Torquay United boss undaunted by derby double

Bath and Yeovil will give the Gulls two tough tests

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson says his players won’t be daunted by the prospect of facing two of the National League South’s in-form teams in the space of four frantic days.

Bumper Plainmoor crowds are expected for the derby double which sees Bath City visiting Torquay on Saturday afternoon and Yeovil Town heading west for a Tuesday night fixture.

Bath are third in the table while Yeovil are clear at the top, having won their last seven games on the trot.

But despite having slipped back from the top-of-the-table challengers’ spots after recent defeats, Torquay are still well in touch with the leaders.

Their form is brittle, though, and despite having the lion’s share of the possession and most of the chances against Hampton & Richmond last Saturday, they slipped to another disappointing defeat.

Now Johnson, who has come under fire from Gulls fans lately, says his players have been ‘chastised’ for their mistakes.

“We’re a strong group,” he said. “We believe in what we are doing and we have got to keep spirits up.

“These are two massive games. Our home form is very good, and a lot of that is down to our great support. We are going to need them again in these two home games.

“We need everybody in the football club to get behind the lads and help them with their confidence.”

With midfielder Tom Lapslie and winger Dillon De Silva close to returns after injury, and keeper Mark Halstead patched up after suffering a facial injury at the weekend, Johnson may have choices to make as he picks his team for the Bath game.

Midfielder Callum Dolan made an encouraging debut in Saturday’s defeat, while forward Theo Williams is likely to get game time at the weekend. Both have joined on loan from League One Fleetwood Town, who are managed by Johnson’s son Lee.

Torquay’s leading scorer Aaron Jarvis will be out until Christmas after suffering a knee injury in the defeat at Weston-super-Mare last month. But Jarvis will not need an operation on the injury, after initial fears that it would require surgery and could keep him out for the rest of the season.

“Theo is quick,” said Johnson. “He’s got presence because of his pace.

“We need to find another Aaron Jarvis, but they don’t grow on trees. We are trying, but there are not too many strikers like him out there.

“But we are playing two teams on form - two of the best teams in the league - and that is something to look forward to.”