MATCH VERDICT

Ben Wade

Ben reports back from Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 0-0 TONBRIDGE ANGELS – 09.11.24

SUMMARY

It was an interesting team put out by Wotton at Plainmoor. He went for Jenkins-Davies in midfield to inject energy to the middle especially after Threlkeld’s poor run of form. Despite the signing of Jeffers on loan from Stoke, Brad Ash replaced suspended Cooke up front.

After our late win at Salisbury on Bonfire Night, TUFC started rather positively for a change. After a corner, there was a good ball from Mussa into Ash with his back to goal. He found it difficult to turn and hit it against the defender for a corner. During the rest of the first half, with a back five and two holding midfielders, Tonbridge were playing such a low block that it was basically like a defensive seven when on the back foot. Neither team had spells of goalmouth action nor possession in regular intervals.

The Yellow Army weren’t anywhere near finding the cutting edge and breaking the low line that The Angels held. Whilst we struggled, the opposition were regularly playing over-hit or sloppy passes which was overcomplicated and resulted in a throw-in. Wotton needed to tactically sort things out to resolve the conundrum of beating the load of pink/purple shirts.

After the interval, we started similarly to the first, quite attacking and a half chance came our way. Carson was played in down the left and crossed inside to Mussa who shot wide, hitting the side-netting. Mussa offers sparks of brilliance but in the whole doesn’t work as hard as Hasani and that change was made in the 54th minute. Just minutes later, a like-for-like substitution was made. With Torquay on the front foot, Tonks gives more of a positive outlet than Craske in that situation which explains that sub on the hour.

Then, Carson sprinted into the penalty area and was blatantly taken down unnecessarily from behind. The referee waved it away like it wasn’t anything, but the fans certainly thought it was! Just to make matters worse, the ref booked Wotton for complaining even though he was correct. We looked more dangerous by now and a pass fell into the path of Foulston but was blocked. Palmer replaced Dyer 70 minutes in. We continued the pressure to no avail and brought on Jeffers to pose more of a threat than Ash upfront.

Then, there was the biggest talking point to take away. With just seconds left of normal time, Young swung in a cross from the left. Jeffers headed in and it was immediately ruled out for offside. The replays appear to show the striker onside. It’s very annoying for the decisions to have such a major say in the last two home games. After yet more pushing, the whistle was blown for full time.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. James Hamon- 6: Nothing to do apart from distribute the goal out.

4. Jordan Dyer 6: I like his drive going forward and did his defending well.

3. Jay Foulston – 6: Didn’t put a foot wrong but nothing particularly good either.

5. Sam Dreyer – 7: MOTM, see below.

2. Finlay Craske 5: Not a great game. Subbed off for Tonks as he is a more offensive option.

14. Matt Carson – 6: Not one of his better games. Struggled to cross effectively.

22. Will Jenkins-Davies – 5: Made simple passes, but struggled to impact the game.

20. Dan Hayfield – 7: Quietly controlled the game effectively. I don’t think he’s appreciated enough.

10. Omar Mussa – 6: One half chance but didn’t influence the game and needs to work harder.

11. Brad Ash – 6: Lacklustre but no decent service.

8. Jordan Young – 6: Somehow MOTM by the sponsors but no better than anyone else.

Subs:

16. Ed Palmer – 6: No real work for him to do in defence.

7. Lirak Hasani – 6: Busy on arrival but not enough attacking impact.

17. Finn Tonks– 5: Put it in the box man!!!!

48. Rakealan Jeffers – 7: Never a yellow card and brilliant header for the goal that should have counted.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Tonbridge (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – SAM DREYER

My POTM award goes to Sam Dreyer. He shows good leadership as skipper in the absence of struggling Threlkeld. He regularly fights and wins his duels superbly. We were surprised by them choosing Young. Our number 5 is certainly capable of more performances like this one in the future.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

My first honourable mention goes to Dan Hayfield. I feel like his hard work, composure and control in the middle of the park is under-appreciated and I prefer him centrally like today. My other honourable mention goes to Keke Jeffers. The new number 48 was loaned in and came on for the last 15 mins. He took the header well, which found its way into the far corner. Never offside!

TACTICS

A 3-4-2-1 formation. A back three of Dyer/Palmer, Dreyer and Foulston. It was Carson at left wing-back and Craske/Tonks on the right. The midfield was completed with a central duo of WJD and Hayfield. Mussa/Hasani and Young played as inside forwards. Ash/Jeffers led the line.

OFFICIALS

The referee was okay for the most part. A few unneeded free kicks/bookings given. And as for the linesman, we’ve already covered the late disallowed goal!

OPPOSITION

Tonbridge set out their stall to defend deep and that was good enough to frustrate United for large periods of the game, with their imposing centre backs staying on their toes. Will be happy with their point, no doubt about that.

CONCLUSION

United remain very much in the mix despite our inconsistency. We really need to turn these home draws into wins with two more coming up in the next week.