MATCH VERDICT

Peter Wade

Pete discusses the game at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 2-0 EASTBOURNE BOROUGH – 09.02.25

SUMMARY

So far this season in my Verdicts I have used exhausted and exhilarated to describe the matches, well today’s word is ‘brilliant’. A brilliantly competitive game between two decent teams who wanted to play and a brilliant end to the day. Alright, the referee was not brilliant but we will come to that.

Eastbourne Borough came to Plainmoor on the back of an 11 match unbeaten run, having conceded just four times in that run. They looked the part: big, solid, well drilled although not the best side we have seen this season as they did not offer much going forward. The Gulls went back to a 3-5-2 formation in the absence of Dyer and Foulston, with Craske in the back three and with Hasani coming into midfield. A crowd of over 4300 once again was on hand and gave vocal support all game as did the 69 Eastbourne Borough fans.

It was the usual slow start from United but equally Borough looked like the 0-0 was on their agenda it did not matter. We struggled to get any fluency into our play, although it was noticeable that with Hasani and Jay in the side the ball was staying on the floor more and we were definitely trying to play more. Young was his usual busy self, wanting to cut inside and playing neat triangles with both fullbacks who were clearly trying to get forward as much as possible. Borough’s keeper did not look the best with the ball at his feet and a number of balls were sliced into touch: he did one of those modern things of pretending to be injured after 20 minutes to allow the Manager to have a team talk – he was fine for the rest of the match surprisingly! At the other end Hamon had to be alert and come racing off his line a few times. With half time calling Hasani tested the keeper who palmed away his effort. It was proving to be one of the those matches where you end saying “come here ball” as it just would not drop to one of our players.

The second half began in similar fashion but slowly but surely United began to dominate, winning more ball and pushing Borough back. The one real scare was on 68 minutes when Borough got through and Hamon made a blinding save and then Borough lashed the rebound wide. But we were pressing on, Young swung a shot wide, Jay had a shot blocked, and then on 85 minutes our pressure told as a Mussa corner found Dreyer and his header was deflected and bobbled into the net passed a stranded keeper. Bedlam in Plainmoor, both relief and a feeling of justice as we were the better side. With the ref adding six minutes, Mussa took the ball into the corner and on 93 minutes Cook almost wrapped things up but his stabbed effort hit the post. No worries thought as on 95 the battling Cooke won a header on halfway, collected the ball and put Mussa away on the left. He drew the keeper and calmly slid the ball past him. Elation, excitement, relief and all brilliant, what a good game and 4300 people went home very happy and wanting more.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hamon: 7 – Did not have that much to do, a few charges off his line but one brilliant save at 0-0. We all know he has a mistake in him but he also has a match winning save in him.

Thomas: 6 – A decent full back’s display. Solid defensively, a few misplaced passes but also got forward at times.

Palmer: 8 – An excellent game winning his headers and made several excellent interceptions and good at getting attacks going forward.

Dreyer: 8 – This chap is quality, won everything with crunching tackles and dominating headers.

Craske: 8 – Looks more assured in the middle and did everything his other two in the back three did.

Carson: 7 – he has come in for some stick recently but apart from a few misplaced paces was very good. Defended well and got forward well.

Hayfield: 7 – A typical Hayfield performance, full of energy, quiet efficiency, winning tackles and prompting attacks.

Hasani: 8 – A really bright and busy game. Collected the ball well, moved it around and gave us real forward momentum.

Cooke: 8 – Typical Cooke. battled for everything, won his headers and tackled got fouled all the time with out getting many decisions and hit the post.

Young: 7 – always a real threat, with quick feet, alert movement, neat passing and brings others into the game. We need to keep him fit so good to see him go off for a rest early.

Jay: 7 – first time I have seen him and I liked what I saw. Worked really hard, great movement, found space but not afraid of a tackle.

Subs

Mussa: N/A – Did what needed to be done this time and killed the game with a great calm finish.

Threlkeld: N/A – Nice and calm at the end.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Eastbourne (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – SAM DREYER

Really difficult as so many played really well but I have to go for Dreyer, he is just so good. Commanding, dominating, organising – what an acquisition he is.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Craske, Palmer and Hasani – oh and Cooke, Jay, Hamon etc, etc…

TACTICS

Paul went for a 3-5-2 this time – whether that was because of the players he had at his disposal or because of studying Borough I don’t know. It makes the best of Thomas and Carson and let Hasani get forward. The floating Jay looked good in this formation.

OFFICIALS

The referee had a funny old day, as he was fine for spells but then just made weird and inexplicable decisions from time to time. Could not see the battering that Cooke was getting, gave petty things but missed obvious fouls, e.g. Carson when he got the by-line and was wiped out. But could have given a penalty or two to Borough if he had not been on the ball.

OPPOSITION

Without doubt a decent side, not the best as their passing wasn’t always good and did not offer that much going forward other than a couple of forwards who liked to hurl themselves to the floor a good deal.

CONCLUSION

A cracking game of football with two top of the division sides, a brilliant result for The Gulls and last 10 minutes. This reminded me of something Paul said when he took over – you will never go away thinking we could have given more. It was our determination to win that shone through.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Paul Wotton Post Eastbourne Borough (H)#tufc | #TOREAS https://t.co/QgwJixu4xI
— Torquay United FC (@TUFC1899) February 8, 2025

A lovely moment after the game between @goddywestie & Omar Mussa.

Another reminder that we are all in it together, from owners to players to supporters!

Our club.

Enjoy the rest of your weekends Yellow Army! 💛#TUFC pic.twitter.com/UeaxWARjkD
— TORQUAYTALK (@TORQUAYTALK) February 8, 2025