MATCH VERDICT

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive discusses the game at Slough

SLOUGH TOWN 2-2 TORQUAY UNITED – 21.01.25

SUMMARY

Football has the power to enthral, to delight and surprise. It can also frustrate, anger and demoralise. It did all these things at Arbour Park this evening- and that was just in the final 10 minutes!

Torquay dropped another two points after looking like certain winners at 8pm. Sadly the home team had other ideas, and they were well worthy of sharing the spoils.

This match report was going to feature the words “Daylight Robbery”. But playing under the lights on a cold night, we dropped the swag and crashed the getaway car.

It all started so well. Omar Mussa was recalled to the starting line up in place of Will Jemkins-Davies, and he and Jordan Young showed great footwork, skill and intent in a fast start. The early dominance was rewarded when Young finished sharply to punish what looked to be a mistake by Rebels player-manager Scott Davies…0-1

Although Slough forced some late corners, at half time it was still Advantage United. But they needed a second goal.

Skipper Oscar Threlkeld didn’t emerge for the second half, perhaps because he had been booked for the third of three mis-timed challenges. Lirak Hasani replaced him, and it wasn’t a night “Larry” will remember fondly.

He was soon joined by his fellow midfield apprentice Will Jenkins-Davies. The Plymouth youngster came on for Dylan Morgan- who I thought had had a good game- and he too was a disappointment, with little quality to go with his all-action style.

When that second goal came, it unsurprisingly went to Slough: a good cross falling to Slough’s man of the match John Goddard, who made no mistake from close range…1-1.

Although Jordan Young’s consistent excellence meant Torquay still carried a threat going forward, I felt Slough were the most likely winners. There were injuries for Jordan Dyer and Jay Foulsdon and in different ways their replacements Dean Moxey and Matty Carson became pivotal figures in a ludicrous finale.

First, Moxey was in the right place at the right time to stab home a flick-on in front of a delirious away end…1-2

But then, fatally, Carson was again unable to prevent a cross from his flank (a frequent failing from him tonight). Slough defender Daniel Bayliss got up well and his header looped in over a bemused and furious James Hamon…2-2.

PLAYER RATINGS

James Hamon – 6: Not at fault for the first goal and his general handling was good. But he doesn’t inspire confidence now and although he may not have been able to reach the injury-time sickener he didn’t appear to make any effort to do so either.

Jay Foulston – 6.5: Had to work hard to deal with some astute balls knocked in behind him. Coped ok for the most part until forced off by injury.

Sam Dreyer – 6: A reasonable night’s work from our promising stopper.

Jordan Dyer – 6: Battled hard as always. We could do without losing him.

Jordan Thomas – 6.5: As ever, he tried hard to make a difference going forward from right back. No real defensive worries. It was our left flank that caused all the trouble.

Oscar Threlkeld – 5.5: You suspect plastic pitches aren’t great for midfielders the wrong side of 30. Often a yard short tonight.

Omar Mussa – 8: Has drawn some criticism for losing the ball too easily in injury time: an error which eventually led to the equaliser. Harsh, for me, because he isn’t a full back, a centre back or a keeper, and if any of those had done their job properly we wouldn’t be blaming him for anything. I thought he was excellent all night. He’s got the touch and skill to survive on artificial pitches and more than once he nearly scored memorable goals.

Dan Hayfield – 6: No lack of energy or effort.

Dylan Morgan – 7: Unlucky to get hooked, for my money. He had looked bright in the fit half, buzzing around and often combining well with Jordan Young.

Jordan Young – 8.5: MOTM see below.

Cody Cooke – 5.5: Not a vintage night from our top scorer. I don’t know why he gave way to Ed Palmer.

Subs:

Will Jenkins Davies – 5: Another youngster who was great before Christmas (and whose loan I was desperate to see extended). Very disappointing off the bench tonight though.

Matt Carson – 4: Matty rightly got a lot of praise in early season when his form was excellent and he looked a handful as a left wing back. His first season in men’s football is starting to go badly wrong though. He failed to stop the crosses for either of the goals and he needs to start learning fast now

Lirak Hasani – 5: Never got properly into the game. A young career in the balance.

Ed Palmer – 6: Hard to know whether his introduction at centre back (replacing our only trusted striker) made much difference, but he certainly didn’t stem the tide.

Dean Moxey – 7.5: The convention is that subs after 80 minutes don’t get a mark in these reports. But he played 14 minutes, scored what should have been a winning goal and it must surely be his last season. So I am giving him the points he deserves- he made one decent clearance as well

MAN OF THE MATCH – JORDAN YOUNG

Jordan Young, by a Country Mile. Virtually unplayable. Took his goal well, went close on other occasions and generally had Slough in a mucky sweat every time he got the ball at his feet. A fantastic performance, let down by too many of his colleagues.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

As mentioned above, Omar Mussa had a really good game.

TACTICS

I thought we coped well with the plastic pitch. Several times in the first half we knocked it over the top- a tactic very effective on those surfaces, as we know to our cost from so many horror shows in the past. In Mussa and Young we had skilful players who could give defenders twisted blood.

Morgan’s substitution baffled me. He had been showing for the ball well and looked lively. His replacement was more limited and certainly did nothing to shore us up defensively if that had been the idea.

OFFICIALS

It was quite a quick game and I thought the ref generally did ok. The linesman on my side gave the home team one ludicrous throw-in (the ball was nowhere near out) but nothing critical went wrong so we must be grateful for small mercies.

OPPOSITION

Fine. Their fans were unsurprised when they conceded late, but they played with spirit after being outclassed early on. They had pace out wide and were well worth their point.

KEY MOMENT

I would probably say the injury (or recurrence?) to Jay Foulston. He is a massive strength at left back and we do not have an effective back-up for him.

CONCLUSION

Best not panic. In four days we have taken four important points and scattered them across the South East, never to be seen again. What might have been a four-point lead at the top of the table has become second place. But there are still 57 points to play for, and we must stick together even if at times we feel like ripping each other’s heads off!