MATCH VERDICT

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris reports back from Cornwall

TRURO CITY 0-1 TORQUAY UNITED – 18.04.25

SUMMARY

Torquay United travelled to league leaders Truro City in a massive game at the top of the Vanarama National League South on Good Friday. A car journey in pouring rain, and a long pre-match thanks to a flat ground and wanting to get a spot where my son could see only ramped up the tension on a match that had big consequences at the top.

Paul Wotton named an unchanged eleven from the 2-0 win against Slough Town last week, with Omar Mussa retaining his position as the deep lying midfield player. The game began in welcome dry conditions, and Cody Cooke nodded a first minute Jordan Young free kick narrowly wide of the right hand post. United were stronger in the early stages, but Truro’s direct play, with lots of throw ins and long balls led to an fractured momentum in the first half.

Tyler Harvey was lucky to escape without a card after a late and strong challenge on Omar Mussa. Matt Jay had two presentable sights of goal, with one left footed shot pushed away by former Torquay keeper Dan Lavercombe, and another lob land narrowly wide. There was only one real scare at the other end, with James Hamon getting a strong wrist to a cross fizzed across the box. Half time came with plenty still to play for.

Truro started the second half the stronger, and gained some territorial advantage for the first time in the match. But several throw ins and crosses were dealt with well by the United back line. This change in pattern prompted the first Torquay substitution of the afternoon, with Will Jenkins-Davies taking over from the quiet Dan Hayfield in midfield. Jordan Young ran into Cooke as he was about to shoot and Club captain Oscar Threlked was introduced in place of the limping Mussa shortly afterwards.

United had wrested back some of the ball, and in the now wet conditions, the breakthrough came in the 66^th minute. The ever-alert Lirak Hasani fed Matt Jay down the left hand side. He floated inside, and with the Tinners back line standing off him, lashed an unstoppable shot across Lavercombe and in the net. Limbs in the away, my son covered in beer, and just over 20 minutes to hold on. The lead was nearly extended, and probably should have been, when Hasani’s ball across the box was blocked and dropped to Cooke, who blasted over from six yards.

But United’s backline, with Jordan Dyer and Sam Dryer magnificent throughout, repelled all that was thrown at them. One chance came and went, with Harvey denied by Hamon’s cat like reflexes. Ed Palmer replaced Hasani to add some bite to the midfield for the closing stages, and four minutes of injury time with several, you guessed it, long throws, came and went, before the sodden Yellow Army could celebrate three priceless points.

PLAYER RATINGS

James Hamon – 7: Largely quiet afternoon for the former Truro stopper, but he did what was needed and produced one massive save when required.

Jordan Thomas – 7: Solid performance from the United number 26. Got forward where he could and was part of an impressive Torquay backline.

Jordan Dyer – 9: MOTM See Below

Sam Dreyer – 8: Another hugely impressive display from the ever-dependable centre back. You need your centre backs to play well against the aerial bombardment of Truro, and boy did they do that. Aerially commanding and good on the floor in difficult conditions.

Jay Foulston – 7: Like Thomas on the other side, a solid display from United left back. Got forward increasingly in the second half defended responsibly. It’s no coincidence how United’s defensive record has improved since his return to fitness.

Dan Hayfield – 6: Did nothing wrong in central midfield but couldn’t enforce himself on the game. Replaced before the hour.

Omar Mussa – 7: Another good display from the new deepest midfielder. Took some fearful whacks in the first half, but there were three filthy bits of skill in the middle of the pitch that made the entrance fee alone worth it. His role is key in the last few games.

Lirak Hasani – 7: Struggled to get forward in the first half but was very good in the second. Was involved in the goal, and his indefatigable nature really helped in the closing stages.

Matt Jay – 8: His score is elevated one by the stunning strike for the winner. As PW said after the game, those are the moments that he was brought in for. You really do have to think how he is playing for us at times such is the quality that he has.

Jordan Young – 7: He’s just always dangerous. Almost scored in the second half, and don’t be fooled into thinking that his recent lack of goals means he isn’t contributing. A vital cog in the United attack.

Cody Cooke – 7: Another classic Cody game. Got absolutely battered, pulled, smashed about and dragged over, but never, EVER gives up. Could have scored, by my centre forward is always in your head.

SUBS:

Oscar Threlkeld – 7: Excellent when he came on. Showed leadership, organisation and cut out all that was thrown his way.

Will Jenkins Davies – 7: Was busy and involved from the off when he came on. Never stopped harassing the Truro midfield and nearly broke through once.

Ed Palmer – 7: He can have a 7 too because why not? Ran around and intercepted a couple of attacks.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Truro City (a)

MAN OF THE MATCH – JORDAN DYER

There is a section in the second part of the Taking Flight documentary where Marc Bowes-Cavanagh describes a centre back we are trying to sign who is the best in the league. He’s talking about Jordan Dyer, and he showed that again alongside Sam Dryer at Truro. Alert, strong, good in the air, composed on the floor. All of this describes another outstanding display from the United number 4.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

His partner Dreyer was brilliant as mentioned, and the whole back four were robust and resilient in the face of a constant aerial bombardment. That’s three clean sheets in three games against Truro now this season. Lirak Hasani was very good, you can’t not mention Jay’s stunning winner and Cooke was excellent leading the line.

TACTICS

The tried and tested 4-3-3 was on show again, but it has a new edge to it with Mussa as the base of the midfield structure. Taking the ball off the defenders, twisting and swerving through challenges and getting attacks going, he was again able to get us going at times. The mobile players in midfield and attack were able to move and get into positions where we could hurt Truro, and the system worked well. I can see us sticking with that for the rest of the season.

OFFICIALS

I haven’t often been able to say this, but you didn’t really notice them. Cooke was ragged around by the defenders with little protection, but other than that, a solid performance from the officials. Also didn’t make up any injury time that wasn’t there in the second half.

OPPOSITION

Truro were disappointing. That’s the third time that I have seen them this season, and their directness led to them being very one dimensional. Rather than take a short throw in and try and play, they waited for the centre backs and the long throw. They have had an outstanding season, and it may yet end in promotion. But it wasn’t a Good Friday for them in front of 3306 in their new home.

CONCLUSION

Blimey, this season keeps on giving doesn’t it? Those points have closed the top of the league up further with two games to go. Worthing and Eastbourne drawing has helped leave United one point off the top, with two matches to go. Monday’s visit of Plainmoor from Weymouth is another huge game for us, and we just need to keep winning. Worthing host Dorking in another massive game, with all yellow eyes hoping for a Dorking win with them already behind us. Truro will look to recover at Weston, a team that need the points for another reason. This league is gripping. Onto Monday…