MATCH VERDICT

Chris Wade

@tufcchris

FROME TOWN 1-4 TORQUAY UNITED- MATCH SUMMARY

Torquay travelled to Badgers Hill to face Frome in the 3^rd round of the FA Trophy on a very windy day in Somerset. Even by our standards, the recent spate of injuries had left the available players looking more like a creche. From the midweek over Weymouth at Plainmoor, Rhys Lovett replaced the rested Mark Halstead in goal, Ross Marshall returned from suspension to skipper the side, Ryan Hanson slotted into midfield, Callum Thomas started a game for the first time, and fellow academy product Jacob Wellington was also selected. There were also four more among the six substitutes.

On a surprisingly good surface given the recent weather and with Ross Marshall starting up front (!), Frome played down the hill with the strong wind in the first half and started brightly, with Lovett being forced into an early routine save. But passes were regularly over-hit as the wind was a real factor in the game. But whenever the Yellows got the ball down they threatened. A couple of goal mouth near misses preceded the opening goal. The impressive Ryan Hanson drove through midfield and into the Frome half. He slipped the ball into the unmarked Theo Williams who took a touch and drove the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper. 

The second wasn’t far away, as United continued to press forward. A set piece was only half cleared and a stretching Ollie Tomlinson volleyed the ball strongly towards goal and burst through the keeper and into the side netting for 2-0. Frome’s chance to get back into the game, as shortly afterwards Callum Thomas tried to usher the call out of play only to be robbed and then trip the forward in the box. Clear penalty. But Rhys Lovett helped his mate out by plunging low to his right to tip the ball away. Frome threatened again, but a couple of sharp saves from Lovett saw them out to half time.

They say 2-0 is a dangerous lead (which is ridiculous) but the third goal is key. Torquay pushed forward in the early stages of the second half to force that third goal and almost did on a couple of occasions, before a lovely team move saw the third goal arrive. McGavin poked a ball through to Williams who took a lovely touch around a defender before rolling a quality finish inside the left post. Will Jenkins-Davis immediately joined the action for a second debut to replace the hard working Wellington and made it 4-0 straight away, rolling the ball into the opposite corner after good work form the industrious Williams. 

Credit to Frome as they kept going well up the hill and forced the consolation that they deserved with seventeen minutes to go when a header back across was turned in from close range.

Two more proud moments were to follow with first team debuts for Kai Swann and Thomas Chastey, as United comfortably saw the game out to progress to round four in the New Year.

QUICK RECAP – FROME TOWN (A) FA TROPHY

PLAYER RATINGS

22. GK: Rhys Lovett – 7

Handled tricky conditions well and pushed the penalty around the post at full stretch. Continues to show himself as an able deputy.

2. RB: Dylan Crowe – 7

The renaissance of Dylan continues, with another front foot performance. He attacked well and handled a challenging left winger well overall.

23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 7

The usual level of performance that we have come to expect from Ollie this season. Strong in the air and also claimed his second Torquay goal with a smart volley.

24. CB: Callum Thomas – 7

A very solid full debut in what was a tough challenge on debut. He has a good left foot, was brave on the ball and will learn a lot from his concession of a penalty.

26. LB: Archie Harris – 7

Another strong performance from young Archie. I like what I see with him and he has slotted in easily in the last couple of weeks. An excellent addition.

34. RW: Jacob Wellington – 6

What a day for the youngster. He worked hard, was competitive and even got in a bit of scrap on debut. Great to see lads like him getting a chance.

14. MF: Brett McGavin – 7

The usual from Shooter. He picked the ball up from the defenders well and moved through the thirds at times. A couple of near misses for goal number 8 too.

7. MF: Ryan Hanson – 8

Player of The Match. Please see below.

10. LW: Lewis Collins – 6

Lewis was a bit frustrating today to be honest, but it also wasn’t the kind of day for a touch player like him. Kept going though and it has been a good week for him.

6. ST: Ross Marshall – 6

Selected to play up front as a presence to win some ball in the air, he did ok. Nearly scored near the end too. 

19. ST: Theo Williams – 7

Two really well taken goals and buzzed about in attacking areas.

Subs

18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 7

Great to see him back as he has ability. Lovely finishing and cruised about through midfield. He could be very important in coming weeks and months.

33. MF: Kai Swann – 6

Lovely to see him on and ran up and down well. Another to have a day to never forget.

35. ST: Thomas Chastey – N/A

Introduced for the last ten minutes and was lively in attack.

Rate the TUFC Players Here

MAN OF THE MATCH – RYAN HANSON

Ryan is a player that it just hasn’t worked out for at Torquay so far. Issues with concussion early last season seemed to set him back and he has never shown his real quality. But on his 50^th Torquay appearance, he was strong in midfield, pivoted around McGavin well and drove through from midfield on several occasions, providing a lovely assist for the first goal. He needs to stay fit and have a run and I still think there is a player in there.

THE OFFICIALS

Nothing of interest or controversy really. Gave a clear penalty to Frome in the first half.

TACTICS

That was the million dollar question in the car driving there. Who the hell would be playing and in what system? A return to four at the back with the players we had worked well and gave players an opportunity to shine in their natural positions.

OPPOSITION

Credit to Frome, who put on a really event. A really good welcome and kind people (even if they needed a big frier from 1300 people’s worth of chips!) made for a lovely afternoon. And their players gave it everything for the shirt and can be proud of their performance. Good luck for the rest of the season.

CONCLUSION

The main thing from Saturday was to get out of it with no more injuries, which appears to have happened. Some impressive performances from some fringe players will have given notice to the Gaffer and we now have a clear week to prepare for a vital few weeks in the league. Job done in Somerset.

COYY – CHRIS

SOCIAL MEDIA

Me watching us go 4-0 up at a Southern League Division One side #tufc pic.twitter.com/bv68vApDDa

— GullsSoc (@GullsSoc) December 9, 2023

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