MATCH VERDICT
Joe Uglow – @Joe_Ugs
Joe blogs about the game at Plainmoor
TORQUAY UNITED 1-3 WOKING FC – MATCH SUMMARY
Torquay continued their dismal start to the campaign as Woking headed back up the road on Bank Holiday afternoon with all three points.
In truth there was very little quality on show all afternoon, especially in the first half.
Woking started the brightest enjoying the lion share of possession, with Daly on the right wing impressing. Early in the half Woking nearly took the lead, Daly cutting in and crashing the ball off the upright, with Lovett beaten.
United grew into the game in the last 10 mins before half time but never really looked like fashioning a chance. Woking looked a typical Woking and Darren Sarrl side morphed into one with lots of strong challenges, niggly fouls and plenty of physicality.
Half time came and the Plainmoor crowd was grateful for some goalmouth action with the 4 mascots for the day taking part in a penalty shoot-out!
The boys came out for the second half vastly improved and it wasn’t long before we had our first chance.
A long goal kick found Hanson who rose highest to flick the ball in behind the Woking defence for Corie Andrews to go through one on one with the keeper.
Now, the Corie Andrews from his highlights reel slots it past the keeper with ease. But ours seems to be lacking fitness, devoid of any confidence and more interested in feigning injuries when confronted by big physical centre halves.
Andrews smashed the ball at the advancing Craig Ross who saved well.
The rebound fell to Will Goodwin who drove his shot goal-bound, it beat the keeper but unfortunately for United, Luke Wilkinson got his head to it, and the ball was cleared. Wilkinson stayed prone on the ground and after lengthy treatment was withdrawn from the pitch, with the experienced Scott Cuthbert coming on to replace him.
Torquay were in the ascendancy for the first time all afternoon and it wasn’t long before we got the breakthrough. A Moxey long throw was only half cleared and the ball was slid back in down the left side of the penalty area. Ali Omar latched onto it and floated a lovely cross for Ross Marshall to head home. 1-0 United!
Time for Torquay to kick on and build on the first goal? It wasn’t to be!
Woking responded to going a goal down well and managed to get a goal back shortly after. A corner was whipped over to the back post and there was winger Daly to nod it in, despite Lovett’s attempts to keep it out. 1-1.
Woking’s tails were up and United’s heads seemed to drop.
Minutes later, Jermaine Anderson picked the ball up and drove towards the United goal unleashing a fierce shot. Lovett saved well but he could only parry it towards the approaching Daly who fired it home. 2-1 Woking.
The game had turned on its head within 10 minutes of United going 1-0 up.
Torquay pressed forward for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be, instead Woking managed to break from a Moxey long throw, and with too many yellow men forward, Jack Roles went through one on one and slotted it past Lovett. 3-1 Woking, Game over.
PLAYER RATINGS
Rhys Lovett – 5 – Flapped at most crosses, which brought unnecessary pressure on ourselves. Made a good save in second half, and I may be being harsh but feel he could have done better with the first goal.
Dylan Crowe – 5 – Defensive awareness is non-existent and doesn’t offer an outlet going forward either. Hard act to follow but looks a big downgrade on Ben Wynter. Dan Martin had a similar slow start so let’s hope Crowe can turn it around like Martin managed to!
Ross Marshall – 6 – Decent header for his goal, poor distribution at times, leading to many throw-ins for sliced clearances.
Ali Omar – 7 – Defensively solid, won his headers, cleared the danger well and stood a great cross up for Marshall to get our goal. A vastly improved player this season.
Dean Moxey – 5 – Poor distribution in the first half, didn’t seem to be able to pick out another yellow shirt at times, improved as the game went on. Beaten by Daly at the back-post for Woking’s first goal. 2 games in 3 days would have been tough for the 36 year old.
Ben Wyatt – 6 – Defensively he is more solid than Crowe but similarly he offers very little going forward.
Shaun Donnellan – 5 – Game passed him by, can’t remember him doing anything of note.
Ryan Hanson – 5 – One player I’ve been pretty disappointed with, doesn’t break up play, doesn’t get on the ball and make things happen, not sure what his role in the side is.
Brett McGavin – 6 – Tried to get on the ball and make things happen but rest of team were rarely on the same wave length.
Will Goodwin – 5 – Battled well, couple of really good moments in the first half but faded out of the game second half.
Corie Andrews – 5 – Really should have done better with his chance in the second half. What frustrates me with Corie is when the ball isn’t played exactly into his feet, his first reaction is to throw his hands up and moan rather than adjusting and trying to get on the end of the loose ball. Expected a lot more from him when we signed him.
Subs
Nelson Iseguan – 5 – Didn’t do a lot when he came on, not sure he’s a game changer or good enough for this level.
Asa Hall – 5 – Don’t think he had a touch.
Dan Martin – 5 – Not on for long, one good cross put in but no-one on the end of it.
MAN OF THE MATCH – ALI OMAR
Won his battles in defence and made a great assist for the goal. I think I’d even trust him in a back four now.
THE OFFICIALS
Thought James Durkin got most of his decisions right today, and wasn’t afraid to show the Woking side a card for their persistent cynical fouls. Seemed to book Goodwin for being put in a headlock which was strange.
TACTICS
3-5-2 again. Lovett coming in for the injured Halstead and Donnellan in for Evans.
It’s clear that the summer’s recruitment was done with this formation in mind but unfortunately it’s not working right now. The Wing Backs are reluctant to get forward and beat a man and this means our play ends up being so narrow. A change of shape looks our best hope of turning our fortunes around.
THE OPPOSITION
Typical Darren Sarll side; physical, hard working, with a bit of quality from James Daly on the wing. Wasn’t impressed by Padraig Amond up front, so I’m glad we avoided signing him in the summer!
CONCLUSION
Another lacklustre display from United and we’re in an identical position to the one we were in exactly a year ago, except this time we don’t look like we have a 15 goal and 15 assist midfielder in our side.
Looked better in the first 20 mins of the second half but it’s so disappointing how our heads dropped after conceding the equaliser. There looks to be some ability in this side, but the lack of mental strength does concern me. A couple of signings that aren’t fresh out of a youth team is what we need but not sure if we have the budget to go out and do that!
COYY – Joe
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TORQUAYTALK 
Perfect assessment of the day.
Andrews spends more time on his backside, he is a huge disappointment. He cannot face the physicality of this league. Young Goodwin at least shows some fight. Crowe has lost confidence as I thought he looked promising pre season.
Desperately need experience head to lead this attack and show them where the net is.
Woeful injury list which begs to ask more questions!
If people think Jarvis is the answer….take a look at his goal record…. Next to useless.
Very concerned at this moment
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I’m pretty sure it was supposed to be a 442 yesterday. Hanson appeared to play right mid and if it wasn’t 442 then there is something seriously wrong with the players if they can’t even understand what position they should be in
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I think you’re right about Andrews, he has a real attitude problem. I haven’t seen any magic, he seems slow, there’s little movement, he’s fluffed several one on ones already this season and seems more interested in diving and complaining. He just doesn’t look like he wants to be here.
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