MATCH VERDICT
Thomas Kelly
@tommyktufc
DOVER ATHLETIC 2-2 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
Torquay United’s return to regional football ended in a frustrating afternoon, where despite racing to a two goal lead early into the first half, United’s fragilities came back to bare as Dover deservedly recorded a 2-2 draw against Gary Johnson’s side in extremely wet conditions at Crabble.
It started so well for the lads in blue, Lewis Collins cross found Dover’s Chevron McLean who gave the Gulls a lead with an own goal. Perfect start.
It soon got even better. Asa Hall slotting home Will Jenkins Davies’ cross to send the Yellow Army into raptures.
Brad Ash agonisingly hit the post which turned out to be the turning point. Dover began to press and Halstead did well to tip over a thunderous shot over the bar as just before HT. Sadly, United failed to deal with a cross into the box soon after and the ball was slotted home by Sutherland to give the hosts renewed hope on the brink of half time.
United needed to respond strongly in the second half but in truth, Dover continued to look the stronger. Halstead again having to tip an effort over the bar as United’s control and assertion from the opening half hour completely went missing.
The killer blow landed on 65 minutes, United’s defence parting to let Dover equalise on the counter. It was too easy with the midfield missing in action and a two on two where United couldn’t cope and the result was 2-2. Dover had their tails up.
Aaron Jarvis from kick off should have made it 3-2 but missed from close range where he would normally bury those opportunities. Despite introductions from De Silva and Moxey, United left Crabble somewhat fortunate to take home a point. Saying that it should have been all 3 if not for another missed chance from Brad Ash right at the end of the game. Dover fans erupted like they had won promotion.
Just like the last time we were in the NLS, United start the season with a frustrating point on the road.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 8
Can’t fault Mark for either goal. Tricky conditions but coped very well.
16. CB: Shaun Donnellan – 5
Felt at times like he was a bit scattered and gave the ball away in our own half, especially in the second half. Missed having Deano next to him.
15. CB: Finley Craske – 5
First half looked composed but second half he (like the rest of the defence) struggled to deal with the wide men and was exploited.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 5
First half Ollie looked very comfortable and composed. Second half found it difficult to cope with the physicality and pace that Dover had. Definitely an improvement from those we had last season at the back mind you.
8. MF: Asa Hall – 6.5
Lovely finish for our second, surprised to see him last the full 90 mins in such a demanding game. Skied one over in the second half and found it hard to control the midfield as he did for the opening 30 mins.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 6
You know what you’re going to get with Tom. Worked hard but found him rather ineffective as the second half went on. Didn’t get booked, which is a plus!
18. RWB: Will Jenkins Davies – 6.5
Lovely work with the second goal, getting the cross in the box for Asa to slot home, however his set pieces today were poor. Difficult conditions admittedly, but we had some good opportunities to force the issue and wasted them. Exciting prospect though.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 5
Actually did OK I thought first half but once again his lack of pace is a hindrance and too much of our play slowed down when he was on the ball. Subbed early in the second half. No longer first choice set piece taker either.
10. LWB: Lewis Collins – 7
Did very well I thought. Set up the first goal and played some clever cut back passes. Subbed for De Silva in the second half.
11. ST: Bradley Ash – 6
His usual Brad Ash self. Got around the pitch but didn’t find much luck in front of goal. Could have won it right at the end for us, but better to come I’m sure.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 5.5
I may be a bit harsh but he missed two great chances that he would have buried towards the end of last season. Did well in the air but found he was isolated up top and the long ball to him wasn’t the right tactic considering the weather. Should have got a penalty for having his shirt pulled in the box mind you.
Subs
3. LWB: Dan Martin – 5
Settled in OK but didn’t change the flow of the game. Still in need of some minutes but good to have him back.
17. RWB: Dillon De Silva – 5
Welcome back Dillon. Needs some time to get to speed I think. Not sure on his overall fitness right now but gave a good account of himself. Moved over to the right side and had a bit more joy on that side of the pitch.
21. LB: Dean Moxey – N/A
Minutes in Deano’s legs but an odd substitution to make when you’re chasing a winner I felt. Once he’s fully fit he goes straight back into defence. His experience was missed today.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – MARK HALSTEAD
Has to be Mark. Kept us in the game with some smart stops. Considering all the attacking hype against a side (we believe) expected to struggle, when our GK is MOTM, it shows we still have issues to address in this squad.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Lewis Collins could easily be plying his trade in the NL and I think it’s a real coup to have him playing for us in the NLS. Made some smart touches and set up the first goal of the season. Very attacking minded player and gives us options if we need to shuffle the team a bit.
THE OFFICIALS
Didn’t feel like they wanted to give us much mostly in the second half. Completely missed a clear shirt pull on Jarvis in the box midway in the second half but he did get his cards out for Dover when required. I expect we’ll see much better and much worse this season.
TACTICS
3-5-2. Dover couldn’t deal with our pattern of play in the first 25 minutes but as soon as we let them in, we struggled to regain control. The goals we conceded were poor, especially their equaliser. Dover found gaps in the wing back areas and exploited whenever they could. It was hard to tell towards the end what formation we were playing in truth.
THE OPPOSITION
Physical. They had the correct approach and mentality to get back into the game and deservedly got a point for their efforts. Do I expect them to do much in the NLS this season? No. They had nothing to lose playing against everyone’s favourites for the title and made it a difficult place for us to play football. Seeing them celebrate at FT shows how big of a result that was for them and how poor our standards were. A sobering reality check that no NLS team will roll over for us this season.
CONCLUSION
Welcome back to the NLS Gulls fans! United have been many people’s tip for top spot this season and with many believing that this team would be a good one to have in the NL, let alone the NLS. So to see us drop two points after taking a commanding position early on, to a side not expected to do much other than fight relegation this season, is frustrating.
It’s almost as if we thought the job was done at 2-0 and we allowed Dover a route back into the game. We have to be ruthless in this division and be more intelligent in our play. The conditions were atrocious, but yet there we were persistently over-hitting long balls forward and leaving ourselves exposed at the back.
Is it panic stations already? No. We had our chances to win that game and on another day we probably would have won that game, but Gary Johnson will know that the performance isn’t good enough for a club talking about an immediate return to the NL.
I still think we need another CB and our 3-5-2 formation left weaknesses in the wing back area where Dover managed to find some space and took full advantage. We didn’t play the conditions well either and the mentality shift of being the “big boys” of the division will be one that United need to embrace on the pitch quickly. Also the midfield looked very flat and sluggish for large parts of the game and it left the back 3 exposed at key moments.
That said, two home wins and 7/9 points would be a good return to start the season and I’m sure United will be backed by the Plainmoor faithful come next Saturday. Dover (a) first game of the season had all the hallmarks of being a potential banana skin and this result highlights that we will have to fight for every single point this season if we want an immediate return to the NL.
On the plus side, we drew our first NLS game away in the 18/19 season and that ended well didn’t it! Onwards to Plainmoor and hopefully some home comforts.
COYY – THOMAS
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