re getting these points often.”