MATCH VERDICT
Tom Beddows
@BeddowsTom
CHELMSFORD CITY 2-0 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
‘Twas two nights before Christmas when all through the Torquay team, not a piece of creativity was stirring, not even a shot on target!
A very early corner led to Chelmsford taking the lead, didn’t see too much of the goal to say how much quality was on display but had a full strength team been available for Torquay, I’d hoped we’d have cleared the corner before letting Chelmsford find the back of the net.
The first half was a dull affair with neither team having much to offer. Chelmsford were on top and hit the crossbar within 10 minutes, Mark Halstead doing his best throughout to keep the score-line down.
Our new loan signing Foyo did well with the ball, but the lack of creativity all over the pitch hurt United today.
The Gulls had some late pressure in the first half but didn’t do enough to see past the defensive line of City. There was a shout for a United penalty which looked stonewall to us stood behind the goal, but the referee quickly waved it away.
The second half was much of the same, both teams struggling to find a decent spell. Dillon De Silva came closest to scoring for United, with a chance that rebounded off a City player for De Silva to smash the same crossbar that denied Chelmsford in the same half.
The players in blue & white looked tired and couldn’t create anything with the time left, leaving City to pounce and after a few efforts the ball fell to Barbrook who slotted it in the bottom corner. 2-0.
Not a great day in Essex, but one of the longest away trips now out of the way.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 7
Don’t think he could’ve done anything about the first goal, the highlights will tell. He made some good crucial saves, as he’s done many times this season.
6. RB: Ross Marshall – 4
Not a lot to say about Tomlinson or Marshall, not a great game for either of them. Positive – Marshall didn’t get booked.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 4
See above.
21. CB: Dean Moxey – 5
Stalwart as always. Not sure how he’s still playing 90 minutes but I’ll take it for as long as we can, we’d be a lot worse without him.
26. LB: Archie Harris – 4
First time I’ve seen Harris play, (I think), not sure what to make of him. He’s young and needs players around to show him the ropes, something we’re currently missing.
17. RW: Dillon De Silva – 7
See MOTM
7. MF: Ryan Hanson – 4
Average.
10. LW: Lewis Collins – 4
Not a great game for Collins, unable to command the ball.
30. MF: Ethon Archer – 6
Archer played well and probably deserves to be playing higher than the NLS.
32. MF: Osman Foyo – 6
Good debut, looks dangerous and with better players behind him, I’d like to think he could do a job for us.
19. ST: Theo Williams – 5
Again as with Harris, he’s young and I think requires some strength and supportive players with him. Had an okay game today.
Subs
2. RB: Dylan Crowe – 4
Not sure if Crowe touched the ball. Limited with our bench options currently.
3. LB: Dan Martin – 4
Pleased to see him back in the squad, not a great deal he did or could do when he came on.
Rate the TUFC Players Here
MAN OF THE MATCH – DILLON DE SILVA
Better performance from De Silva from what I’ve seen of him so far. Tried consistently to find a breakthrough or a decent cross into the box, and was unlucky with his chance hitting the bar and bouncing over.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Two days before Christmas and almost 250 miles from Devon a large number of the Yellow Army travelled in numbers to witness a similar story unfold from this season. After small positive signs from the club in relation to communication and a recent run of results, the fans expected and deserved more from today. No matter where in the country there will be a member of the Yellow Army there to support the team. I hope all got home in good time and have a restful Christmas before enduring another United performance on Boxing Day.
THE OFFICIALS
Typical standard of officiating for a NLS game. A bit more of stop/starting in the second half down to the number of yellow cards given and the linesman on the dugout side seemed very flag happy with the offside calls.
TACTICS
Will be honest in saying I’m not overly confident in knowing what the formation was today. I obviously wasn’t paying that much attention! I’m going to go with it being a 4-4-2, with Marshall on the right, Tomlinson and Moxey at centre back and Harris on the left. Our non existent midfield was today made up of De Silva, Hanson, Collins and Archer with new boy Ossie and Williams up front.
OPPOSITION
Weren’t great, defended well, and were able to create more chances than we did, the keeper enjoyed the banter with the fans. Not sure the Torquay United faithful felt the same way!
CONCLUSION
Poor performance from a depleted Torquay side, there was an anxiousness before the game that this might be the one to stop the run of form seen recently, and that unfortunately came true. We can play better, we have played better and we must going forward. Two games against Truro need to provide six points and with hope that key players return from injury in the next few weeks we should see our recent acceptable form, continue. That’s my last game of 2023 done and dusted. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Yellow Army, and let’s hope 2024 is a better year for Torquay United!
COYY – TOM
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A fair rating from Tom on an abysmal display
Listened on the radio and didn’t sound much better.
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