MATCH VERDICT
Chris Wade
@tufcchris
TORQUAY UNITED 5-0 HUNGERFORD TOWN – MATCH SUMMARY
The Yellows hosted Hungerford on a dull but warm final afternoon of September at Plainmoor. United Manager Gary Johnson resisted the temptation to rotate the squad given the break from league action and made just one change, with the well again Jack Stobbs replacing the injured Plymouth Loanee Will Jenkins-Davis. Slightly concerningly, only six of the available seven substitute slots were filled.
It was clear from early on that Hungerford hadn’t come to the Riviera to play attractive football, as a series of very long throws were repelled by the United back line. As the game settled, Torquay started to get the ball down and dictate the tempo, with Brett McGavin again to the fore as we got on the ball and started to move our lower league opposition around the lush Plainmoor surface. First Aaron Jarvis cut in from the right and had a left footed drive pushed away by ex-Gull Ryan Clarke in goal, before Lewis Collins skipped in from the left wing and had a curler pushed away. But the goal was getting closer and arrived in the 20th minute.
Another free flowing move saw Collins drift through midfield and hit a shot that was blocked but spun behind the Hungerford back line to Stobbs, who has been left all alone. He took a touch in the box, steadied himself before drilling a right foot shot into the roof of the net. Lift off. More pressure followed before United embarked on a stunning ten minutes before half time.
First United maneuvered their way across the visitors backline again, and Brad Ash drove a ball across the box, only for it to strike an arm high above a defender’s head. Clear penalty. Ever dependable Jarvis drove the ball slightly to the left of centre as Clarke dived to his left. Then, United drove through midfield again, and McGavin placed a frankly naughty pass in behind the back line for the on rushing Ash. As Clarke came out and frankly lay down a bit quickly, he passed the ball inside the near post. 3-0.
Before Hungerford could catch their breath, United came again. This time Stobbs and Collins had a two on one, and Collins was in. He tried a clever flick and Clarke stuck a glove up to block, but Tom Lapslie had joined in and was there to roll a shot through the legs of the defender and inside the far post. 4-0. That was enough for half time? Nope. Another Stobbs cross was destined for the head of Jarvis in added time and as he was about to head it in, he was shoved in the back for another clear penalty. This time United’s leading scorer went for power and blasted a shot dead straight. What a half.
The second half was always going to be a hard act to follow, and so it proved. Torquay kept moving the ball well, with McGavin having more and more of the ball. Jarvis should have had a hat trick when another Stobbs cross left him and Ash free in the centre of the box and he could only head it against the post. Hungerford kept going to their credit, and United keeper Mark Halstead had to remain alert to make one routine near post save, and one slightly better one.
The half became punctuated with changes, as Dan Martin replaced Dean Moxey on 65 minutes, Finlay Craske made a welcome return in place of the hobbling Ross Marshall on 69 minutes, and Aaron Jarvis had a rest for the last 12 minutes, with Ryan Hanson replacing him.
But the damage had been done in United’s blistering first half display, and a place in the 4th Qualifying Round draw on Monday was ours.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
A welcome clean sheet and remained alert, although had very little to do.
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 6
Hard to give a higher rating given how little he had to do overall. Limped off in the second half worryingly.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 6
Performed solidly and did his job.
21. LB: Dean Moxey – 6
As above really. As solid and dependable as ever.
16. RB: Shaun Donnellan – 6
Did what he had to do well. Got forward well and blasted a couple of shots wide and slotted nicely into the centre back position for the last 20 minutes.
10. LW: Lewis Collins – 7
He has lacked confidence to me this season but he looked much brighter today. Could have scored and gave the attack a good mobile edge to it.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 7
Continued his renaissance with another good display on the ball. There was plenty of space but he rarely wasted the ball. Frankly obscene pass for the third goal.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 7
Just Laps really. Got forward at every opportunity and took his goal well.
27. RW: Jack Stobbs – 8
Player of the Match. Please see below.
11. ST: Bradley Ash – 7
Took his goal well and worked tirelessly in his usual mobile way. Does have a tendency to take too much touches which will need to be looked at.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 7
Another all action display from the big man. Stuck his penalties away well and really should have had a hat trick. The real deal in attack.
Subs
7. MF: Ryan Hanson – 6
Buzzed about in central areas, although could have shot a couple of times when well placed.
3. LB: Dan Martin – 6
Did what he needed to and was solid enough.
15. RB: Finley Craske – 6
More to come from him I think. Got forward well and there is a player in there.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – Jack Stobbs
Everything that you want in a winger on Saturday. Ran with the ball, played incisive balls in-between the lines, delivered quality crosses and scored. Excellent from Jack.
THE OFFICIALS
The Hungerford fans (and social media admin) seemed to have some issue, but my unbiased (ish) view is that both penalties were penalties. One of the lineman was constantly behind play, which didn’t help his decision making but in general the officials were fine.
TACTICS
The ploy of having Brett McGavin sitting deeper and using the ball is working at the moment. He has the confidence to try and use the ball and is clearly enjoying the role that he is taking. Lewis Collins had a free role today and popped up everywhere, something which worked in our favour. The attack looked dangerous with the ball down and playing around and through the opposition. That’s something to build on as our play has been pretty direct at times this season.
THE OPPOSITION
Hungerford came for a scrap and to try and steal something. But our ability to play around them was just too much for them. They had two immobile centre backs that couldn’t cope with our movement and it showed. They will be pleased to have drawn the second half 0-0. Credit to their 110 travelling fans, and in particular the lady that won the £300 50/50 prize at half time.
CONCLUSION
Onto the next round we go. Today was a 5 Star performance and it was good to see the players being so free and attacking. We really need to carry this forward into our league performances. That’s 8 wins out of the last 10 games in all competitions, which is a really good upward trajectory. Hopefully the draw on Monday will give us another favorable home tie as all attention turns to next Saturday at Plainmoor against Maidstone. See you there!
COYY – CHRIS
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