MATCH VERDICT

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve discusses the game at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 3-1 WELLING UNITED 11.01.25

SUMMARY

Inspired by a brace from centre back Jordan Dyer, Torquay United extended their unbeaten run in the league to 12 matches to remain at the summit of National League South.

The Gulls started brightly as Jordan Young raced towards goal in the second minute and appeared to have been upended just outside the area, but referee Harrison Blair adjudged that no foul had been committed. A minute later, United were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after Will Jenkins Davies had been felled. Young stepped up to take it and his in-swinging delivery found Dyer who nodded home to score his first goal for the club.

In the 14th minute, Dyer’s centre back partner Sam Dreyer saw a left footed shot parried away by Wings keeper Dylan Berry before the danger was cleared. On 35 minutes, Young received the ball on the right hand side and opted to shoot from a tight angle On the stroke of half time, a low cross from Jenkins Davies was cleared as far as Dylan Morgan who headed the bar back across goal towards United’s leading scorer Cody Cooke who nodded over.

Eight minutes into the second half and with Welling showing more purpose going forward, midfielder Gene Kennedy saw a shot from distance tipped over the bar for a corner by Gulls keeper James Hamon. The Wings then levelled matters in the 57th minute when a Maxwell Statham cross found T J Bramble who headed home from close range.

However, the Gulls restored their lead on 76 minutes as a cross from Young found Dyer who bundled home to complete his double. With a minute to go of normal time, Cooke took advantage of a slip from Wings’ defender Riccardo Di Trollio before coolly slotting home to score his 11th of the season to seal an important win for the Gulls.

PLAYER RATINGS

James Hamon – 6.5: Didn’t have a lot to do, but did well when he was called upon.

Finley Craske – 6.5: Solid but unspectacular.

Sam Dreyer – 7: His usual solid self at the back and even managed to test the Welling keeper in the first half.

Jordan Dyer – 8: See Man of the Match.

Dean Moxey – 6.5: Impressed in the first half, but began to tire in the second half and was replaced by Matt Carson.

Oscar Threlkeld – 7.5: Produced a real captain’s display in the centre of midfield, did the simple things well and seldom wasted a pass and was dominant in the air.

Will Jenkins Davies – 6: Showed plenty of endeavour, but didn’t hit the same heights that he has done in recent games.

Dan Hayfield – 6: Worked hard and was solid throughout.

Dylan Morgan – 6: The former Yeovil man showed glimpses of his ability before he was withdrawn in favour of Jack Wood.

Jordan Young – 7: Claimed two assists and looked lively throughout.

Cody Cooke – 7: Worked hard up front and took his goal well.

Subs:

Matt Carson – 6.5: Brought more energy to the side after replacing Moxey.

Omar Mussa – 7: Looked a threat once he entered the fray and always tried to make things happen.

Jake Wood – 6.5: Ditto the above.

Ed Palmer – N/A: Replaced Jordan Young as Paul Wotton looked to shore up the backline.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Welling (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – JORDAN DYER

Jordan Dyer was in the right place at the right time to get on the end of two crosses from Jordan Young to score his first goals for the club. In the second half, Dyer also did well when called upon defensively.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

In a team where the majority of the players are 24 or under Oscar Threlkeld is one of the elder statesmen of Paul Wotton’s side at the age of 30. Against Welling, the former Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe man led by example and produced arguably his best display since his arrival at Plainmoor.

TACTICS

Paul Wotton started off playing 4-3-3 with Jordan Young and Dylan Morgan operating either side of Cody Cooke. The Gulls then switched to a 4-2-3-1 with the introduction of Omar Mussa and Jack Wood, which saw Wood play on the right of the attacking three, with Mussa playing as a number 10 and Young on the left.

OFFICIALS

On another day, Welling could have found themselves down to ten men for the early challenge on Jordan Young. However, it evened itself out when Torquay were awarded a free-kick for an arguably lesser foul on Will Jenkins Davies, which saw Young pick out Jordan Dyer for the Gulls opener.

OPPOSITION

With two ex-Gulls in their line-up in the form of Chiori Johnson and Dan Martin, Welling upped the ante in the second half and took the game to Torquay. However, they were undone by Jordan Dyer’s second of the afternoon on 76 minutes and then Cody Cooke’s late third goal served to end the game as a contest.

CONCLUSION

In the end it was an important win for the Gulls, as they maintained their unbeaten home record for the season and extended their run without defeat in the league. After a first half that had seen United dominate without adding a second goal, their heads could have dropped when Welling equalised in the second half. However, the Gulls simply focused on the job in hand and duly regained their lead before going on to add a third goal to their tally.

With Maidstone winning and Boreham Wood not playing due to their fixture against Hampton and Richmond Borough being postponed, the three points earned helps keep United clear at the top. Nevertheless, with a trip to Maidstone awaiting Paul Wotton’s side next month and Boreham Wood set to visit Plainmoor in March, there will be yet many more twists and turns in the National League South title race.