Torquay United Manager Highlights Team’s Persistence in FA Trophy Triumph

Paul Wotton, manager of Torquay United, conveyed his admiration for his squad’s determination during their 1-0 FA Trophy victory over Truro City. Wotton, who was positioned in the stands alongside co-chairman Michael Westcott due to a one-match touchline suspension, witnessed Dan Hayfield convert a superb free-kick into the top corner eight minutes after the interval. This occurred after Truro’s Connor Riley-Lowe had a goal disallowed in the first half. The win secures a third-round match for the Gulls, who had reached the fourth round in the previous season. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Wotton stated, “I’ll always pride my team on working hard, it’s what I was as a player and my boys showed that.” He further emphasized their resilience, adding, “They never quit, they never gave up.” Wotton also highlighted the team’s defensive solidity, remarking, “I can’t remember us losing many first contacts in the box, which is really important and the fans appreciate the hard work, I know they do.” From his position in the stands, a consequence of his one-match touchline ban, Wotton specifically commended defender Oscar Threlkeld. Threlkeld, a former player for Plymouth Argyle, Salford City, and Bradford City, joined the club in the summer following his departure from Morecambe. Wotton commented, “He’s a player I’ve known for 10 years now. I’ve coached him for a long time,” and continued, “I think lots of people will go away and not talk about him, which is kind of good.” The manager concluded by describing the performance as ideal: “It was a manager’s dream performance today. Breaking it up, nitty gritty, the horrible stuff that lots of people don’t see, but people who know football see it.”