TT Match Verdict
Chris Wade – @ChrisWa29068639
2-1
Summary
Torquay made it 3 wins out of 4 at the start of this strange season with (another) last minute winner to beat Chesterfield 2-1 at Plainmoor on Tuesday evening. It was a deserved three points after a strong second half display, culminating in Asa Hall’s 94th minute nodded winner in front of the Family Stand*.
There was one change to the starting eleven from Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Bromley. Dean Moxey came into the side for his eagerly anticipated debut after serving a three-match ban from his time up the road. Jake Andrews dropped to the bench, where Asa Hall also returned to the match day squad.
After a flurry of early free kicks, United took the lead in the 9th minute. Danny Wright intercepted the ball on half way and Adam Randell fed Ben Whitfield on the left. His cross was dropped by goalkeeper Dean Letheren, and after flicking Aaron Nemane’s head, Louis Britton reacted quickest to stab the ball in from three yards out. The perfect start.
Chesterfield are a physical side with big Tom Denton up front, and Sam Sherring had to be alert to block a goal bound volley shortly afterwards. Denton then headed a long cross onto the outside of Lucas Covolan’s left hand post. Ben Whitfield was lively, and came close with a couple of snapshots. Three free kicks in good areas around the edge of the Chesterfield box were also wasted.
Two minutes before the break, Chesterfield equalised. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans reacted slowly to a loose ball on the edge of the area and shoved Liam Mandeville. It was very close to being in the box. Mandeville’s free kick was well saved by Covolan but was pushed out not away, and Denton reacted quickest to poke home from six yards. An even first half ended level.
The Yellows came out after the break and dominated the second half. There was a lot of goal mouth action in the Chesterfield half. Cameron headed wide from a corner, Whitfield fizzed a drive just wide, Moxey couldn’t quite redirect a Randell flick on from another corner, and Sam Sherring had a header from a third corner cleared off the line. United were pressing hard, but a serious of changes disrupted the flow of the game. One of them saw the introduction of Asa Hall in the 81st minute, and it was he that would have the decisive moment.
Following a foul on Whitfield, fellow sub Jake Andrews drifted a free kick in that was cleared for United’s 6th corner of the second half in the 94th minute. Andrews played the ball into the box and Hall got in front of his man to nod a header beyond the despairing dive of a defender on the line to kiss the right-hand post and go into the net.
This being Torquay, there was still time for one heart stopping moment. Chesterfield shot straight from the kick off, and Covolan had to back track and push the ball up and onto the crossbar and back out. The final whistle sealed three more lovely points.
*There has since been some suggestion on Twitter that Wynts got the final touch. It seems incredibly immaterial at this stage.
Player Ratings
Lucas Covolan 6 –Very quiet night for the Brazilian, apart from the usual couple of moments of on the floor drama. Good save before their goal but may have pushed it away more.
Ben Wynter 6 – One of United’s best players so far this season was solid again, although was stood still when Denton reacted quickest for the equaliser. Always a threat going forward.
Kyle Cameron 7 – Another strong display from the captain on the night. Won a lot in the air and was unfortunate not to score in the second half. A real warrior performance from our man again.
Sam Sherring 7 – Solid once again, apart from one iffy back pass. He is big and strong for a youngster and fought Denton well. Also, unfortunate not to score in the second half.
Dean Moxey 7 – Oozed class from the first minute. Calm on the ball and linked up well with Whitfield down the left. Made the right decision every time.
Aaron Nemane 6 – Worked hard and was industrious again. He needs to add more end product to his game as in the Stockport game.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 7 – Hard working game. Moved with the ball well and seems to benefiting from the formation. Did waste some set pieces.
Adam Randell 8 – Another impressive display. Controlled the tempo of the midfield well and rarely wasted the ball.
Ben Whitfield 6 –Similar night to Nemane. Had a good first half and put the cross in for the first goal. Clearly a quality player but need to see more end product more often.
Danny Wright 6 – Quiet night. Took an early knock and didn’t seem to be moving that well. Replaced after an hour.
Louis Britton 6 –Scored his first United goal and was lively. Learning his trade but a useful addition to the squad.
Subs
Olaf Koszela 5 – Pleased to see him introduced as he needs opportunities in the first team. Couldn’t get into the game though and was outmuscled on several occasions.
Jake Andrews 6 –Didn’t settle to the pace of the game, but put the match winning corner into the box.
Asa Hall 7 – Didn’t have time to do much apart from head the winner!
Have your say
Do you agree with these ratings? Click here to have your say on our own player ratings vote.
Man of The Match
Adam Randell – Another exciting and mature display from the Plymouth loanee. An old work Argyle supporting colleague of mine messaged me when we signed him surprised they had let him out on loan. I see why now. Dictated the speed of our play and was able to move the ball quickly through midfield. Calm on the ball, picks the right option and dangerous going forward. Season loan please.
Honourable Mentions
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans – As a general comment he needs to make more correct decisions on the ball to take his game to the next level, but he did well tonight. He was able to travel with the ball well and drive through the midfield. Will have Armani Little breathing down his neck soon (hopefully).
Tactics
Whilst the formation was more fluid at Bromley, it was certainly a more rigid 4-4-2 tonight. Two good full backs that are good going both ways helps, and natural width and two forwards. Exploited Chesterfield’s three at the back by getting Nemane and Whitfield down the sides and isolating the full backs one on one well throughout. As good as always from GJ.
Opposition
What is good from 9 points out of 12 is that I don’t feel we have played any teams that will struggle yet, and Chesterfield will be the same again. Big and physical with a big threat from a long throw, they have the players to mount a play-off push. Scott Boden was a fortunate miss suspended for us, and they will be tough to beat, especially at home.
Officials
Those that know me well will tell you that I can be known to have a moan at a ref, but I thought that Scott Jackson was good tonight. A lot of early fouls but gave everything you would expect in the main. Possible red card when Cropper shoved Whitfield into the hoardings in the second half, but was generally not noticed, what should be the same for all officials.
Key Moment
Has to be the 94th minute (again). After throwing everything at Chesterfield, it looked like we would have to settle for a point. But a quality delivery and winning header later, we were heading home with all three points (well, to the kitchen for a brew!)
Conclusion
Another hugely satisfying evening in the early stages of this strange season. Against a strong side, we were comfortably the better side and only side that were going to win it. The ability to win games late on and keep going is priceless, and 3 injury time winners out of 4 will do nicely. Perhaps a more comfortable afternoon on Saturday though please lads?
Social Media
Up next:
Dover (h) – Saturday 17th October
TWITTER – @TORQUAYTALK
INSTAGRAM – torquaytalk
SPOTIFY – TT PLAYLIST
Proud Away Sponsor of Kyle Cameron
TORQUAYTALK 