MATCH VERDICT
Joe Uglow
@Joe_Ugs
TORQUAY UNITED 0-3 WORTHING FC – MATCH SUMMARY
It was a disappointing afternoon at Plainmoor for United as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Worthing FC. In truth it could have been five or six had it not been for Mark Halstead as Worthing dominated proceedings from minute one.
The first half was a scrappy affair with the referee giving Jarvis and Ash very little protection as they were manhandled by former Gull Aaron Racine and his centre half partner. United played into their hands time and time again with the only plan seeming to be long balls up to Jarvis and play off the second balls.
Worthing on the other hand had a nice pattern of play to their game, short goal kicks into their midfield man Michael Klass who was able to turn and release either Joe Felix or Nicky Wheeler on the wing, and it was this type of move which led to the first Worthing goal in the 30th minute.
Wheeler was released into acres of space down the left wing and he had time to cut in and deliver an inch perfect in-swinging cross that was met by an unmarked Ricky Aguiar to make it 1-0.
Torquay continued to huff and puff but to no avail, a Stobbs cross was headed wide by Jarvis but that was as close as United would get to an equaliser.
1-0 at half time and a big second half required from United.
That big second half would fail to materialise, Moxey was brought on for the ineffective Jenkins-Davies with Donnellan moving into midfield, but more of the same ensued, Worthing time and time again beat the press and marauded up the pitch unchallenged with Torquay’s midfield non-existent.
In the 67th minute they made it 2-0; Ollie Pearce drove into the box unchallenged and unleashed a shot hard and low past Halstead.
This prompted GJ to take off Craske and throw on Da Silva, who spent a large part of his time on the pitch on the left wing, ignored by the other 9 in yellow.
A 25 yard volley by Donnellan which sailed just over was about as close as United got to a goal and Worthing sub Reece Meekums added the final sucker blow in the 91st minute as he travelled into the box, again unchallenged, and slipped the ball under the on-rushing Halstead. 3-0 game over, and United thoroughly outplayed by the part-timers from Sussex.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 7
It could have been 5 or 6 had it not been for his saves.
16. CB: Shaun Donnellan – 4
Shaun was erratic and picked poor passes when charging forward.
15. CB: Finley Craske – 4
He coped okay with Felix first half but looked a lot more shaky on the right side in the second half.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 4
Bullied by the Worthing front man, doesn’t look strong enough for me.
8. MF: Asa Hall – 4
Asa battled hard but looked well off the pace.
27. RWB: Jack Stobbs – 4
He had the majority of United’s attacking possession, few crosses looked dangerous, but no-one could get on the end of them.
18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 3
Lots of misplaced passes and looked like a boy playing in a men’s game, hooked at half time.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 2
Slow, ponderous, looks out of his depth even at this level.
10. LWB: Lewis Collins – 4
Ineffectual, was barely in the game.
11. ST: Bradley Ash – 4
Plenty of energy but little quality application, will hopefully have better afternoons.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 4
Dominated by Worthing CB Racine, not helped by the ref but can offer so much more.
Subs
7. MF: Ryan Hanson – 3
Only contribution was to foul and get booked, another who looks out of his depth even at this level.
17. LWB: Dillon De Silva – 4
Took about 10 mins to touch the ball, couple of half decent crosses towards the end but nothing special.
21. CB: Dean Moxey – 4
Deano didn’t look fit and spent the second half being ripped apart by Joe Felix.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – MARK HALSTEAD
Mark Halstead has to be the Gulls motm, but overall for me man of match was Michael Klass (No.8) for Worthing. Controlled the midfield and the game and made Worthing tick, our midfield could learn a lot from him!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Pass!
THE OFFICIALS
Poor but that’s the standard we have to expect at this level, didn’t impact the final result but she got a lot wrong in the middle today.
TACTICS
3-5-2 with Stobbs and Collins as wing backs. Would have preferred to see McGavin and Asa in the middle with WJD in front of them but for some reason Mcgavin played the furthest forward. I don’t think three centre halves is a viable formation in this league and would prefer us to revert to a flat back four in the future, either with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation.
THE OPPOSITION
Well coached, every time they moved forward there was a clear pattern of play to their game, if you were a neutral you’d have believed they were the full time professional side. Reminded me of Dorking last season, strong defence and exciting players who like to express themselves in midfield and attack.
CONCLUSION
Massive wake up call for the squad and massive improvements required if we are to challenge at the top of the table. In desperate need of a strong experienced centre back and some pace in the midfield (sound familiar?!).
COYY – JOE
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