MATCH VERDICT
Rob Dand
TORQUAY UNITED 2-2 AVELEY FC – MATCH SUMMARY
There is a cruel yet delicious irony to the fact that my journey to Plainmoor today begins in Bristol. As I edge past the looming structure of Ashton Gate, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect metaphor for the impending dawn of an uncertain new era at Torquay United. Deep down, I think we knew this day would come. Clark Osbourne was never destined to proudly hold aloft the Devon Bowl or otherwise etch his name into the history of this club, and while Gary Johnson did for a time, he has surely undone all of that by prolonging an increasingly sour tenure that should have ended at least 18 months ago.
We are yet to see what qualities Aaron Downes possesses as a manager, but as a former player and as a man, we know that he is committed and resolute. With the eyes of the Yellow Army, and the wider football family, on him and his team today, we wait with interest to see how radical his methods will seem in comparison to his perpetually downtrodden predecessor. As kick off approaches on a day where the result feels oddly secondary, and ‘Children’ fizzes out of the speakers to wash over the gathered 3,600, things seem pretty familiar. We’re sticking with the favoured 3-5-2 wing-back system that has yielded mixed results to this point.
Perhaps out of necessity, rather than by design. The team sheet announces the welcome revival of the Jarvis-Ash strike partnership, though, so we know that goals are at least possible. How we fare this afternoon will depend on the players’ ability to handle the complex emotions of the past two days, and whether or not the newly unshackled and uninhibited Downes has some kind of defence coaching masterclass up his sleeve that Gary Johnson never took advantage of. It could happen.
A nervy opening few minutes sees Aveley get the better of the early exchanges. There aren’t many clear cut chances, and in truth George Edwards in the Director’s Box seems to be under more threat than Mark Halstead’s goal. What is clear is that United are looking to get on the front foot, and as they grow into the game and make their mark in the tackle, this does happen. Arkell Jude-Boyd makes the kind of run that enables me to use the word ‘marauding’, which is always appreciated, and this forces a corner. McGavin’s floated ball was the kind that strikers like Aaron Jarvis must dream of, and he rose from a central position to nod home without much challenge, after almost half an hour. It didn’t take long for the Gulls to double the advantage, and after a slightly scrappy set-piece routine, Brad Ash produces the kind of finish that enables me to use the word ‘prod’ (also appreciated).
Shortly before the break, there’s a moment that is not in the script. Just as Aaron Downes is starting to consider how many jokes about cockneys in his inaugural half-time team talk are too many, Austen Booth’s challenge is deemed worthy of a penalty to the visitors. This is duly dispatched, and the Gulls head down the tunnel with clipped wings.
Just six minutes into the second period, the two sides are level courtesy of a sweetly-struck effort from Eduino Vaz. It’s hard to say whether the sun-soaked Mark Halstead could have done more to stop the shot, but the Aveley left-back connected well and directed it far enough into the corner that you could argue it was always going in. Moments later, Dean Moxey soon makes way for Dan Martin. Kicking towards a healthy-looking Family Stand, Downes’ men create several chances of note in the second half, with Ash, Jude-Boyd and Marshall all coming close. On an emotional afternoon, the spoils are shared. It’s often fun after a draw to ironically declare that ‘football is the real winner’ – but today, maybe there’s some truth in that.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
Had very little to do apart from pick the ball out of his own net. Could he have stopped their second?
5. CB: Austen Booth – 6
Gave away the penalty. Need to see it again to determine how much of it was his fault.
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 6
Positioning always a bit suspect but beat men to loose balls a few times (so to speak). Didn’t start a fight with anyone, on the field or off. Gold star.
16. CB: Ronny Nelson – 6
Seems pretty no-nonsense. Held his ground well.
21. LWB: Dean Moxey – 6
Did what he was asked to do for the team, but for the love of God this man is 405 years old, stop asking him to play wing-back.
2. RWB: Arkell Jude-Boyd – 7
Not afraid to push forward and happy enough to throw himself into a challenge. Suits the wing-back role well.
28. MF: Kevin Dawson – 7
A reassuring presence in the middle that we could have done with before now. Always available to receive the ball and an excellent range of passing.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 7
Has become a much more consistent player this season. Set pieces were a bit of a mixed bag, but were a feature in the lead up to both Torquay goals.
18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 7
Turning into an important player for us. Gets himself into some good positions.
11. ST: Brad Ash – 7
A really industrious performance capped with a goal. Could (possibly should) have had one or two more.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 7
Took a bit of a battering, but you do get the sense this was at least partly intentional. Referee gave little away, though.
Subs
19. ST: Duane Ofori-Acheampong – N/A
Doing his best, but very limited. Had less than ten minutes to make an impact and couldn’t make it count.
3. LWB: Dan Martin – 5
Receives ball. Runs with enthusiasm in correct direction. Passes to opponent. Repeat to fade.
27. RWB: Jack Stobbs – 6
Linked up well to offer something different down the right, with Arkell Jude-Boyd moving inside. Wasn’t really tested defensively.
MAN OF THE MATCH – BRAD ASH
The official choice from the afternoon’s sponsors was Brad Ash. I wouldn’t disagree with that. He certainly worked hard, and in what was a relatively solid team performance it was always likely to be one of the goal-scorers that got the nod. Felt that the other candidate might have been Arkell Jude-Boyd, whose speculative charge forward forced the corner that yielded the opener, and who maintained a certain energy throughout.
TACTICS
A familiar shape for the Gulls, with three at the back. Quantity over quality, perhaps, but bar a couple of occasions we did manage to restrict Aveley to long range efforts. Sadly they turned out to be quite good at long range efforts.
Dropped deeper as the game wore on, but kept a fairly good shape and continued to look for outlets down the wings.
Ash and Jarvis back up front together was a huge boost.
OPPOSITION
The gameplan appeared to be to frustrate the Gulls, and stamp out the emotion of the occasion. Did both quite well, especially early on when a couple of half-chances were wastefully snatched at, and later in the game when we were weakened by our lack of strength in depth.
THE OFFICIALS
Had just the one major decision to make, really. Was it the right call? I’ve absolutely no idea. I’m not going to pretend like I wasn’t in the queue for chips when it happened.
As the game wore on, seemed to showcase some increasingly inconsistent opinions towards minor incidents. Presumably took some enjoyment from watching Aaron Jarvis get bundled to the ground repeatedly, since he seemed to encourage it so readily. Didn’t book McGavin for a slightly reckless challenge.
CONCLUSION
There are, I hear, many people in the world who don’t understand the lure of sport. It’s difficult for them to grasp why football matters so much to so many people. Indeed, I’m quite a rational person myself, and football fandom is anything but. I often have to kind of reaffirm my involvement to myself, as if (quite rightly) my brain wants to know why I allocate energy, time and money to this pursuit that has absolutely no real guarantee of a positive outcome. But the thing is, I think it’s the pursuit that makes us happy. I’ve seen us play at some of the country’s best and worst stadiums, I’ve hugged strangers on terraces, made real life friends that I have serious conversations with about my never-ending household chores, and even edited an (almost) award-winning fanzine. All of this was possible because of the pursuit. All of this was possible because of Torquay United. Today’s game ended in a stalemate, but as the players applauded the fans around the ground, everything felt oddly positive. I hope the feeling lasts.
Post Script:
To all the many fans of our local rivals, and the many more with no obvious attachment to Devon.
Whether you travelled to the game, listened on the radio, made donations to the club or the Supporter’s Trust, or just sent thoughts and prayers via social media: Your presence was felt and appreciated today, and we will need you again. Don’t give up on us, and don’t let us give up on ourselves. Thank you.
COYY – ROB
SOCIAL MEDIA
TT PARTNERS
TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK
TORQUAYTALK 