MATCH VERDICT
Rachel Malloch
@Rachelvillavox
TORQUAY UNITED 5-0 HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE – NLS – 20/04/24
All good things must come to an end. Unbelievable Jeff, that’s Chaucer to you but as a football quote it has the hallmarks of a Kamara/Stelling riposte. Except Torquay United season 2023/24 has had very little good things to look back on in even the most forgiving of supporters. It has been anything but good. To review this season with any positives would fit on a Babbacombe model village postcard.
There have been a few who were seemingly eager to continue with the moribund leadership of Gary Johnson but when he finally left the building, it came with a caveat that the club owner too was scarpering and with that pulling the plug on any lasting stability, throwing the club into turmoil, backed up with the whole uncertainty, a club rocked in its chaotic pendulum, of Administration, deducted points, player loans embargo and a precarious situation that continues but one that has been eased by results that have just got us over the line, or above the line, to retain our NLS status and watch and wait to see whether the preferred bidder is a wealthy local businessman, a brand brewery, a famous celebrity with an affinity to the Bay, or news to quash those rumours that the season’s pantomime villains have quashed The Krankies bid. The shroud of mystery continues with a TUST update that it could be a further 2 or 3 weeks before anyone knows who will take over the club. All will be revealed at some stage. But for now, the curtain falls on a season of discontent, nee abject misery.
That’s not to say it has been completely bereft of any highlights; Callum Dolan came in from Fleetwood and immediately impressed his quality in our social distancing midfield. Emergency signing Filip Chalupniczak brought some cheer coincidentally against today’s opponents with a super sub penalty save on his one appearance this season automatically lodging his name sponsored by Scrabble in Torquay folklore. Paul Hall from QPR has been a Gulls benefactor for several seasons now and the quality and huge potential of Arkell Jude Boyd has been consistently excellent at full back, wading in with some vital goals.
Ethon Archer was signed from the Isthmian league and his displays have been another bright spark in a murky season. Dean Moxey at the ripe old age of 38 has defied medical science and short of cryogenics has been our most consistent defender, and Jack Stobbs, the mercurial winger who despite an injury hit season has still remained a source of admittedly inconsistent delivery into the box, a forward line that has relied heavily on a 5’7″ centre forward in Bradley Ash. 14 goals for Ash this season, and but for some errant finishing could have been a fair few more. Special mention too to Will Jenkins-Davies who at the ripe age of 19 years has given some valiant performances and a decent amount of goals. Then there’s ‘shooter’ Brett McGavin, a player that has scored 9 worldies and while his overall game is to put it mildly nonchalant, there’s no denying that on his day, his technical ability and a powerhouse right foot has given us something to cheer. A lot of responsibility has weighed on Ollie Tomlinson’s shoulders and while occasionally stranded has equipped himself well.
It could be the start of some exciting times and goodness knows after the last 3 seasons or so we beleaguered Torquay Utd supporters deserve some emotional highs again. Although I’m no stranger to excitement this past week, followed a European Cup penalty shoot-out with buffering WiFi signal while playing bingo at a Cornish holiday park and hurling myself over a quarry on a zipwire at a centre of adrenalin.
A tangible air of relief permeated Plainmoor, the eager chatter from the ever excitable youngsters, the heavy brows lifted slightly from curmudgeonly seniors, the battle weary all rounders who commit their recreation to supporting home and away, those who bang the drum and chant the songs stage centre Popside, the apologists who will remind anyone who is listening that this is non-league after all not the premier and expectations need to be curbed against the realists who will say that whatever the expectations of a Torquay United supporter should be, a less demanding fanbase you will not find, we should never, ever find ourselves struggling in such a lead footed manner and a complete failure to put in a consummate 90 minutes of football in a league where we lay claim to being a professional full time football club.
After the worst season in living memory, some would say in our history, still the Yellow Army support in big numbers, large numbers across the country and an impressive attendance average of 2,100 at home, a season that began with a manager stating we can have some fun in this league to today, in the Plainmoor sunshine, and all the grainy, scrappy, sloppy desperate football in-between. We are safe, at least as far as our National League South status is concerned. Aaron Downes’ coaching prowess may have it’s limitations but huge credit to him for pushing on this depleted, embargo hit squad in achieving safety.
Today’s attendance was 3,378 with a loyal band of 163 who made the journey from Hampshire.
This afternoon’s game was an enjoyable contest. Torquay United found a Havant and Waterlooville side already resigned to their fate and but for a few advances on Mark Halstead’s goal, offered very little. There was still time for a few misplaced passes and sloppy final balls, but this afternoon, with the warm seaside town sunshine and plenty of the Yellow Army clearly in good spirits and stress free.
A 5-0 score-line flattered Havant. It could have been a cricket score and but for some remiss finishing from a few culprits, Bradley Ash will be disappointed with only the one goal from the miscellany of chances that fell to him. Will Jenkins-Davies had a field day with the space that was being afforded and a precision pass to Lapslie saw the chance somehow cannon off the post. That was to be the last piece of play from terrier Tom as he seemed to jar his ankle and was replaced by ‘one of our own’ Austen Booth.
A free kick from Brett McGavin was so close to becoming his 10th goal of the season, a trademark piledriver that hit the underside of the crossbar. On the 22nd minute a sweet Stobbs cross fell to Ash who had 2 bites at the cherry and the ball was in the net. Stobbs himself had a good attempt that flashed just wide but it was the substitute Booth who saw the space after a high ball and pushed on before unleashing a 40 yarder that rivalled any one of McGavin’s goals, a real peach of a goal.
Torquay were 3 up thanks to a lovely finish from Jenkins-Davies, following a pinpoint pass from McGavin. Then a lovely run on the break from Dean Moxey crossed over to Ash who rounded the keeper but shot wide with the goal at his mercy. It was a wave of yellow attacks and some bagatelle football in the Havant box, with chances from Archer, Jude Boyd and a few more from Ash all close to adding to the tally. After yet another effort on goal that rebound off the keeper, Jenkins-Davies predatory style tapped the ball into the net.
2nd half began with a free kick that found Moxey in acres of space and who found the net, only to see the linesman’s flag waved for offside. Callum Thomas replaced war horse Moxey in the 77th minute and then Stobbs made way for young 17 year old Jacob Wellington on 81 minutes. Wellington was immediately in on the action, played the ball well, cut inside and shot, and the block fell kindly to Arkell Jude Boyd to make it 5.
A stack of chances came Torquay’s way in the final 10 minutes, Ash, Jenkins Davies, Wellington again, all had good chances but the game finished at 5-0.
A generous number stayed behind for the players awards, with Jude Boyd claiming young player of the season and Dean Moxey player of the season. Ollie Tomlinson got the nod over Moxey for the most minutes played throughout the course of 23/24.
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
Very little to do, handled well when needed.
21. CB: Dean Moxey – 8
An incredible season for the club’s elder statesman. Our most consistent defender.
23. CB: Ollie Tomlinson – 7
Solid enough. Did well.
8. CB: Asa Hall – 7
Looked comfortable playing deep at the back.
2. RWB: Arkell Jude-Boyd – 7
Always looked a threat going forward. Scored from a Wellington assist and the customary gymnastics celebration.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 8
Involved in every build up, good movement, so nearly scored his 10th goal and got the sponsors man of the match.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 6
Came off early with an ankle injury after almost scoring.
27. LWB: Jack Stobbs – 7
Had a quiet game but still lofted over some decent balls and kept to the simple stuff and had a couple of decent attempts on goal.
18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 8
MOTM – excellent today.
30. MF: Ethon Archer – 7
Accomplished and offered a threat, always trying to take on his markers and get in on goal.
11. ST: Brad Ash – 7
Took one of his chances well, could have had 4 or 5 today.
Subs
5. MF: Austin Booth – 7
Did well in a midfield role. scored a barnstormer 40 yarder up there with the best barnstormers seen at TQ1.
24. LB: Calum Thomas – 6
On for just over 10 minutes, did well.
34. ST: Jacob Wellington – 7
Looked like he’d played for the senior team regularly. Really impressed with his 10 minutes on the pitch.
MAN OF THE MATCH – WILL JENKINS DAVIES
An excellent game today, running into the gaps, another who could have maybe had 3 or 4 but a busy game and impressive performance.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Jacob Wellington. Only on for 10 minutes yet looked comfortable and pacy, almost got on the scoresheet and having heard good things about this young player, it was an encouraging cameo. Also Aaron Downes, who has steered this team to safety under extremely difficult circumstances, pressure, embargos and all with a clear and genuine affection for the football club.
TACTICS
A mix of 4-5-1/3-5-1-1, with Booth slotting into midfield following Lapslie’s withdrawal.
OPPOSITION
Already resigned to relegation fate and having seen some pretty poor opposition at TQ1 this season, Havant were up there with the best/worst of them. Offered very little threat and defended like human cullenders. Gave our midfield acres of space.
THE OFFICIALS
Didn’t really have too many decisions to make, although late on did look like Wellington had been tripped in the box, but waved it away.
CONCLUSION
The curtain falls on a quite extraordinary season, one that had begun with the hype of a 2 horse race between us and Yeovil and deteriorated into mid-table mediocrity impacted by an owner who pulled the plug, a manager that skeedaddled 3 seasons too late, administrators called in, a 10 point deduction and a further point thrown in for fielding a suspended Ross Marshall.
An interesting few weeks are ahead of us. We can only hope that whoever the preferred bidder reveals themselves to be, they have this club’s progression and a fully committed rebuild ahead in mind and share the love of this wonderful club at their core. Torquay United might not be a football club that gleams a Brasso buffed trophy room, or has the location pull to compete with the London based or big city clubs, but it does boast a magnificent fanbase that will follow this club no matter what difficulties it encounters and with expectations that are met only with a 9th wave spirit, steadfast faith, love and indelible loyalty. Up the Gulls.
COYY – RACHEL
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