MATCH VERDICT

Rachel Malloch – @Rachelvillavox

PLYMOUTH (H)

“I’m off to watch Torquay United against Plymouth Argyle this afternoon in a friendly match up Plainmoor mum”.

“A friendly match? But they still kick each other don’t they?”

Well, yes, no friendly football match is ever without incident or a competitive edge and always these games are an expansive training ground exercise whereby players are keen to make an impression, both for their coaches and of course the supporters, some of which are watching these players for the first time.

Apart from the early loss of Argyle youngster Calum Roberts, who did pick up a knock, happy to say no injuries to report back mum! In fact for a ‘derby’ game in front of a bumper sell out Plainmoor crowd, the game was played in good spirit with an abundance of quality on display, not least from the newly assembled Torquay team. A team put together over the course of the summer months, with manager Paul Wotton, assistant manager Mike ‘Figo’ Edwards and director of football Neil Warnock having had less time than most to scout, entice, cajole and sign a squad that had at the end of a torrid, forgettable 23/24 season, had only one player remaining under contract, in Austen Booth.

These players signed up so far have been announced through the accompaniment of some inspired, quirky, entertaining player reveal films all produced in the medium of social media outlets at the hands of talented local film maker Will Hancox.

As the ground began to fill up, the anticipation from both sets of supporters started to intensify, palpable optimism in the early afternoon sunshine, the large contingent of green shirts in the Babbacombe End and the away section of Bristow’s Bench but in it’s rightful prominence. The ground was a patchwork of yellow, many resplendent in the new VX3 home shirts, others in the natty 3^rd kit white and dehisced palm tree pink with black collars, mingling with a pocket of the popular beetroot away shirt from last season and of course the aisle completed by a miscellany of Torquay shirts from over the years.

Club mascot Gilbert the Gull following quite the makeover was positively buzzing off his beak, bouncing around the ground, high fiving and waving, his exuberance met with cheers and his dancing skills even the most committed Strictly professional dancer would cut some slack.

Outside the ground, Argyle’s new manager and some might label football legend Wayne Rooney was doing his best Jay-Z impression with security guards bustling him sternly into the teams and players entrance hurriedly brushing aside those eager for their chance of a photo with the big man.

Bryn Consortium were given a deserved raucous reception from the crowd prior to the game, both Michael Wescott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh addressing the supporters centre circle with what has been a resoundingly positive rhetoric from the moment they took over the club and it’s hard to question the ambition, commitment and most importantly, love that these gents feel for this football club. This is the just the start of the journey the battle cry message.

So to a game that was played with a fairly good spirit. A local ‘derby’ encounter, that but for a momentary headrush from Brad Ash who needlessly and clumsily barged former Gulls loanee Will Jenkins-Davies off the ball in the box, conceding a penalty and a stinging 20 yard shot that Torquay ‘keeper James Hamon could only palm away into the path of on rushing Plymouth winger Mumba, there was very little to choose between these 2 sides, albeit the pace of wingers Mumba and Cissoko. This was an impressive, unified Torquay United performance, not least with strength in the defensive formation of Bournemouth loan Finn Tonks, the equally impressive Matt Carson at left back, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston as the centre halves.

The midfield was made up of captain Oscar Threlkeld, Dan Hayfield and Roddy Collins.

Attacking line up found Ben Seymour partnering Bradley Ash.

Second half saw the introduction of Austen Booth for Roddy Collins and Codie Cook for Seymour then Omar Mussa for Brad Ash and Lirak Hasani for Hayfield and later on Ed Palmer for the youngster Tonks.

The game was interrupted several times however, with a total of 4 ‘medical incidents’ that some folk had promptly rushed to post their theories onto social media, some being quick to blame poor crowd control.

However, a club statement released reassuringly advised that all supporters who were taken ill have all been given a clean bill of health. Certainly from the 2 incidents nearby my perch on the Popside there was plenty of space, just an unfortunate spell for those supporters overcome by the heat, the occasion and perhaps lack of fluids. I wish those supporters well in their continued recovery. I can only speak from my own observations, but the day was organised brilliantly and all medical incidents were responded to as quickly as was possible.

The defeat certainly doesn’t convey the standard of football played, and that a championship team who only recently trounced 2^nd division Cheltenham 5-1 took until the 55^th minute and a rash, needless challenge to grab a penalty, and then a further goal minutes later. Paul Wotton has constructed a very good squad of players here. The early signs are we will most definitely be a competitive unit and with maybe 2 or 3 more additions, with pace, I wouldn’t bet against us doing very well this season.

The football is immeasurably better than last season; the fitness is apparent, the press, the closing down, the populated midfield and in Cody Cooke I see a real threat up front that hopefully will provide a fruitful partnership with one of either Ash, Seymour or Crosby.

Dreyer picked up player of the match, there were some impressive performances across the pitch, but for me Matt Carson looks a real stand out quality defender. Quick off the blocks, good in the tackle and reads the game well. Also mentions for Lirak Hasani and Oscar Threlkheld, finally we have a team with midfielders who are committed and energetic and both with a cultured eye for accurate passing and on his introduction Cody Cooke who won every aerial battle, great hold up play and a Mystic Malloch prediction of a bit of a goal machine.

Next up Exeter City at TQ1 on Tuesday night; more formations to experiment with, another big crowd and an imploring word of prayer with the football Gods for no more medical incidents, just a wholehearted, combative football game that despite the disruption we did get to see this afternoon.

All said and done, today wasn’t just about a football match. First and foremost, this afternoon felt like a celebration; incredible work by the Bryn consortium, the manager, his staff, Neil Warnock, we have our club back and in a short space of time have constructed a pretty decent looking squad of players. Optimism reigns. It was a celebration, a thanksgiving, a big sigh of relief and a collective rush of emotions that Torquay United Football Club not only still exists, but it has a future and we can all enjoy this journey, together.