Young escapes punishment for picking up fifth booking of the season

Torquay United’s top forward Jordan Young remains on a disciplinary tightrope, but he is available as the Gulls head into a potentially crucial spell of matches.

United’s leading scorer, and Player of the Year last season, picked up his fifth booking of this campaign in last Saturday’s 0-2 FA Trophy defeat by Maidstone United.

In normal circumstances that would incur a one-match suspension, but cup cautions are ‘competition specific’.

So Young, 26, can keep playing – for now.

The first cut-off point for a one-game ban – defender Ed Palmer has already crossed it – is five bookings in 19 league matches.

So Young needs to stay out of trouble for two more games. They are big ones too.

United have now been knocked out of both cups at the first hurdle – AFC Totton beat them in the FA Cup – which ups the ante for their top priority of promotion.

Paul Wotton’s side is currently in fourth place in the National League South, but four of their next six matches are against teams in the top-10.

Eastbourne Borough (21st) come to Plainmoor this Saturday, followed by in-form Worthing (3rd) next Tuesday night.

Then it’s improving Chelmsford City (9th) away, Tonbridge Angels (15th) at home (Dec 6), Totton (8th) away (Dec 20) and a Westcountry derby against Weston-super-Mare (2nd) at Plainmoor on Boxing Day.

There will be a ‘free’ weekend on December 13 for the third round of the Trophy.

Against Maidstone, Wotton ‘rested’ several players who have been carrying knocks in recent weeks.

But, with centre-forward Cody Cooke still at least a fortnight away from fitness after a pelvic injury, and midfielder Munashe Sundire not expected back until the New Year, United may well have to go back into the transfer market, before Christmas or sooner.

In the Trophy tie, United failed to capitalise on a bright start, although Dan Hayfield hit the post with a free-kick.

They were then punished by two quick goals against the run of play in the 28th and 34th minutes.

In front of a 1,624 crowd, the Trophy’s biggest on the day, Torquay forced a couple of good saves from Stones goalkeeper Lenny Holden.

But Wotton admitted that his side ‘huffed and puffed’ as they slid out of the competition.