MATCH VERDICT

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris reports back from Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 1-0 TRURO CITY – 16.11.24

SUMMARY

Torquay United hit the FA Trophy trail with the visit of high flying National League South Truro City at Plainmoor on Saturday. Suspended manager Paul Wotton’s team selection saw four alterations from the frustrating midweek draw with Maidstone United. New loan signing Jordan Thomas replaced Finn Tonks at right wing back, Ed Palmer replaced Sam Dreyer for his first rest of the season, captain Oscar Threlkeld came into central midfield in place of Will Jenkins Davies, and Keke Jeffers was given a first Yellows start in place of the absent Lirak Hasani.

The game followed the same path as most home games this season, with Torquay sitting back and absorbing the early possession of the Tinners. Lively forward Dom Johnson-Fisher almost got in around the side of Jay Foulston once, and Jordan Dyer was cautioned for catching him late with the resulting free kick floating harmless over the bar. Going the other way, United were struggling for any attacking rhythm, although on three occasions better control or passes in the front third nearly resulted in a clear chance, with Jeffers and Cody Cooke the culprits. But the game was an even contest with no quarter given.

The main talking point of the half was in the last few minutes, when after a goalmouth scramble, Connor Riley-Lowe (a former youth coach of my oldest son for a fun fact) curled a beautiful shot into James Hamon’s top right hand corner. There was clearly a Truro attacker offside and blocking his view though, and after a brief conversation with the assistant referee, the goal was correctly ruled out. It was certainly more obvious than the goal we had ruled out a couple of weeks ago.

Paul Wotton had seen enough from his position on Bristow’s Bench and made an alteration and changed the shape at the break. Jenkins Davies replaced the ineffective Matt Carson and United went to a 4-3-3 formation. The early stages of the half remained tight until WJD was taken out after being first to a ball 22 yards out. Jordan Young and Dan Hayfield stood over the ball just right of centre. With most expecting Young to hit it, Hayfield curled a beautiful shot around the outside of the wall and into former Torquay keeper Dan Lavercombe’s top left hand corner, A moment of quality that was to decide the game.

Truro tried to hit back immediately, with Riley-Lowe rolling a ball agonisingly away from all in white in the centre, and Johnson-Fisher stinging Hamon’s palms in what was his only real save of the game. Truro continued their direct style, with numerous long throws and crosses but United defended their box well and without much alarm as time grew on. A serious of erratic decisions and overly harsh yellow cards (for both teams) from the referee didn’t help, but Torquay saw it out to claim a spot in the third round of the FA Trophy.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. James Hamon- 6: A third clean sheet for four for United’s ex Truro stopper. Did all he needed too and made the one save that was required.

4. Jordan Dyer 8: Player of The Match. Please see below.

3. Jay Foulston – 7: A solid performance from a dependable defender. He was strong and was part of a solid defensive display.

16. Ed Palmer – 6: A poor first half was replaced by a more composed second half. He won numerous headers from the aerial bombardment and stood up to everything.

26. Jordan Thomas 7: A really assured debut for the loanee on debut. He got forward with pace and was defensively sound, including a risky tackle to win the ball from a final attack of the game.

14. Matt Carson – 5: He has looked a little out of sorts in recent weeks, and gave the ball away in several attacks in the first half. No doubt a promising young player and was replaced at half time.

20. Dan Hayfield – 7: Worked hard in his usual way in midfield and won the game with the only moment of quality in the game. Outstanding free kick for his third goal of the season. Top draw.

18. Oscar Threlkeld- 7: Much more what we expected to see from the skipper. Restored to the team today, he was combative in midfield and won some important headers. Was better on the ball also.

19. Cody Cooke – 7: Very good from the target man. He held the ball up well and brought others into the game and fought a physical battle upfront. Just what you want from your main striker.

8. Jordan Young – 6: A quiet afternoon for the recent signing. He was able to run with the ball more than in recent matches but we need to find ways of getting him running towards the goal more as he has clear quality.

48. Rakealan Jeffers – 6: Worked hard but struggled to get into attacking areas of the pitch, aside from two early chances where his touch let him down. Young and raw but gave his all.

Subs:

22. Will Jenkins-Davies – 6: As hard working and industrious as always from WJD. He seems to have added some upper body strength from last season and is competing for a regular starting place.

10. Omar Mussa – 6: Worked hard when he came on and nearly got in a couple of times. There is more to come from him for sure.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Truro City (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – Jordan Dyer

I have been a fan of him since he joined us and he was excellent today. Playing the centre of the back three role in the absence of Sam Dreyer, he won everything in the air and was dominant across all of the bombardments from Truro. He was on a tightrope after an early yellow card was sensible and didn’t let it affect him. He looks back to full fitness after that difficult hamstring injury and led the defensive line very well.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Cody Cooke was everything that you need from your target man today. Won a lot of aerial duels and brought others into play. Dan Hayfield deserves a mention for the other real piece of quality in the game winning it, and WJD worked hard in the second half after his introduction.

TACTICS

The debate has been intense on Gulls Eye View in recent weeks on how we can get the best out of these players. Paul Wotton opted for his favoured 3-5-2 from the start but went to 4-3-3 at half time and it does seem to allow more players to run with the ball facing the right way. The wide forwards worked back to almost be a five in midfield without the ball, but consideration needs to be given to it moving forwards. We need Young in positions to hurt the opposition more.

OFFICIALS

Odd afternoon for the officials really. Not much happened in the first half apart from the correct ruling out of Riley-Lowe’s gaol, but as soon as we scored, the referee started to give everything for the visitors and started firing out cards like early Christmas cards. No matter ultimately.

OPPOSITION

Truro came to play a direct style and go from back to front quickly. They sent endless long balls and throw-ins into our box and we defended them well. They have strength and power and with Tyler Harvey normally in their team, it’s not hard to see why they are being successful. See you on New Year’s Day.

CONCLUSION

United rounded off three home games in a week with a hard fought win in the FA Trophy. It was a tough and physical game, and Truro came to be direct and pick up a loose ball. But we have generally defended the box well all season and did so again. Jordan Dyer was strong at the heart and didn’t let anything passed him. This sets us up nicely for two very important league games against Boreham Wood and Weston that will show just how close we are to challenging for the league title.