MATCH VERDICT
Ben Wade
TORQUAY UNITED 1-0 HAMPTON & RICHMOND – NLS – 23/03/24
Our match with Hampton & Richmond started with the Gulls on the front foot, with pressure put on The Beavers in the first ten minutes as we looked to close them down from the off. A handful of shots and crosses were eased away by their keeper in what was a busy and energized beginning.
Out of hardly anything, Brad Ash twisted around in the box but eventually turned his man and was kicked to the ground by the defender. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. In captain Asa Hall’s first start in ages, he went to grab the ball. As the tension built, Asa stepped up and forcefully converted the ball into the net past the keeper’s dive. The penalty wasn’t perfectly in the corner but was taken well enough to give the Gulls the advantage.
It was a performance full to the brim with urgency, but Hampton worked their way slightly more into the game. A quick short corner sprung TUFC into action as a string of committed blocks saw numerous players put their bodies on the line during a dangerous moment. We held out until half time and were thoroughly deserving the lead after being the better side by far.
After the break, both teams kept it tight to start with. Soon after, The Hampton No.3 found himself in space as Marshall slid in to no avail and he shot past Halstead, but Moxey was on the goal line to head away. A spectacular piece of defending! As the wind swirled, Stobbs conjured up an energy boost and lobbed it past his full back and sprinted on forcing a save which saw the keeper concede a corner.
Kevin Dawson pulled up having clearly tweaked his hamstring, whilst waving to the bench to be subbed off; that’s exactly what happened when he was replaced by Lewis Collins in the 66th minute, moving Lapslie deeper into the middle. A habit which many referees fall into is booking everyone once you’ve reached the last section of the match. Three bookings in as little as five minutes when potentially one of them (a kick on Stobbs) was the only worthy name in the referee’s book.
Hampton pinned us back well in the 2nd half but a couple of counter attacks relieved the pressure. Ross Marshall felt his hamstring and couldn’t continue further than the 87th minute when he made way for Ollie Tominson. WJD latched onto a sloppy pass but couldn’t seal victory minutes before stoppage time. During the five additional minutes, the visitors had one low cross which wasn’t taken. The referee blew up for three points which was thoroughly deserved.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
Not loads to do but collected and caught a few tame efforts.
21. CB: Dean Moxey – 8
As reliable as ever. Some nice interceptions.
6. RB: Ross Marshall – 7
Bombed forward plenty and was solid defensively.
8. CB: Asa Hall – 8
Exceptionally well played. Won everything, fought hard and scored the winner.
2. LB: Arkell Jude-Boyd – 7
More unnoticed but stayed slightly deeper as a full back.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 8
Controlled the game and was a calm influence.
28. MF: Kevin Dawson – 7
Good cover and ran his heart out.
27. RW: Jack Stobbs – 8
Some brilliant crosses and plenty of enthusiastic running.
18. CM: Will Jenkins Davies – 7
Looked more robust and carried the ball often.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 7
A few trademark tackles, incredibly busy.
11. ST: Brad Ash – 7
Brilliant to win penalty and chased a lot as leading striker.
Subs
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – N/A
30. CM: Ethon Archer – N/A
10. MF: Lewis Collins – 6
MAN OF THE MATCH – ASA HALL
Asa Hall grabs my Player Of The Match award. After helping Downsey as Assistant Manager for the last four games, he was back training as a player this week and slotted superbly into central defence. His leadership and experience are exactly what we need going into the last month of fixtures. He won plenty of battles against former Gulls player Tope Faduhunsi and scrapped for many loose balls showing that he was up for the fight. He just about scored his penalty and really is a captain leader, captain legend.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
My first honourable mention goes to Brad Ash. His beautiful turn, which theoretically won us the penalty and the game, was sublime. It is great to see him play with such confidence which he has sometimes lacked. My other honourable mention goes to all Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle fans who made the trip to Plainmoor for Devon Day today. Their support was brilliant and the money they have given is crucial for the club.
TACTICS
The formation was most likely a 4-4-1-1 with a back four of: Marshall/Tomlinson, Hall, Moxey and Jude-Boyd. The midfield four was: McGavin, Dawson/Collins, Jenkins-Davies and Stobbs with Lapslie in’ the hole’ and Ash up front.
OPPOSITION
For a team who were in a rich vein of form (they had won five of their last seven games) and 4th in the NLS league table Hampton and Richmond were underwhelming. They didn’t have much of a threat on the break and in defence they looked unsure.
THE OFFICIALS
The referee was one of the best we have all season. He let enough challenges and physicality go but did choose the correct tackles to be given as fouls, and there was remarkably only one offside that we can recall. Solid officiating all round.
CONCLUSION
An excellent performance of grit and a moment of quality in Ash’s turn and Asa’s penalty. Three points is the main thing though!
COYY – BEN
SOCIAL MEDIA
TT PARTNERS
TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK
TORQUAYTALK 