MATCH VERDICT

Ben Wade

Ben discusses the game at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 2-1 HORNCHURCH FC – 15.02.25

SUMMARY

TUFC faced Hornchurch at Plainmoor looking to gain three points after a well-earnt draw at Worthing in midweek. Dan Hayfield and Matt Jay replaced Dylan Morgan and Oskar Threlkeld from that point at Worthing. Before the game, Torquay made a touching tribute to the late Tony Bedeau who tragically passed away at just the age of 45. Many former players and relatives entered the pitch beforehand to mourn the passing of a Gulls legend.

The game started rather lethargically for us as The Urchins gave us some early pressure. James Hamon was forced to make a routine save within ten minutes. Then the Gulls sparked into life as Jordan Young’s free kick on halfway led to a goal. It was clipped up to Palmer who headed it over for Craske to thunder it home on the half volley. Thomas also got down the right not long after and his high effort was tipped over.

On 27 minutes, Craske got a touch on the ball but kicked the player therefore conceding a penalty, giving Hornchurch a big chance to level. The penalty wasn’t right in the corner and Hamon leapt to his right to stop the shot, and the rebound was smothered by two defenders. Soon after Jordan Young burst through on the right and played it into the path of the onrushing Carson who calmly placed the ball into the net to double our lead.

Not a great deal happened in the remainder of the first 45 minutes meaning The Gulls had a two-goal deficit at the break. The Urchins came out looking very determined in the second half and had a couple of snapshots plus corners early on. Birthday Boy and captain Oskar Threlkeld came on for Dan Hayfield after seven minutes of the 2nd half. Omar Mussa also came on for Jordan Young three minutes after. Will Jenkins-Davies went on for Jay after 62 minutes.

Hornchurch were generally on top in the 2nd half, so goal-scorer Carson made way for legend Dean Moxey to shore up the United defence. The away side finally got one back after promising attacking play as the number ten slotted it home into Hamon’s bottom corner after 87 minutes. We saw it through after four minutes of nervy injury time, a much-needed victory in front of the Plainmoor faithful.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hamon: 8 – A class penalty save and multiple decent stops.

Thomas: 8 – MOTM – See Below

Palmer: 6 – He is a big structure in the defence but passing lets him down at times.

Dreyer: 8 – Fought very hard and battled well with quality headers.

Craske: 7 – Scored well and was solid despite giving away the soft penalty.

Carson: 7 – Sometimes ropey in the defence but gets forward tremendously with his left foot and goal was well taken.

Hayfield: 7 – Plays just as well in a deeper role and dictates play.

Hasani: 7 – He is a busy player always popping up on the ball and fizzing passes.

Jay: 7 – I think that he is a 7 out of 10 every game. He always creates openings but not much end product yet.

Cooke: 7 – Very good display fighting and holding up play to bring others into it.

Young: 7 – He had a good game like he usually does, energetic and enthusiastic on the attack.

Subs

Moxey: 7 – Held his position and offered an assured presence in a cagey ending.

Threlkeld: 6 – Sat in front of the back three well and did what he could to protect the lead.

Mussa: 6 – Bright and lively character but couldn’t get us up the pitch.

Jenkins-Davies: 6 – He is a good sub and livens it up with closing down and aggression.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Hornchurch FC (h)

MAN OF THE MATCH – JORDAN THOMAS

My MOTM award goes to Jordan Thomas. He is a quality player at right wing back and was exceptional today. He displayed his pace and dribbling attributes down the flank and struck some ferocious shots.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

My honourable mention goes to James Hamon. His penalty save was superb and that ultimately had a massive impact in us winning the game. He looked more than assured, and also made a couple of noteworthy saves and interventions in the second 45 as Hornchurch threatened.

TACTICS

Paul Wotton has returned to 3 at the back in recent fixtures due to enforced absences, with Matt Jay playing in behind Cooke, whilst Craske and Palmer have slotted in well next to Dreyer. Hayfield slotted back into a midfield role for this game. All the subs were like for like.

OFFICIALS

The referee gave two minor wrong decisions but overall did well.

OPPOSITION

Hornchurch can take many positives away from that performance. They offered regular threats in the attacking third and didn’t tire much, pressing us right to the end of the game.

CONCLUSION

A win is a win, but we could have made it more comfortable. We now stand second in the league and have a great chance if we can improve that pesky away form!