MATCH VERDICT

Tom Diamond – @GullsSoc

Tom reports back on the Gulls win

TORQUAY UNITED 2-1 ENFIELD TOWN – 10.08.24

SUMMARY

Despite dominating for large periods of the game, a collective sigh of relief could be heard around Plainmoor at full time on the opening day of the 24/25 season.

United are by no means accustomed to an opening day win in recent times. You could be excused for not feeling as optimistic as the current feeling around the club may suggest despite our fairly unknown opponents. It was, however, a lovely feeling walking up the Popside steps for the first time since the much more open, and transparent Bryn Consortium took over.

Unfortunately, the most open thing at Plainmoor in the first exchanges was United’s defence as a neat passage of play led to a brilliant cross from the left, and an equally brilliant header gave Enfield the lead. The Essex contingent of the crowd understandably jubilant with the start their side had made to life in the NLS.

This may have been a blessing in disguise as United proceeded to take control of the game, with Omar Mussa in particular showing his class and creativity in midfield. It did not take long for United’s pressure to be rewarded, as Enfield’s failure to clear a corner led to a deflected strike from Matt Carson levelling the scores on 15 minutes.

A period of frustration followed with Enfield taking every opportunity to slow the game down much to the annoyance of the majority of the 3800+ strong Plainmoor crowd. Brad Ash soon put a stop to these dark arts as a great ball in from Carson was met by Ash who headed the Gulls into the lead for the first time under the Bryn Consortium. 2-1 to the Gulls after half an hour.

Noticeably, United did not take their foot off the gas after taking the lead with a couple more half chances seeing the game through to half time.

Enfield came out for the second half clearly committed to getting back into the game and were on possibly on top for the first 15-20 minutes of the second half. In this time, the impressive Mussa was replaced by Lirak Hasani who much like Mussa, looked confident on the ball with a creative eye going forward.

Just shy of the 70th minute mark, Hasani nearly masterminded United’s third with a lovely reverse ball through to Ash who couldn’t beat the keeper from close range. Ash was then replaced by Ben Seymour, who travelling Gulls fans may remember caused us some real trouble in our defeat at Hampton & Richmond last season.

This was shortly followed by two more substitutes with Roddy Collins and Jadyn Crosbie replacing Oscar Threlkeld and Cody Cooke respectively. Both Threlkeld and Cooke gave good first accounts of themselves, but Cooke will feel frustrated to have not taken the golden chance he was given to seal the game in the second half.

It did not take long for Seymour to get into the action as a Crosbie flick on sent him through on goal but his expert finish was ruled out by the offside flag. This will be an interesting one to see again, my personal view is that he was comfortably onside but that is coming from a man with a chronic eye problem so who knows.

It looked at this point as if United may be left to rue their missed chances as Enfield were presented with a last minute opportunity to level the scores which they really should have taken. A double James Hamon save did in fact save the Gulls as the final whistle blew shortly after to give Paul Wotton a 100% competitive record as United coach. Long may it last!

PLAYER RATINGS

1 – James Hamon – 7 – Commanding with a few decent punches and then two important saves in the final minutes.

17 – Finn Tonks – 6.5 – Less impact than Carson on the left, but was energetic and positive.

4 – Jordan Dyer – 6.5 – Fairly unassuming but did what he needed to do in defence.

5 – Sam Dreyer – 7 – Looked the part in the middle of the back 3 again with a number of strong challenges.

3 – Jay Foulston – 7 – Calm and intelligent on the ball, also whipped in a lovely cross in the first half.

14 – Matt Carson – 7 – Matt was a livewire at left wing back and gives United a great option outwide.

18 – Oscar Threlkeld – 7 – Showed his quality on and off the ball in midfield.

20 – Dan Hayfield – 6.5 – Busy in the middle of the park.

10 – Omar Mussa – 7.5 – MOTM – See Below.

11 – Brad Ash – 7 – Always on the look out for a chance and took his header well for the 2nd goal.

19 – Cody Cooke – 6.5 – Worked hard without much reward this time around.

Subs

7 = Lirak Hasani – 7 – An enjoyable substitute appearance from Hasani, lovely pass to set up Ash in the 2nd half.

9 – Ben Seymour – 6.5 – Ran hard after he came on and almost bagged a goal for his troubles.

8 – Roddy Collins – N/A – Tried hard to get involved in the final minutes.

15 – Jadyn Crosbie – N/A – Looks the part upfront.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Enfield (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – OMAR MUSSA

Provided a creative outlook that we have significantly lacked over the past couple of seasons. His dead ball delivery has consistent quality, and we looked a serious threat from all attacking set pieces. Clearly not quite fully match fit, but has great potential to become a fan favourite at Plainmoor.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Everyone in a Gulls shirt put a shift in this afternoon on what was a big day for the new Torquay United.

TACTICS

As predicted, Wotton lined up his United side in a 3-5-2 formation with the wing backs progressing forward whenever possible. The left hand side of Carson at LWB and Foulston at LCB provided the greater threat going forward, and Carson’s delivery into the box could be a real asset this season. Two up top also seems the much superior option to what we have seen in recent years. Brad Ash was finally able to play his natural game and find dangerous pockets of space thanks to the physical presence of Cody Cooke alongside him. It was also refreshing to be able to make substitutions that could positively impact the game and that made tactical sense. Imagine being able to bring a striker off the bench?! We are being spoiled.

OFFICIALS

No decisions of real debate apart from arguably the offside for Ben Seymour’s disallowed goal. The referee kept a relatively feisty game under control and booked an Enfield player who took the time wasting too far. Overall a good day for the officials, which included a fourth official, unusual for the NLS.

OPPOSITION

Enfield will feel they should be leaving with a point following a golden opportunity in the dying moments to level the scores. Many are tipping the Essex side to go down, however they showed fight and determination, as well as scoring a goal of real quality. Whilst they may not have the individual quality of some of the bigger club at this level, they will provide a stern test to any opponent this season, and will certainly be competitive in the NLS.

CONCLUSION

The jury is definitely out over whether this was a convincing performance or a lucky three points given Enfield’s clear cut chance at the end of the game. My personal view is that whilst it was a promising start, this side definitely have more to give and will need to take their chances to ensure we are competing at the top of the division. However, today was about more than just the football. Torquay United are back, in so many ways.