MATCH VERDICT
Joe Uglow – @Joe_Ugs
Joe discusses the game at Plainmoor
TORQUAY UNITED 1-2 SOUTHEND UNITED
Torquay succumbed to their second defeat of the week as they went down 2-1 to Southend at Plainmoor.
The first half was a non-event as far as United were concerned with no meaningful attacks, and it was Southend who struck first. A poor Dillon De Silva clearance was pounced on by the Southend right back and after some impressive build-up play Callum Powell was slid in to slot past Halstead. 1-0 Southend.
Torquay continued to struggle to carve out a clear chance with a wayward Donnellan 20 yard strike the closest we would come. Southend on the other hand were finding a lot of joy down the United right hand side where Jacob Mensah, making his full debut, was struggling to get to grips with the impressive Jack Bridge and Cav Miley.
United held on and went into the break only 1-0 down but a much improved performance was needed in the second half if we were to get back into it!
It was no surprise to see Mensah hooked at half time, replaced by Lewis Collins. Donnellan slotted back into RWB and Collins slotted into the ‘Number 10’ role in behind Fadahunsi and Jarvis.
There was no obvious improvement to United’s play in the second half and they were still struggling to carve out any clear chances. A Collins ball over the top was chased down by Dillon De Silva, but he took his shot far too early and blazed it over. That was to be his last involvement of the game as he made way for Ben Wyatt shortly after.
Torquay continued to huff and puff without any real quality, but eventually in the 84th minute they managed to get a breakthrough. A Hanson long throw was hurled into the box and after good strength by Fadahunsi the ball fell to Lewis Collins who fired home for 1-1.
The goal seemed to lift United and suddenly we were on top. As the fourth official signalled 5 minutes of injury time McGavin was brought down 5 yards outside the area, free kick to United…
Mcgavin lined up to smash it at goal but the wall stood firm, and the ball spilled to Southend who were now on the counter attack. They broke quickly with yellow shirts struggling to get back and Cav Miley drove into the box sliding the ball past the on-rushing Halstead to secure all 3 points for Southend, 2-1, game over!
Another below par performance from this United side and it’s hard to see with todays line-up how we will manage to put a run together to climb out of danger.
It’s clear that the ownership are not bothered about us going down considering the perceived lack of investment in the squad, especially in the second half of this season. Let’s hope in 12 months time there aren’t opposition fans singing “you’re going bust in the morning” at us, as some of our unintelligent fanbase were directing at Southend today.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. Mark Halstead 6 – GK
Didn’t have many saves to make, I was the opposite end for the first goal but it looked like he could have been quicker off his line to try and close the angle. But I might be harsh.
21. Dean Moxey 5 – CB
Looks tired and fed up, probably something to do with the total crap he’s surrounded by, will surely be his last season at Plainmoor.
19. Nico Lawrence 7 – CB
Another good display from the 19 year old, far better than any other player in yellow, He has a bright future ahead of him.
6. Ross Marshall 5 – CB
Wayward clearances and poor headers throughout, pretty much what we’ve come to expect from Marshall
27. Dillon De Silva 5 – LWB
Another quiet afternoon for Dillon, not helped by the persistence of playing him as a wing back, if he’s to be any use to us he needs to be played much higher up the pitch. Not sure he went past their full back all game.
16. Shaun Donnellan 5 – MF
Average performance from Donners, evidenced by how easily he let Miley run 40 yards towards the penalty area for the winner. Has had and will have better days.
4. Tom Lapslie 5 – MF
Full of energy and running all game as always, albeit not a lot of quality end product. Seems to be one of a very select few that care. Needs to stop mouthing off at the ref, which produced an unnecessary booking.
14. Brett McGavin 4 – MF
Misplaced passes, poor set pieces and slow to get back and break up play. Had high hopes for him in the summer but with 10 mins to go I’d have rather have had Hanson on the pitch, which says it all.
12. Jacob Mensah 4 – RWB
Run ragged first half and sensibly taken off at half time, don’t think right wing back is the position for him.
9. Aaron Jarvis 5 – ST
It wasn’t Aaron’s day today, pocketed by Shaun Hobson all game, he didn’t get a sniff.
10. Tope Fadahunsi 5 – ST
Plenty of effort, not a lot of quality, well marshalled by the impressive Southend central defenders.
Subs
15. Ben Wyatt 5 – LB
Ben didn’t do a great deal when he came on.
7. Ryan Hanson 5 – MF
Same as Wyatt!
31. Lewis Collins 6 – RWB
Took his goal well, but not sure if he added much more to our game than that. A downgrade on Goodwin for sure.
MAN OF THE MATCH – NICO LAWRENCE
Nico will go on to have a very good career, vastly superior to all of our other defenders. Unfortunately he can’t do it all on his own though.
THE OFFICIALS
No major decisions for him to get wrong but would have liked him to be a bit stronger on the Southend time wasting, not that it would have made much of a difference.
TACTICS
3-5-2 – This formation just doesn’t work with the personnel we have available, two wing backs playing out of position, on the right; Mensah looked like a centre half being asked to play at wing back and on the left DDS looked like a winger who had been reminded of his defensive duties, therefore he ended up barely stepping foot in the opposition’s half.
The absence of Evans was felt in the middle with no-one capable of getting on the ball and driving forward, not that I think Evans is incredibly good at that, but he at least has a go.
THE OPPOSITION
Nothing special, but very solid defensively, and got forward in numbers. Bridge and Miley looked dangerous, no surprise that Bridge was being linked with Notts County in the week.
They showed far more heart and determination than our side. Considering they’re not even getting paid at the moment and have no assurances over their future employment, our boys ought to be ashamed.
CONCLUSION
Another poor performance and another missed opportunity to capitalise on other results that went our way. 14 games left, with 6 of them at home, we are going to have to put together some run of form to get out of this mess. Unfortunately it feels increasingly likely that we will be playing regional football again next season.
COYY – JOE
SOCIAL MEDIA
TT PARTNERS
TORQUAYTALK 