MATCH VERDICT

Peter Wade

Pete reports back from Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 4-2 WESTON-SUPER-MARE – 26.11.24

SUMMARY

The last time I did the Verdict, for the Worthing game I wrote: “I don’t remember the last time I felt that exhausted at the end of a football match”, well this time the word of the day is “exhilarated”. That is why you go to football. It was a game that had everything: an arrogant referee, we came from behind, got ahead, were pulled back, missed a penalty, had a man sent off but then scored two to win it. I will admit to writing in my notes after 60 minutes: “We will do well to get a point here.” How right I was, we got three!!

On a soaking wet night, and didn’t the pitch stand up to it well, it was two teams going for it. Fair play to WSM they didn’t come for the point and looked a decent side, perhaps not a league winning one, but we shall see. Starting again with a 4.3.3. it was the usual quite start, with WSM having a chance from a header, but then we got on the front and starting passing the ball. Now that isn’t something you could say we have done that well this season, but tonight was our best passing display of the season, perhaps the conditions helped. We passed it much quicker, not always accurately, but we passed the ball and kept passing it – no aimless lumping the ball tonight, which WSM largely did as well. For 10 minutes we were on top, pressing well and Young had one of his runs with a shot at the end and then they scored out of nowhere. Good pressure from WSM on a ball knocked forward saw a player released and a good finish – sigh …..

However, as we are used to going behind the lads just got on with it, passed the ball and with the excellent Will Jenkins Davies making great runs and space, we looked dangerous. On 28 minutes it was our good pressure and passing that saw JD have a shot blocked and following up Hasani curled a right footer a round the keeper from the edge of the box. We were on it now and on 34 minutes players swarmed around a dithering Reid 30 yards out and the ball fell to the galloping WJD who drew the keeper and slipped a lovely clipped shot passed him into the far post area. The ground erupted, but there is always a but, and from a corner Hamon flapped, missed his punch and the hit somebody and went in. Another but, as in added time another super passing move saw Foulston burst into the box to be taken down (I would like to see that as I wasn’t too sure) – but the ref was and in a ridiculously posed way give the spot kick. Keeper guessed the right from Cooke, who didn’t get enough height on it and it was parried away. Let’s hope we don’t come to regret that we all thought.

Pouring rain began the second half and a referee who thought that the crowd of 2900 had come to see him. Yes it was a late tackle by Hasani, but he didn’t seem to jump in, just slid in those conditions (want to see that one again as well), but the ref did what the shouldn’t do he had his hand in his back pocket before he drew breath. They are taught, stop, think about it, perhaps chat with a lino – but no he puffed out his ample gym induced chest and went red.

WSM went for three points for the next 15 minutes, hence my thought above, but two things happened it seemed to me: the introduction of Threlkeld gave the back 4 a shield and WSM brought on another big unit and starting lumping it. Then what being a football fan is all about – great play down our right saw JD get free, drive into the box, find Hayfield whose mishit shot hit Cooke on the ankle and it trickled in. We were ahead, really, could we hold this. On 78 minutes we did even better when a poorly hit cross field pass was nicked by Hayfield, who drove on slide a square ball to the waiting Cooke who made no mistake from 10 yards: forget the penalty miss fella this was stunning stuff. A nasty tackle with malice written all over it meant another decision for the ref who went yellow for the WSM lad – was Hasani’s worse than that?

What a game: two sides going for it in proper English weather, 3 points and into third place in the league – exhilarating.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. James Hamon – 7: Yes he was at fault for the second goal but on a foul night for keepers his handling was sure and his save from Reid on 60 minutes was vital.

4. Jordan Dyer – 7: A solid game, won his headers and covered well but needs to work on his passing.

3. Jay Foulston – 7: Solid, but with a few dodgy passes, won his battles down the left.

5. Sam Dreyer – 8: This chap is quality, won everything, marshalled the back 4/5, missed nothing.

26. Jordan Thomas – 7: A proper full back’s display – solid defensively and wanted to pass rather than bomb on.

10. Omar Mussa – 6: Well he was Mussa, he has flair, frustrated at times but looks dangerous. Needs to control the ball at times and pass more.

7. Lirak Hasani – 7: Worked hard, passed well, scored a great goal, was lively and a willing runner. Red card? Don’t think so.

20. Dan Hayfield – 8: Another of his incredibly busy days, with two assists.

22. Will Jenkins-Davies – 9: MOTM, see below.

19. Cody Cooke – 8: Quite a night, always hard working and a willing runner, particularly when we were down to 10 men, missed pen and two great finishes – I maybe getting carried away now, although I’ve just been told the first was a clever back heel.

8. Jordan Young – 7: There is more to come from him, but he showed good pace, quick feet and was a threat all evening.

Subs:

18. Oscar Threlkeld – 7: Did a great job in front of the defence, won his headers passed the ball when he could rather than thumping clearances.

16. Ed Palmer – 7: Did his job and won his headers.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Weston-super-Mare (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – Will Jenkins Davies

Will Jenkins Davies for me, an outstanding night from a player who I too often said have said his passing isn’t good enough. Great finish for his goal, super assist and just busy with clever movement all game.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dreyer as always and the same for Hayfield. Whoever dug those two up for signing needs a pint buying for them.

TACTICS

We began with the usual 4.3.3 which worked well on a night when there was more space than usual. There was also a more fluid look to the side which can be a bit wooden and backward passing at times. Then major shift to a 5:3:1 for the last 15 minutes which left WSM looking lost for what to do.

OFFICIALS

With a daughter who is a referee I try to see things from their side of the whistle more that my son does, but this was a modern and arrogant type of referee. He didn’t have a bad game, but in the modern way let too much go between centre half/forwards. Then there was the red card – was it necessary/deserved, well we will see. But his whole manner was that gym induced cockiness that you see these days, lots of chest pumping and look at me style of pointing. If you want a laugh look at how he awarded the penalty. Nothing for his Assistant refs to do today.

OPPOSITION

Possibly the best team I have seen this season, passed the ball well, with good movement at times, but strangely lost their way when we had 10 men and definitely after we made 3-2.

CONCLUSION

Compare that to Tonbridge who didn’t try to attack. WSM could have sat back and said a point here keeps them 6 behind us, but they preferred to think win this and they are 9 away. A cracking game of football and what we all want to see.