MATCH VERDICT
Thomas Kelly
@tommyktufc
Thomas discusses the draw at Gateshead
GATESHEAD FC 1-1 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
Torquay United travelled up to the North East looking for a win, but ended up with a draw and a point which they barely deserved.
The first half was a mess of scrappiness and poor play between two teams with very little quality. Both teams threatened briefly, but there was no belief in either attack and despite the Yellow Army’s best efforts to cajole their 11 men on, this was a sleepy half that meandered into the half time interval.
Into the second half and ‘the Heed’ had clearly had a stirring team talk, they looked to get on the front foot and deservedly took the lead when a low short from striker Dinanga found the bottom right hand corner. Mark Halstead went off soon after nursing an injury with Rhys Lovett taking his place, perhaps Mark would’ve done better with the goal had he been fully fit, but we’ll never know. Such are the ifs and buts of Torquay’s poor season.
This goal did see a response from the Gulls and a strong run from new man Stobbs down the right, saw the ball fall to Kieron Evans on the outskirts of the box, and his sharp volley had the necessary authority and accuracy to make it 1-1. Some reward and cheer for the travelling 173 who had made the trip!
Would this strike spur United onto better things? Unfortunately not, Gary Johnson’s men lacked any urgency and frankly looked happy to take a point, and it was Gateshead FC who asked all the questions, with Dean Moxey coming to the rescue with a clearance off the line. 1-1 it finished, another draw on our travels and another result that simply isn’t good enough for the Gulls.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
Picked up an injury late in the first half, perhaps at fault for the goal.
16. RB: Shaun Donnellan – 4
Once again gave away possession far too often and a better team would have punished us more.
19. CB: Nico Lawrence – 7
Another solid display from the loanee.
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 6
Did alright although Gateshead found space around him all game. Lucky to have Lawrence next to him.
21. LB: Dean Moxey – 6
Good to have you back Deano. First half every cross seemed to find the keeper but was solid for the majority and made a great stop on the goal-line.
14. CM: Brett McGavin – 3
Poor. Slow, gave the ball away like Donnellan. Not good enough at this level.
28. CM: Kevin Dawson – 6
An improvement to the shower we’ve had come through the door. Did OK but could have done better for Gateshead’s goal.
27. RW: Jack Stobbs – 7
Looked to create when he was on the ball. Unlucky to see his effort blocked when the keeper fluffed it with Jarvis and contributed to Evans’s equaliser.
11. LW: Kieron Evans – 7.5
Took his goal really well in the only bit of true quality from us all game. Took a while to get going but easily one of our most creative outlets.
10. ST: Tope Fadahunsi – 5
A frustrating player. I really want to see him do well but he’s too soft on the ball and lacks pace. Offered very little.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 6
Worked hard and was shattered at full time. Sadly our tactics of keeping eleven players behind the ball from set pieces killed a lot of our attacking intent.
Subs
7. MF: Ryan Hanson (for Dawson 73) – 4
Nothing to say!
22. GK: Rhys Lovett (for Halstead 58) – 6
Made some sharp saves when needed.
8. CM: Asa Hall (for McGavin 73) – 5
Did OK. Got stuck in but nothing major of note.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Kieron Evans
Kieron scored a beautiful goal and looked to create on the ball. One of the few Torquay United players with any ability.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS – The Yellow Army
Honourable Mentions should be called the ‘Yellow Army award’ this season! 173 supporters made the effort to see a terrible team slug out a draw over 380 miles away from Torquay, despite one win in 10 and despite being 22nd (now 23rd) in the league. Heroic support from all.
THE OFFICIALS
Typical National League standards! Bad.
TACTICS
4-4-2 with Dean Moxey slotting back in for Ali Omar, new winger Jack Stobbs replacing Lewis Collins and Brett McGavin coming in for the suspended Tom Lapslie. Nothing imaginative to see here!
THE OPPOSITION
Mike Williamson’s team like to build patiently from the back, and this made for a slow-paced and rather dull first half. They stepped up the pace in the second half and will be disappointed at not being able to put away this poor Torquay United team.
CONCLUSION
The Yellow Army did themselves proud again today on the long trip up north, but the team again fell short in a game they had to win. There are no signs that Gary Johnson, with his numerous excuses and this sad looking squad, will inspire a miraculous winning run, and no signs that we are heading anywhere apart from the National League South. What a season, get me a drink!
COYY – TOM
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