MATCH VERDICT
Tom Diamond
@GullsSoc
WESTON-SUPER-MARE 3-2 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
Last night saw me make my fourth appearance at the Optima Stadium. My first two appearances were as a no-nonsense centre half in what can only be described as the pinnacle of youth football – The Somerset U18 Floodlit League. Imagine Ali Omar but with even less composure. Although, given my recent referral to Bristol Eye Hospital, Ross Marshall is probably a better comparison. My latest two expeditions have been to watch the Gulls, both on Tuesday nights in October.
The day got off to a great start. We met at my flat in Bath and had a lovely afternoon sampling some of the city’s finest watering holes. Looking back, getting on the 16:47 GWR service to Weston Super Mare was, in fact, a mare. After a fairly pointless walk down to the seafront, we ventured over to the ground and having been asked by the stewards if we had any ‘hand grenades’ on us, we then joined many other Gulls fans in what was more of an away end lounge than a pub.
I tried not to drink too much, I’m on a real health kick after having seen a tweet where someone has simulated football manager for the next 100 years and in 2124 the Gulls will supposedly finish 14th in the prem. Football manager has proved to be fascinatingly close to reality in the past, so I’m going to back it, and more importantly look forward to it.
After the famous ‘bingate’ of 2018, Weston had enforced segregation for this fixture and the Gulls fans were housed in what I am going to refer to as the ‘Small stand end’. Weston gave their fans the big stand, imagine that, a club prioritising it’s supporters?! Although it does look dangerously similar to the big bank so probably best to stay clear.
The Yellow Army were in fine voice during the warm up. Johnson made one change from the 5-1 win against Welling on Saturday as Asa Hall returned to the starting line-up in place of Tom Lapslie. It continues to frustrate me how many key injuries we seem to pick up during a season. I have heard rumours before that Gary Johnson does not believe in strength and conditioning, and with our abundance of sidelined players throughout every season, one can only assume this may be correct.
The game got underway and it was clear we were missing Tom in midfield (Lapslie, not me). There was no clear gameplan for the Gulls who, as has been the case in many previous games, continued to lump the ball forward to Jarvis in a hope to win the second ball. Even if Jarvis did win the occasional flick on, the Weston defence were still able to regain possession relatively comfortably.
As the Yellow Army continued singing in the rain, the United defence continued pissing in the wind with pointless long balls forward. It has been said before many times, but what do we do all week in training? Things went from bad to worse just before the 20 minute mark as ex-Gull Opi Edwards sent through ex-Gull Reuben Reid, who fired the ball past Halstead at the near post to give Weston the lead.
The official TUFC report says that we failed to get our passing game going. I struggle to agree with this statement as it is fairly unclear that we have any sort of passing game to get going. Our best chance of an equaliser seemed to be capitalising on a Weston error and this nearly came to fruition just before half-time as Weston born Brad Ash charged down Torquay born Harry Lee’s clearance and nearly managed to guide the ball home.
As half-time approached, one thing I did enjoy was the fact their clock keeps going after 45 mins is up so you can see how far into stoppage time you are. It baffles me how this doesn’t happen in more grounds. After many half-time boos directed at the TUFC management team, the game restarted with the lads now shooting, occasionally, towards the away end.
The second half continued in much the same fashion. Weston weren’t great, you could see why they had been struggling, however we certainly allowed them to gain confidence by gifting them the ball back at every opportunity. But, finally after about an hour the large travelling support were given something to cheer as Jarvis managed to create himself some space in the box and fire a composed finish through the legs of the Weston keeper. 1-1.
As a yellow pyrotechnic dispersed, there was a sense we could go on and win this. However, ironically, it was the Gulls hopes of victory that went up in smoke as Ross Marshall, who had been subbed on at half-time for Asa, was judged to have handled the ball inside his own box. Hard to tell from the away end, however, there did not seem to be too many protests from the Gulls players or management. Reuben Reid, who was impressive all night with his hold up play and in front of goal, calmly sent Halstead the wrong way to leave the Gulls behind once again.
The Gulls continued to lack any sort of creativity going forward but again nearly managed to force an equaliser as Ash was played through 1v1 in the box but could not keep his effort down. He really should have done better. The chance was captured on TT Twitter and I have rewatched it a frustratingly large number of times.
As we approached injury time, the game was then sealed as a speculative effort from the Weston right back around 25 yards out went through the gloves of the diving Halstead and into the back of the net. United’s No.1, who has been one of the more reliable players this season, will be disappointed with that one.
There was time for one more cheer as Weston’s latest goal-scorer then put one into his own net, giving the Gulls a couple of minutes to try to push for an equaliser. Once again a lack of quality going forward led to no real chances and the final whistle was blown.
The travelling support’s frustration was evident as Johnson made a swift exit down the tunnel, making little to no acknowledgement of the sold out away end. As he usually does, Downes acknowledged the fans and in doing so took some pelters, but he has to be respected for not hiding like Johnson. The gaffer really doesn’t help himself, does he?
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 4.5
Will be disappointed with the final goal and arguably with the first one too which beat him at his near post. Although that was a decent strike. Indecision between himself and Marshall before the pen too. He has been fantastic for the majority of this season, and I have no doubt we will see plenty more positive performances from him going forward.
15. LWB: Finley Craske – 5
Did not do anything particularly wrong but equally had very little impact on the game.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 4.5
Struggled to deal with Reuben Reid who got the better of him on multiple occasions. Lack of experience showed playing against a quality striker.
21. CB: Dean Moxey – 6
Looked fairly solid as always. Took a nasty blow to the nose near the end which hopefully is not anything too serious.
16. CB: Shaun Donnellan – 6.5
In my opinion, one of the few players you could genuinely clap off last night. He put in countless tackles and gave 100% throughout. Moved into midfield in the second half and lacked quality going forward though.
27. RWB: Jack Stobbs – 5.5
Tried to get on the ball and affect the game up the field but struggled to get as many balls in the box as he’d have liked.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 4
Rarely got on the ball in midfield and was slow to react throughout. I want Brett to do well but he needs to be performing consistently.
8. MF: Asa Hall – 5
Good to see Asa starting and like Donnellan, he tried hard but without ever providing a moment of quality that could affect the game. Came off at half-time for Marshall.
10. MF: Lewis Collins – 4
I like Lewis, but he needs to be finding ways to get on the ball and use his skill/pace. He did not really cause any problems for Weston throughout the game and was ineffective.
11. ST: Brad Ash – 4
Missed a massive chance to equalise in the second half. Seems to really be lacking in confidence. Desperately needs a goal.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 6
Took his goal well and battled hard all night. I still think we are using him in the wrong way as simply a battering ram. Took a knock near the end which I think was just impact so hopefully nothing serious.
Subs
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 4
Gave away yet another pen. Did not make an impact on the game when he came on. He’s got some good defensive attributes but makes far too many brainless mistakes.
7. MF: Ryan Hanson – 4
Came on near the end and immediately gave the ball away. Nothing else to note. Should not receive money in exchange for playing football.
2. RB: Dylan Crowe – N/A
Came on with seconds remaining for Jarvis, illuminating our lack of attacking options on the bench.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – SHAUN DONNELLAN
I am giving it to Shaun mainly for his work rate and the amount of times he won the ball back. You could tell he was giving it 100%. Came right over to the away end at full time which always gains my respect, especially after a loss like that.
THE OFFICIALS
Only decision of note was the pen. Like I said, hard to tell from the other end but not many complaints from United.
TACTICS
3-5-2 should mean we have three players who can get on the ball in midfield. Instead, we completely miss them out and hoof it long time and time again. Our style of football is embarrassing as a full time team in the NLS.
THE OPPOSITION
In Reuben Reid they have a striker who can provide a focal point to bring others into the game. They utilise him in a much better way by actually giving quality balls into feet. Aside from him, however, they are at best a mid-table NLS side and one we should be beating if we have any aspirations of promotion.
CONCLUSION
As pressure continues to mount on Gary Johnson from the fanbase, it is unclear if he is experiencing any pressure from the club itself. Our style of football is not enjoyable to watch, and more importantly, does not work. We are miles off where we need to be in order to compete at the top of this league. Anyway, we will be in the Prem in 2124 so there’s nothing to worry about, and we always lose 3-2 when I do a verdict.
COYY – TOM
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