MATCH VERDICT

Joe Tune – @JoeTune8

Joe reports back on the draw against Exeter

EXETER CITY (H)

A pre-season friendly against Exeter is never really friendly, and this one was definitely not, from the singing by both sets of fans and the late fight back on the goals, it certainly had everything in the end.

It started off terribly for Torquay as within the first minute Exeter scored a goal from a horrendous defensive error. Then the game went flat for 15 minutes with the Exeter fans making all the noise. After Exeter’s initial control of the game, Torquay found a promising attack through Booth on the right, putting a cross straight into the Exeter defence for an easy clearance. Then it started to become very clear that the heat was playing a big factor in the flow and atmosphere. Then there were a couple of Exeter moves and a corner that was cleared away with ease.

It then looked like it was set to be 2-0 to city when their striker was played through on goal, but a quite amazing last-ditch tackle by Austen Booth stopped what seemed to be a certain goal. However around 2 minutes later it looked like our fate had been sealed, after an unmarked header at the back post would do nicely for City to make it 2-0.

Then a couple of minutes later City thought they have a 3rd and that would surely put the game to bed, but luckily for the gulls it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. City were really cranking up the pressure as Austen Booth made another excellent clearance off the line. The 4th official then gave 1 additional minute that was played out and half time was upon us. All in all, quite a poor half for the gulls with not many bright sparks for us.

As the second half began, 4 changes were made by Paul Wotton with Sam Dreyer, Jordan Dyer, Jay Foulston and Omar Mussa brought on. Straight away the subs made an impact especially Mussa creating some nice dribbles early into the second half, and also putting in a good free kick that Dreyer couldn’t quite get on the end of. Then Roddy Collins went into the book for a poor challenge. He very much resembles Tom Lapslie with his shirt tucked in and being up for a good crunching tackle, but I would say he looked like he struggled tonight.

Straight after that booking he was replaced by Oscar Threlkeld. But slowly Exeter started to re-take control of the match with a corner going inches over the bar. Then around the 60th minute Jay Foulston went down with a slight knock while there was also an incident in the pop side with a fan who luckily looked to be alright and not in need of medical assistance. Torquay started to string a few passes together as Seymour made way for Ash, after he had worked tirelessly all-night chasing after many hopeless long balls.

As Ash came on, the game started to swing in Exeter’s favour again as Torquay required some vital defending from Jordan Dyer. Stopping a low cross from finding its target, Exeter made a substitution that was a familiar face to Torquay fans in Shaun MacDonald. Then another City chance yet again required more good defending from Jordan Dyer.

Next, Matt Wonacott entered the fray replacing James Hamon while Jadyn Crosbie replaced Cody Cooke, who left the field after another well fought game.

Then came the chaos, a perfectly weighted free kick for Torquay by Mussa found Jordan Dyer at the back post and the gulls had a lifeline. That certainly got the Plainmoor faithful up on their feet singing and willing the team on! Another free kick followed for Mussa which he opted to shoot this time and narrowly missed.

That only spurred the gulls on as they were now dominating although City won a corner, but it came to nothing. There were then 5 minutes of additional time and in the 4th of those 5 Wonacott made a vital save to keep Torquay alive. Suddenly the ball was whipped in from the left-hand side, Ash’s flick on directed it into the back of the net, sending the pop side into delirium!

All in all though, the first half was poor from the gulls with the only real standout being Booth. The 4 subs at half time completely changed the game and Torquay ended the match the much stronger side. My standouts today were Hasani, Mussa, Dyer, Booth, Dreyer, and Ash.

Anyway that’s all from me hope you enjoyed my first Torquay talk match verdict!