MATCH VERDICT
Danny Burnell
SLOUGH 1-2 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
The Gulls’ claimed their third win on the trot with a minimum of fuss as they breezed to victory at Slough. If only life was that simple……
United travelled to Berkshire in expectation, looking to seal three points to firmly cement themselves in the play-off spots. There was just one change from the side that beat St Albans as De Silva retook his place on the bench, with Jarvis partnering Ash up top. That change reverted Torquay to a back three, a system that worked so well against Worthing…..
Slough, who lay claim to having Europe’s largest trading estate, something the fans’ are most passionate about, came out the blocks fastest and caused United trouble in the opening exchanges. Halstead was kept busy throughout and was called into action on several occasions to keep the Rebels at bay. The home fans, with the vast majority squeezed in behind the goal with the Yellow Army, were buoyed by their positive start and were duly awarded when the lively Nathan Minhas converted acrobatically form close range. 1-0 to the home side, and no one could argue with the score line.
Hoping that would kick them into gear, Torquay failed to trouble the keeper as Slough continued to dominate. Halstead produced a string of fine saves to keep them at bay with the 10 in front of him at sixes and sevens. Dan Martin’s day was cut short as he was replaced by Craske which saw a return to the 4-4-2. It did little to stem the tide as the part timers continued to assert dominance.
United’s #1 finest save came on the stroke of HT as he reacted quickly to keep out a well struck shot from a corner. When the whistle did eventually come, it was accompanied by a chorus of ‘Johnson Out’ chants and boos with Gary visibly unamused. Unamused he may have been, but boos well justified as Torquay trudged off a goal down. A dire display with the home side more than good value for their lead.
There were bright sparks aplenty in the first 45, though unfortunately for the Yellow Army, those sparks were being created in the A380-laden skyline.
Fortunately for Torquay, games are not won and lost in the first half. The Gulls’ came to life as more passes began to flow and space was being created. Thirteen minutes into the second half, United, or more specifically Brad Ash, finally produced a moment of quality when he fired home. Halstead’s long kick found Collins, whose flick found Ash inside the box. Jinking his way past his man, Ash coolly slotted into the bottom right corner to restore parity. 1-1 and the Yellow Army finally had reason to cheer.
It had taken the best part of an hour but Torquay had finally started to show glimpses of being a ‘full time’ side. And with that Brad Ash rose beautifully to double his tally. Collins delightful cross found the head of the former Weymouth man to send the Devonshire faithful into raptures. 1-2. Deserved – No. Did the Yellow Army care – not one bit.
Make no mistake, the home side still had chances and once, twice, three times United’s skipper came to the rescue in a stubborn and resilient display. Fortunately the Amber and Black brigade lacked the quality in front of goal to force an equaliser as Torquay fumbled over the line.
In a game where the Gulls’ were largely second best, they found a way to secure all three points. Pretty, not in the slightest. Reassuring, no chance, but clinical yes. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it was a smash and grab, but if I were a Slough Town supporter, I’d feel mightily aggrieved to be coming home with nothing. Improvements needed but 9 points out of 9 is 9 points out of 9.
Then again, maybe it was a smash and grab….
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 9
See MOTM.
16. CB: Shaun Donnellan – 4
Really poor performance from the utility man. Right of a back three to start with and time and time again beaten by his man and second best. Improved slightly in the second half, like most, when reverted to full-back, but not his best day by any stretch.
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 7
It’s amazing what a new set of eyes can do for a player. Once again, a decent performance from the big-man who did little wrong. Most consistent outfield performer during the 90 minutes.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 6
Struggled in a back three, though I believe this to be the fault of the system, rather than Ollie’s ability. Dealt with a lot of things that came his way but badly hampered by a lack of midfield cover in that first 45. Will have better games, but certainly will have worse.
3. LWB: Dan Martin – 4
Hauled off after we conceded, much to his dismay. Been one of the standouts in recent weeks but struggled to assert any form of play down the left in a woeful first period. Could have been any one of 8 or 9 to be hooked that early on.
27. RWB: Jack Stobbs – 5
Got himself into good positions but regularly failed to deliver. Not Jack’s finest performance in Yellow yesterday afternoon.
18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 4
WJD has failed to deliver so far in a Torquay shirt and maybe he needs time to bed in, but right now, he looks out of his depth. Must have something about him being on the books at Plymouth, but needs to get a lot stronger and retain possession better if he his to reach his potential.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 6.5
Not the typical buzzy Lapslie we have come to known in the past year, but did improve in the second half breaking up possession and creating chances for the Yellows.
10. MF: Lewis Collins – 6
Failed to really impact the game but provided a sublime assist for the winner which in itself was worth it’s weight in gold.
11. ST: Bradley Ash – 7.5
Ash’s confidence was visibly boosted after the first strike. Took both goals well and harried the defenders in the second half to force mistakes. A 90 minute performance is coming, but at least its a start.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 5
Failed to make anything stick and cut a frustrated figure throughout the match. A couple of goals to boost the confidence is required.
Subs
Finlay Craske – 6.5
Came on early at LB to replace Martin. Intercepted the play well and got us attacking when required.
Dilion Da Silva – 5
Failed to make any impact on the game in his 20 minute cameo.
Brett McGavin – N/A
Replaced Lapslie late on. Won his fair share of headers and battled until the final whistle.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – Mark Halstead
United’s #1 was certainly performer number one on the pitch. Called into action far too many times but was accepting of the challenge as he kept the Rebels at bay. Faultless for the goal, but produced a superb save on the stroke of half time which even had the home players in admiration. Head and shoulders above the rest in terms of quality yesterday and the reason Torquay secured their third win on the trot. Well played Mark!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
As mentioned above, Ross Marshall put in another decent shift in the heart of defence. Seems to have made that position his but needs to be kept as a back 4. Won his large share of aerial dules and ‘Marshalled’ the defence well in the second half.
A good following once again on a Bank Holiday weekend from the Yellow Army, who made their voices known throughout. Rightfully angry at HT but got their rewards come 5pm when all 3 points were secured.
THE OFFICIALS
Largely anonymous which is a great trait for a referee. One questionable decision near the end when Jarvis was somehow penalised for drawing large quantities of blood, but in the main, a good, honest performance from the men in black. Wouldn’t be dis-pleased to see him referring more of our games.
TACTICS
It didn’t work against Dover, nor Worthing, but GJ reverted once again to a back three. The players were at sixes and sevens for large parts of that opening 45 minutes and were lucky not to be trialling by more coming into the break. There was more stability as a back four but in other games against better opposition, that change would have come too late. No doubt the loan market needs to be utilised, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see RB & CM being made a priority.
THE OPPOSITION
For a team who struggled last season, they looked decent. Whether they were made to look decent due to our ineptness or whether they had genuine quality, it’s difficult to tell. They were more than good value for their HT lead and with more quality, would have certainly have been out of sight. Minhas was busy up top and took his goal well, and I thought their lad at that back, Temi Eweka looked a very good player, not withstanding his outstanding last ditch challenge on Ash in the box. Their heads did drop after our equaliser and we duly capitalised on that.
CONCLUSION
A strange game at Arbour Park yesterday, and re-reading this match report and seeing the player ratings, anyone would have think we’d have lost. I went to the FA Cup replay match at Hampton last season and this was almost a carbon copy. A dreadfully woeful first 45 which exploited weakness after weakness in both the playing and management staff. That day we went in a goal down against lesser opposition, and there was little evidence to show where a goal may be coming from. Yesterday, as I stood there at HT with the smell of Souvlaki filling the air, the same thoughts came over me as to how we have fallen this low. To not test the keeper and to get battered by Slough Town, it’s a numbing thought. Thankfully, fast forward to 5pm and it was all smiles as for once, Torquay’s clinical nature took hold. The on loan Cardiff stopper had little to occupy himself with other than pick the ball out of the net twice.
I will say the second half was a vast improvement but if you would have seen the first 45, that really wasn’t hard. 3 wins on trot after that farce against Worthing is pleasing, especially when you consider two of those sides finished last season in the play-off spots. Not performing whilst winning is a good trait to have, but they cannot keep gifting chances to the opposition. On another day, against better players, that game is done and dusted.
Johnson mentioned the loan market was an option in September, and as we approach that, it’s evident we need reinforcements to better this team if we are to be serious title contenders.
COYY – DANNY
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