MATCH VERDICT
Joe Uglow – @Joe_Ugs
Joe reports back from Hampton
HAMPTON & RICHMOND 0-1 TORQUAY UNITED – 05.10.24
SUMMARY
11th November 2023, the last time a Torquay United side visited an away ground in the league on a Saturday and managed to bring back all three points. A stat that may have crept under the radar somewhat until a couple twitter discussions last night sparked a delve into the archives of recent United results. Luckily it was 11th time lucky for United as Wotton’s Yellows took all three points back down the A303.
Buoyed by another incredible Yellow Army turnout on the road (Approx. 800?) it was a quiet start to proceedings with Hampton & Richmond happy to enjoy plenty of possession without doing an awful lot with it. United grew into the game and got their rewards on the 20 minute mark. A Free kick straight from the training ground saw WJD feint to deliver a central free kick into the box, before sliding it left to Matty Carson waiting to deliver a “Buffet Ball” for Cody Cooke to gobble up, a cracking header into the bottom of the corner, which the England U-19 Goalkeeper Ted Curd stood no chance in saving. 1-0!
Shortly after Cooke steered another cross into the Hampton net, but on this occasion he was offside and for once, it looked like a fairly good call by the Linesman. United continued to control the tempo of the game and limited the Beavers to very little chances as the half time whistle blew. 1-0 at Half time!
Many United fans would have been thinking they’ve seen this show before, a largely dominant first half rewarded with just one goal and a rejuvenated opponent coming out for the second half ready to snatch one if not all three points. Luckily for the travelling yellows this wasn’t the case as United controlled the second half once again, limiting the Beavers to very few ‘box entries’.
It could have and perhaps should have been 2-0 shortly after the introduction of Brad Ash. Dan Hayfield charged down the right wing and put across a ball that Ash (who appeared to run from behind the defender) tucked away with aplomb. But as he wheeled away he was met with the Linesman’s flag held aloft, an incredibly tight offside call that looked incredibly harsh.
Hampton & Richmond made a number of changes as they attempted to get back into the game, but other than a couple of corners they threatened very little. Excellent rear-guard action from United meant all three points were secured and the Saturday Away Day curse was lifted!
PLAYER RATINGS
1. James Hamon- 7: Won’t get an easier afternoon, but did everything well when called upon.
3. Jay Foulston – 7: Part of a very solid defensive line.
5. Sam Dreyer – 8: Central to the backline performance, didn’t put a foot wrong on his return to The Beveree.
2. Finley Craske – 7: Wasn’t sure about him at Centre Half but he defended well and filled in well for Palmer.
17. Fin Tonks – 6: Didn’t get forward as much as I would have liked but certainly had a solid game, and defended well.
14. Matty Carson – 7: Another cracking assist from the Northern-Irish man, can now go and enjoy a well deserved international duty call-up.
18. Oscar Threlkeld – 6: Neat and tidy, kept things ticking over in the middle of the park.
20. Dan Hayfield – 6: Plenty of running from Dan and some neat touches, could have got on the ball more against weak opposition.
22. Will Jenkins-Davies – 7: Plenty of energy from WJD and wasn’t afraid to get on the ball, would like to see what he and Hasani could do together.
19. Cody Cooke – 8: Matchwinner, led the line well and a cracking header to secure the three points.
9. Ben Seymour – 6: Plenty of running and endeavour, but he really lacks a physicality for this league.
Subs:
11. Brad Ash – 7: Came on and seemed to offer much more of an option up front than Seymour, unlucky to see his goal chalked off.
8. Roddy Collins – 6: Came on for WJD to shore up the midfield and did seem to do that, booked for stopping a Hampton breakaway.
23. Ollie Tomlinson – 6: On for Tonks for the last 10 minutes, Ollie helped to keep out any last minute equalisers well
21. Dean Moxey – N/A
MAN OF THE MATCH – CODY COOKE
Superb “No.9” performance from Cody. Led the line, won his headers, held the ball up when he could and his goal was a textbook header straight out of the top drawer.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Sam Dreyer superb again at the back on his return to his former club. Didn’t lose a header all game and more than comfortable on the ball, he really is the real deal.
The Yellow Army were superb, travelling in huge numbers once again they outnumbered the home fans and made for an enjoyable atmosphere in the sunshine.
Wonderful hospitality at The Worlds End Pub beer garden before the game and then the Jolly Coopers Pub after. Just don’t mention the pre-match Pizza’s!
TACTICS
Usual 3-5-2 shape that Wotton likes us to set up in. Fin Craske came in for Palmer at RCB and WJD was opted for instead of Hasani which seemed a little harsh to me! Wotton opted for Seymour to partner Cooke up top against his former side.
OFFICIALS
Didn’t really notice the Ref which is always a good sign, especially given recent events at Welling and against St Albans! Brad Ash offside goal looked harsh to me but as i wasn’t in line it was hard to tell if it was a total injustice.
OPPOSITION
Fairly limited, had enough possession but didn’t do a lot with it, and I can’t remember a worthwhile chance for them. Ex-Gull fans will be pleased to find out Former Gull Gianni Crichlow managed two minutes on the pitch at the end and their manager Alan Julian was seemingly observing a touchline ban as he managed the game from the directors balcony behind the goal.
KEY MOMENT
Cody Cooke’s goal was the main moment of the game, a proper striker’s goal and allowed the Yellows to settle into the game at a key time where the game may have gone either way from then on.
CONCLUSION
A solid away performance, some would have liked us to go there and blow them away but the Beavers are a solid outfit and won’t get rolled over too many times at home. Three points & a clean sheet on the road is all you can ask for and Wotton’s men were well worth that.
SOCIAL MEDIA
COYY – Joe
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TORQUAYTALK 
Didn’t we win at Bath then?
Les
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Hi Les that was mid-week! Joe talking about Saturday games. Dom
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My mistake. Keep up the great work.
Les
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Torquay won 2-3 at Chesham on BH Monday in the league, but when did we last win away in the league with a clean sheet?
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