MATCH VERDICT
Tom Beddows
@BeddowsTom
ST ALBANS CITY 0-1 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
A sunny afternoon in Hertfordshire, with a large away following arrived on the partly open terrace behind the goal.
The game started quietly, with no team able to make any immediate impact on one another. All of the early chances came to those in blue & white, with Stobbs delivering our main opportunities in the box. Torquay had much more of the ball throughout the first half and were able to dominate areas on the pitch, but were unable to take advantage of their possession and chances made. The St Albans keeper claiming many of the early corners and crosses that came from a United shirt.
Our best chance, so far on the half hour mark, again created by Stobbs, met by De Silva on the far post but he was only able to head wide.
The United players kept the pressure on and from a corner, the ball found its way into the box, with a scramble ensuing, somehow the ball landed in front of Tomlinson who was able to tuck it away. 1-0 Torquay.
As the first half neared its conclusion, St Albans found themselves with some space in on goal, a terrific tackle from Marshall meant United could clear and see the half out.
The second half started and pretty much remained in St Albans’ favour with the opposition having the majority of possession. A few chances came the way of St Albans early on, with Halstead being called into action for the first time in the game. A fine chance, saw St Albans with space in the United box, but their player was only able to send it high above the crossbar.
The game continued with Torquay yet to take control and create anything too exciting, until Stobbs found himself with an almost open goal but a St Albans shirt managed to get in a good enough position to block his attempt.
A long 7 minutes of added time was given, with the play on the pitch slowing down. There was a shout from the St Albans fans for a penalty, waved away quickly by the referee.
Full time, the first clean sheet of the season and a lovely 3 points on the road!
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 7
Wasn’t troubled too much throughout the game, did his job when required, but a fairly quiet afternoon for our No. 1.
16. RB: Shaun Donnellan – 6.5
Worked well with Marshall, Tomlinson and Martin alongside at the back. Definitely requires experience with him when on the pitch.
3. LB: Dan Martin – 8
Great to have him back in the squad, has certainly been missed. Worked well with Lapslie and De Silva in front. Hope he can keep injury free.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 7.5
Played well, certainly does better in a back 4 than in the back 3 as shown at Dover. Was a scramble for his goal, will need to watch the highlights to see it clearly. First goal in a TUFC shirt.
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 7
Pleased to see Marshall slowly redeeming himself after the calamities of last season. Looks much more confident and comfortable on the pitch and now appears to have a calmer head.
27. RW: Jack Stobbs – 8
I think almost all of our chances came from a ball that Stobbs was involved in. Corners/Set pieces were of a much better quality than what I saw taken at Dover.
8. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 6.5
Not sure he had too much of an impact today. Had a chance on goal, but a weak attempt which allowed the keeper to claim easily.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 7.5
Solid as always. Is definitely in need of some support alongside him in midfield. Will be key to our campaign if he can keep fit.
10. LW: Dillon De Silva – 7
Good to have a player down the width of the pitch, created some chances and headed just wide in the first half. I’m not sold on De Silva, but with the thin squad we have, is proving a much needed signing.
11. ST: Bradley Ash – 7
Had an okay game, definitely missed having Jarvis with him up front. Needs some service from midfield. I hope once he gets his first goal, we won’t be able to stop him scoring.
9. ST: Lewis Collins – 6.5
Not quite had the same impact as last season, yet. Was involved when required but not a standout performance today.
Subs
Dylan Crowe – 6
Came on for De Silva, then switched to the right when Marshall went off.
Ryan Hanson/Brett McGavin – 5
A couple of good challenges between them when they came on, not involved for long enough to better the rating.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – Dan Martin
Not sure there was a standout individual. I think having Dan Martin back, will help the confidence of the defence. He wasn’t afraid to run forward and try to create something in midfield.
Pleased to have him back in the squad and can only see him getting better as the season continues.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
As always, the Yellow Army! Consistently travel in numbers, no matter where in the country we’re heading. I think there were roughly 300 Gulls fans in attendance on a, sunny, partly covered terrace. Great atmosphere throughout even with there not being to much to cheer about. 2 wins on the bounce, will help the attendances at Slough and Plainmoor over the bank holiday weekend.
THE OFFICIALS
Fair, I think. Game was allowed to flow which is always good. Did wave the yellow card around more so in the 2nd half, mainly through poor thinking of the offending players. A couple of decisions, that being biased, weren’t given to United but nothing too out of the ordinary.
TACTICS
Set up the same as Tuesday with a 4-4-2, Jenkins-Davies in for an injured Hall and De Silva on for Jarvis with Collins pushed up to work with Ash. System works better than a back 3 as previously seen, but the midfield is still lacking some creativity.
THE OPPOSITION
A reasonable side, I wasn’t aware they were last seasons play-off final losers until yesterday afternoon. Perhaps that led me to expect more from them. They offered very little in attack, with only a handful of worthy chances in the match, one clear opportunity that should’ve been put away but ended up in the trees behind the goal.
They can hold onto the ball quite well and like to work out from the back, but offer very little up front as seen today.
CONCLUSION
A game with little action, but a crucial clean sheet for United. There’s still plenty of work to do in order for the Gulls to find their form and work the way into a promotion seeking team.
In need of some additions in midfield and another forward for the bench, hopefully this is seen after the transfer window closes, but it’s two wins on the bounce and a glimmer, perhaps, of hope that things are progressing and moving in the right direction. Let’s just hope it continues.