MATCH VERDICT

Tom Beddows

@BeddowsTom

WELLING UNITED 1-0 TORQUAY UNITED – NLS – 06/04/24

Another Saturday and another away loss for Torquay United.

This season has been full of disappointment and today was no different. The game started quite even with both sides trying to break each other down, without much success. A silly challenge from Marshall saw him sent off after 24 minutes, I thought a straight red was maybe a little too harsh (I was quite far away) but Marshall gave the referee a decision to make and off he went with an incoming multi-game suspension in his back pocket.

Archer was the unlucky man to be subbed off after Marshall’s red card, something a few fans were unhappy with. Unfortunately, Downes had to make a change and his number was the one that was called for Tomlinson.

United found themselves briefly down to 9 men after Dawson pulled up with his hamstring, (another one). McGavin eventually came on in his place, I’m not sure why it took so long for the referee to allow the substitution.

Welling then found their way quickly up the pitch without any Gulls player making an attempt to stop their progress, and a low shot found it’s way into the back of net 10 minutes before half time. Here we go again!

Stobbs came close with a free kick which clipped the outside of the post but there was little else United could offer that looked like making a threat.

The second half saw United have a good spell of 15/20 minutes with ball after ball finding it’s way inside the box but the final touch wasn’t there to see it home. Lapslie came closest with a header that went just over the top of the bar.

A tame touch from Stobbs saw the Welling keeper claim easily and with 7 minutes added on, United tried to turn up the pressure but were unable to secure a point on the road.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. GK: Mark Halstead – 4

21. CB: Dean Moxey – 6

6. CB: Ross Marshall – 0

8. CB: Asa Hall – 5

2. LWB: Arkell Jude-Boyd – 5

28. MF: Kevin Dawson – 3

30. MF: Ethon Archer – 3

27. RWB: Jack Stobbs – 4

18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 6

4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 4

19. ST: Duane Ofori-Acheampong – 5

Subs

14. MF: Brett McGavin – 3

23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 4

11. ST: Brad Ash – 3

PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – WELLING (A) NLS

MAN OF THE MATCH – WILL JENKINS DAVIES

Difficult to select one today, I think Jenkins Davies deserved it for his effort today and looking like a player who is fighting for not only his career but the club. Dean Moxey also did okay.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

As nobody on the pitch deserved it, I’m going to give the honourable mention to the TUST for all their effort and ongoing hard work in securing the future or our beloved football club. Whoever the administrators choose to be the new owners of Torquay United, I hope they receive the respect they deserve for the work and communication they have provided on behalf of the Yellow Army.

TACTICS

With the number of changes made it was hard to keep up with our formation today.

We started with, Marshall, Hall and Moxey at the back. Stobbs and Jude-Boyd on the wing with Lapslie, Jenkins-Davies and Archer in the middle, leaving Ofori-Acheampong up top on his own.

OPPOSITION

Welling are not a great side, today showed that, but they have the ability to hold onto and defend a lead. Something the Gulls can learn from. They’ve all but mathematically secured their position in the NLS for next season, something I’m currently very jealous of.

THE OFFICIALS

Officials were quite fair, nothing special to write home about. Made the right calls from what I could see, only questionable decision was around the length of time it took for McGavin to be allowed onto the pitch after being subbed on for Dawson.

CONCLUSION

I fear things are looking rather dangerous for our status in the National League South. With a very quick turnaround before Monday night and a long journey back to Devon tonight, it is hard for me to see the players being raring to go against Truro and I don’t really see a result coming.

My hope for the next week is that some positive news around our ownership is received and our long-term future is secured. The slate can then be cleaned of directors, managers and players and we can look forward at what the future holds for TUFC.

COYY – TOM

SOCIAL MEDIA

👏 On behalf of all of us here at TUFC, we'd like to thank each and every one of you that made the trip to Welling today.

We'll keep battling to get the points we need from our final four matches, beginning against Truro on Monday.

Thanks for your loyal support 💛#tufc pic.twitter.com/PdiHToKDXu
— Torquay United AFC (@TUFC1899) April 6, 2024